Simple, proven steps anyone can follow to start making money online with digital products.

How to Earn Your First $500 Online with Digital Products

If you’re over 40, juggling a full-time job, and dreaming of passive income, you might think you need a massive audience, a fancy funnel, or a viral TikTok to make money online. The truth? You don’t. With digital products, you can start small, see results fast, and scale from there. This step-by-step guide is designed for beginners—no big audience, no ads, no overwhelm. Here’s how to make your first $500 online with digital products, without the drama.

Step 1: Pick a Profitable Idea

You don’t need a groundbreaking idea—just a specific one. Focus on solving a tiny problem for a specific person. Instead of “helping women get healthy,” create “meal plans for perimenopausal women who work 9-to-5.” Instead of “social media tips,” offer “30 days of caption templates for yoga teachers.” See the difference?

Use your own background as a filter. What problems have you solved for yourself or others that people frequently ask about? Look through old emails, DMs, or conversations with coworkers for clues. If you’re stuck, write down three problems you’ve solved in the past year and turn each into a small product—a checklist, template, or one-hour workshop. Keep it simple: one pain point, one promise.

Step 2: Package It Without Overthinking

Your product doesn’t need 12 modules or a custom members’ area. It needs to be easy to consume, quick to deliver, and clear in its outcome. PDFs, Canva templates, Notion dashboards, swipe files, or mini-workshops are all great options. The goal is to create something fast for you to build and fast for your audience to use.

When I first tried turning my email marketing book into a digital product, I made the mistake of overcomplicating it, attempting to cover funnels, strategy, and more. Sales were lackluster until I simplified it to focus solely on email marketing with clear, actionable examples. The lesson? Your product doesn’t need to be everything—just deliver one clear result. Clarity trumps volume.

Step 3: Price It Strategically

To hit $500, you could sell 19 copies of a $27 product or 11 copies at $47. These price points are approachable for buyers and add up quickly for you. Start here to validate your idea, then increase prices or create bundles later. Your goal isn’t perfection—it’s proof that people will pay for your solution.

Step 4: Build a Simple Sales Page

Skip the fancy website. You need one page that grabs attention by addressing the problem, shows the outcome, lists what’s included, includes testimonials (even from beta users or peers), and has a clear “Buy Now” button. I discovered Stan through another creator, Modern Millie, and it’s been a game-changer for beginners. It’s simple, lets you start selling immediately, and doesn’t require a full website. Don’t get bogged down in branding, colors, or logos—just focus on clear, compelling copy. Or you can use Payhip, which is free to create and sell your digital products, and use the link in bio on social media platforms.

Step 5: Build and Sell Through Your Email List

Your email list is your best sales tool. Start with a simple lead magnet—a smaller, free version of your paid product that solves a related problem and gives people a quick win. Promote it in your existing networks: Facebook groups, LinkedIn, Slack communities, or niche forums. Use tools like Flodesk or Stan to deliver your lead magnet and start your email sequence.

Send a short welcome series (three to five emails) that introduces yourself, delivers value, and naturally pitches your paid product as the next step. This simple funnel—freebie, email list, nurture, paid product—works. When I started selling my own digital product, impostor syndrome hit hard. I wasn’t a big-name guru, but sharing content on YouTube and hearing feedback about how my explanations made complex ideas doable gave me the confidence to keep going. It’s not about being the expert—it’s about helping people in your unique way.

Step 6: Build Momentum After Your First $500

Once you’ve made your first sales, don’t stop. Keep growing your email list with your lead magnet. Repurpose your product into a mini-course or bundle. Use customer feedback to refine your offer or create new content. Your first $500 is proof—proof that strangers will pay for your ideas, and proof that digital products work even without a big following.

When I made my first $500, the money wasn’t the real win. It was the momentum. That first sale showed me I could do this, and it can do the same for you. This is just the beginning.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a big audience, a course, or viral fame to make your first $500 online. By picking a specific problem, packaging a simple solution, pricing it strategically, building a basic sales page, and leveraging an email list, you can see results fast. The key is to start small, stay focused, and use the momentum from your first sales to keep going.

Want more? Check out my free guide on 10 digital products you can build in a weekend or my shortcut to selling your first digital product. Links are below. Here’s to your success!