Expanding Your Book Into Digital Income – Part 2
Last week, we talked about expanding your book into digital income and the advantages of doing this. I also gave several digital product ideas to help you get started, and then broke them down into categories. This week, I will discuss the crucial steps to take when creating your digital products, how to create your page, and what your Digital Product Description Page should look like, among other things. Below are the steps to follow when creating your digital products. This guide is designed to walk you through the process so you can create with confidence, understand each step clearly, and ensure everything is complete and ready before offering your product for sale on your website or any other platform.
Step 1: Finalize the Content
Before anything else, make sure your form or worksheet is:
- Edited and proofread
- Clear and age-appropriate
- Easy to understand without you explaining it
- Branded consistently (font, tone, voice)
Ask yourself: Could someone download this and use it immediately without confusion?
Step 2: Design It Professionally
Even simple worksheets benefit from clean formatting.
- Use consistent fonts (2–3 max)
- Add spacing for writing
- Include headers and instructions
- Add branding (your logo, website, copyright)
- Keep margins print-friendly (8.5 x 11 is standard in the U.S.)
Tools you can use:
- Canva
- PowerPoint
- Google Slides
- Adobe InDesign
Step 3: Add Branding & Protection
Include:
- Your website ( Example: booksbypatrice.com)
- Copyright notice
- “For personal/classroom use only” if applicable
- Page numbers (if multi-page)
This helps prevent misuse and strengthens your professional image. I have also given an example of what this looks like later in this blog.
Step 4: Export as a PDF
Always export as a PDF, not a Word or editable file.
Why PDF?
- Preserves formatting
- Works on all devices
- Looks professional
- Prevents easy editing
If appropriate, flatten the file to prevent text editing.
Step 5: Test It
Before selling:
- Print it yourself
- Download it on a phone, tablet, and computer
- Click all links (if included)
- Make sure margins don’t cut off
This prevents refund requests and builds trust.
Step 6: Create a Product Description
Your description should include:
- What it is
- Who it’s for
- What problem it solves
- What’s included (number of pages)
- How it’s delivered (instant download PDF)
Focus on benefits, not just features. You can also create a Product Description Page and include the branding and protection elements on one page. I prefer to do it this way so that the person buying the product does not have to print out so many pages.
Step 7: Create Mockups
People buy what they can see.
Create:
- Flat lay mockups
- Printable preview pages
- Lifestyle images (worksheet on a desk)
- Page preview graphics
Mockups dramatically increase sales.
Step 8: Upload to Selling Platform
Upload to:
- Your website
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Etsy
- Gumroad
- Payhip
Include:
- Product title
- Description
- Thumbnail images
- Clear file size and format
Step 9: Price Strategically
Consider:
- Your time
- Comparable products
- Perceived value
- Bundle opportunities
Digital products can range from $1.99 to $27+ depending on depth and audience.
Step 10: Promote It
- Announce to your email list
- Share on social media
- Include QR code in your book
- Mention it during school visits
- Bundle with book purchases
The Big Picture
A worksheet becomes a digital product when it is:
✔ Designed intentionally
✔ Packaged professionally
✔ Protected legally
✔ Marketed clearly
That transformation is what turns a simple printable into scalable income.
In order to turn your worksheets into a digital product, you will want to follow the following steps. However, depending on the site you create the products on, the process of converting it to a digital product may vary. Most of the time, you will want to turn these products into a PDF. It is also notable to mention that you probably will be making worksheets and forms that are downloadable and not interactive, or that can be filled out online. But, if you do make these types of forms and worksheets, where people can interact or fill the form out online without having to print it, then the steps of converting the forms into digital forms and worksheets are different from the downloadable ones. The downloadable ones are simple. The person who wants to use the form buys the product and then is able to download the product and print it. One of the first steps is to create your Digital Product Description Page. As I said above, on this page, I like to include my branding and protection information. Other authors like to have two separate pages for this, and that is okay. There is no right or wrong way to do it; it’s just important that you have both, either separately or together.
An example of a Product Description Page, along with the branding and protection information looks like this:
Hello! Thank you for your purchase of (insert what the title is for your digital product). This downloadable PDF is designed to (here you would write what your product was designed to do, such as guide authors step-by-step through the process of creating digital products to sell as an additional stream of income alongside their books). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your current offerings, this resource removes the guesswork and helps you move forward with confidence.
Creating digital products can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re unsure where to begin, what tools to use, or how to turn your ideas into something polished and sellable. This guide was created specifically for authors who want to extend their stories beyond the pages and build meaningful, income-generating products such as worksheets, activity packs, printables, and more.
Inside, you’ll find a clear and simple (here you would include how many steps there are on your “how-to” form, or a short sentence about the process), a ten-step process broken down into (how many pages you have) four easy-to-follow pages, walking you through everything from brainstorming your ideas to finalizing and preparing your product for download. Each step is designed to help you stay organized, focused, and creative, while also keeping your audience and brand in mind.
This PDF is perfect for:
- Children’s book authors
- Self-published authors
- Educators and author-entrepreneurs
- Anyone looking to create engaging companion products
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of how to (insert what would apply to your digital product) take your ideas and turn them into professional, high-quality digital products that complement your book and create additional value for your audience.
This document is intended for personal and classroom use only, and may only be printed for personal or classroom use. It may not be reproduced, redistributed, or resold in any form, whether digital or printed, without prior written permission from the author.
Enjoy!
Your Name
Your Website Address
Then, at the bottom, put the page number (you will want page numbers on each one of your digital pages) and the copyright information. I like to put these on the bottom right-hand side.
Page 1 of 4
©Copyright 2026 Patrice Coke. All Rights Reserved
As discussed above, you will want to do the following to make sure your digital product is ready. Double check! Double check! Double check!
Make Sure It’s Truly “Ready for Download”
- If your product is not in a PDF, you will want to convert it into a PDF.
- Make sure it is formatted. 8.5 X 11 is standard in the U.S.
- Put clear instructions at the top (if it is applicable, like a worksheet).
- Include your branding (your website).
- Include a copyright notice.
- Make sure it looks professional when printed.
2. Export the Final Version as a High-Quality PDF
- Export as PDF (Print Quality).
- Flatten the file if you don’t want it easily edited.
- If it includes clickable links, test them before uploading.
The PDF becomes your actual product file.
Now that you have some digital products made you will want to put them on your website, however, this might not be enough exposure to earn you extra income or to get your digital products enough visibility. When I was doing research to see what else I could do to earn income, I knew I wanted it to correspond with my book. I had already researched different types of merchandise (as talked about in the previous chapter) and started designing stickers. (I already had bookmarks which I started handing out for free with a purchase of my book.) But, I wanted to do more to reach a larger crowd. So, I turned towards YouTube for research and I found, as you can imagine, a plethora of videos on the subject. However, one in particular stood out to me. This video was made by Jillian Leslie, who is a cofounder of a platform called MiloTree. After watching the video, I jumped on Google and went to the MiloTree website. Jillian, and her husband own the platform. She has a BA and MBA from Stanford, and is quite accomplished so I knew that she was probably a pretty good source.
I was very impressed by the video. So much so that I decided to send her an email to ask if I could use her name, and MiloTree in my “how-to” book that I am working on for adults, in the chapter about digital products. Much to my surprise, she emailed me back within about twenty minutes and not only permitted me to use her name and her company’s name, but asked if we could have a ZOOM meeting. the meeting went very well, and was very informative. I have not yet subscribed MiloTree (which is a monthly subscription of $19.99. There is also a free version, but with the monthly fee, you get so much more). The only reason why I have not yet subscribed, is I am still trying to figure out some logistics. I will probably do this because I think it is a great avenue, but I also need to figure out a few other things too. According to Jillian, “ MiloTree provides a link to an AI-generated sales page for each of your digital products. It functions like a mini-website for the product itself. To generate sales, a user simply shares that link everywhere, including linking their Pinterest pins directly to it. This way, they can start selling even without their own website.” So, how does it work, and what are the benefits? After creating your digital product(s), you create a Pin. A Pin can be created through different avenues, such as Canva, Pin Generator (an automated option), Adobe Express, and apps such as VistaCreate, PicMonkey, or Stencil. Once you choose where you are going to create your Pin, you can link that Pin to your website or to the sales page of MiloTree, among other platforms.
A Pinterest Pin, for instance, is not the digital product, but it is a shoppable, visual ad that describes your product, showcases it, and links it directly to the digital product you have created for sale on your website, or other platforms such as Milo Tree. So, one of the benefits is that if you have a Pinterest Pin, this gives you another source where people go to search for products, which then takes them to your website and another platform, such as Milo Tree, per your link to find your digital products. MiloTree handles delivering the product to your customer, and you get paid for your digital products automatically.
To recap what we have discussed in this blog, the way to obtain more income alongside selling your books and other physical merchandise (bookmarks, stickers, etc.) is to create digital products. Then, once you have created them, you will need to decide where you are going to sell them. Creating digital products and using the above resources will get you more traffic and create visibility not only for your digital products, but for your books and other merchandise as well. If you have a link that people can use to take them to your digital products, and an easy way that they can purchase those products, you should be successful in obtaining extra income while marketing your book(s). The possibilities of what you can create in digital products are endless. Just remember to create these products to correspond with your book(s).
I wish you well in creating your digital products! It is one of the more fun things to do in this business. Thank you for reading my Blogs and being a part of the Triple Oaks Forest community. Also, please spread the word about my book and website! Word of mouth does wonders. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you! Go over to the Contact page to input your information, ask your question, or make a comment, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
