Let me guess – you’ve been telling yourself you’ll create a digital product “someday” for about six months now.
You’ve probably even started a few times, stared at that blank Google Doc, and then decided you need to do more research first.
You’re not stuck because you lack ideas. You’re stuck because you think it has to be complicated.
Some of the most profitable digital products I know started as simple solutions created in an afternoon. No fancy software, no months of planning, no waiting for the perfect idea.
Ready to move from “someday” to “today”?
Here are 10 products you can literally create before dinner tonight.
1. A Simple PDF Checklist
This is honestly the easiest place to start! Think about something you do regularly in your business or life that others struggle with.
Maybe it’s “10 Things to Check Before Publishing a Blog Post” or “Essential Items for Your First Client Meeting.”
How to make it: Open Google Docs or Word, list your steps, add a checkbox next to each one, and save as PDF. Done in 30 minutes, max.
Why it works: People love checklists because they make complex tasks feel manageable. Plus, they’re incredibly shareable on social media.
Ideas to get you started:
- Pre-launch checklist for online courses
- Daily routine checklist for productivity
- Client onboarding checklist for service providers
- SEO checklist for blog posts
- Packing checklist for business trips
2. A “Swipe File” Collection
Gather 15-20 examples of something in your field – email subject lines, social media captions, website headlines, whatever makes sense for your audience.
The beauty of this: You’re not creating from scratch, you’re curating. Compile them into a simple PDF with brief explanations of why each example works.
Step-by-step process:
- Pick one specific type of content (email subject lines, Instagram captions, etc.)
- Collect 15-20 high-performing examples from various sources
- Write 2-3 sentences explaining why each one works
- Organize them by category or theme
- Add a simple cover page and table of contents
Hot tip: Include both the original example and a “fill-in-the-blank” template version. This gives people both inspiration and a practical tool they can use immediately.
3. A Basic Email Course
You don’t need 12 weeks of content to create value. A 5-day email course can be incredibly powerful.
Pick one specific skill or concept you can teach. Write 5 short emails (300-500 words each) that build on each other. Set them up in your email platform to send automatically.
Your 5-day structure could be:
- Day 1: The problem and why it matters
- Day 2: The foundation (basic concepts)
- Day 3: The method (your approach)
- Day 4: Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Day 5: Next steps and resources
Popular topics that work well:
- “5 Days to Better Instagram Engagement”
- “Build Your Morning Routine in 5 Days”
- “Write Your First Sales Page in 5 Days”
- “5-Day Photography Challenge for Beginners”
Why people love email courses: They feel personal, arrive in bite-sized chunks, and create a sense of momentum. Plus, once you set it up, it runs automatically!
4. A Simple Template or Worksheet
What’s something you use in your business that others always ask about? Maybe it’s your content calendar template, budget tracker, or client onboarding checklist.
Pro tip: The more specific, the better. “Social Media Content Calendar for Service Providers” will sell better than “Generic Planning Template.”
Templates that always sell:
- Content calendar templates (monthly, weekly, quarterly)
- Budget trackers for specific niches
- Client questionnaires and intake forms
- Project planning worksheets
- Goal-setting workbooks
- Invoice and contract templates
How to make it valuable:
- Include instructions for how to use it
- Add examples of completed sections
- Provide different versions (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
- Include bonus tips or resources
Create it in: Google Sheets, Excel, Canva, or even a simple Google Doc. Just make sure it’s easy to edit and customize.
5. A Quick Video Tutorial
You probably know how to do something that others find tricky. Record a 10-15 minute screen recording walking through the process step-by-step.
No fancy editing required! Use free tools like Loom or even your phone. People actually prefer authentic, helpful content over polished productions that lack substance.
What makes a great tutorial:
- Start with the end result so people know what they’re working toward
- Show every click and explain why you’re doing it
- Include common mistakes and how to fix them
- Provide any resources or links mentioned in the video
- Keep it focused on one specific task
Tutorial ideas:
- “How to Set Up Your First Facebook Ad in 15 Minutes”
- “Create a Professional Email Signature in Canva”
- “Set Up Google Analytics for Your Website”
- “Design Your First Lead Magnet in 10 Minutes”
Bonus points: Include a PDF guide that accompanies the video with key screenshots and steps.
6. A Resource List or Directory
Compile your favorite tools, websites, books, or resources around a specific topic. Add brief descriptions of what each one does and why you recommend it.
This works especially well if you’re in a field where people constantly ask “What tools do you use?” (Spoiler alert: that’s pretty much every field!)
Make it more than just a list:
- Organize resources by category
- Include your personal rating or experience with each tool
- Add links and pricing information
- Mention any alternatives or free options
- Include setup tips or best practices
Resource list ideas:
- “The Ultimate Toolkit for New Freelancers” (25 tools)
- “Content Creator’s Resource Library” (apps, websites, courses)
- “Small Business Owner’s Favorite Tools” (organized by function)
- “Beginner Blogger’s Essential Resources”
Pro tip: Update this periodically and send the updated version to previous buyers. It keeps the value high and builds goodwill.
7. A Simple Audio Guide
Not everyone learns by reading. Record yourself talking through a process, sharing tips, or answering common questions. You can use your phone’s voice recorder – seriously, it’s that simple.
Upload to a platform like Dropbox or Google Drive, and you’ve got an instantly downloadable product.
Audio guide formats that work:
- Q&A style answering common questions
- Step-by-step process explanation
- Behind-the-scenes business insights
- Mindset and motivation content
- Interview-style content with yourself as expert
Why audio works so well:
- People can listen while commuting, exercising, or doing other tasks
- It feels personal and intimate
- No need to worry about visual design or formatting
- You can create it quickly without editing
Topics that work great in audio:
- “Mindset Shifts for New Entrepreneurs”
- “How I Built My First $10K Month”
- “Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Business”
- “The Real Truth About Working from Home”
8. A “Day in the Life” Behind-the-Scenes Guide
People are fascinated by how others structure their days, especially successful entrepreneurs. Document your daily routine, productivity tips, or how you manage specific challenges.
This feels personal and valuable without requiring you to be an expert in anything other than your own experience.
What to include:
- Hour-by-hour breakdown of your day
- The tools and apps you use
- How you prioritize tasks
- Your biggest productivity challenges and solutions
- Screenshots of your actual systems and setups
- The mindset shifts that made the biggest difference
Different angles you can take:
- “A Day in the Life of a Six-Figure Freelancer”
- “How I Manage 3 Kids and a Full-Time Business”
- “Behind the Scenes of My $50K Launch”
- “A Week in My Content Creation Process”
Make it actionable: Don’t just share what you do – explain why you do it and how others can adapt it to their situation.
9. A Problem-Solution Pairing Guide
List 10-15 common problems your audience faces, then provide one specific solution for each. Keep it simple – you’re not writing a comprehensive guide, just offering quick wins.
Example: “15 Common Website Mistakes and How to Fix Them in 5 Minutes or Less”
Structure that works:
- Problem: Clear description of the issue
- Why it matters: Brief explanation of the impact
- Solution: Step-by-step fix
- Pro tip: One bonus insight or alternative approach
Ideas for different niches:
- “12 Instagram Problems and Quick Fixes”
- “10 Email Marketing Mistakes Costing You Sales”
- “15 Time Management Issues and Simple Solutions”
- “Common Freelancing Problems and How to Solve Them”
The key: Focus on problems you’ve personally experienced and solved. Your real-world solutions are way more valuable than theoretical advice.
10. A Simple Toolkit or Bundle
Take 3-4 items you already have (or can create quickly) and package them together around a theme. Maybe it’s “The New Freelancer Starter Kit” with a rate calculator, contract template, and client questionnaire.
The magic happens when you position these as a cohesive solution rather than random individual items.
Winning bundle combinations:
- Templates + checklist + tutorial
- Worksheet + resource list + audio guide
- Multiple templates that work together
- Guide + swipe file + bonus templates
Bundle ideas:
- “The Complete Content Creator Toolkit”
- “New Business Owner’s Launch Kit”
- “Social Media Manager’s Resource Bundle”
- “Freelancer’s Client Management System”
Pricing strategy: Your bundle should cost less than buying items separately, but more than your individual products. If you normally charge $15-25 for individual items, price your bundle at $37-67.
Bonus tip: Give your bundle a catchy name that clearly communicates the outcome, not just what’s included.
Your 2-Hour Action Plan
Pick ONE of these ideas – whichever one made you think “Oh, I could actually do that!” – and set a timer for 2 hours. Don’t overthink it, don’t make it perfect, just make it real.
Here’s your step-by-step action plan:
Hour 1: Create the core content
- Choose your product type and specific topic
- Outline the key points or steps
- Create the main content (write, record, or compile)
- Don’t edit or perfect – just get it done
Hour 2: Package and polish
- Create a simple cover or title page
- Add any necessary formatting
- Save in the final format (PDF, audio file, etc.)
- Write a basic description of what it includes
After your 2 hours:
- Upload to a simple platform (Gumroad, Etsy, or your website)
- Set a price or give it away as a lead magnet
- Share it with your audience
Remember, your first digital product doesn’t need to be your masterpiece.
It just needs to exist. You can always improve it later (and trust me, you will), but you can’t improve something that doesn’t exist yet.
Most people never create their first digital product because they’re waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect time, or the perfect skill level. But done is better than perfect, and started is better than stalled.
What if this time next week, you already had your first digital product live and making sales?
That possibility is absolutely within your reach – you just need to take that first step today!
