11 Types of AI Digital Products You Can Start Selling Today
9 September, 2024
You launch your online coaching business, and it's a success. You're helping people achieve results, but then your business plateaus. Momentum slows, and boredom sets in. How can you reinvigorate your business, continue helping people, and increase your earnings without overworking? One effective strategy is to create and sell digital products. AI-powered digital products can help you scale your coaching business while offering clients valuable resources to achieve results faster.
In this article, I'll share how to use artificial intelligence to create niche digital products and a digital clone that sells and accelerates clients' outcomes.
What is AI in Digital Technology?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that builds machines or systems capable of simulating the human brain's workings. For instance, an AI system can:
- Automate routine tasks
- Solve problems
- Learn from previous experiences
One common and limiting view of AI and what the technology can do is that it’s just about creating intelligent machines or systems.
AI is much more complex than that. Several components in AI systems include:
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- Natural language processing (NLP)
AI systems analyze vast training data by looking for correlations or patterns, which they then use to make predictions. AI needs to be trained to:
- Generate better
- More accurate
- Lifelike responses
- Create actionable information
As the hype around AI has accelerated, vendors have scrambled to promote how their products and services incorporate it. Often, they refer to AI as a well-established technology such as machine learning.
AI requires specialized hardware and software for writing and training machine learning algorithms. No programming language is used exclusively in AI, but popular choices among AI developers include:
- Python
- R
- Java
- C++
- Julia
How Does AI Work?
AI systems generally work by ingesting large amounts of labeled training data, analyzing that data for correlations and patterns, and using these patterns to make predictions about future states. For example, an AI chatbot fed examples of text can learn to generate lifelike exchanges with people, and an image recognition tool can learn to identify and describe objects in images by reviewing millions of examples.
Generative AI techniques, which have advanced rapidly over the past few years, can create realistic:
- Text
- Images
- Music
- Other media
Related Reading
What Are Digital Products?
Digital products are anything you can create and sell online that doesn’t exist in a physical form. When we think of digital products, we usually picture images, music, or files that can be downloaded, like an e-book or a piece of digital art. But the concept goes way beyond that.
At its core, a digital product is something you create and share using a digital format. There needs to be a physical item to hold or ship. These products are consumed through:
- Phones
- Computers
- Tablets
- Live entirely online
So, what are some examples? Software is extensive, including apps or computer programs people download or subscribe to. Then, you have:
- E-books
- Online courses
- Memberships
All of these deliver value without involving any tangible products.
The Growing Market of Digital Products
Think of that online class you took or that PDF guide you bought a digital product. Music, videos, and even graphic designs are digital products, too. People sell everything from digital paintings and stock photography to pre-made website themes and templates. What’s great about digital products is that they can be sold repeatedly without needing inventory once created.
The Benefits of Selling Digital Products
New digital products are constantly emerging and are incredibly convenient for the creator and the customer. They can reach a global audience without shipping costs and be delivered instantly. Plus, the earning potential is high since they can be easily replicated. That’s why so many people are jumping into the digital marketplace—it’s a flexible way to generate income online.
The Booming Market for Digital Products
According to Mastercard, the volume of digital product transactions has increased by almost 70% over the last two years. Global spending on digital goods is expected to hit $135 billion by 2024. In short, digital products offer endless possibilities for creating something valuable and accessible to people everywhere, whether it's an:
- Online course
- A piece of digital art
- Software
Scale Your Expertise with a Digital Clone
Delphi is a digital cloning platform that helps users to capture their:
- Unique style
- Voice
- Expertise
This enables them to scale personalized 1-on-1 interactions. Delphi enables content creators, coaches, influencers, CEOs, executives, and more to scale/clone their:
- Expertise
- Time
- Availability
Preserve your knowledge and wisdom and mass personalize communications with Delphi. Delphi's mentorship as a service allows knowledge-based professionals to clone themselves for texting, calling, and video calling, with audience management features such as:
- Mass messages
- Hop-in conversation
- Alerts
- Analytics
- Content strategy data
Start using Delphi. Create your own digital clone for free today!
What AI Products Can You Sell? 11 Types of AI Digital Products
1. Online Courses & Educational Resources
The popularity of online courses is undisputed. The demand for e-learning skyrocketed during the pandemic and is expected to keep growing. For instance, the global online learning market will reach $375 billion by 2026. Selling online courses helps you establish authority, and they can also boost your site’s SEO. These products allow you to educate your audience on relevant topics and provide your customers with valuable information.
2. Digital Printables & Templates
Digital printables are downloadable files that users can print at home or through a printing service. Templates are pre-formatted digital files that can be customized using editing software. Digital printables and downloadable files offer a budget-friendly and customizable way to personalize projects and enhance organization. They cater to various needs:
- Planning
- Productivity
- Creative expression
- Entertainment
- Event management
3. Software & Plugins
As the world continues to take on a digital-first approach to professional and social tasks, there is an increasing demand for specific:
- Software
- Apps
- Plugins
Worldwide, the software market alone is expected to reach over $698 billion in 2024, highlighting the ever-increasing demand for specialized software solutions. Software and plugins can be digital downloads that add functionality or automate tasks for potential customers. This category can be pretty broad, so let’s focus on niche-specific software and plugins that address pain points and automate user workflows within a particular industry or field. For instance, some of the most popular and in-demand software and plugins right now include:
- Productivity plugins for project management
- CRM
- Time tracking
Communication within teams WordPress plugins that provide eCommerce functionalities to:
- Online stores
- Social media management
- Content marketing
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Here are some helpful photography plugins for enhancing your workflow:
- Image editing
- Watermarking
- Portfolio creation
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & chatbots
- Interactive tech for showcasing product features
- Data Analytics & Reporting
4. Memberships & Subscriptions
Subscription-based and membership sites offer:
- Exclusive content
- Resources
- Community access
Subscription sites allow content creators to sell digital goods to customers regularly. This could include:
- Memberships for exclusive online courses
- Downloadable resources
- Digital assets
- Community forums
- Live Q&A sessions
Memberships and subscriptions provide recurring revenue streams and foster stronger customer loyalty. Customers appreciate the convenience of receiving curated content or products regularly, while sellers benefit from predictable income and a dedicated customer base.
5. Digital Art & Design Assets
As we’ve seen with the rising popularity of design platforms like Canva, there’s an increasing demand for design assets and templates that can be used online and offline. Digital art encompasses a wide range of creative assets that can be used for various purposes:
- Web design
- Graphic design
- Marketing materials
- Creative projects
Here are some trending digital products in the art and design space:
- Illustrations
- Vectors
- Graphics & Clip Art
- Fonts for Unique Typography
- Branding elements
- Design templates & layouts (e.g., WordPress themes, flyers, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, etc.)
- Stock Photos & Photography Assets
- Textures for adding visual interest to design projects
Designers and creatives can offer a vast library of high-quality resources that save time and enhance digital projects.
Resource Libraries for Designers and Creatives
Designers and creatives can offer a vast library of high-quality resources that save time and enhance digital projects. Purchasing individual assets or subscribing to libraries provides flexibility and affordability.
6. Audio Content
Audio files aren’t necessarily a single trending digital product, but the demand for various audio content delivered as digital files is definitely on the rise. Deloitte forecasts a surge in listeners across various audio entertainment formats in 2024. Their estimates include:
- Over 1.7 billion monthly podcast listeners
- 750 million monthly music-streaming subscribers
- 270 million monthly audiobook listeners globally
Subscription services for music, audiobooks, and podcasts are hugely popular. People are consuming more audio content than ever, and it’s all delivered digitally. Audio content is also:
- Versatile
- Convenient
- Caters to different needs
Music provides entertainment, audiobooks offer education, podcasts inform and entertain, and even calming soundscapes can be digital products. Digital creators can also create and sell audio content to be used as background music for:
- Explainer videos
- Product demonstrations
- Educational content
- Sound effects for podcasts
- Video games
- Mobile apps
- Royalty-free music for YouTube videos
- Social media content
- Marketing campaigns
7. EBooks & Self-Published Content
Another category of trending digital products in high demand right now are eBooks and self-published content. The global eBook market is expected to reach over $5 billion by 2027, highlighting the continued popularity of digital reading.
Ebooks are electronic versions of books that can be downloaded and read on various devices:
- Computers
- Tablets
- Smartphones
Self-published content encompasses a broader range of digital publications, including:
- Workbooks
- Guides
- Manuals
- Research papers
Whereas eBooks offer a convenient and portable way to access books compared to traditional printed formats, self-published content allows publishers and content creators to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers and reach readers directly.
8. Presets for Photo & Video Editing
The global photo editing software market is valued at about $345 million, indicating the increasing demand for photo editing tools and resources. Presets are pre-configured photos and video editing software settings that can be applied with a single click to achieve specific visual effects.
LUTs (Look Up Tables) are preset tools for manipulating color grading in images and videos. Examples include:
- Presets for achieving popular photographic styles like vintage, cinematic, black & white
- LUTs for color grading videos to match specific themes or moods
These presets help photographers and videographers achieve consistent visual aesthetics, such as:
- Weddings
- Travel
- Product photography
Presets and LUTs save photo and video editors significant time and effort by offering quick and consistent visual effects. They allow even beginners to achieve professional-looking results without extensive editing expertise.
9. Virtual Backgrounds
In the same way, we have seen AI used to generate images, you can leverage artificial intelligence to create professional-looking backgrounds for meetings. The number of individuals working remotely has significantly increased since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. As a result, many of us spend a considerable amount of time on Zoom calls and inadvertently exposing to our colleagues our:
- Kitchens
- Living rooms
- Other areas of our homes
Many people are shifting to virtual backgrounds to maintain privacy, which is becoming a fast-growing market. Midjourney or other AI art generators can create high-quality images and backgrounds and sell them online through marketplaces.
10. Marketing & Branding Materials
Another digital product you can sell online is branding materials like logos. Generally, people ask a graphic designer to produce a logo for them, or they buy a ready one on websites like Etsy or Fiverr. AI tools can create lots of different logo options for you. You can tell the AI what colors and objects you want or don't want, the style you prefer, and even show examples of what you like.
11. Mockups
Mockups are another great way to generate passive income and are some of the best-selling digital products. They’re also an easy digital product idea to make and sell, and you can use them in various ways. People purchase mockups to create product designs, such as for their designs on T-shirts, mugs, cards, etc.
Related Reading
What AI Can Create Digital Products?
1. Delphi
Delphi is a digital cloning platform that allows users to capture their:
- Unique style
- Voice
- Expertise
This enables them to scale personalized 1-on-1 interactions. Delphi helps content creators, coaches, influencers, CEOs, and executives to:
- Clone their expertise
- Maximize their time
- Increase their availability
With Delphi, you can preserve your knowledge and personalize communications on a large scale. Key features include:
- Mentorship as a service (texting, calling, video calling)
- Audience management (mass messages, real-time conversations)
- Alerts and analytics
- Content strategy data
Get started with Delphi today to create your own digital clone and enhance your personal and professional interactions for free!
2. ChatGPT: Your AI Writing Assistant
ChatGPT is a versatile AI tool that can assist in generating content for various digital products, including:
- E-books
- Articles
- Marketing materials
Its ability to understand and respond to prompts makes it a valuable resource for writers and creators.
3. Creative Fabrica Spark: Your Design Buddy
Creative Fabrica Spark allows users to generate unique designs and artwork quickly. You can create digital products like stickers, coloring book pages, and more by simply inputting your design ideas.
4. Canva: Your Graphic Design Helper
Canva incorporates AI features to help users create stunning graphics for digital products. Whether you’re designing e-books, social media posts, or promotional materials, Canva’s intuitive interface and templates make it easy to produce high-quality visuals.
5. DALL-E: Your AI Art Generator
DALL-E is an AI model from OpenAI that generates images from textual descriptions. This tool is perfect for creating unique illustrations or artwork for digital products, enhancing visual appeal without requiring extensive graphic design skills.
6. Midjourney: Another AI Image Creator
Midjourney is another AI art generator that creates high-quality images based on user prompts. It benefits artists and creators looking to produce original artwork for digital products or marketing materials.
7. Nichesss: Your Product Idea Generator
Nichesss is an AI tool that helps users brainstorm and validate digital product ideas. It provides insights into market trends and can assist in crafting product descriptions, making it easier to develop viable digital offerings.
8. Jasper: Your Content Creation Assistant
Jasper is an AI writing assistant that can help you generate high-quality content for various digital products, including:
- Blog posts
- E-books
- Marketing copy
Its capabilities make it a valuable tool for content creators looking to save time and enhance their writing.
9. Artbreeder: A Unique Image Creator
Artbreeder allows users to create and modify images using AI. This tool is excellent for generating unique artwork or visual elements that can be incorporated into digital products, such as:
- Games
- Applications
10. Lumen5: Your Video Creation Tool
Lumen5 is an AI-powered video creation tool that transforms text content into engaging videos. This is particularly useful for creating promotional videos or video courses, allowing you to reach a wider audience through multimedia content.
11. Heights AI: Your Course Creation Assistant
Heights AI is explicitly designed for course creators. It enables users to generate course titles, outlines, and descriptions quickly. It streamlines the online course creation process, allowing users to focus on adding their unique insights.
Where To Sell AI Digital Products
Thinkific: Your Course-Aware Digital Sales Platform
Thinkific is primarily an online course platform, but it also supports the sale of various digital products, including:
- Templates
- Guides
- E-books
This platform offers a user-friendly interface for creating and managing your products and built-in marketing tools to help you promote your offerings. Thinkific is ideal for creators looking to build a comprehensive online learning experience.
Gumroad: The Straightforward Digital Sales Tool
Gumroad is a straightforward platform for selling digital products, including:
- Software
- E-books
- Music
It allows creators to set up a storefront quickly and offers features like:
- Pay-what-you-want pricing
- Subscription options
- Discount codes
Gumroad is particularly popular among independent creators and artists for its ease of use and low fees.
Etsy: The Evergreen Marketplace for Creative Goods
While Etsy is known for handmade goods, it has also become a popular marketplace for digital products. You can sell items like:
- Digital art
- Printables
- Templates
Etsy provides a large audience and built-in marketing tools, making it an excellent option for creators looking to reach customers who appreciate unique and creative products.
Envato Market: The Best Marketplace for Technical Digital Products
Envato Market includes several platforms like:
ThemeForest and CodeCanyon are excellent marketplaces for selling digital assets such as:
- Themes
- Plugins
- Graphics
If your AI digital products are related to web development or design, this marketplace can connect you with a large community of buyers looking for high-quality digital products.
Heights Platform: The AI Digital Product Sales Tool for Educators
Heights Platform is a dedicated tool for creating and selling online courses and digital products. It offers AI tools to help you generate:
- Course content
- Outlines
- Marketing strategies
This platform benefits educators and coaches looking to leverage AI in their product creation process.
Why Sell AI Digital Products Versus Physical Products?
Lower Overhead Costs: The Money You Save
No one likes to part with their hard-earned cash. Selling AI digital products allows you to keep more of your profits. Unlike physical products, there are no costs associated with:
- Manufacturing
- Inventory storage
- Shipping
You can create and sell your products without the constraints of physical production.
High-Profit Margins: The Money You Make
Digital products often come with higher profit margins. You can sell repeatedly without incurring additional production costs once you've created an AI-generated product such as:
- E-book
- Online course
- Digital art
This scalability allows you to maximize your revenue potential.
Passive Income Potential: The Money That Keeps Coming
AI digital products can generate passive income. After the initial effort of creating the product, you can set it up to sell automatically, allowing you to earn money without continuous active involvement. This particularly appeals to those looking to build a sustainable income stream over time.
Global Reach: The Money You Make Without Borders
Selling digital products allows you to tap into a global audience. There are no geographical limitations so that you can reach customers anywhere. This broad market access can significantly increase your sales opportunities and customer base.
Unlimited Stock and Instant Delivery: The Money That’s Always in Stock
With digital products, you don't have to worry about running out of stock. You can sell as many copies as you want without the constraints of physical inventory. Digital products can be delivered instantly to customers, enhancing their experience and satisfaction.
Can AI Create Digital Templates?
AI can create digital templates, which are becoming increasingly popular among creators and entrepreneurs. AI tools are designed to streamline the process of developing various templates, whether for:
- Websites
- Presentations
- Social media graphics
- Documents
By using AI, you can generate templates quickly and efficiently, saving you time and effort. For instance, tools like Visme or Canva offer an AI design generator that can create a wide range of project types, including presentations and print materials, in just a few minutes. You simply provide a prompt or select a style, and the AI does the heavy lifting, giving you a solid starting point to customize further.
Types of Templates You Can Create
With AI, the possibilities are vast. You can create:
- Website Templates: Tailored for platforms like WordPress or Shopify, making it easier for users to set up their sites.
- Email Templates: Designed for marketing campaigns, ensuring your communications are visually appealing and effective.
- Social Media Graphics: Eye-catching designs that can help boost engagement on platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
- Planners and Worksheets: These can be customized to fit specific needs and are helpful for personal organization or educational purposes.
Researching and Validating Your Product Ideas
Get to Know Your Audience
The first step in validating your product idea is to research your audience.
- Who are they?
- What are their pain points?
- What solutions are they already using?
AI tools like Google Trends and BuzzSumo can help here. You can use these tools to explore:
- What’s trending in your niche
- What people are searching for
- What topics are gaining momentum
It’s all about finding out where there’s a need that hasn’t been fully met.
With AI, you can automate this process. For instance, some platforms use natural language processing to analyze massive datasets (social media posts, reviews, forums) to highlight common concerns or desires. So, instead of manually sifting through customer feedback, AI does the heavy lifting for you.
Assess Demand for Your Product Idea
Now that you’ve got some insight into what people are talking about, you must determine your idea’s actual demand. AI-powered tools like Jasper AI or MarketMuse can assist with this. You can input your product idea and let the AI help you assess the following:
- How competitive is your niche?
- Who are the major players?
- What gaps exist that you can capitalize on?
Another smart move is to use AI-driven surveys or sentiment analysis tools. AI can analyze customer feedback on competing products, highlighting key pain points your digital product could solve. For example, if you see a lot of negative feedback on existing tools or platforms, that’s an opportunity for improvement, and AI can show you exactly where to focus.
Test Your Idea Quickly
You don’t need to spend months building something just to find out it won’t sell. AI can speed up the testing phase. Tools like ChatGPT can help you:
- Quickly prototype ideas
- Write marketing copy
- Simulate conversations with potential users
For example, you could use AI to:
- Create a simple landing page
- Run some paid ads
- See if people are willing to sign up for a waitlist.
This will give you real-world data on whether there’s interest in your product before you even build it. AI can help you analyze this data in real-time, determining your marketing messages' effectiveness and where tweaks may be needed.
Create Your Own Digital Clone With Delphi Today
Delphi is a digital cloning platform that allows users to capture their unique style, voice, and expertise, enabling them to scale personalized 1-1. Delphi enables content creators, coaches, influencers, CEOs, executives, and more to scale/clone their:
- Expertise
- Time
- Availability
Clone Yourself with Delphi's Mentorship as a Service
Preserve your knowledge and wisdom and mass personalize communications with Delphi. Delphi's mentorship as a service allows knowledge-based professionals to clone themselves (texting, calling, video calling) with audience management features such as:
- Mass messages
- Hop-in conversations
- Alerts
- Analytics
- Content strategy data
Create your own digital clone for free today!