You did it! You finally created your first digital product (or are seriously considering it) and you’re feeling on top of the world! But then reality sinks in you think, “How in the world am I going to get this thing out there? Oh god… I don’t have to GO LIVE do I??” 

I’ve been around the online biz space for a while now and I know there are a lot of theories about how to market digital products, courses, and services. But the truth is: Digital products are different from those last two. You need to approach them differently.

On top of that, you’ve got a tight budget. Most small businesses do. And with an insane social media algorithm to fight with and an overly saturated market, how are you supposed to effectively market your product without spending any cash? 

I’m here to tell you that you CAN promote your digital product without spending a single dollar! In fact, I’ve been there and know exactly what you’re going through. It takes time — and patience — to build an audience that wants to purchase from you. But when you know what to do to build that audience, it’s worth the wait. 

So, here are 8 ways you can market your digital product without spending a dime.

Be a guest speaker on a podcast

This is a great way to bring in organic traffic! Your audience will naturally be curious about what you do and how you do it after hearing your insight on your area of expertise. 

Just make sure that when pitching to be on somebody else’s podcast, you allow them to see the value you could provide to their audience. Even offering possible topics you could speak on could really help you stand out and show them what you can offer. 

JV partnerships

I’ve mentioned this before, but I need to mention it again because it is powerful. What better way to market your product than in front of someone else’s audience who already has an established interest? You can reach out and partner with other potential collaborators for FREE. Some examples of this are joint webinars or guest spots in someone’s membership. 

Content marketing

There’s no quick substitute for quality content. Whether it’s on YouTube, with a blog, or through TikTok, creating valuable content your audience is interested in seeing is one of the most impactful ways to advertise your digital products without ever paying for ads. 

It can be tough to reach a large audience at first, and it will definitely require effort on your part, but there are billions of people online, and once you’ve nailed your content strategy, you can funnel in the right people (which quality > quantity ALWAYS).

Write blogs

Believe it or not, a blog is still really effective for content marketing. This has been one of the most successful content marketing tools I’ve used. Just like social media, blogs can educate and inspire your audience in a natural way that’ll allow you to land a sale by easing them through the sales funnel.

Blogs can also help you get found through SEO — aka ranking better in search engine results. So when people Google a business like yours or topics you discuss, you’re more likely to be found. 

Nurture an email list

There aren’t a lot of tools more powerful than email lists to drive sales. For one, you don’t have to worry about showing up (or not) on someone’s feed because of an algorithm. And people also treat their inboxes with more care than they do their social media accounts. Email marketing is way more effective because it’s more intimate. 

It’s kind of like talking to a group of acquaintances at the water cooler during work versus talking to a friend you’ve known for years and catching up on all the hot goss. 

Your coworkers are interested enough to listen when you’re there and may take the conversation past the surface, but it’s kind of just there. But a friend willingly listens and makes an active effort to do so.

Your email subscribers really want to hear from you. Why else would they sign themselves up to receive your emails?

Build a strong brand

When you have a brand with a strong know, like, trust factor, you’re going to have a higher chance of making a sale. People feel more comfortable buying from businesses they align with personally and are also transparent about things (in other words — be your authentic self and the right people will come). They want to buy what they can trust. 

You can do this by creating valuable, consistent content that leaves the door open for connection and engagement. For most people, it’s not just about a product/service, it’s about an experience. And that experience is a major player when talking about your brand.

If you’re still struggling with a product idea…

Then let’s hash that out first. You won’t be able to build a solid game plan for marketing to your audience without knowing what you’ll be selling. 

And often…the answer is right under our noses. 

If you want the tools you need to discover what your niche needs right now, go ahead and grab your FREE copy of my guide — The Ultimate Digital Download Product Creation Plan!

This guide will show you how to avoid the crickets most online shops face after launching by showing you how to create a digital product that’s right for your audience and right for you. Get a step-by-step roadmap that’ll take you from dreaming to planning, to watching those downloads pour in!