Can I Really Replace My 1:1 Income with Courses or Digital Products?
Episode 966: Show Notes
Can you really replace your one-on-one income with courses or digital products? It’s a question that many creators have been contending with for a while now, and if you ask the wrong people, they might just try to sell you on a false vision. So, today, I dig into this topic and separate fact from fiction!
Tuning in, you’ll learn what the transition to digital looked like for me. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t smooth or perfect! I break down the real numbers behind building sustainable digital income, how my business evolved over time, and what I wish more people understood about this journey. If you’ve been wondering whether digital products should be your next move or how to make them work without burning out, this conversation is for you. Let’s dive in!
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My Transition to Digital Products
My shift from one-on-one services to digital products wasn’t exactly smooth. I started out running an agency, designing beautiful, high-ticket websites for local clients. That all changed after a five-car collision that forced me to completely rethink what I had built.
My business relied entirely on me, and I realized it wasn’t sustainable. I wanted more freedom, and while the online space was still in its early days, I saw an opportunity. I had planned to transition gradually, taking on fewer client projects while building up my digital income. But instead, it happened all at once.
I don’t necessarily recommend doing it that way, but I was lucky to have a supportive partner and enough financial stability to navigate the ups and downs. There were months I made nothing, others when a launch went really well, and times when I had no idea what to do next. It took time and a lot of effort, but it truly has been worth it for me.
Diversify Your Income Beyond Digital Products
It’s important to know that while one-on-one services used to make up 100% of my income, digital products and courses are not the same and do not make up 100% of my income.
Today, digital products and courses account for about 40% to 50% of my business. The rest comes from a mix of brand partnerships, podcast sponsorships, affiliate income, and a small amount of client work, usually in the form of consulting or coaching. I also invest a portion of what I earn to grow my money outside the business.
That level of diversification gives me more stability and flexibility. While I still have responsibilities like recording ads or showing up for clients, everything runs on my own schedule. I’ve built a business that operates independently, and I’m the one guiding it forward.
The Real Work Behind Digital Products
Selling digital products might sound hands-off, but it’s still work. It’s just a different kind of work. And when you move into lower-priced, one-to-many offers, your focus typically shifts to marketing. You go from doing the work to selling the work. That shift isn’t for everyone. If you love marketing, it can be a great fit. But if it doesn’t come naturally to you, it’s still a skill you can learn and practice!
Why You Don’t Need a Huge Audience
Before you make the leap into digital products, it’s important to know where you’re headed. Ask yourself how many sales you need to replace your income. If you’re starting with a small audience, ease in by slowly taking on fewer one-on-one clients while building other income streams.
You also don’t need a massive audience to make this work. Some people are making a million dollars with just a few hundred subscribers. It’s not always about selling to more people. You could have two products that are both priced at a similar price point, and you could have half of your audience purchase both of those products. Now, all of a sudden, you need half as many people to hit the same number of sales!
Three Approaches To Digital Products
Most people fall into one of three groups when building a digital product business. Group one serves the same audience over time, often through recurring offers or by solving a problem that needs ongoing support. Group two grows slowly while adding offers gradually, creating a natural path for repeat purchases. This is often the most sustainable model. Group three focuses on rapid growth, starting with one flagship offer and expanding later. These are usually creators who already have a large existing audience. Each approach can work. The key is choosing what fits your goals and your audience!
You Don’t Need The Perfect Business Plan
One of the biggest things that holds people back is the fear that decisions are final. Letting go of one-on-one work doesn’t mean you can never go back. Nothing in business is forever. You can always step back, reassess, and try a different approach.
Most of the successful business owners I know don’t make money from just one thing. Even when digital products make up the bulk of their income, there are usually other forms of income supporting the business, like brand deals, memberships, or services. It’s easy to assume someone has found a perfect formula, but you rarely know the full picture. And honestly, you don’t need it. You’re smart. You’re capable. You get to decide how you want to structure your business, how many offers you want to create, and how much you want to market.
If your mindset is holding you back, that’s the real obstacle, not your offer or your strategy. If you want to do this, you have to believe it’s possible. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to keep showing up and adjusting until it works
Quote This
You get to decide how you want to show up. You get to decide how much you want to market.
Highlights
My Transition to Digital Products [0:01:17]
Diversifying Your Income Beyond Digital Products [0:04:23]
The Real Work Behind Digital Products [0:06:26]
Why You Don’t Need a Huge Audience [0:10:11]
Three Approaches To Digital Products [0:13:10]
You Don’t Need The Perfect Business Plan [0:24:05]
Key Topics:
Digital Products, Business Transitions, Selling to Your Audience
We Mentioned:
Digital Product Jumpstart
Create Your Digital Product on Teachable
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