The Importance of Starting Small: Why Your First Digital Products Don’t Have to Be Perfect
The Pancake-Mountain Theory applied to digital product creation.
I’m feeling lost. I’m stumped. I know I need to create 3 digital products and just pop it onto a landing page. It’s like those first few Youtube videos. They will NOT be great. Now will these initial few products be passable? Yes. Will they be awesome? Maybe? Maybe not?
It’s similar to how the first 3 or 4 pancakes on the pan always come out wonky or undercooked or damaged in some way. Will all the subsequent pancakes be crappy? Of course not!
You get better at pouring the batter. You slowly figure out how long to wait before sliding your ladle under the fluffy disk. You get better at your pancake flip techniquemaybe even master that flip in the pan party move.
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – John F. Kennedy
All this to say, the pancakes will not make themselves. This is not about pancakes *hahah* So how do I even go about making these digital products? I feel stump. Like the mountain to scale is too large and too intimidating. I have slump into a useless little sad pile at the base of the mountain.
I see the peak. I know that’s where I want to go. The peak is having an entire stable of digital products. But then I see the cliff side and the ravines that might need to be scaled and god knows what other hidden dangers I cannot see from my spot at the base of the mountain. All this thinking causes my courage to waver.
Where do I even begin?? I know very little about how to scale this mountain. I’ve stuck to the recreational side of doom scrolling but I’ve never ventured further into the digital wilderness.
In this article:
How do I even survive? I mean, I can just storm off and charge up the mountain totally unprepared. The probability of failure is very high. Yes, I could learn random skills along the way. Depending on luck to survive long enough to take the summit.
Or I could spend a bit of time preparing – gaining some survival skills, gathering some supplies, maybe asking for advice from experienced mountaineers. I could even hire a mountain guide to take me up the mountain.
But in the end, I still need to lace up my footwear and actually go hike that damn mountain. I cannot reach the peak unless I step on to the side of the mountainside, let’s ignore helicopter drop off they are cheating *hahaha*
That mountain is different for everyone and because I am a geeky nerd at heart, I’ve gathered 5 real-life inspiration mini case studies to give us a leg up.
Ready to set and crush your goals? Our ‘Unlock Your Potential’ workbook can help. Download it today!
Case #1: The “One Bite at a Time” Strategy
Building a website might seem daunting, but breaking it down into smaller tasks can make it achievable. Start by choosing a simple website builder, create the homepage with your logo and a brief description of your solopreneur venture.
Voila! You’ve got the basic foundation. Then, add one page at a time – about, products, contact. Before you know it, you’ll have a polished site ready to showcase.
Action Steps:
- Choose a user-friendly website builder that suits your needs.
- Start by creating the homepage with your logo, a catchy tagline, and a brief description of your solopreneur venture.
- Commit to adding one new page per week, such as an “About” page, “Products” page, and “Contact” page.
- Gradually build your website’s content and functionality, making consistent progress toward a polished site.
Case #2: The “Leap of Connection” Method
Networking events can be intimidating, but let’s make them less so. Imagine you’re attending a virtual conference for solopreneurs. Your action step? Make a list of three attendees you’d love to connect with.
Reach out to them on social media before the event, sharing your excitement. During the conference, introduce yourself and discuss common interests. This turns research into actionable connections. For insights into building a network with gentler, yet effective methods, explore this guide on softer ways to establish professional connections.
Action Steps:
- Select a virtual networking event or conference that aligns with your solopreneur goals.
- Research and identify three attendees you’d like to connect with before the event.
- Engage with them on social media, showing genuine interest and excitement about the upcoming event.
- During the conference, introduce yourself, share common interests, and establish meaningful connections.
Case #3: The “Incremental Launch” Game Plan
You’ve been researching your eBook idea for months. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” time, let’s break it down. Set a launch date two months from now.
Spend the first month outlining chapters and creating a content plan. The second month, focus on writing a chapter a week. By the launch date, you’ll have a complete eBook ready for the world. Just to be consistent and take one baby step at a time. The important thing is that you keep moving forward! Remember Overnight Success Stories — Are Years in the Making.
Action Steps:
- Choose a specific launch date for your eBook, giving yourself a clear target to work towards.
- Month 1: Create a detailed outline of your eBook, breaking it down into chapters and sections.
- Develop a content plan for each chapter, outlining key points and resources.
- Month 2: Begin writing one chapter per week, following your outlined content plan.
- Edit and refine each chapter as you go, ensuring a cohesive and engaging final product.
Case #4: The “Bite-Sized Success” Blueprint
You’ve been itching to share your expertise through an online workshop, but the details seem overwhelming.
Break down the seemingly huge task of running a workshop into smaller more manageable chunks. Then tackle each chunk one at a time.
Action Steps:
- Choose your topic, identify the skill or knowledge you’re excited to share.
- Define your audience by pinpointing the group that will benefit most from your workshop.
- Set a date, bite the bullet and choose a workshop date to create a sense of commitment.
- Outline content, break down your workshop into sections or modules.
- Promote, promote! Announce the workshop on social media, your website, or email list.
Case #5: The “Progress Puzzle” Pathway
Imagine you’re passionate about organic skincare products. Instead of endlessly researching every ingredient, why not start by creating a small batch of your signature lotion?
One puzzle piece: Mix up those natural oils and butters, put them in some charming containers. Another puzzle piece: share them with friends and family. Fit their feedback together with your product and you will have your first taste of market validation.
Action Steps:
- Set aside a weekend to create a small batch of your organic skincare product.
- Mix and blend natural oils, butters, and ingredients to craft your signature product.
- Package your creation in charming containers to give it a professional touch.
- Share your newly crafted product with friends and family for honest feedback and testimonials.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
– Winston Churchill
Break those seemingly daunting tasks into manageable actions. Don’t wait till it’s perfect. Perfection kills progress. Embrace imperfection and launch when you’re 60% ready. Seek support from your community, and embrace the thrill of taking meaningful steps toward your solopreneur dreams. You’ve identified your mountain and now it is time to take the summit!
🔷🔷🔷
Follow me on Medium or subscribe to my 🌱 newsletter for regular updates on writing tips, and self-improvement inspiration. Click subscribe today and download our FREE ‘Unlock Your Potential’ workbook for digital entrepreneurs. Get it here: ⟶ 🔗LINK
Discover more from BETWIX & Co.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply