Let’s be real: starting an online business from scratch can feel exhausting. You’ve got dreams of creating passive income, but then reality kicks in. Suddenly, you’re drowning in to-do lists, figuring out what to sell, designing products, writing content, and making it all look polished enough to charge money for.
What if I told you there’s a smarter way? One that skips the overwhelm and gets you straight to making sales? Enter: Done-For-You (DFY) digital products. These bad boys are pre-made, customizable, and basically the cheat code to launching your online business without wasting weeks (or months) creating something from scratch.
In this guide, I’m breaking it all down: what DFY digital products are, why they’re genius, and how you can use them to make your business goals a reality. Oh, and I’m throwing in a real-life example: my own Pinpoint Your Success: The Essential Pinterest Guidebook—a done-for-you product that’s already helped entrepreneurs like you crush it on Pinterest.
Let’s get into it.
So, What Exactly Are DFY Digital Products?
Imagine someone hands you a ready-made product and says, “Here, you can sell this as your own.” That’s what DFY digital products are all about. They’re pre-designed resources that you can tweak, brand, and sell like you created them yourself.
Some examples?
- E-books and guidebooks (like my Pinterest guide—more on that later!)
- Social media templates
- Printable planners
- Email marketing sequences
- Online courses
- Digital downloads like journaling prompts, budgeting spreadsheets, or vision board kits
These products are already polished and ready to go. All you have to do is slap your logo on them (ok, maybe do a bit more than that, but you get the point) and start selling.
Why DFY Digital Products Are a Game-Changer
Let’s cut to the chase: DFY digital products save you time, energy, and frustration. But the benefits don’t stop there. Here’s why this strategy is the bomb:
1. You’re Not Starting From Scratch
Who has time to sit down and write a 50-page guide or design 100 social media templates? Not you. DFY products let you skip that entire creation process and focus on what really matters: getting those sales rolling.
2. Perfect for Newbies
If you’re new to the game, DFY products are your fast pass. You don’t need to be a design whiz or a marketing expert to get started. The hard part is already done.
3. Passive Income Potential
Here’s the beauty: once you buy or create a DFY product, you can sell it over and over without any additional cost. That’s scalability at its finest.
4. Customizable to Fit Your Vibe
Most DFY products are editable, so you can tweak the colors, fonts, and overall look to match your brand aesthetic. Make it YOU, but without all the legwork.
5. No Big Startup Costs
Forget the headaches of sourcing inventory or dealing with shipping logistics. Digital products are pure profit after the initial setup.
Types of DFY Digital Products That Sell Like Crazy
Ready to brainstorm some ideas? These are the kinds of DFY products that practically sell themselves:
1. E-Books and Guidebooks
Let’s start with a heavy hitter: e-books. People LOVE buying e-books because they’re an easy way to learn something new without investing a ton of time. My Pinpoint Your Success Guidebook is the perfect example.
This guide is designed for busy entrepreneurs who want to crush it on Pinterest without spending months figuring it out. It’s pre-written, polished, and packed with actionable tips—and it’s a fantastic example of how DFY products can deliver insane value while making you money.
2. Templates
From Canva designs for Instagram posts to fill-in-the-blank email templates, this category is a goldmine. People will pay for anything that makes their lives easier, especially if it saves them time.
3. Printable Planners and Journals
Planners, to-do lists, meal trackers, gratitude journals—these kinds of printables are huge in the digital marketplace. They’re low-cost to make and appeal to practically everyone.
4. Courses or Workshop Kits
Not ready to record your own course? DFY courses are pre-written or pre-recorded and ready for you to sell. Just add your branding and boom—you’ve got a new revenue stream.
5. Marketing Kits
Business owners are always looking for shortcuts, especially when it comes to marketing. Sell them pre-written email sequences, content calendars, or social media caption templates, and they’ll be throwing money at you.
How to Launch Your DFY Digital Product Business
Don’t overthink this. Launching a DFY product is easier than you think. Here’s the game plan:
Step 1: Pick a Niche
You can’t sell to everyone, so figure out who your product is for. Are you targeting moms who want better planners? Small businesses who need social media help? Entrepreneurs who need marketing shortcuts?
Know your audience. Solve their problems. That’s the magic formula.
Step 2: Find or Create a Product
You can either buy a DFY product from a creator (there are tons of platforms for this) or make one yourself if you’ve got the skills. Remember, the goal is to offer something people actually need.
For example, my guidebook solves a huge pain point: helping people use Pinterest to drive traffic and sales without wasting time on trial and error.
Step 3: Customize It
Even though it’s done-for-you, you’ll want to tweak the product to match your brand. Change the colors, add your logo, and make it look like YOU. Most DFY products are designed with this in mind, so editing is usually super easy.
Step 4: Set Up Shop
You’ll need a place to sell your product. This could be your website, Shopify, Gumroad, Etsy, or even your Instagram bio link. Choose a platform that makes sense for your audience.
Step 5: Promote, Promote, Promote
This is where the hustle happens. Share your product everywhere—on Pinterest (more on that in a sec), Instagram, email, and even through partnerships with influencers in your niche.
Why Pinterest is a Power Move for Selling DFY Digital Products
You know what I love about Pinterest? It’s not just social media—it’s a search engine. People come to Pinterest looking for solutions, which makes it the perfect place to sell DFY products.
Here’s why Pinterest works so well:
- People on Pinterest are ready to buy. They’re searching for answers, which means they’re in “solution mode.”
- Pins last forever. Unlike Instagram posts that disappear after 24 hours (looking at you, Stories), Pinterest pins keep driving traffic for months—or even years.
- Visuals sell. Pinterest’s format is all about eye candy, which makes it a dream for showcasing your products.
And here’s where my guidebook, Pinpoint Your Success, comes in. It’s a DFY product designed to help entrepreneurs tap into Pinterest’s insane potential. If you’re not using Pinterest to sell your products, you’re leaving money on the table.
Tips to Make Your DFY Products Irresistible
Selling DFY products isn’t just about having a good product, it’s about making it a no-brainer for your audience. Here’s how:
-
Solve a Specific Problem
Your product needs to scream, “This is exactly what you need!” People don’t buy “nice-to-haves.” They buy solutions. -
Make It Look Incredible
Don’t skimp on design. People do judge a book by its cover, especially when it’s an e-book or digital download. -
Bundle It Up
Want to increase your sales? Create bundles. For example, if you’re selling a Pinterest guide, throw in a pack of Pinterest templates as a bonus. -
Simplify the Experience
Make sure your product is easy to use. Include step-by-step instructions if needed. If your customer feels confused, you’ve already lost them.
Scale, Baby, Scale
Once you’ve got your first DFY product out there, don’t stop. Scaling your business is all about adding more value and reaching more people.
- Expand Your Product Line: Add complementary products.
- Offer Subscriptions: Monthly memberships for access to new DFY products.
- Sell on Multiple Platforms: Think Etsy, Creative Market, and beyond.
- Bring in Affiliates: Let others promote your product for a commission.
Final Thoughts
DFY digital products are the ultimate shortcut for anyone who wants to build a business without getting stuck in the endless cycle of creation mode. Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned entrepreneur, these products can take your brand to the next level.
And if you’re still not sure where to start, grab my Free Digital Product Checklist! It’s the ultimate tool to help you brainstorm, plan, and launch your first (or next) digital product with confidence. Whether you're a total newbie or ready to level up, this checklist will spark ideas and keep you on track. Download it now and get one step closer to building a business you love!
