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What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Start Earning Online
Let’s cut through the noise. Digital marketing isn’t just for tech wizards, influencers, or people who live on their phones. It’s for anyone, including women over 40, who want to create flexible income, share something valuable, and build a business they actually enjoy.
In this post, I’m breaking down the basics of digital marketing, the magic of digital products, how to start selling them, and the many ways you can earn online — all in plain English, whether you’re just getting started or looking to sharpen your strategy, you’re in the right place.
💻 What Is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is simply this: promoting your product, service, or brand online. That could mean anything from sending an email to your subscribers, sharing a blog post, running Facebook ads, creating Pinterest pins, or building an online course.
If it happens on the internet and helps people find you, learn from you, or buy from you, it’s digital marketing.
Here are a few common channels used in digital marketing:
- Social media (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.)
- Email marketing
- Content marketing (blog posts, videos, podcasts)
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Paid ads
- Affiliate marketing
Digital marketing is how businesses of all sizes, including solo creators like you and me, connect with real people and grow real income.
📦 What Are Digital Products?
Digital products are downloadable or streamable items that don’t require shipping or inventory. They’re delivered electronically and usually created once, but sold over and over again.
Examples include:
- Ebooks and guides
- Online courses or workshops
- Templates or planners
- Printable journals or wall art
- Spreadsheets, swipe files, or toolkits
- Stock photos or graphics
- Audio trainings or meditations
Creating digital products allows you to sell your knowledge, creativity, or expertise, even while you’re asleep or spending time with your grandkids.
✍️ How to Create a Digital Product (Yes, You Can!)
Creating a digital product might sound intimidating, but you don’t need to be a tech genius or bestselling author. You just need an idea that solves a problem, helps someone save time, or gives them something useful.
🔨 Here’s a simple process to create your first digital product:
- Pick a topic — What do people always ask you about? What do you know more than the average person?
- Choose your format — eBook, checklist, course, planner, etc.
- Outline the content — Focus on helping people get a quick win or result.
- Design and polish — Use Canva, Google Docs, or Notion to make it clean and user-friendly.
- Deliver it digitally — Use platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or your website.
Tip: Start small. Your first product doesn’t have to be massive. A well-designed 5-page guide can be worth $7 to $27, and can lead to larger offers.
💰 How to Sell Digital Products and Make Money
Once your digital product is ready, how do you actually sell it? That’s where digital marketing comes in. You need to get your product in front of the right people, consistently.
You can earn income in a few different ways:
- Direct sales from your website or shop
- Affiliate income by recommending others’ products
- Bundles and upsells — sell a product, then offer a second one
- Email marketing to nurture interest and build trust
- Pinterest or SEO traffic that leads to your freebie, then to your product
You don’t need a giant audience. You just need to start talking about your product regularly and in multiple places.
🌟 Real Talk: Why This Works
Digital marketing gives you freedom. You can work from home, earn while traveling, and build income around your real life, not the other way around. You’re not trading time for money. You’re building assets.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know this: I started as a total beginner. I didn’t know what SEO stood for, had never made a website, and thought “sales funnel” sounded like a kitchen gadget. But once I found the right training (like the course I recommend), everything changed.
If I can do it, so can you.
📥 Want Help Getting Started?
Download my free guide:
10 Digital Income Ideas for Women Over 40 (That You Can Start This Week!)
It’s packed with beginner-friendly, low-stress ideas to get your wheels turning — even if you’re not “techy.” This is the resource I wish I had when I started.
