Your First Digital Product

At the end of every season, I ask myself four questions. What happened? What went well? What didn't go well? And what's next? In this episode, I'll share ALL the answers to those questions, plus some specific financial information on the brand and why this episode will likely be the last.Links 🔗- Season 1 Recap- Season 2 Recap- Podcast appearances- Send me a voice message- Get in touchShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep68

6/18/24 • 14:10

There's no better time to start thinking about accessibility than today! Erin talks about the why and how to make your digital products (and business) more accessible.Erin Perkins is a champion for disability rights and an entrepreneur promoting accessibility and inclusiveness. As a deafblind woman, she founded Mabely Q, an independent online business. Erin also serves as a speaker and educator. Her unique experiences foster genuine inclusion, empowering people with disabilities. With Erin's guidance, businesses embrace diversity and unlock the potential of every individual.Links 🔗- Free Social Media Scorecard- Accessibility Made Easy- Visit Erin's website- Find Erin on Instagram- Listen to my solo episode on making your digital product more accessible- Accessible PDFs From InDesign Training Share a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep67

6/11/24 • 43:36

"Build an audience" is one of the biggest pieces of advice in the online world, but what if you create a product first? Brionna created her Contracts Foundations course knowing that because it was so valuable, people would find it. She also recommends the course to new leads when they can't afford her 1:1 services or just to get up to speed with the fundamentals of contracts before they start working with her.Brionna is a self-described multi-dimensional misfit. She started her career in law working at various firms in California before she became the second legal hire at a nascent electric vehicle company. She left her full-time role as in-house counsel 5 years ago to pursue entrepreneurship as a legal consultant and wellbeing guide. She's worked with everyone from C-level executives at Fortune 100 companies, to new solopreneurs, to stay-at-home caregivers, to teenagers. Most recently, she launched a new venture, The Everyday Lawyer, that's focused on teaching freelancers and solopreneurs the foundations of business law so they can make better and more confident decisions in their work.Links 🔗- Brionna's Linktree - Visit Brionna online - Sign up for her newsletter - Follow her on Instagram - Connect with her on LinkedIn - Find her on Threads- Subscribe to her YouTube channel- Dani Gardner Discoverability by Design (affiliate)Share a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep66

6/4/24 • 47:48

Digital products don't have to be so hard! Listen to Liz's story of selling her first product, then creating it and how she continues to create and sell with relative ease.The Fresh Princess of Email Marketing, Liz Wilcox is an Email Strategist and Keynote Speaker showing small businesses how to build online relationships, package up their “magic” and turn it into emails that people want to read and, most importantly, purchase from.In the span of 5 years, Liz grew and sold a successful blog, got bought out of her second company, and built the third into a multiple six-figure party that just won’t quit! In other words, she now teaches online entrepreneurs to simplify the whole “email marketing thing” and finally master their sales in a way that leverages their personality, vision, and values.She’s best known for her 4200+ users membership, 20 Minute Newsletter technique, and the Email Staircase framework she’s taught to tens of thousands of creatives, freelancers, ecommerce shop owners, and small businesses across the globe.Offline, Liz lives in Florida, loves to run and is a walking 90s pop culture encyclopedia.Links 🔗- Free email swipes- Liz's website- Join the Facebook group- Follow Liz on InstagramShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep65

5/28/24 • 41:05

Tune in for a very meta episode! Yasmine shares the story of creating digital products (contract templates for service providers) but also talks about the contracts you need as a service provider and digital product creator.Meet Yasmine Salem Hamdan, an award-winning entrepreneur and intellectual property attorney based in Dallas, Texas. She's the founder of Coachesandcompany.com, where she's revolutionizing legal protection for entrepreneurs by offering plug-and-play legal solutions and lawyer-created business contracts without the hefty law firm fees. Her innovative approach has helped thousands of entrepreneurs safeguard their businesses and financial futures. Yasmine also hosts The Business of Doing Business Podcast, where she shares bite-sized lessons and invaluable insights, catering to modern entrepreneurs. Her contributions have earned recognition from platforms like Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Thinkific, and Dallas Startup Week.Yasmine’s mission is to help entrepreneurs everywhere build their own Protected & Profitable businesses in order to create a positive impact on the world & financial independence for themselves.Links 🔗- FREE Legally Launch Guide- Digital Product Terms & Conditions Contract Template- Coaches & Company on Instagram- Coaches & Company on Threads- Yasmine on LinkedIn  - The Business of Doing Business PodcastShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep64

5/21/24 • 47:14

Laura has gone through several evolutions of her business, from 1:1 work to a membership to a group cohort to courses and beyond. Her goal is always to build her business around her life, and she has developed a really great sense of self to know what works for her and what doesn't.Laura is an online marketing mentor and experienced digital copywriter. Over the last 10 years, she has helped hundreds of business owners create and sell 1-1 services, courses, memberships, and group programs. She’s taught thousands of people around the world, through the copywriting training she created for international business organizations including Female Entrepreneur Association, Enterprise Nation, and Membership Academy. She is also the author of the Comfy Business Playbook, and the creator of the Comfy Business Newsletter for people who want a business that flexes around their other life challenges, priorities, and adventures.Links 🔗- Sign up for Laura's newsletter - Follow her on Facebook or Instagram- Check out Laura's products and services- Kay's episode- Laura's episode on Membership Geeks- Laura's episode on Female Entrepreneur AssociationShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep63

5/14/24 • 52:20

With Black Friday quickly approaching, Samantha saw an opportunity to create a set of emails to help people sell their products. It was fast and without any tech; she emailed her list and manually invoiced customers. After seeing success, she went on to create more products.Sam is the founder & lead copywriter at Nomad Copy Agency & Copy On Demand. Get copy that sounds like you, but better! Links 🔗- Get free guides - Check out Copy on Demand - Follow Samantha on InstagramShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep62

5/7/24 • 46:27

If you're looking to create an online course, check out this episode where Deb shares her top tips including: - Have a proven process, method or framework- Help others get results- Make sure your topic is in demand- Plan well (including market research and finding the gap)- Include touch points and accountabilityDeb is the CEO of DB Course Strategies – an online course creation business. With over 20 years in the world of learning and development, including over a decade spent as an Instructional Designer, Deb specializes in creating learning programs that simplify complex subjects into manageable, transformative pieces for learners. Links 🔗- The Trick to Create Online Courses - Get Deb's free/low cost tools for course creation - Visit Deb's website - Follow Deb on Instagram Share a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep61

4/30/24 • 52:06

I don't get many business owners who want to come on the show and share that their first product didn't sell at all, but I am so glad that Raina Willick joined me to tell her story. Even though her first product failed from a sales perspective, she doesn't consider it a failure. She learned a lot and grew from the experience. We also chat about potential digital products for her new venture, Baguette Bound.Raina Willick guides business owners to create more flow and fun in their work by cutting through their Shiny Object Syndrome and organizing the focus of their businesses around their Personal Jedi Code of Values.Her goal is always to turn the internal clarity coaching brings into external action plans her clients can use to make their business a better place for them to work.She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a member and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) of the International Coaching Federation, and a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching McLean, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.Since 2020, has spent hundreds of hours coaching owners of small service location based businesses, freelancers, content creators, agency owners, and consulting firm executives.Previous to coaching, her experience as a Registered Nurse in critical care leadership taught her how to prioritize under pressure without loosing sight of the human element in every situation, and experience as a community manager for entrepreneurial memberships gave her unique insight into the lives and time challenges of business owners behind the scenes.Personally, Raina has a deep understanding of when to dive in and when to turn away, like when she left a religious cult at age 18; when she signed up for (and completed) a triathlon without knowing how to swim; when she first enrolled in, then dropped out of, pastry school; and when she left a 17 year career as a critical care nurse to turn her talent for community organizing into a service building community growth and facilitating masterminds for entrepreneurs.Raina grew up unschooled. She claims she will never have time for all the books on her list, and has seen every episode of The Office, Schitt’s Creek and Downton Abbey more than once. She is mother to one human child, wife to one human man, and reluctantly cohabitates with one talkative orange cat name Grits (she won’t claim to be his owner in case he reads this bio).Links 🔗- Raina's coaching website- Baguette Bound YouTube channelShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep60

4/23/24 • 47:24

It's another different kind of interview! Corrie is here to tell us all about using social media (and other marketing channels) to share the good news about our digital products and more. We dive into which channels are best for you, how often to post based on your capacity, consistency and how social media is a long game.With over 22 years in digital marketing and over 17 years of experience developing social media campaigns, Corrie's career spans not only years but also industries. She's developed community marketing programs for video games & television shows and created social media programs for financial instructions, child advocacy centers, food service suppliers, and community nonprofits. What's more? After all these years, she still loves helping people figure out how they can make their social media & email programs work for them. She believes there is something magical in assisting a team – big or small – to realize that they can make decisions that work for their organization, audience, and programs.Links 🔗- Visit Corrie's website- Sign up for Sustainable Social- Sign up for Chaos FreelancerShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep59

4/16/24 • 67:45

There's a lot that goes into creating a digital product, but a common question that people ask is, where do I even start?In this episode I'll share five steps to get started – scope, topic, audience, result and timeframe. Links 🔗- Brainstorming guide for potential digital product topics- Schedule a free 30-minute strategy call- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep58

4/9/24 • 28:03

Deanna and I are all over the place today talking about her audio courses and private podcasts, how digital products can help you connect with people, how her teaching background has helped her as a product creator and figuring out exactly what you want and need as an online business owner.As the host of Big Fun Content, Deanna Seymour understands the power of creativity, fun, and lettin' your freak flag fly when it comes to content creation. She’s all about bold branding, lively design, and making less content, but doing it better.With a mix of humor, empathy, and real talk, Deanna helps you feel more comfortable in your own skin so you can actually have fun with your content and connect with your perfect-fit clients.When she’s not recording a new podcast episode or working with clients, she’s probably making GIFs, hangin’ with her fam, or sneaking in some Real Housewives!Links 🔗- Find Deanna on her website- Follow Deanna on Instagram- Check out the Anti-Hustle Holiday Series- Buy Eff ThatShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep56

4/2/24 • 59:54

Accessibility is the quality of being able to be reached, entered, used, or understood by everyone, especially people with disabilities. Accessibility is a way to reach more people and help more people understand the information you're sharing with them. It's good for everyone and really just good practice.In this episode, we'll talk about a few ways that you can make your digital product more accessible, without having to do a ton of extra work.Links 🔗- Book your free strategy session- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep56

3/26/24 • 13:48

We're mixing it up today and instead of talking about Abby's digital products, she came on the show to talk about all things marketing. From creating pillar content to getting in front of other people's audiences, Abby answers all of my marketing questions!Abby Herman is a fractional marketing director, content strategist and podcast manager for service-based businesses who want to gain more visibility for their businesses with personalized content strategies and implementation. She helps business owners let go of the day-to-day frustration around their marketing so her clients can get back to doing what they love in business. Abby is the voice behind The Content Experiment Podcast, where she features guests and solo episodes to talk about business growth and mindset, content strategy, and visibility for podcasters.Links 🔗- xkcd 10,000 comic- Learn how to Ask Your Audience- Visit Abby's website, thecontentexperiment.com- Connect with Abby on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedInShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep55

3/19/24 • 42:59

I love this question because on the surface it makes sense. It looks like a valid comparison, but if you really look at it, the comparison is just not there. In this episode, I dive into many ways that you can look at this.Links 🔗- Episode on audiences to sell to- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep54

3/12/24 • 13:05

Have you ever thought about print on demand products as part of your offerings? Tim shares why and how he added these to his product list which also includes a few templates available on Gumroad.Tim is a podcaster and YouTuber who covers content creation and social media strategy. He has spent much of his career in education, applied research, and project management, all of which involve elements of content creation and storytelling. Now, he's on a mission to use that experience to help other content creators and entrepreneurs develop their skills, build sustainable businesses, and achieve their goals.Links 🔗- Vanessa Lau- Work Breakdown Structure- Visit Tim's website - Check out Tim's YouTube channel- View Tim's products on Gumroad- Check out Tim's print on demand productsShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep53

3/5/24 • 44:10

A new connection recently asked, If I have a lead magnet, do I have a product? And the answer is YES.Smaller products are great because like lead magnets, they solve one problem really well. They are easier for you to create and easier for your customers to consume and get a big win from!Today I'll share a few options when it comes to creating a digital product, all from the perspective of lead magnets.Links 🔗- Hollie's story- Kyle's story- Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy call- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep52

2/27/24 • 10:33

Hollie created the Ultimate Branding Checklist as a lead magnet for her list. After seeing a lot of success, she decided to expand on it and now offers three additional paid options. Hollie Arnett is a brand strategist and coach for creatives, and the founder of Maker & Moxie. With a background in graphic design and experience with her own art practice, Hollie knows the power of creativity and how building a brand can enable your creative business to thrive. That's why she's on a mission to help creators build their brand, grow their audience, and share their work with the world so that together we can make the world a more creative place, one brand at a time. More creativity, colour, and joy in the world? Yes please!Links 🔗- Download the Ultimate Branding Checklist- Visit Hollie's website- Follow Hollie on Instagram and Threads- Check out Hollie's podcast, Brand Your PassionShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep51

2/20/24 • 47:42

There are tons of sales platforms out there for your digital product – how do you know which is the best one for you? Let's talk about a few questions to ask when vetting sales platforms. I'll also share a variety of options and talk a bit about each.Links 🔗- Sign up for your free, 30-minute strategy session- Watch my YouTube live on Lemon Squeezy and check out the blog post- Sign up for reminders about my upcoming live on Gumroad- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep50

2/13/24 • 11:56

We don't all have an idea for a product – sometimes it takes a friend or colleague to show us that we already have something to sell!Debbie had been maintaining websites for many years, communicating with clients using email templates and snippets from Google docs. She was looking for a better way to clearly let her clients know what was and wasn't included in her care plans (and to upsell additional services). Once she created a comprehensive document, she also had a product to sell to her peers.Links 🔗- Three types of audiences you can sell to- Check out Debbie's product (and use code YFDP20 for 20% off)- Visit Debbie's agency websiteShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep49

2/6/24 • 25:31

Everything you think about digital products is wrong. As I was putting together the season 2 bonus episode with all of the advice from the digital product creators of season 2, I realized that SO many of the ideas we have about digital products are just plain incorrect.Today I walk through things you may think you need to be or do, but that no guest on the show has ever actually mentioned.Links 🔗- Sign up for your free, 30-minute strategy session- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep48

1/30/24 • 10:00

Join me as I walk through my four question framework (what happened, what went well, what didn't go well and what to try next time) as it applies to season 2 of the show. We'll also talk about how you can use this framework in any area of your life.Links 🔗- Check out the season recaps Canva presentation- YouTube lives- Instagram and Threads- Case studies – Stories from the Road- Market research calls- Cold open episodeShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep47

12/12/23 • 11:43

Kathleen has been creating digital products for 10 years and most recently launched Quizillionaire, a toolkit to create a high-converting online quiz that attracts your ideal customer. We talk about the pieces of Kathleen's sales funnel along with creator mindset blocks and shifts.Kathleen Celmins, the founder and CEO of The Well-Paid Expert, has more than 15 years of experience in the online marketing world - in both large Fortune 500 companies and start-ups. She's on a mission to help creators (service providers, writers, designers, marketers, podcasters) become well-paid experts.Links 🔗- Find her at thewellpaidexpert.com - Check out Quizillionaire at quizillionaire.comShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep46

12/5/23 • 40:48

There are two types of marketing when it comes to digital products – launch marketing and ongoing marketing. Today we'll talk about several things that you can do to market your product ongoing, beyond that initial launch period. From showcasing your products in easy-to-get-to places to creating content for your audience to leveraging other audiences, I share a number of ideas that you can try.Links 🔗- Maximizing your website for converting digital products- Affiliate marketing alongside your digital product with Angela Markham- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep45

11/28/23 • 19:49

Maggie joins me to talk about her Solo Business Retreat Planning Guide and how this low-priced product is an offering for anyone at any point in their journey.Maggie Gentry is a thought partner for high-conscious entrepreneurs—acting as a confidant and co-conspirator—gently guiding them towards their growth edges, pointing them back to their truth, and redefining how they do business on their own terms. When these elements flow together synchronistically, magic happens. Nothing gives her more joy than finding patterns amidst the (perceived) chaos so that her clients may step more fully into their genius and allow their businesses to be of service to the world.Links 🔗- Check out the episode I mentioned on the three types of audiences- Find Maggie on her website at maggiegentry.com - Sign up for her mindful marketing newsletter- Check out Maggie's virtual office hours (free) and Shift Sessions (pay what you're able)- Read her blog post, Systems as Rituals: Don’t Let Your Business Burn You Out  - Check out her digital product, Solo Business Retreat Planning GuideShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep44

11/21/23 • 44:14

You may be wondering (like Roy on Threads) how to actually find time to work on a new digital product when you have client work and other obligations. In this episode, I share some questions around mindset to make sure you're in a good place, plus a few strategies for planning and time management.Links 🔗- Schedule your free call- Why Mondays are a great day to work on your digital product- Digital product roadmap- Using an email autoresponder- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep43

11/14/23 • 16:02

Angela talks about her first product, The Flourishing Affiliate and how the process was much different from her new product, The Affiliate Ascent. I also ask all of my burning questions about using affiliate marketing with your digital products.Angela Markham has been helping small business owners grow their income and impact with affiliate marketing since 2014. She educates and motivates her clients through online courses, coaching programs and management services, which are all built on establishing and growing genuine relationships to generate scalable income sources.Links 🔗- Find Angela at angelajoymarkham.com - Connect with her on Instagram- Get Angela’s free goodies – 25 ways to recruit affiliate partners and how to grow your business with affiliate marketing- Check out her courses – The Flourishing Affiliate and The Affiliate Ascent.Share a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep42

11/7/23 • 45:59

I posted a question on Twitter and Threads recently that I was planning solo episodes. I asked, what are you interested in learning about digital products? Fatima responded and said, maximizing your website for converting digital products. I love to talk about websites and have a ton of tips for you in this episode. Links 🔗- What are you interested in learning about?- Free calls- Carrd- Episode 8- Gill's LinkedIn post- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep41

10/31/23 • 16:21

Kim has been a serious student of marketing for as long as she's been in business. She also walks her talk and gets "clarity through the doing." In this episode, Kim also shares her love of physical products and how she's been offering those from the very beginning.With over 15+ years in the digital marketing space, Kim is an email & newsletter enthusiast, podcaster, and founder of Create It - The Content Planner. Focused on living with intention & purpose, while maximizing fun.Links 🔗- Copy School- Ann Handley- 12-Step Foolproof Sales Letter Template by David Frey- Luma- Breakthrough Launch- Product Launch Formula- HighLevel- Creator’s Weekly- Heartwork Journaling- Heartwork Journaling University- Extendly- Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy- 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan- Kim on YouTube- Find Kim on her website at kimdoyal.com- Sign up for her newsletter, The Spark- Check out Create It, The Content PlannerShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep40 

10/24/23 • 60:33

In the last solo episode, I talked about dealing with disappointment in your digital product, but that's not the only emotion you may feel. In this episode, I explore the wheel of emotions and identify others you may encounter on your journey.Links 🔗- The wheel of emotions- Gill's episode- Kay's episode- Rubber duck debugging- Emily's episode- Send me a voice messageShare a link to this episode 👉 https://yfdp.show/ep39

10/17/23 • 13:45