Taking your next digital product idea from concept to customer-ready doesn't have to be complicated.

This plan will help you choose your idea, identify your target audience, simplify the creation process, meet deadlines, and remove overwhelm.

Why You Need a Product Plan for Digital Product Creation

Creating digital products can be exciting, offering you the opportunity to generate scalable revenue and helping potential customers solve problems in their lives.

However, diving into digital product creation without a solid plan can lead to wasted time and missed opportunities.

Identifying Your Ideal Customer

You need to pinpoint who your potential customers are to tailor your digital product idea effectively.

If you already do email marketing and content marketing, it's likely you know who your ideal customer is. If you don't already have an audience you should:

1. Analyze your market and figure out the customer you want to provide value to.

2. Focus on specific demographics like age, occupation, and interests to help you define a more niche customer.

3. Investigate your competition and see what differentiators you can create to stand apart.

The more specific you can get with your ideal customer, the easier it will be to sell your digital product to them.

Understanding Your Customer's Needs and Pain Points

The more you know the problems and struggles of your potential customers, the quicker you'll be able to get people to purchase your products.

If you already have an audience, send them a survey! Ask them simple questions like what they're struggling with, what their upcoming goals are, and anywhere they feel stuck or lost.

If you don't already have an audience, you need to start building one so you can learn what help they need from you.

Creating Customer Personas

After gathering information on your target market, create customer personas to visualize and personalize your potential customers.

These fictional characters help you create sales copy, content marketing, social media posts, sales emails, and more.

Example Personas:

Attribute Persona 1: Graphic Designer Persona 2: Web Designer Age 30-40 25-35 Job Veteran freelance graphic designer Junior designer at an agency Fave Design Tool Canva Figma Goals Create another stream of income besides clients Leave their full-time job and work for themselves Challenges Limited time for extra work Feels overwhelmed Solution Sought Online course teaching how to create Canva Templates Paid workshop on how to build a 6-month plan to leave 9-5 job

Clarify Your Digital Product Idea

Define the core purpose of your digital product and understand how it will provide value to your target market.

Ask yourself what problem your product solves, how it stands apart from existing solutions, and what unique features it offers.

You should be able to write a 1-sentence elevator pitch that explains the problem your product solves and who it helps. (Ex: I help freelance graphic designers who love Canva create Canva Templates they can sell while they sleep.)

Brainstorming and Refining Your Idea

Brainstorm potential product iterations and features, starting with a broad scope.

Use tools like mind maps to organize your thoughts. Refine your ideas, filtering out impractical ones and focusing on viable concepts.

Categorize features into 'must-have,' 'nice-to-have,' and 'unnecessary' to streamline your product’s scope.

Ensuring Market Demand

Ensure there's demand for your product before investing time and resources. Analyze market trends, competitor offerings, and how people are talking about the digital product idea you're looking to create.

Validate your idea by gathering feedback from your intended audience through surveys, pre-selling, or beta testing.

Establish that there’s a niche market with a genuine need for your product to increase your chances of success.

Outline Your Product Content

A simple bulleted list in a Google Doc is a powerful way that digital product creators can minimize the overwhelm that occurs when building a new online product..

For educational content, detail the course modules or lessons as a list. Don't worry about filling out all the information of each module just yet.

For downloadable products, list the types of templates, core features needed, and how a customer will use them.

Start by identifying the key topics or elements your product must cover. Break these down into subtopics or individual items. This creates a table of contents for your product, serving as a blueprint for your creation process.

Breaking Down the Content into Manageable Sections

Divide the content bulleted list into sections, each focusing on a specific topic or function. This allows your potential customers to easily navigate and consume your product.

Example Sections for an eBook:

• Introduction

• Template Design Principles

• Individual Templates (Invoice, Planner, Revenue Tracker, etc.)

• Customization Tips

• Integration with Other Tools

• Conclusion

Creating a Logical Flow and Structure

Ensure your product has a logical flow for user comprehension and retention. The content order should guide users from one concept to the next, building upon knowledge or skills.

For instance, in an online course about digital marketing:

1. Introduction to Digital Marketing

2. Understanding Your Audience

3. Crafting a Marketing Strategy

4. Exploring Channels: Email Marketing, Social Media Platforms, and More

5. Implementing Campaigns

6. Analyzing and Optimizing Results

7. Conclusion and Next Steps

Maintain short, easy-to-read paragraphs. Use tables and lists to break down complex information into an accessible format. Record helpful videos to visually explain more in-depth topics.

Plan Your Product Features and Format

There are many ways to create digital downloads, online courses, or other product offerings. By having a plan of action and clear list of features, you can save yourself time and headaches in the creation process.

Whether you're creating audio content, video content, templates, printables, etc, you want to provide a viable product that aligns with user expectations.

Deciding on the Product Type

Choose a digital product type that resonates with your niche market and fits your business model. Options include downloadable products, online courses, or subscription services. Consider factors like customer buying behavior, ease of distribution, and your capacity to update and maintain the product.

If your target audience is used to buying templates in their digital product space, it's probably best to stick with templates and not try to sell them a monthly membership. Look to industry experts and follow industry trends to ensure you're picking the right product for your audience.

Focus on Benefits

Just saying your online course has 10 lessons doesn't mean anything to your ideal customer. But saying your online course will help someone create Canva Templates in one week without stress is an outcome someone wants.

Example Features vs Benefits:

Features Benefits 10 lessons Create in one week Includes videos and audios Less stress and overwhelm Mobile friendly Learn while you're doing the dishes

Choosing the Right Tools and Platforms

Select tools and platforms that align with your product's complexity and desired user experience. Consider functionality, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities.

Example Platform Comparison:

Platform Key Functionalities Integration Capabilities Pricing Models Platform A Content delivery, community High Subscription Platform B Scheduling, payment integration Moderate One-time purchase

Ensure the tools and platforms provide a seamless process for both you and the end user.

Develop Your Marketing Strategy

In an ideal world, you want to be marketing your digital product while you're creating it. Sharing a behind the scenes exclusive content is a great form of content marketing that can attract and engage potential customers.

Beyond sharing behind the scenes content, you want an effective marketing strategy that reduces the fear of selling and promoting all your hard work.

Identifying Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Identify and communicate your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to stand out in a crowded market. Analyze your product's features and benefits to pinpoint what makes it unique. Remember, people buy the benefits NOT the features of your digital product.

Crafting a Compelling Sales Message

Craft a clear, persuasive sales message that appeals to your audience's interests and needs.

Structure of a Sales Message:

1. Hook that captures attention

2. Statement of the problem or need

3. Introduction of your product as the solution

4. Benefits and results the user can expect

5. Call to action

Planning Your Marketing Channels and Tactics

Determine the marketing channels to convey your sales message. Choose channels where your potential customers are most active. If you know your ideal audience spends time on Instagram, don't waste time creating a marketing campaign for Linkedin.

What type of marketing content can you create consistently? If you absolutely hate writing long-form articles (like this one 😅) then don't waste your time! This is where you have to be a smart business owner and know the digital content you can share to promote your awesome digital product business.

Create a Digital Product Timeline and Milestones

One of the best ways to reduce overwhelm in your digital product business is by creating a timeline with specific milestones tracing the journey from ideation to launch.

Example Timeline:

Phase Milestone Estimated Completion Idea Validation Validate digital product idea Month 1 Market Research Comprehensive market analysis Month 1 Product MVP Initial version ready Month 2 Beta Testing Beta testers giving feedback Month 3 Marketing Planning Complete marketing strategy Month 4 Launch Preparation Finalize product and create launch assets Month 5 Product Launch Official market release Month 6

If six months feels like too long, that's just an example timeline! You know your schedule, your capacity, and how much buffer time you need to factor in. Just remember, it's better to build your product business sustainably so you don't burn out!

Setting Realistic Deadlines

Set specific, achievable deadlines to maintain momentum based on your life circumstances. Consider the project complexity, your time availability, and task dependencies. Break down large tasks into smaller ones and estimate time required with buffers for adjustments.

Breaking Down the Creation Process into Phases

Divide the creation process into distinct phases:

1. Idea Conception: Brainstorming and refining the product concept.

2. Research & Development: Market research and initial design.

3. Testing: Creating an MVP and gathering feedback.

4. Production: Adjust product based on feedback.

5. Marketing & Sales Prep: Finalizing marketing materials and strategies.

6. Launch: Public release and promotion.

7. Post-Launch: Collecting data and preparing for updates.

Each phase should end with a deliverable leading to the next phase.

Monitoring Progress and Adjusting as Needed

Constantly monitor progress against your timeline and milestones. Use your favorite project management tool to work efficiently and will less stress.

Also, remember that you're not a robot and you may miss some of your self-imposed deadlines. Be kind to yourself and readjust your timeline accordingly.

Final Thoughts on Successful Digital Product Creation

Continuously review and refine your product plan, your digital content, your customers's needs, and market shifts and trends. You should plan to tweak your product features, target market, pricing strategies, and promotional activities based on the ever-changing digital landscape we live in.

A Few Last Tips for Staying Organized and Focused

• Leverage Digital Tools: Use project management software like Asana, Trello, Notion, etc.

• Regularly Update Your Timeline: Revise your timeline and milestones as needed.

• Set Aside Review Time: Schedule regular intervals to assess progress.

• Prioritize Daily: Reduce project overwhelm by focusing on what's most important today.

• Remember Your Why: Why are you creating a digital product business? Who are your helping and what will change in your customer's life?

Success in digital product creation involves adaptability, creativity, and strategic execution. Focus on delivering value and convenience through your products, and choose appropriate channels for distribution.

With dedication and a solid plan, your digital product can become a viable and profitable part of your business.