I’ll be honest with you:
When I wrote my first eBook back in 2019, I thought I’d wake up the next morning to PayPal notifications singing like a slot machine. Spoiler: I made $0.00 in the first week.
But here’s the twist—three months later, that same eBook was paying for my internet bills and lattes. Fast forward to today, and digital products like eBooks and courses have turned into one of my most reliable income streams.
If you’ve been Googling “how to start an eBook business” more times than you’ve eaten pizza this week, relax. You’re in the right place. Let’s break down a funny but seriously useful guide to building a real digital product business in 2025.
Why eBooks and Digital Courses Are Still Smart in 2025
Selling eBooks and online courses might sound like a TikTok hustle, but trust me—there’s a reason platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing keep growing.
Here’s why digital products work:
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Low overhead – No shipping, no inventory, no garage full of unsold “diet teas.”
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Scalability – Create it once, sell forever.
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Passive-ish income – Okay, you still need to market, but yes, you can wake up richer.
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Flexibility – Sell via your blog, on Amazon, through Gumroad, or even Instagram.
Real-world proof?
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Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income) famously earned six figures from one eBook on exam prep.
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Melyssa Griffin turned her online courses into a multi-million-dollar brand.
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Even small bloggers I’ve coached now earn $500–$2,000/month from one digital product.
So yes, this works. But only if you work it.
eBook vs. Online Course: Which One Fits You?
| Feature | eBooks | Digital Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Quick wins, short guides | Deep learning, step-by-step teaching |
| Format | PDF, ePub, Kindle | Video, audio, worksheets |
| Creation Time | Days–weeks | Weeks–months |
| Price Range | $5 – $50 | $50 – $500+ |
| Engagement | Self-paced reading | Interactive learning, quizzes, community |
Pro tip: Don’t pick one. Bundle them. A $20 eBook + $200 course can sell as a package for $179—and people will thank you.
How to Create a Killer eBook
Step 1: Pick a Profitable Topic
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Use Google Trends to see what people search for.
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Check Amazon Kindle bestseller lists.
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Browse Reddit and Quora for repeated questions.
Example: I saw thousands of questions on “meal prep for beginners.” That turned into an eBook that sold 300+ copies in month one.
Step 2: Outline and Write
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Keep your language simple. Pretend you’re explaining it to a friend over coffee.
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Add examples and case studies—they build trust.
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Use short paragraphs (because long walls of text are scarier than horror movies).
Step 3: Design That Bad Boy
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Use Canva or Adobe InDesign.
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Create a clean, high-quality cover. (No Comic Sans, please.)
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Keep fonts and spacing consistent.
Step 4: Format for Devices
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PDF – best for selling on your website.
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ePub – perfect for Kindle.
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MOBI – legacy Kindle format (still used).
Step 5: Price It Smartly
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20–50 pages: $5–$15.
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100+ pages: $20–$50.
You’re not writing War and Peace—price for value, not page count.
Step 6: Sell It Everywhere
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Amazon KDP – huge audience, but smaller margins.
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Your blog/website – full control, higher profit.
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Gumroad, Payhip, Shopify – beginner-friendly.
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Etsy & Apple Books – extra distribution channels.
How to Build an Online Course That Actually Sells
Courses are bigger, slower, but often much more profitable.
Step 1: Choose a Topic That Solves a Pain Point
If people Google it at 2 a.m., it’s worth teaching.
Example: Sarah Cordiner, an online education expert, built a six-figure business teaching “How to Create Online Courses” (yes, teaching people how to do what she does).
Step 2: Structure Your Course
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Intro: Build trust.
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Modules: Main lessons (video + slides).
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Extras: Worksheets, checklists, quizzes.
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Outro: Encourage next steps (upsells, advanced products).
Step 3: Record & Edit Like a Pro
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Use OBS Studio or Camtasia.
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Buy a decent mic (no potato audio, please).
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Edit with Premiere Pro or Final Cut.
Step 4: Pick a Platform
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Teachable – beginner-friendly.
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Udemy – massive audience, but lower pricing.
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Thinkific – great for branding.
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Kajabi – all-in-one, premium features.
Marketing: How to Sell Like a Pro
Having a digital product is half the battle. The other half? Getting eyeballs.
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Build an Email List: Offer a freebie (like a mini-guide). Then sell softly via email.
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Use SEO Blogging: Write posts that funnel readers toward your product.
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Leverage Social Media: Share behind-the-scenes, testimonials, and value-packed tips.
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Affiliate Marketing: Let others promote your product for a commission.
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Webinars & Lives: Teach something small for free, then pitch your course or eBook.
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Bundle Offers: Pair an eBook with a course for irresistible value.
Case Study:
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John Lee Dumas (Entrepreneur on Fire) pre-sold his podcasting course via a webinar. He made $100,000 before recording a single video.
FAQs About Starting an eBook Business
Q1: How long does it take to write an eBook?
Some do it in a week, others in months. Consistency beats speed.
Q2: Do I need tech skills?
Not really. Platforms like Gumroad and Teachable do the heavy lifting.
Q3: What if no one buys?
Revisit your topic, rework your landing page, and keep marketing. Most people quit before traction kicks in.
Q4: Can I make six figures?
Yes—but only if you treat it like a business, not a side hustle.
Final Thoughts: Your Knowledge = Someone Else’s Breakthrough
Let’s cut the fluff.
Starting an eBook or online course business won’t make you rich overnight. But it’s scalable, sustainable, and 100% under your control.
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Write once, sell forever.
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Package your knowledge into something valuable.
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Market it consistently.
The internet is hungry for solutions. If you’ve got knowledge, turn it into a product and help people—while getting paid for it.
👉 Now over to you: What topic do you think you could turn into an eBook or course? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to see what you’re cooking up.