Let me set the scene. You’re scrolling through your social media feed, and BOOM! Someone promises you the digital product magic beanstalk. You know the one. Use their formula, splash some cash on Facebook ads, and voila! Your bank account transforms into a magical garden of 4, 5, 6, or even 8 figures. Sound familiar?
Sure does to me. When I journeyed into the land of my first product launch, I didn’t find the magical goose that laid golden eggs. Instead, I discovered a labyrinth of mythical creatures (and not the cute, fluffy kind).
Scene one: I’m chasing shiny, boxed courses like a squirrel on a sugar high. Scene two: my tear ducts are holding auditions for a melodrama as I spend countless hours creating course content, crafting Canva graphics, and recording videos. Scene three: I’ve swallowed the fairy tale of maxing out credit cards on Facebook ads. Spoiler alert: No Prince Charming is coming to rescue me from the debt tower.
And the plot twist? Sales notifications don’t rain from the sky. I’m lucky if I can conjure up a single sale, let alone a parade of them. Sound like a familiar tale? Yeah, I thought so.
Now, let’s bust four digital product launch myths that have led us both down this misadventure.
Myth #1: If it’s not a signature product, it’s not a home run.
Listen, I get it. It’s alluring, this idea of creating a magnum opus as your first offering. It sounds grand, doesn’t it? But here’s the catch:
1) They suck time and money faster than a vampire at a blood bank.
2) For us solopreneurs, it’s a one-man/woman show. They are no flashy team. No help from Alfred. Just you, the superhero, battling on in the face of adversity.
3) The pervasive myth that there’s a one-size-fits-all formula that’s as perfect as Cinderella’s slipper.
Signature products and Facebook ads have their place in the digital realm, but a misplaced strategy can turn you into a real Sleeping Beauty, minus the handsome prince.
Myth #2: To scale up, you must launch a course, a mastermind, or a membership.
We’ve all been enchanted by the Pied Pipers of Instagram, luring us with tales of quick riches and effortless success.
The problem? Most digital product maestros singing this tune have a choir backing them. They have an extensive list, years of industry experience, and charisma to make even the most jaded cynic swoon. Instead, they must show you the reality of building an excited audience to buy your products.
Myth #3: An overflowing Facebook ad budget will magically grow your digital product.
Raise your hand if you’ve heard you don’t need an email list to launch your digital product. Hold on, let me grab my binoculars. I see a few hands raised. That’s because there’s no fairy godmother here to wave her magic wand and instantly grant you financial success.
The truth is a thriving business needs nurturing, just like a beanstalk. This takes time and effort. You can’t just toss your seeds onto the ground and expect a lush harvest overnight.
Myth #4: Just jack up the price, and you’ll climb the beanstalk faster.
When influencers share their six-figure launch stories, they often forget to mention the ogre-sized expenses and fire-breathing taxes. They might have made $200,000, but with 90% overhead, they’re not exactly living in a castle in the clouds.
By contrast, imagine you make a humble $25,000 but with an overhead of only 20%, guess what? You’re holding the same golden egg but without having to fight off the giants.
Remember, you’re not Rapunzel waiting for someone to rescue you from your tower. Instead, you’re the hero in your own story, ready to forge your own path, even if that’s through a thicket of $37 offers.
Because let’s be real, most launches fail faster than a fairy’s wings in a rainstorm, simply because people go from “Who the heck are you?” to “I’ve got a life-changing offer for you!” faster than a pixie on a sugar rush.
Building your audience and trust takes time. Like any good relationship, it’s about getting to know each other, hanging out, and sharing a few laughs (or groans) along the way.
So, spill the beans (magic or otherwise). What are your thoughts on these myths? I’m all ears. Well, not literally – that would be a weird fairy tale, wouldn’t it?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.
