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25 Simple Digital Assets You Can Create for Profit — A Beginner’s Friendly Guide
Published by Tom Lindstrom — 11-15-2025 07:11:21 AM
If you’ve ever daydreamed about building a side income online — something that doesn’t require shipping boxes, handling returns, or stocking inventory — then creating digital assets might be exactly the path for you. These are products you build once, upload once, and sell again and again. Over time, they can become a true digital goldmine.
In this guide, we’ll explore 25 simple digital assets you can create for profit — from the classics like eBooks and online courses to some of the newer, trendier options like AI prompt packs. We’ll walk through what each one is, why they’re valuable, how to get started, and some of their pros and cons based on real-life experience.
Think of this as a conversation between mentor and student: I’ve helped dozens of creators launch their first digital products, and I’ll share what works, what to watch out for, and how you can avoid common pitfalls.
Table of Contents
What Is a Digital Asset, Anyway?
Why You Might Choose Digital Products
25 Simple Digital Assets to Create for Profit
Ebooks & Guides
Online Courses
Worksheets and Workbooks
Printables (Planners, Calendars, Trackers)
Notion Templates
Spreadsheets & Budget Trackers
Presentation & Pitch Deck Templates
Canva / Graphic Design Templates
Social Media Content Kits
Email / Sales Funnel Templates
Resume and Cover Letter Kits
Fonts, Typography Packs & Icon Sets
Stock Photos / Image Packs
Video Footage / Stock Video Clips
Music, Sound Effects & Audio Loops
Lightroom / Photoshop Presets
Procreate Brushes & Digital Art Tools
Digital Wall Art & Wallpapers
Coloring Pages or Adult Coloring Books
Digital Journals or Digital Planners for iPads
AI Prompt Packs
Membership Content or Subscription Resources
Web Themes & Website Templates
3D Models & Assets
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
Pros & Cons of Creating Digital Assets
Getting Started: My Step-by-Step Advice
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Conclusion
What Is a Digital Asset, Anyway?
When I talk about digital assets, I'm referring to any creative, digital product that someone can download, access, or license — without you needing to ship physical goods. It could be a PDF guide, a set of design files, a music loop, a virtual course, or even a prompt pack for AI tools. Once created, digital assets can be sold over and over, usually with very little additional work.
Why You Might Choose Digital Products
In my years mentoring creators, here are the top reasons people lean into digital products — and why I often recommend them for beginners:
Low overhead: No physical inventory, no shipping, no packaging.
Scalability: Build once, sell forever.
Flexibility: You can start small (a simple PDF) and expand.
Passive income potential: Over time, you can earn even when you're not actively working.
Creative freedom: You choose what to make, based on your skills and passions.
Global reach: Digital products can be sold anywhere, to anyone with an internet connection.
25 Simple Digital Assets to Create for Profit
Here are 25 types of digital assets, explained in a beginner-friendly way, with practical tips and real-life insights.
1. Ebooks & Guides
What they are: Digital books, short guides, or instructional documents in PDF, ePub, or Kindle format.
Why they're valuable: They're one of the easiest digital products to create, especially if you already have expertise or knowledge in a topic. Once written, you can sell them on platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or Amazon Kindle.
Getting started: Choose a niche you care about. For instance, when I started, I wrote a 30-page guide on “How to Plan a Digital Side Hustle” based on my own experiences — people resonated with it because it was practical, honest, and actionable.
2. Online Courses
What they are: Structured lessons (video, audio, text) that teach a skill or topic.
Why they're valuable: People regularly pay for learning — and a well-made course can become a high-ticket or evergreen product.
Getting started: Map out an outline (modules + lessons). Use tools like Teachable, Thinkific, or even just a website + LMS. Film or write the content, then launch. Remember: you don’t need studio-quality video — many creators start simply with a webcam or phone.
3. Worksheets and Workbooks
What they are: Interactive PDFs where users can fill in exercises, answer questions, or work through guided prompts.
Why they're valuable: These help people apply what they learn (in a course, for example). They're also quite cheap to create, but perceived as very useful.
Getting started: Think of a problem people have (e.g., “I want to journal better,” “I’m struggling to plan my week”), and create a workbook around that. Use Canva or Google Docs.
4. Printables (Planners, Calendars, Trackers)
What they are: Downloadable PDF designs — planners, habit trackers, to-do lists, calendars.
Why they're valuable: Printables are extremely popular on marketplaces like Etsy and are inexpensive to produce.
Getting started: Use design software (like Canva) or Illustrator. Choose standard sizes (A4, US letter) so users can print easily. Offer versions for daily, weekly, monthly use to broaden appeal.
5. Notion Templates
What they are: Pre-built dashboards, planners, trackers, or productivity tools in Notion.
Why they're valuable: Notion has exploded in popularity. People love ready-made systems they can plug into their workflow.
Getting started: Build a template around a useful system (e.g., goal tracker, content calendar, habit tracker). Share it publicly, test it, then package it for sale.
6. Spreadsheets & Budget Trackers
What they are: Excel or Google Sheets templates for budgeting, business planning, tracking expenses, or any monthly/weekly tracker.
Why they're valuable: Many people are spreadsheet-phobic, so a well-designed, easy-to-use sheet saves them time and stress. Creators on Reddit often mention budget tracker templates as top sellers.
Getting started: Use Google Sheets or Excel. Design a clean interface; include formulas (automatic sums, charts). Provide instructions.
7. Presentation & Pitch Deck Templates
What they are: Pre-designed PowerPoint or Google Slides templates for business pitches, marketing, or education.
Why they're valuable: Entrepreneurs and professionals often need polished decks but don’t have design skills. Templates save them tons of time.
Getting started: Design a set of slides with clean layouts, color themes, and placeholder text. Offer both minimalist and more visually rich versions.
8. Canva / Graphic Design Templates
What they are: Templates for social media graphics, business cards, resumes, invitations — made in Canva (or similar).
Why they're valuable: Canva is widely used. Templates let customers create something that looks professional without having to learn design.
Getting started: Create Canva templates, save them as shareable links or downloadable files, and sell them on Gumroad, Etsy, or your own shop.
9. Social Media Content Kits
What they are: Packs of posts, story templates, captions, graphics — ready to be used by creators or businesses.
Why they're valuable: Many small businesses or influencers need content but lack time or creativity. These kits are plug-and-play.
Getting started: Think about specific niches (e.g., fitness, real estate, coaching) and design content kits tailored to them. Highlight how they save time and look cohesive.
10. Email / Sales Funnel Templates
What they are: Pre-written email sequences (welcome emails, newsletters, sales funnels) or plug-and-play templates.
Why they're valuable: Email marketing is essential, but not everyone is good (or fast) at writing emails. Templates give them a head start.
Getting started: Write useful, well-structured emails. Include subject lines, body copy, and call-to-actions. Package them as a “funnel in a box.”
11. Resume and Cover Letter Kits
What they are: Professionally designed resume templates + matching cover letters.
Why they're valuable: Job seekers will pay for a visually appealing, modern resume that stands out.
Getting started: Use Canva or InDesign. Create templates that are editable, clearly labeled, and easy to customize.
12. Fonts, Typography Packs & Icon Sets
What they are: Custom fonts, icons, and typographic elements for designers or content creators.
Why they're valuable: Designers are constantly looking for unique assets; having a beautiful, hand-crafted font or icon set can be a big win.
Getting started: Use tools like Fontself or Glyphs to design fonts. For icons, use Illustrator or vector design tools. Provide them in multiple formats (SVG, PNG, TTF).
13. Stock Photos / Image Packs
What they are: High-quality photo collections around a theme (e.g., remote work, lifestyle, nature).
Why they're valuable: Content creators, bloggers, and business owners need visuals — but buying individual images adds up.
Getting started: Use your own photographs or design stock-style images. Bundle them into themed packs and sell through stock marketplaces or your own store.
14. Video Footage / Stock Video Clips
What they are: Short video clips, b-roll footage, or background loops that creators can use in their projects.
Why they're valuable: Video creators, marketers, and YouTubers need stock video — but creating it themselves is time-consuming.
Getting started: Shoot your own clips (with your phone or camera), edit them, and export in high-quality formats. Upload to marketplaces like Pond5 or Vimeo Stock, or sell via your own site.
15. Music, Sound Effects & Audio Loops
What they are: Royalty-free music tracks, sound effects, or loops for media projects (videos, games, podcasts).
Why they're valuable: Every piece of media needs sound. Many creators don’t have the skill or time to produce their own.
Getting started: Use DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) — like Ableton, GarageBand, or FL Studio — to make music or fx. Package them in albums or thematic collections.
16. Lightroom / Photoshop Presets
What they are: Color correction settings or filters that photographers and creators can apply to their own images.
Why they're valuable: They help photos look polished and consistent without spending hours editing each one.
Getting started: Design a few presets in Lightroom or Photoshop. Test them on different styles of photography. Export them and bundle them for sale.
17. Procreate Brushes & Digital Art Tools
What they are: Custom brushes, texture packs, stamps, or illustration tools for Procreate (or other digital art apps).
Why they're valuable: Artists love unique brushes — they make creating art faster and more fun.
Getting started: Build different brushes, name them descriptively, and group into collections (e.g., watercolor set, rough sketch set). Share usage previews so customers see what they can do.
18. Digital Wall Art & Wallpapers
What they are: Printable art, motivational quotes, or digital wallpapers for desktops and phones.
Why they're valuable: People decorate their spaces or devices, and digital art is low-cost to produce but high-value to buyers.
Getting started: Use design software to create clean, simple art or quotes. Offer in different sizes (e.g., phone screen ratio, A4 print, desktop). Consider adding seasonal or niche themes.
19. Coloring Pages or Adult Coloring Books
What they are: Digital coloring books — either for kids or adults — typically delivered as PDFs or vector files.
Why they're valuable: This niche is still surprisingly strong. Many people love the relaxing, creative aspect of coloring — and digital versions are reusable.
Getting started: Create line-art designs in Illustrator or Procreate. Compile into a book or a pack. Offer as single pages or entire books.
20. Digital Journals / Planners for iPads
What they are: Customizable journals or planners designed for note-taking apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or ZoomNotes.
Why they're valuable: As digital note‑taking grows, many people want beautifully structured planners or journals to use on their tablets.
Getting started: Set up your planner in a program like Canva, Keynote, or Notability. Design pages for daily logs, monthly views, habit trackers, or reflections. Export as a file that’s easily imported into note‑taking apps.
21. AI Prompt Packs
What they are: Curated sets of prompts for AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Stable Diffusion) in different niches — marketing, creative writing, productivity, design.
Why they're valuable: As interest in AI explodes, many people will pay for well-crafted prompts instead of spending hours experimenting. Prompt marketplaces are emerging quickly.
Getting started: Brainstorm common use-cases, test prompts, refine them, and package them into themed bundles (e.g., “Social Media Content Prompts,” “Midjourney Fantasy Prompts”).
22. Membership Content or Subscription Resources
What they are: Ongoing content (weekly templates, monthly mini-courses, exclusive files) delivered via a membership or subscription model.
Why they're valuable: Recurring revenue is powerful. When people pay month to month, you build a more predictable income stream.
Getting started: Decide on your offering (templates, tutorials, resources), pick a platform (Circle, Patreon, Ghost…), and commit to a content schedule.
23. Web Themes & Website Templates
What they are: Themes or templates for WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, or other website platforms.
Why they're valuable: Small business owners or bloggers need attractive, easy-to-use websites — but many don’t want to hire a developer.
Getting started: If you know basic web design (or want to learn), create themes. Make sure they're responsive (mobile-friendly) and well-documented so buyers can easily use them.
24. 3D Models & Assets
What they are: Digital 3D files (models, textures, rigs) that creators or game developers can purchase for use in their projects.
Why they're valuable: Many people working on games, animations, or VR don’t want to build every 3D model themselves. Selling your assets lets you monetize your 3D skills.
Getting started: Model objects in Blender, Maya, or other 3D software. Create clean files, provide multiple formats (OBJ, FBX), and include textures. Upload to marketplaces like CGTrader or your own store.
25. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
What they are: Digital assets minted on blockchain (art, music, virtual real estate) that are uniquely owned by buyers.
Why they're valuable: NFTs are still a way to monetize digital art uniquely — buyers often value the exclusivity, provenance, or community aspect.
Getting started: Create your digital art (illustration, audio, 3D), choose a blockchain (Ethereum, Solana, etc.), and mint it on a marketplace like OpenSea. Be mindful of the costs, environmental issues, and volatility.
Pros & Cons of Creating Digital Assets
Pros
High scalability: Once made, digital assets can be sold infinitely.
Low overhead and risk: No physical production costs, no shipping, minimal maintenance.
Creative control: You decide what to create and what to charge.
Passive or semi-passive income: After initial work, income can trickle in with less effort.
Global reach: Sell to buyers anywhere in the world.
Cons
Saturated markets: Popular digital products (like templates or planners) can be competitive. Many creators mention overthinking when starting out.
Marketing is essential: Just creating the product isn’t enough; you need traffic. As one creator said, “Learn marketing before you waste time building.”
Upfront effort: Even simple digital assets take time to design, test, and refine.
Platform fees: If you use a marketplace (Gumroad, Payhip, etc.), there may be transaction fees.
Piracy / unauthorized sharing: Once a file is out there, it can be shared beyond its intended purchase model—especially if not protected.
Getting Started: My Step‑by‑Step Advice
Here’s a practical roadmap based on what I’ve seen work for beginners and what I’ve taught:
Pick 2–3 ideas from the 25 above that resonate with you. Start simple (e.g., a printable or prompt pack).
Validate demand: Talk to potential users in forums (Reddit, niche Facebook/Discord), run polls, or even post a mock-up.
Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Don’t aim for perfection. Create a first draft and refine later. As one creator said when they made their first $100: “Stop chasing perfection — launch ugly.”
Choose a selling platform: Gumroad is beginner-friendly with no upfront cost. Other options include Payhip, your own website, or marketplaces like Creative Market.
Set your price: For low-ticket items (printables, templates), something in the $5–$30 range often works well according to creators.
Design a simple sales page: Highlight what problem the asset solves, show previews, and include clear instructions.
Promote: Use social media, content marketing, or niche communities. I encourage creators to start in spaces where their potential customers already hang out — for me, that’s often Reddit or Instagram.
Iterate: Based on feedback and sales, improve your product, add new versions, or bundle it with complementary assets.
Scale up: Once you have a validated product, you can expand into related digital assets (e.g., if you started with templates, maybe make a course or prompt pack next).
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Over‑designing before demand is proven: Wait to perfect your product until after you know people want it. Many creators regret spending weeks on a “perfect version” that nobody bought.
Underpricing: If you price too low, you may work hard and not make enough — most successful beginners find sweet spots at $10–$30.
Ignoring marketing: Some creators build and hope customers come — but traffic is essential. Use free communities, social media, and SEO to attract buyers.
Creating too many products too early: Focus first on one or two solid assets, not a huge catalog.
Neglecting customer support or documentation: Even simple digital products benefit from a short how-to or FAQ to help buyers use them.
Conclusion
Creating digital assets is one of the most accessible, flexible, and scalable ways to build an online income — especially if you're just starting out. From ebooks and notional templates to AI prompt packs and 3D models, the 25 ideas above cover a wide spectrum of options. You don’t need to be a professional designer or coder — just pick something that aligns with your skills, test demand, and build smart.
The beauty of digital products is that they let you build once and sell forever. But the real magic happens when you validate your idea, launch imperfectly, and iterate based on real feedback. As I've mentored creators over the years, I’ve seen immense success come not from perfection, but from consistency, clarity, and care.
If you take just one thing from this guide, let it be this: start small, launch now, and refine over time. You can absolutely create digital assets that earn money while you sleep — and the sooner you begin, the quicker you'll learn, grow, and build something that works for you.
Here’s to your first digital‑asset launch. You’ve got this.
About Tom Lindstrom
Hey there! I'm Tom, and I've been working online for quite some time now. If you're searching for a great place to advertise your business, I highly recommend LeasedAdSpace—it's been an amazing resource for me. If you’d like to explore a simple, proven way to earn automatic affiliate commissions, take a look at BackUpBucks.com—you might find it really valuable!
