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 as they are quick to download and can be viewed on almost any device.
You are reading: How to sell pdf books online
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to sell pdf files online. You’ll learn everything from what types of pdf files you can sell to how to sell and market them.
Let’s get started!
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:
- courses and practical guides
- manuals
- digital magazines
- knitting and sewing patterns
- templates for arts and crafts
- technical documents and industry reports
- manuscripts
- nutrition and training plans
- works of art
- comics and manga
- scripts
- letterhead templates
although pdfs are mainly used to create non-editable documents, you can also make them editable and sell products like:
- greeting cards
- resume templates
- calendars
- business cards
- event invitations
- powerpoint presentations
As you can see, there are tons of options to create pdf documents online for sale. 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 you should do.
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 everything 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 your images and text. When adding text, be sure to choose a font that is professional and legible.
Good content should be the main focus of your pdf files as it is ultimately what will help you get the most sales. Your content ideas should be things that you think are 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 elegant and interesting to readers.
Whether you’re creating nutrition plans or sewing patterns, be sure to add splashes of color and graphic elements where relevant 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 pdf files, it’s a good idea to include your logos and brand name on each pdf file 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 bought a pdf from you through a marketplace like etsy, they may visit your website directly next time if your brand and website name are clearly visible on the pdf.
Step 4: Correct 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 easily spot grammatical errors.
Also, if you’re creating pdf files for complicated documents, like white papers or reports, it might be a good idea to hire an editor or proofreader. You can hire proofreaders quite cheaply on sites like Upwork and Fiverr. this can help you ensure that all of your pdfs are of the highest quality, which will hopefully prevent customers from asking for refunds.
step 5: save your pdf document
then, to convert your document to a pdf, all you need to do is click download or save as, in whatever program you’re using, and choose save. as pdf option.
It’s as simple as that. you can then upload it to your website or 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 website. There are tons of tools out there that can help you create an eCommerce site, but we recommend sellfy.
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sellfy is an ecommerce platform for beginners that is also very affordable. it is extremely easy to use and it takes no time to set up a site. and you can enjoy 0% transaction fees on all your 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 subscription
To get started, visit sellfy.com and check out the different pricing plans. although sellfy has a free forever plan available, it does not support the sale of digital products.
therefore we recommend the starter plan which 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’ve chosen your plan, click get started.
then enter your name, email address and chosen 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 in question number 3.
then simply click start 14 day free trial and you will be directed to your sellfy store dashboard. you can upgrade your 14-day trial at any time by clicking account > billing in the sidebar of your sellfy dashboard or by clicking upgrade to starter in the top right corner of the page.
step 2: add products
You can then begin adding your digital products to your store to prepare them for sale. this step is really easy and it only takes a few clicks. first, click on products in the sidebar menu and select digital products. then click add new product in the upper right corner of the page. then you will be presented with the add new product page.
From here, you can upload your pdf files directly from your computer by dragging and dropping them, or by clicking 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 your product list is complete, simply click save product, and your product is ready to be sold on your sellfy online store. Also, make sure the button visible on the shop page below the save product button is enabled so your customers can view and purchase your 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 using the store customization tool. select a theme you like, and then make any changes you want to the design.
Next, you’ll need to set up your store name and domain. you can buy a domain name from a site like namecheap and then point it to their sellfy store by adding it in the custom domain field.
After that, set up your payment terminals by clicking on 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 you’ve completed all the steps above, you can focus on marketing your pdf files and generating sales. Read on to learn more about how to market your pdf files.
and if you want to learn 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 pdfs to generate 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 you can drive traffic to your site and increase your sales numbers is to post your pdf products on popular marketplaces like amazon and etsy. this can be a great way to get some initial exposure for your products, and many people will only buy digital downloads on established platforms like these.
Using amazon, etsy, and other marketplaces can be an easy way to sell digital downloads, however, it’s important to note that there are also some downsides to using this method.
for example, the big sales platforms are notorious for keeping a large portion of the profits from your sales, and some platforms like etsy will even charge a small fee for each product you list.
On top of this, relying on larger platforms for all your sales means you’re not in full control of your business. If platforms decide to change their terms or fees, it can cause big problems for established companies.
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so what is the solution? well, our advice is to use the major platforms as a marketing tool, rather than a constant source of sales.
When customers purchase from your listing on amazon and etsy, be sure to communicate with them via email. thank them for their purchase and let them know you have your own website in case they want to make more purchases.
You can even offer discounts and promotions to customers who buy directly from your eCommerce store.
Another good idea is to put branding elements and details of your website on every pdf you sell. then customers will be more likely to go directly to your site if they decide to make a follow-up purchase.
create a free product to generate interest
If you want to entice site visitors to make a purchase, sometimes it can be a good idea to offer a free product to get them involved in your sales funnel. For example, if you are selling a PDF course online, offer the first lesson as a free gift. 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 site visitors. you can then use these details to market more products via email.
run giveaways on social networks
If you have an established following on social media and want to direct them to your pdf store, then it’s a good idea to run a social media giveaway.
You can use a giveaway application like the Swipe Widget to create giveaways that encourage users to visit your site and engage with your social media posts. this can help increase 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 the answers to some frequently asked questions about selling PDF files online.
how can i make a pdf salable?
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 in order to make it more salable.
Creating products, templates and other materials that are in high demand is the best way to make your pdf files 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 that you need to consider when selling PDF files is copyright. Make sure that all pdf files you sell have your own original content and that any fonts or graphics you use are suitable for commercial use.
If you follow these guidelines, you shouldn’t have any legal problems. however, here at blog wizard, we’re blogging experts, not law experts, so be sure to check the local laws and regulations in your country 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 storybooks sell well on Amazon’s Kindle store.
However, keep in mind that Amazon keeps a portion 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, PDFs related to arts and crafts, such as sewing patterns and printables for kids, sell well on Etsy. however, like amazon, etsy also takes a cut of your sales.
transaction fees on etsy are 6.5% plus shipping, packing and gift-wrapping fees. You will also be charged a fee for each product you list. If you want to maximize profits and be in full control of your sales, then the best option is to sell through your own website.
how much money can you make selling pdf files?
It really depends on the pdfs you sell and how much you charge for them. If you’re selling high-value resources like white papers and industry reports, you could earn more than $1,000 per month.
Likewise, craft templates and sewing patterns sell well on sites like etsy, and if you have enough templates available on your site, you can easily earn a full-time income. how much 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 generating income online and can also be used to monetize the traffic you already get 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 ebooks online
- how to sell audio files online
Alternatively, you may find our article on side hustle ideas helpful, if you want to start a different type of business.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. this means we may charge a small commission if you make a purchase.
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