Startups

The 5 “Must-Have” Checklist For Building A Successful Digital Product Business

Published

9 years ago

Oct 24, 2015

Eben Pagan

Over the past 15 years, I’ve developed a set of proven, systematic shortcuts that you can take in order to create and launch your digital product, so it becomes a winner for you, your business, and your income.

I call the set of shortcuts, and the training program that teaches them to you, the “Digital Product Blueprint” – and we start class for it very soon.

Right now, I’m going to show you some of the shortcuts I’ve learned in the form of 5 checklists that you can use immediately to start or build your digital product business…

1. The Niche Checklist

Targeting the right niche (or audience) is one of the most important factors to your business success.

Because when you get your audience right, then you know who they are in your mind, how to talk to them, and what to say to connect with and persuade them to buy.

If you don’t get your audience right, then you’re continually guessing, and you’ll probably create a product that NO ONE WANTS TO BUY.

Here’s the checklist I use whenever I target a new niche:

1) Narrow Your Niche – Don’t try to create a product that appeals to everyone. Get specific in order to create a product people really want to buy.

2) Use my 3 Question Test – Is your target customer motivated? Are they actively searching for a solution? Are they having a hard time finding the right answer?

3) Create A Category – Think in terms of categories, and create your own. My category was to help men get dates.

4) Name Your Category – Example: “Dating Advice For Men.”

5) Create Your Customer Avatar – Put all the traits together, and create one person in your mind. Give them a name.

2. The Product Checklist

As you make your product, it’s important to remember that you can make a digital product that actually does most of the heavy lifting of the sales and marketing for you.

You can create a product that people are already searching for, that they already want to buy. And you can do this relatively easily and quickly.

Here’s my checklist for creating a product that sells itself:

1) Create an outline based on the things that people are searching for. If you base your outline on what people are searching for, then you have something that people already want to buy.

2) Get a rapid prototype together of your digital product and start testing on the market. It doesn’t have to be perfect because you’re going to refine it based off actual feedback from your customers.

3) Use Knowledge Frameworks (proven formulas for effectively teaching or delivering content). I use a total of 7 different knowledge frameworks, so it’s super fast and easy to create quality content for my products.

4) Package your knowledge in the highest-value format you can. There are many types of digital products, with books, audio courses, video courses, membership sites being just a few of them.

5) Name your product correctly. Tip: Use the most important benefit or outcome or result that your customer wants or wants to avoid.

3. The Marketing Checklist

We all intuitively know that marketing is a key to our online business success, but we’re often afraid of it because we don’t want to turn people off with a bunch of high-pressure, inauthentic, scammy-sounding salesman talk.

It doesn’t have to be that way. There is a way to create marketing that is not only ethical and feels natural, but also grabs attentions and persuades people to buy…

Here’s a checklist I use for my marketing:

1) Test everything. Treat everything you do as a test and continue refining until you have a consistent winner.

2) Use the 7 Step Conversion Conversation:

Headline: Start the conversation by saying their biggest need.

Story: Tell the story of how you learned to get the result they want.

Product: Introduce your digital product as the solution itself.

Bullets: Talk about the list of benefits or results they’ll get with your digital product.

Value: Frame and translate the value in their language.

Risk Reversal: Take the risk away by offering a guarantee.

Action: Ask them to take action, and tell them what to do right now to take the first step toward getting the result they want.

3) Use winning, proven, money-making headline and copy formulas.

When in doubt, start with the words “How To…”

I use 7 key headline formulas and a set of copy and bullet formulas, which you’ll be seeing in future sessions and advanced trainings in Digital Product Blueprint.

4) Speak it out loud

Say your marketing and use a transcription of your words to keep that “conversational feel.” Speak-write. It’s OK, and very welcome in marketing.

5) Make your marketing feel like valuable education and news. Design is a big deal. You want your marketing to feel intuitively trustworthy, so make sure you design your pages and communications to feel like valuable education and news.

4. The Launch Checklist

Your launch gets your digital product out into the world, and it gets your online business off the ground and running.

Here’s a checklist of things to remember for your launch..

1) Move The Free Line – It used to cost a lot to give away a really valuable piece of education or training. Now it doesn’t. Give away something as valuable as what other people are charging for, to separate yourself from the pack.

2) Treat your prospects like customers from the beginning – Actually start your digital product experience in your free content as you do your launch.

3) Offer to give content and training to future partners. Guest blog, guest interview, guest webinar… guest content however they want it.

4) Put up an opt-in page for your launch. Most people won’t buy the first time they see your offer. Get their email and contact info so you can follow-up with them.

5) Give students a powerful reason to enroll now. It’s human nature to procrastinate, so make sure you provide a real and compelling reason for people to act now.

5. The Email Checklist

Email was and is the “killer marketing app” online. Most sales of digital products in our industry are made by email. True story.

Yet, this is where a lot of people who create digital products drop the ball, and they throw away 80 or 90% of their sales and money as a result.

Here’s a checklist I use for creating my emails:

1) Start your email with something valuable — even if it’s a little tip or story about how you got an insight. And start your subject line with something that grabs attention.

2) Align everything – Make sure that the subject, body, and offer are all about the SAME THING.

3) Keep following up – You can’t over-communicate if you’re talking to people who are interested in your topic and you’re always giving them valuable information.

4) Vary Your Format – Keep things fresh and engaging for your audience by sending them different types of content (articles, videos, podcasts, etc).

5) Make several offers – Make sure your emails contain at least TWO offers with working links, clickable pictures, or other ways to respond and take action.

There you have it.

We just covered all 5 foundational components of a successful digital products business.

But we’re just barely scratching the surface here…

If you enjoyed this post, and you’d like even more in-depth training like it, then be sure to check out my upcoming new course called “Digital Product Blueprint”.

This is a new 90 day program, where you’ll get my complete set of proven templates, systems and blueprints for building your digital product and online business from scratch.

Click The Banner Below for My Free Video Training Course:

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Eben Pagan

Eben Pagan is the founder of over 10 different online brands and businesses that he's grown to over $1 million from scratch, 4 of them to over $10 million. Over the past 15 years, he's taught hundreds of thousands of students all over the world how to build and grow successful businesses online.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

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15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

Published

2 months ago

Jun 5, 2024

Joel Brown (Founder of Addicted2Success.com)

Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's

Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

Startups

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These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)