Creating a digital download

[Cybernettr]

I have created an "overcoming shyness" info product, which I have worked on for well over a year. Unfortunately, it's not selling as well as I'd like it to (in fact, I'm not making back my expenses).

In examining what might be wrong with my offer, I concluded that one possibility is that I'm selling my course as a physical product, and most of my competitors are selling theirs as digital downloads, which appeals to the "instant gratification" desires of the customers.

I'd like to offer my product as a digital download. Unfortunately, I don't know how to go about doing it. What format do you save the files in? How do you make sure that only those who have paid for the product can gain access to the download page?

I have read a number of materials on producing info-products, but I have not seen a thorough discussion or explanation of this. If someone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

[TommyBussey]

Well first you need to convert all written files to a PDF.

You then need to put that PDF(s) onto your server via FTP.

Then you need to have a "Thank You" page. This is a page where someone will be redirected to after they make a purchase of your product.

On that thank you page you should have a link to download your product.

Be sure to give clear instructions to your customer on how to download.

Like, "Right-click here and then click "Save Target As" or "Save File As" to download this product" Also make sure they know that Adobe Acrobat Reader will be needed to view the PDF, if they don't have offer a link to the download site and make sure they understand that it's a free program to download.

Obviously that link should look something like this:

http://www.yourdomain.com/yourproduct.pdf

I know that's a pretty general overview, but I hope it helps.

- Tommy

[avenuegirl]

You can do this several ways.

Is this just an ebook? Written materials can be saved in a pdf format. If you are working with video you have several file formats, and if it is audio you can do some easy mp3 formats.

You can sell yourself with a payment processor, and use something like DL guard to protect your downloads.

You can also submit your product to places like clickbank, paydotcom, or ejunkie which will allow you to use affiliates as well to promote your product.

If you do it yourself, you would set up your website with a "buy it" button. When the user clicks the buy button they are directed to a payment processor ie paypal. The user would pay via credit card or their paypal account. When the transaction is paid for, they will see a link they can click to go directly to a download page. That page has your product on it.

This is a very basic run down, but it works.

[mgkimsal]

Originally Posted by Cybernettr

I have created an "overcoming shyness" info product, which I have worked on for well over a year. Unfortunately, it's not selling as well as I'd like it to (in fact, I'm not making back my expenses).

In examining what might be wrong with my offer, I concluded that one possibility is that I'm selling my course as a physical product, and most of my competitors are selling theirs as digital downloads, which appeals to the "instant gratification" desires of the customers.

I'd like to offer my product as a digital download. Unfortunately, I don't know how to go about doing it. What format do you save the files in? How do you make sure that only those who have paid for the product can gain access to the download page?

I have read a number of materials on producing info-products, but I have not seen a thorough discussion or explanation of this. If someone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

How are you collecting payment?

IMO this is a rather technical issue that gets glossed over in many discussions of info selling. I think the assumption is that you'll just put your product on clickbank or something like that and everything just 'happens'. Having written a custom ecommerce package specifically to deliver PDFs (watermarked with the purchaser's info and date), it's not a simple thing.

https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?c.../solutions_dgd has a list of some carts that work with PayPal. Paypal Download Manager : Product Information looks like it might work for you, but that's just a guess. I've never used that system, so I can't comment on it.

[radhika]

1. Create a pdf.

2. Create a folder on your webste and upload pdf to it.

3. Secure the folder with .htaccess.

4. Set up a paypal buy now button.

5. Redirect them to a thankyou page where they download the pdf.

The above is very simple and basic concept.

Or you can buy a paypal cart to further automate and secure the downloads.

.

[Profit-smart]

1-Scan your book, compile it as a PDF. I use wordperfect and a PDF plugin to publish my Pdfs.

2-Setup with kunaki.com, you can then offer a double whammy; A hardcopy AND instant download.

[goliathseo]

Profit-smart has a good point... Bump the price up even more for selling the physical and digital products together...

[Online Bliss]

If you are somewhat new you might try
e-Junkie or the "free" fat.free.cart version
as a shopping cart, download service.

[rockfuse]

hey thanks for this post I was looking for an easy way too , didn't feel like setting up a shopsite around it . I think that ejunkie looks the best for ease and price.

[macknox]

How have you been sell it?
As a paperback book ?

To create an ebook - Use Openoffice to convert to PDF - it's free.

Depending on your budget:
use clickbank = $50 as vendor - pick up affiliates (c.f. paydotcom)

Or just use paypal - only PP fees to pay.

Set up PP button from your account... link it to your download page.

You can use DLGuard later on if you have many products or videos to download to protect your bandwidth. Good for managing products.

Don't worry about people stealing your work! if they are going to buy it and give it away they will!

Even masters like Ewen Chia don't bother with download protection... he "lightly" masks it in a folder.

I think I understand why... the most important function is to make the sales... and using scripts slow things down.

If people want a refund they will get a refund and keep it.
If people want to steal it - they would have never paid for it in the first place.

[edhan]

If you have written it in Word format then you can easily use Open Office (it's free) to convert it to pdf format. That's what I do for word to pdf.

Create a new folder in your hosting site and upload the pdf to that folder.

If you are using PayPal, then you can easily create the Buy Button (it will consist of the re-direct to the download page) and once they have made purchase, paypal will re-direct them to the download page. Simply create a thank you page in that download directory.

Better still, if you have other products that you can upsell in the thank you page. Put them there and you will get another sale!

If you need my help to setup, PM me.

[seanyd]

Open office is a great free tool for creating pfd`s

[samstephens]

I think I understand why... the most important function is to make the sales... and using scripts slow things down.

Actually, if you choose the right script it actually speeds things up, for you AND for your customer.

This is true right from product setup, through to the actual sale and download, through to post-sale support and customer management.

You just need to choose the right product to achieve this, as I agree - there are products around that'll actually make things more difficult. The goods ones actually have the opposite effect.

cheers
Sam

[Curt Dillion]

I know there are some good programs out there like Digital Guard, that protect your downloads. But, I solved these problems long before those programs were available.

I'm more old school, and some of the advice here is a little scary. If you're going to host your own downloads, don't put your thank you page on the same domain you are selling from. People can simply search your site, and download your product for free.

Another thing you should do, if you're setting up your own downloads, is to put your pdf file into a zip file. That way, when a customer downloads the zip file, they will stay on your thank you page. Use your thank you page for back end offers.

I have a special domain, with a robots.txt file which tells the search engines not to list it. I use that domain for all of my downloads. The thank you pages and the zip files are all on that site.

[kidino]

Seen Simple IPN yet? Simple IPN: Free Paypal IPN PHP Script for Digital Download Products -- MiniSiteGallery.com

OK, yes... it's mine. A quick, simple, free solution.

[BlueSquares]

Originally Posted by kidino

Seen Simple IPN yet? Simple IPN: Free Paypal IPN PHP Script for Digital Download Products -- MiniSiteGallery.com

OK, yes... it's mine. A quick, simple, free solution.

That's a great resource regardless of the self-promo. And nice templates, too!

[danjensen]

Some great advice in here guys.

Surprised no one has added an add name and email step into the process so that the OP can build a list for his next book.

I know it adds an extra complex step but surely it is worth while.

Should the email stage be before the purchase?

i.e. paypal payment then enter email then download page?
or on the down load page.

I'm assuming there was an enter email onthe sales page.

[samstephens]

Originally Posted by danjensen

Some great advice in here guys.

Surprised no one has added an add name and email step into the process so that the OP can build a list for his next book.

I know it adds an extra complex step but surely it is worth while.

Should the email stage be before the purchase?

i.e. paypal payment then enter email then download page?
or on the down load page.

I'm assuming there was an enter email onthe sales page.

DLGuard does all this automatically for you - not need for any extra steps, or fiddling with scripts.

DLGuard will grab the customer's details from the payment processor, and automatically add them to your autoresponder.

That's the benefit of using scripts like DLGuard - automation, and extra features while keeping the payment process streamlined and smooth for your customers.

cheers
Sam

[danjensen]

thanks sam didn't realise DL guard did all that

[samstephens]

Originally Posted by danjensen

thanks sam didn't realise DL guard did all that

No worries Dan, if you have any other questions (or requests) about it, let me know!

DLGuard started off a tiny little script for securing Clickbank downloads, MANY years ago, now, and has grown constantly from ideas from people such as yourself, and requests from current clients.

So I'm certainly happy to take any suggestions, as well as answer any questions you may have!

cheers
Sam

[USGTMauthor]

What I did for my first ebook the ultra simple guide to time management was to create it as a pdf in zohowriter which is a free online word processor which allows you a print option as a pdf. You then save it on your desktop. Then you can use one of several digital delivery systems. Payloadz express allows you to very quickly upload the product and sell using their cart or a paypal account. There are tons of other places that host ebooks as well. Just make sure you look for one that pays out all of the earning without a minimum so you get your profits.

[KatyaSenina]

Maybe it's due to the lack of searches? Have you done market reasearch?
Is you website search engine optimized?

Anyway I did a little research and the keyword doesn't get searched for a lot in wordtracker, though Google on the other hand says that the keyword gets a reasonable amount of searches per month.

I don't know, maybe people are non-buyers and are they just looking for a free solution?
Maybe the copy isn't convincing enough?

Here are some screenshots of my little research: