As a graphic designer, you have a unique skill set that can be leveraged to create and sell digital assets online. Digital assets are any type of digital content that can be sold online like online courses, or licensed for use, such as stock photos, illustrations, icons, and more. By creating and selling digital artworks online, you can generate passive income while showcasing your design skills to a global audience.
The global digital asset management market size is projected to reach USD 8.0 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 13.6% during the forecast period, according to a report published on Marketsandmarkets.com.
In this article, we’ll explore the steps you need to take to create and sell digital assets online as a graphic designer.
1. Identify Your Niche
The first step in creating and selling digital artworks online is to identify your niche. As a graphic designer, you likely have a specific area of expertise, such as creating illustrations, designing logos, or creating digital patterns. By focusing on a specific niche, you can hone your skills and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
To identify your niche, consider your experience and skill set, as well as the market demand for specific types of digital assets. Research what types of digital assets are currently popular and in demand, and assess your own skills and expertise to determine which areas you can excel in.
2. Create Digital Assets
Once you have identified your niche, the next step is to create digital assets. There are many different types of digital assets you can create, including illustrations, icons, logos, fonts, and more. Choose a few specific types of digital assets that align with your niche and that you enjoy creating.
To craft digital assets, you’ll require essential software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or the versatile Colorcinch. For those seeking anime-style transformations of their photos, there’s a plethora of online tools to turn your vision into reality. Additionally, you can tap into online resources, providing cost-effective or free templates and design elements, to effortlessly create stunning digital assets.
When creating digital artworks, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure that your assets are high-quality and appealing to potential buyers. Use high-resolution images and pay attention to typography and color schemes. Moreover, ensure that your digital assets are optimized for web use.
3. Branding
Once you have created your digital assets, the next step is branding. Creating a strong brand identity can help your digital assets stand out in a crowded marketplace and attract more buyers.
Explore the option of designing a logo using a free online logo maker. Additionally, consider creating a website or portfolio where you can showcase your digital assets, along with captivating previews or mockups. Your packaging should be visually appealing and professional, with attention paid to typography, color, and layout.
You can use an engaging interactive pitch deck maker to showcase your assets and impress future buyers or even potential investors that are interested in your creative work.
4. Selling Your Digital Assets
There are many platforms where you can sell your digital assets, such as Creative Market, Envato Elements, and Shutterstock. Each platform has its own requirements and fees, so it’s important to do your research before choosing a platform.
Third-party platforms offer an alternative option to create a website for selling digital products. Among the popular choices are Dukaan, Gumroad, Amazon, and Etsy.
When selling your digital assets, marketing is key. Promote your digital assets on social media and through email marketing campaigns. Utilize flyer templates to effectively market and sell your digital assets – showcase their features and benefits in visually captivating promotional materials. You can also offer discounts or freebies to entice potential buyers.
Your product descriptions and listings should be detailed and informative, with attention paid to search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure that your digital assets appear in search results. In addition to this, to successfully promote your digital assets via email, consider having a DKIM generator to ensure that your messages deliver to email recipients’ inboxes.
5. Building a Customer Base
To succeed in selling digital assets online, it’s important to build a customer base. Consider building a website or portfolio to showcase your digital assets. Use social media platforms to promote your work and connect with potential customers. You can also build a mailing list to stay in touch with customers and offer exclusive discounts or promotions.
Providing excellent customer service is also important. Respond to customer inquiries in a timely manner, offer refunds or exchanges when necessary. Provide clear and detailed instructions for downloading and using your digital assets.
6. Pricing and Revenue
Pricing your digital assets can be tricky. As you want to strike a balance between earning a fair price for your work and making your digital assets accessible to potential buyers. Research what similar digital assets are selling for on various platforms and set your prices accordingly.
It’s also important to consider revenue strategies to increase your earnings. Consider offering bundles of related digital assets or creating custom digital assets for clients. You can also offer exclusive access to new digital assets or offer discounts to repeat customers to encourage loyalty.
Conclusion
Creating and selling digital assets online can be a lucrative way for graphic designers to earn passive income and showcase their skills to a global audience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can identify your niche, create high-quality digital assets, brand and package your assets, and sell them on various platforms while building a loyal customer base.
Remember to price your digital assets competitively and strategically. Always focus on providing excellent customer service to ensure the success of your digital asset business. With dedication and hard work, you can turn your graphic design skills into a thriving online business.
About Guest Author: Piyush Shah
Piyush is a skilled SEO professional with 7 years of experience. He is currently working as Head of SEO at Dukaan. He writes about SEO, Marketing, and E-commerce and has had his content published on reputed websites.
