Top 5 Strategies to Promote Digital Products

Last updated on October 22nd, 2024 at 09:38 pm

We’ve all seen YouTube videos (mine included) listing digital product ideas and quick tips on selling online. You get excited; you create your product, list it, and then… crickets. No traffic, no sales.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry — you’re not alone! The frustration of pouring time into digital products only to see zero results is real, but the good news is, there are ways to turn things around.

In this blog, I’m sharing my top strategies that have helped me consistently sell digital products. Grab a pen, some coffee (or something stronger — no judgment!), and let’s start.

Strategy 1: Build Your Own Community with an Email List

If you’re trying to sell digital products, you absolutely need to start growing your own community. The best way to do that? Build an email list.

I know, I know. You might be thinking, “Ugh, email marketing sounds way too techy and overwhelming.” Trust me, I felt the same way when I started. But here’s the truth: my email list has brought me more sales than any other platform. Why?

• Direct Reach: Unlike social media, where algorithms decide how many people see your posts, emails land straight in your audience’s inbox.
• Resilience: Even if Instagram or Facebook goes down, your email list is still there.
• Follow-Up: If someone doesn’t buy immediately, you can nurture them over time with valuable content.

To get started, you’ll need to choose an email marketing platform. Here are some popular options:

• MailChimp
• ConvertKit
• Flowdesk (my personal favorite, use my affiliate link here for 50% off your first year)
• ActiveCampaign

Pro Tip: Create a freebie — a high-quality resource relevant to your product — in exchange for email addresses. For example, if you sell digital planners, you can offer a free to-do list template or a guide on productivity tips.

Read also: Discover the Top 17 Free Platforms for Selling Your Digital Products

Strategy 2: Leverage Pinterest for Product Promotion

If you’re not using Pinterest to promote your digital products, you’re missing out on a goldmine of traffic. Pinterest loves tall pins with a 2:3 ratio, and they especially love fresh pins — pins they’ve never seen before.

Here’s how to create the perfect pin:

1. Upload Images: Start by uploading images of your products.
2. Customize Text: Use relevant, eye-catching text. Keep it short but descriptive.
3. Change Background Color: Use colors that match your brand and make your product pop.
4. Add Variety: Create multiple pins with different images and text for each product. Variety is key to staying fresh!

Once your pins are ready, download them and head to Pinterest. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Create a new board if you don’t have one already.
2. Upload your pins with attention-grabbing titles and descriptions filled with keywords relevant to your product.
3. Link to Your Product: Make sure your pins lead directly to your landing page or product page.

Consistency is key here. Post daily, and engage with others’ pins to increase your visibility.

Related Post : Pinterest Marketing Tools:15 Must-Haves

Strategy 3: Run Sales and Promotions

Running a sale is a classic strategy for a reason — it works! If you’re launching a new product or your current ones aren’t selling, try running a limited-time promotion.

Why?

• Etsy Loves Sales: If you’re selling on Etsy, shoppers can filter by products on sale. It’s a great way to boost visibility.
• Create Urgency: Let people know they only have a limited time (e.g., 7 days) to take advantage of the discount. This sense of urgency will push them to act faster.

Don’t just mention the sale once; hope for the best. Keep reminding your audience across all platforms — your email list, social media, and Etsy banners — to get the word out.

Strategy 4: Provide Value on Instagram

Instagram is a fantastic platform for building a community around your brand. The key to success? Provide value.

Instead of simply posting product images with “Buy now!” captions (yawn), create content that addresses your audience’s pain points. Here’s how:

• If you sell resume templates, share interview tips and resume-writing advice.
• If you offer planners, create content around productivity hacks and time management.

Pro Tip: Mix up your content types. Try:

• Static posts
• Carousels
• Instagram Reels Analyze which formats get the most engagement and stick with those.

And if you’re just starting out, don’t worry about having a small following. Engage with potential customers by commenting on and liking posts in your niche. Build relationships — this will naturally lead people to check out your products.

Strategy 5: Focus on Reviews and Social Proof

Let’s be real — how many times have you bought something online without reading reviews? Exactly.

Social proof is everything. But since only about 5–10% of customers leave reviews on their own, you’ll need to give them a nudge:

• Clear Communication: Make sure your product descriptions are clear and leave no room for confusion.
• Personal Follow-Ups: Message customers after a sale thanking them for their purchase and offering assistance.
• Ask for Reviews: A few days after purchase, follow up and kindly ask if they’d leave a review. If they loved your product, they’ll be happy to help!

And don’t be shy — if you have reviews, share them everywhere. Post them on Instagram, in your emails, and on your product pages. People love knowing they’re not missing out on something awesome.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling discouraged because your digital products aren’t selling as well as you hoped, take a deep breath. It’s normal! The key is to stay consistent and use strategies like email marketing, Pinterest, promotions, Instagram, and social proof to boost your sales over time.

As they say, “Success is like toilet paper — it runs out fast if you’re not consistent!”