I’m going to get right to it. Selling PDF files online is the best online business I’ve ever done.
As an introvert, I was seeking an online business model that would be low-maintenance and wouldn’t drain my energy.
That’s because I’ve tried other online businesses including affiliate marketing and selling print-on-demand t-shirts. Both were draining in their own ways.
However, when I created a digital information product in the form of a PDF file, and began selling it online, I suddenly had more fun, more time, and became excited about my business.
The Kind of PDF That I Sell
I sell digital information products. Basically, I sell information that can help people save time, hassle, and figure out a solution to a problem they’re having.
First, you have to decide on what you want to help people with.
For example, maybe you’ve discovered how to get the best deals on travel. Put it in a PDF.
Or maybe you’ve got down to a healthy weight in your mid-fifties by walking every day and eating certain foods. Put it in a PDF.
You get the idea. Most of us have something we’re good at or something that others are always asking for our help with.
If you can save someone time, hassle, and help solve an issue, it is likely an excellent topic for your PDF.
Helpful Tip: If you are stuck trying to figure out a topic for your PDF, enlist the help of ChatGPT or another AI platform. Ask for ideas related to a certain niche.
How I Create My PDF Files
Creating your PDF is one of the easiest things you can do. In fact, you can do it for free by using Google Docs.
Other good options include Microsoft Word or Pages if you’re using a Mac.
Google Docs is simple, free, and when you’re done typing up your guide, you can “download as PDF”.
That’s really all there is to it. Typing up your information product doesn’t require you to be a best-selling author.
Write as if you’re writing to a good friend. Get your point across. Remember, people are wanting the information that is going to help them.
There doesn’t need to be any fluff. Feel free to add your personality and sense of humor in your writing.
But don’t stress over it being perfect. Give your audience the info they’re looking for.
Where to Sell PDF Files
When it comes to zero-cost online businesses, it is challenging to find them. However, you can create and sell PDF files for free.
Remember, you can create your PDF for free using Google Docs. You can also sell your files for free on certain sales platforms.
I recommend either Payhip or Lemon Squeezy. Both platforms are free to use. They both take a small percentage of every sale that you make.
Both platforms will deliver your PDF files directly to your customer automatically.
Marketing Your PDFs
You won’t get very far with selling your PDFs if you don’t have an audience to sell to.
The good news is that your audience is out there and you can reach them organically.
Think social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Also, consider platforms like Pinterest and YouTube (which are considered search engines.)
In order to reach your audience organically, you’ll need to create content. Content can be in the form of:
- Short-form videos (Instagram reels, TikTok videos)
- Long-form videos (YouTube)
- Blog posts
- Articles on Medium.com, Substack
- Pins on Pinterest
You can also run paid ads but be careful with this if you’re new to running ads.
There is much to learn and it is easy to spend a lot of money without any results.
Paid ads can include:
- Meta ads
- Google ads
- Bing ads
I’ve had some good results with boosting my Instagram carousel posts. Again, proceed with caution as it is easy to spend a lot of money.
Helpful Tip: Always send your audience to a landing page. Your landing page can be an email signup form or a sales page for your product.
Why Selling PDFs is My Introvert Dream Business
I’ve been working online as my career for years. I have had remote jobs and I’ve always had some type of side income based online as well.
Out of all the things I’ve tried, selling PDFs has been the most enjoyable, low-maintenance, and introvert-friendly online business I’ve done.
What I like about it is that it is 90% automated. I don’t have to engage with anyone unless I want to.
All of my engagement is automated with the use of marketing funnels and chatbots such as ManyChat.
I’ve created a digital product that I get to sell over and over with very little effort on a daily basis.
Once your systems are in place, you can actually have fun with running your business.
I don’t feel the pressure of constantly making reels or posting content. I create content because it’s fun, not necessarily because I have to.
Here are is a list of my favorite things about selling PDF files:
- Digital so nothing to ship
- No inventory to keep
- Automate 90% of the daily tasks
- No hard selling
- You don’t have to engage with anyone (unless you want to)
- Low-cost (you can start for free)
- Works 24/7
What’s Next?
The next question is, are you ready to get started?
Most people never start because they think they don’t have time or there is nothing of value they could put into a PDF.
Both are misconceptions.
I created my first digital product in the span of a weekend. It was created and up for sale.
You may need the guidance to get started and you can find that below: