Why I’ve Been Away: Building My First Digital Product & What I Learned

VA Work Tools

Hey, missed me?

I’ve been a little quiet here lately, but with good reason, I’ve been deep in the trenches building my very first digital product! It’s been a wild ride of brainstorming, tech hiccups, pricing puzzles, and figuring out how to actually market and deliver this thing to the world. So today, I’m peeling back the curtain and letting you in on everything that’s been happening behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever thought about creating and selling a digital product yourself, this one’s for you. I’m going to break it all down, from what I made, to the tools I used, how I priced it, where I’m selling it, and the unexpected things I learned along the way.

So let’s catch up, shall we?

Where I’ve Been (and What I’ve Been Up To)

So… where have I been?

Short answer: building something I’ve been dreaming about for a while now, a digital product that could truly help my audience.

Long answer: I’ve been designing, refining, and launching a full digital product toolkit. Think plug-and-play templates, resources, and systems that cut out the overwhelm and help people take action. It wasn’t just “slap a PDF together and call it a day.” This took time, testing, and more Google Docs than I’d like to admit.

This toolkit is more than just digital files, it’s a product with real value. And I wanted it to feel like that from top to bottom.

Why a Digital Product?

I wanted to create something that could serve people even when I wasn’t actively online. That’s the beauty of digital products: you make them once and they keep working for you.

They’re low-cost to create, highly scalable, and when done right, incredibly impactful. Plus, you don’t need to worry about shipping, packaging, or inventory. You can sell from anywhere, at any time, to anyone in the world.

That flexibility was a big part of what drew me in.

But honestly? I also just wanted to build something of my own. Something that lived beyond my social media feed. Something I could be proud of and that could support others in a real, useful way.

What I Created

I created a digital toolkit that helps people start their own Virtual Assistant Business.

It’s not just pretty templates (although, yes, they are pretty). This toolkit walks you through the how, not just the what. From planning and structure to execution and follow-through, it’s a full-on system.

And let me tell you, this thing has a lot of moving parts. Which leads me to…

The Tools I Used to Bring It to Life

Here’s the exact setup I used to create and launch everything:

• Canva – I used it to design everything: templates, worksheets, covers, mockups, and promotional graphics.

• ChatGPT – Yes, I absolutely used AI to help brainstorm, write content, and organize the structure. Total game-changer.

• Google Drive – This is where all the final files live. It keeps things organized and makes sharing super simple.

• Stan Store – My digital storefront! I hosted the product here and was able to create a super clean and simple checkout experience for buyers.

• Zapier – I used Zapier to automate things behind the scenes, like connecting my product delivery to my email funnel.

• Systeme.io – I used this to build my lead magnet funnel, grow my email list, and set up automated sequences.

  
  

Everything works together now—mostly on autopilot. That was the goal: set it up once, and let it run.

How I Priced My Product

So, let’s talk about the money part. Because figuring out pricing was its own journey.

I knew I was offering a lot of value, it’s a product that’s been valued at over $450. But I also wanted to make it accessible to the people who genuinely needed it, no matter what stage they’re in.

So here’s what I did:

• I created a free lead magnet that provides real value and also introduces people to my work and style.

• I sell some pieces of the toolkit separately for just $5 to $11—for people who don’t need the full version but still want a piece of the pie.

• The full toolkit is priced at $97, which reflects the value packed inside, without overwhelming my ideal customer.

  
  

This tiered approach works beautifully. It gives people an entry point, builds trust, and then allows them to upgrade when they’re ready.

It also gave me a chance to experiment with what converts best—and spoiler alert, people love a good freebie + $11 upgrade combo.

Where I’m Selling It

I’m hosting and selling everything through Stan Store, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough.

Stan is built for creators like me, people who want to sell products, services, digital downloads, and more, without having to code or deal with complicated tech setups. I linked it right in my social media bios, created clean product listings, and now it’s all working behind the scenes while I sleep.

If you’re a creator or entrepreneur looking for a platform that’s beginner-friendly but powerful, Stan Store is worth checking out.

How I Marketed It

Selling a digital product isn’t just about building it. You have to get it in front of the right people.

But I didn’t want to feel like a pushy salesperson. So I focused on marketing with value and connection in mind.

Here’s what I did:

• Shared behind-the-scenes of the creation process on Instagram (people LOVE to feel part of the journey)

• Built a freebie funnel with Systeme.io to offer my lead magnet, grow my email list, and gently introduce the full product

• Wrote helpful landing pages (like this one!) to drive SEO traffic and share what I’ve learned

• Created Pinterest graphics using Canva that link directly to my Stan Store product pages

• Sent out automated email sequences that nurture and educate my list without being spammy

My goal wasn’t to shout “buy this!” it was to show people how this toolkit could help them, and let the product speak for itself.

What I Learned

Whew. This whole process was a ride, and I learned so much—not just about creating a digital product, but about myself.

Here are a few big takeaways:

• You don’t need everything figured out to start. Just begin.

• Done is better than perfect.

• Automate as much as you can from the beginning.

• People value real solutions more than flashy sales pages.

• You can create something amazing with free or low-cost tools.

• It’s okay to pivot. Your first version isn’t your last version.

Also? I learned that launching something from your heart is scary, but incredibly fulfilling. It’s a mix of vulnerability and power. And now that it’s out in the world, I’m so glad I pushed through.

So… What’s Next?

Now that the product is live and working its magic, I’m shifting into growth mode. I’m testing different types of content, tweaking my funnel, and brainstorming a few new digital offers that complement the toolkit.

Here’s what’s coming soon:

• A free training on how to plan and launch your own digital product

• Behind-the-scenes sales breakdowns (what worked, what didn’t)

• Possibly a small workshop or Q&A session

  
  

And yes… I’m already dreaming up the next product.

FAQs

What kind of digital product did you create?

A toolkit full of templates, planners, and systems designed to help [insert audience goal here].

Where can I buy it?

You can grab the full toolkit and see other offers right in my Stan Store: The Virtual Assistant Corner

Do I need all those tools to start?

Not at all. Start with Canva, Google Drive, and Stan Store, that’s more than enough to build something amazing.

Do I need a big audience to sell digital products?

Nope. You just need the right offer and a real connection to your people.

Was this a lot of work?

Yes. But it was also 100% worth it.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been thinking about creating something of your own, start now. Seriously. You don’t need to be “ready,” you just need to begin.

I’m proud of this product. I’m proud of the effort. And I’m grateful for the space to share it with you here.

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, this is it. I’ve been Building. Creating. Growing. And now, I’m back and more excited than ever to share, teach, and keep this momentum going.

Thanks for sticking with me. More goodness coming soon. 💛