You've been scrolling through Instagram, watching other creators sell templates, presets, and guides, thinking "I could never do that." But here's the truth: you absolutely can. The knowledge you take for granted—the things you've learned through trial and error, the systems you've built, the skills you've honed—someone out there is desperately searching for exactly that.
Creating your first digital product isn't about being the most expert expert or having tens of thousands of followers. It's about packaging what you know into something helpful and putting it out into the world. Let's walk through exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Finding Your Product Idea
The best digital products solve a specific problem for a specific person. Start by asking yourself:
What do people already ask you about? Check your DMs, comment sections, and conversations with friends. What questions keep coming up? These repetitive questions are gold mines for product ideas.
What did you struggle to learn? Think about skills that took you months to figure out. Maybe you finally cracked the code on creating viral Reels, organizing your finances, or editing photos that pop. Your struggle is someone else's current reality.
What systems do you use daily? Your morning routine template, your content calendar, your meal prep system, your client onboarding process—these are all potential products.
Common digital product types include:
- Templates (Notion dashboards, Instagram templates, business documents)
- Presets and filters (Lightroom, photo editing)
- Guides and ebooks (step-by-step tutorials, checklists)
- Workbooks and planners
- Video tutorials and courses
- Stock photos or graphics
- Sound packs or music loops
Pick one idea that feels exciting and doable. Don't overthink it—your first product doesn't have to be perfect.
Step 2: Validating Your Idea Before You Build
Before you spend weeks creating something, make sure people actually want it. Here's how:
Ask your audience directly. Post an Instagram Story poll: "Would you pay $15 for a template that helps you plan your content 3 months in advance?" The responses will tell you everything.
Share your struggle and the solution. Create a post or video explaining the problem you solved and hint that you're thinking about creating a guide. Watch how people respond. Are they asking "when will it be ready?" That's validation.
Test with a small beta group. Offer your product for free or at a discount to 5-10 people in exchange for honest feedback. Their input will make your final version so much stronger.
Look at the competition. If others are selling similar products successfully, that's actually a good sign. It means there's demand. Your unique perspective and approach will set yours apart.
The key is to validate before you create, not after. A week of asking questions can save you months of building something nobody wants.
Step 3: Creating Your Product
Now comes the fun part: actually making it. The good news? You don't need expensive software or technical skills.
For templates and graphics: Canva is your best friend. It's free (with a paid option), intuitive, and you can create everything from social media templates to ebook covers to printable planners. Start with their templates and customize them to match your style.
For guides and written content: Google Docs works perfectly for drafts. For the final product, consider Notion (great for interactive guides), Canva (for beautifully designed PDFs), or even a simple well-formatted PDF. Focus on clarity and actionable steps.
For video content: Use your phone! Seriously. Most smartphones shoot in high quality. For editing, try CapCut (free and powerful), iMovie (Mac), or DaVinci Resolve (free pro option). Keep it simple—clear audio matters more than fancy transitions.
For presets and filters: If you're creating Lightroom presets, you'll need Lightroom (mobile version is free). Document your exact settings so buyers know what they're getting. Include before/after examples.
Quality tips that matter:
- Keep it actionable. Every page should help someone DO something.
- Use clear, simple language. Write like you're explaining to a friend.
- Include examples. Show, don't just tell.
- Make it visually appealing, but don't obsess. Clean and organized beats fancy every time.
- Test it yourself. Work through your own guide or use your own template before selling it.
Set a deadline. Give yourself one to two weeks max for your first product. Done is better than perfect.
Step 4: Pricing Strategies for Beginners
Pricing feels scary, but here's a framework that works:
Start affordable. For your first product, price it between $7-$27 depending on complexity. A simple template? $9-$15. A comprehensive guide? $19-$27. This range is low-risk for buyers and helps you get those crucial first sales and testimonials.
Consider your time and value. If your template saves someone 10 hours of work, $15 is a steal. If your guide helps someone make their first $500 online, $27 is nothing. Price based on the transformation, not just the hours you spent creating it.
Bundle later. Once you have 2-3 products, create bundles. Three individual $15 products could become a $35 bundle. This increases your average order value while giving customers a deal.
Don't undervalue yourself. Yes, start affordable, but $3 is too low. You're providing real value. Own that.
Launch pricing strategy: Consider offering an early-bird price for the first week. "Get it for $12 now, regular price $19 next week." This creates urgency and rewards your earliest supporters.
Step 5: Setting Up Your Storefront on Shuppi
This is where your product goes from files on your computer to an actual business. Shuppi makes this incredibly simple:
Create your account and set up your profile. Use a clear profile photo, write a bio that explains what you help people do, and add links to your social media.
Add your product. Click to add a new digital product and fill in:
- A clear, benefit-focused title: "30-Day Content Calendar Template for Busy Creators"
- Product description that explains the problem it solves, what's included, and what buyers will be able to do after using it
- Eye-catching product images (screenshots, mockups, or lifestyle photos)
- File upload (PDF, ZIP, or whatever format your product uses)
- Price
Write a compelling description. Use this structure:
- What problem does this solve?
- What's included?
- Who is this for?
- What will buyers be able to do after using it?
- Any important details (file format, compatibility, etc.)
Optimize for discovery. Use relevant tags, choose the right category, and make sure your product title includes keywords people might search for.
Test the purchase flow. Have a friend (or use a test purchase) to make sure everything works smoothly from checkout to download.
Your Shuppi link becomes your storefront. Add it to your Instagram bio, TikTok profile, YouTube description—everywhere.
Step 6: Launch Day Checklist
Launch day isn't just about posting once and hoping. Here's your game plan:
Before launch:
- Create 3-5 pieces of content (feed posts, Reels, TikToks) explaining different aspects of your product
- Design Story graphics announcing the launch
- Write an email to your list (even if it's small)
- Prepare testimonials from beta testers
Launch day:
- Post your main announcement (show the product, explain the transformation, share your link)
- Share Stories throughout the day with different angles (behind-the-scenes, testimonials, FAQ)
- Go live if you're comfortable, showing the product and answering questions
- Send your email announcement
- Engage with every single comment and DM
Throughout launch week:
- Post different content showing various use cases
- Share user testimonials as they come in
- Answer questions publicly (FAQ Stories help everyone)
- Remind people the early-bird pricing ends soon (if applicable)
Don't forget:
- Pin your announcement post
- Add your product link to Stories highlights
- Update your bio to mention your new product
- Cross-post across all platforms
The key is consistency. Multiple touchpoints throughout the week will reach more people than a single post.
Step 7: After Launch—Iterate Based on Feedback
Launching is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you listen and improve.
Collect feedback. After someone purchases, follow up (via email or DM) asking:
- Was anything confusing?
- What did you love most?
- What would make it even better?
Update your product. Digital products can be improved forever. Add a new section, clarify instructions, include more examples. Then notify previous buyers they can download the updated version—they'll love you for it.
Create supplementary content. Use your product as the foundation for free content. Tutorial videos, tips extracted from your guide, before/after examples. This content markets your product while providing value.
Watch your metrics. On Shuppi, you can see views, clicks, and conversion rates. If lots of people view but don't buy, maybe your description needs work. If nobody's viewing, you need to promote more.
Start thinking about product #2. What questions are buyers asking? What's the natural next step after your first product? Your customers will literally tell you what to create next.
Celebrate your wins. Your first sale is HUGE. Your tenth sale is amazing. Each one is proof that what you know has value. Take screenshots, share testimonials, and let yourself feel proud.
You're Ready (Yes, Really)
Here's what stops most people from creating their first digital product: the belief that they need to know more, have more followers, or be more established. But some of the best digital products come from people who are just a few steps ahead, sharing what worked for them.
Your first product won't be perfect. It doesn't need to be. It needs to be helpful, honest, and available. The creator who launches an imperfect product today will be miles ahead of the one still "planning" to launch someday.
You have knowledge someone needs. You have a solution to a problem someone is facing right now. Package it up, put it on Shuppi, and share it with the world.
Your first digital product is waiting to be created. And honestly? The world is waiting for it too.
Ready to start? Set up your Shuppi storefront today and turn your knowledge into income. Your first sale is closer than you think.