Looking for an easy way to monetize your blog or earn some extra money online? Selling PDF files could be the way to do it.
PDF files are extremely simple to create and are a great way to present a wide range of different resources. And they are very easy to sell because they download quickly and can be viewed on almost all devices.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to sell PDF files online. You’ll learn everything from the types of PDF files you can sell to how to sell and market them.
Let’s start!
Types of PDF Files You Can Sell Online
PDF files are really versatile and you can turn almost any document or resource into a PDF for sale. Here is a list of some of the most common types of PDF files that people sell online:
- Course guides and instructions.
- manuals
- digital magazines
- Knitting and sewing patterns.
- Stencils for arts and crafts.
- White papers and industry reports
- MANUSCRIPTS
- Nutrition and training plans.
- Artwork
- comics and manga
- scenarios
- header templates
Although PDF files are primarily used to create non-editable documents, you can also make them editable and sell products such as:
- Greeting cards
- resume templates
- CALENDARS
- business letters
- event invitations
- power point presentations
As you can see, there are many options for creating PDF documents for sale online. Now let’s take a look at how you can create and sell PDF files online from your own online store.
How to create PDF files: a simple step-by-step guide
Do you want to start creating your own PDF files? This is exactly what needs to be done.
Step 1: Choose a program and create your document
The first thing to do when creating a PDF file is to select a program to use. You can create PDF files using anything from Microsoft Word and Google Docs to Adobe Acrobat. However, I would recommend using an online tool like Canva.
With Canva, you can select from a wide range of free templates and designs that can be saved in PDF format. The drag and drop interface makes it easy to quickly design interesting and professional documents. All you have to do is select a template and get started. Here’s an example of one I created:
Next, you need to add your content, such as images and text. When adding text, be sure to choose a font that is professional and easy to read.
Good content should be the focus of your PDFs, as this is ultimately what will help you get the most sales. Your content ideas should be things that you find valuable to customers and are willing to pay for.
Step 2 – Add Layout Elements
To make your PDF files more salable, you should try to make them look more stylish and interesting to your readers.
Whether you’re creating nutrition plans or sewing patterns, be sure to add splashes of color and graphics where appropriate to make your PDFs look more professional and high-quality.
Step 3 – Add your own branding elements
If you’re creating an entire website for your PDFs, it’s a good idea to include your logos and branding on every PDF you create.
Not only will this help prevent people from duplicating and reselling your content, but it will also mean the buyer will know exactly which seller they bought it from.
If a customer purchased a PDF from you through a marketplace like Etsy, they may go directly to your website next time if your brand and website name are clearly visible on the PDF.
Step 4 – Review your PDF files before saving
It’s very easy to make spelling and grammatical errors when creating written content, so be sure to proofread your PDF files before saving or downloading them. Consider using a browser extension like Grammarly, which will help you spot grammatical errors easily.
Also, if you’re creating PDFs for complicated documents like white papers or reports, it might be a good idea to hire an editor or proofreader. You can hire reviewers quite cheaply on sites like Upwork and Fiverr. This can help ensure that all PDF files are of the highest quality, which will hopefully prevent customers from requesting refunds.
Step 5 – Save the PDF document
Then, to convert your document to a PDF, all you have to do is click Discharge either Save aswhatever program you are using and choose the Save as PDF option.
It’s as simple as that. You can then upload it to your website or the marketplace of your choice to sell it.
How to sell PDF files online
Now that you know how to create PDF files to sell, let’s take a look at exactly how you can sell them. The best way to sell your PDF files is through your own eCommerce site. There are many tools available that can help you create an eCommerce site, but we recommend Sellfy.
Sellfy is an eCommerce platform for beginners that is also very affordable. It’s extremely easy to use and doesn’t take time to set up a site. And you can enjoy 0% transaction fees on all PDF sales.
Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to sell your PDF files using Sellfy.
Step 1 – Sign up for a Sellfy membership
To get started, go to Sellfy.com and take a look at the different pricing plans.
That’s why we recommend the Starter plan that includes digital products, subscriptions and unlimited products. The plan starts at $19/month and you’ll also get a 14-day free trial.
Once you have chosen your plan, click you begin.
Then fill in your chosen name, email address and password and click Create my store. You will then be presented with a questionnaire about your store. If you don’t already have a website to make sales, select Create a Sellfy store to question number 3.
Then just click Start a 14-day free trial and you will be directed to the control panel of your Sellfy store. You can upgrade your 14-day trial at any time by clicking Account > Billing in the Sellfy dashboard sidebar or by clicking upgrade to beginner in the upper right corner of the page.
Step 2: Add Products
You can then start adding your digital products to your store to prepare them for sale. This step is very easy and only requires a few clicks. First click products in the sidebar menu and select digital products. Then click Add a new product in the upper right corner of the page. Then you will be presented Add a new product page.
From here, you can upload PDF files directly from your computer by dragging and dropping, dropping or clicking on them Browse on your computer.
After uploading your chosen PDF files, you can add the product name, product description, product preview, category, and price in your chosen currency.
Once the list of products is complete, simply click save the productand you product will be ready for sale in your Sellfy online store. Also, make sure that Visible on the store page switch below save the product is enabled so your customers can view and purchase PDF files.
Step 3 – Customize your store settings
The last thing you need to do to get your online store up and running is customize your store settings. To do this, click Store Settings in the sidebar. You can first customize your store layout with the Store Customizer tool. Select a theme you like, and then make the changes you want.
Next, you will need to set up your store name and domain. You can buy a domain name from a site like Namecheap, then point it to your Sellfy store by adding it to custom domain countryside.
After that, configure the payment terminals by clicking Payment settings in the sidebar. You can connect Stripe or PayPal to receive payments from customers and choose a currency.
You can also set things like product categories and customize email templates in the store settings.
Once all the above steps are completed, you can focus on PDF marketing and sales. Read on to learn more about how to market your PDF files.
And if you want to know more about Sellfy, check out our Sellfy review.
How to market your PDF files
Once you’ve created your PDF store, you’ll need to spend some time marketing your PDF files to increase your web traffic and increase sales.
These are some of the best ways you can market your PDF files.
List your PDF files on marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy
One of the best ways to drive traffic to your website and increase your sales numbers is to list your PDF products on popular marketplaces like Amazon Y Etsy. This can be a great way to get initial exposure for your products, and many people will only buy digital downloads from established platforms like these.
Using Amazon, Etsy, and other marketplaces can be an easy way to sell digital downloads; however, it is important to note that using this method also has some disadvantages.
For example, large retail platforms have been known to take a large chunk of the profit from your sales, and some platforms like Etsy will even charge a small fee for each product you list.
Also, relying on larger platforms to get all of your sales means you are not in full control of your business. If the platforms decide to change their terms or fees, it can cause big problems for established companies.
So what is the solution? Well, our advice is to use the major platforms as a marketing tool instead of a constant source of sales.
When customers buy from your Amazon and Etsy listing, be sure to contact them via email. Thank them for their purchase and let them know you have your own website in case they want to make other purchases.
You can even offer discounts and promotions to customers who buy directly from your eCommerce store.
Another good idea is to put your branding and website details on every PDF you sell. Then customers will be more likely to go directly to your site if they decide to make a later purchase.
Create a free product to generate interest
If you want to entice website visitors to make a purchase, sometimes it can be a good idea to offer a free product to get them into your sales funnel. For example, if you sell a PDF course online, offer the first lesson for free. If customers like the course and want more information, they will need to purchase additional lessons at full retail price.
Offering free products can lead to more purchases and also provides a way to collect email contacts from website visitors. You can then use these details to market other products via email.
Run giveaways on social media
If you have a large following on social media and want to direct them to your PDF store, then running a social media giveaway is a good idea.
You can use a giveaway app like SweepWidget to create giveaways that encourage users to visit your website and engage with your social media posts. This can help drive traffic and might inspire people who didn’t win the competition to purchase the prize on your website.
Frequently asked questions about selling PDF files online
Still have more questions about selling PDF files online? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about selling PDF files online.
How do I make a salable PDF?
Any PDF you create that contains your own original content can be sold. However, you should try to make it professional and helpful to consumers to make it more salable.
Creating products, templates, and other materials that are in high demand is the best way to make your PDFs sell well. You should also make them look professional by using attractive fonts, graphics, and color schemes.
Is it illegal to sell PDF files?
No, there are many ways to legally sell PDF files. The main legal aspect to consider when selling PDF files is copyright. Make sure that all PDF files you sell contain your own original content and that any fonts or graphics you use are suitable for commercial use.
If you follow these instructions, you should not run into any legal problems. However, here at Blogging Wizard, we’re blogging experts, not law experts, so be sure to check your country’s local laws and regulations before you start selling PDF files.
Can I sell PDF files on Amazon?
Yes, you can sell PDF files on Amazon. In particular, PDF e-books and short stories sell well on Amazon’s Kindle store.
However, keep in mind that Amazon takes a cut of your sales, so it’s much better to sell directly through your own product website. This means you get 100% of the profits and are in control of all aspects of your eCommerce business.
Can I sell PDF files on Etsy?
Yes, like Amazon, Etsy is a trusted marketplace for selling PDF files. In particular, PDF files related to arts and crafts, such as sewing patterns and kids’ printables, sell well on Etsy. However, like Amazon, Etsy also takes a cut of your sales.
Etsy’s transaction fees are 6.5% plus shipping, packaging, and gift wrapping. You will also be charged a fee for each product you list. If you want to maximize your profits and have full control over your sales, the best option is to sell through your own website.
How much money can you make selling PDF?
It really depends on the PDFs you sell and how much you charge for them. If you sell high-value resources like white papers and industry reports, you can earn more than $1000 per month.
Similarly, craft patterns and sewing patterns sell well on sites like Etsy, and if you have enough patterns available on your site, you can easily earn a full-time income. What you earn will mostly depend on how well you market your PDF and the quality of your resources.
final thoughts
There you have it: a full breakdown of exactly how to sell PDF files online. Selling PDF files can be a great option for earning income online and can also be used to monetize the traffic you are already getting to your websites or blogs.
If you’re curious about how to get started selling other types of digital products, be sure to check out our other guides:
- how to sell books electronics online
- How to sell audio files online
Alternatively, you may find our article on hustle ideas useful if you want to start a different kind of business. Or our article on the most popular products to sell online if you want to sell different types of products.
Divulgation: This post contains affiliate links. This means that we may make a small commission if you make a purchase.