21+ Essential Tools for a Profitable Digital Product Business(2025 Guide)
"What tools should I use for my digital product business?"
After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs build successful digital product businesses, this is the question I hear most often. And it makes sense – with thousands of options available, choosing the wrong tools can cost you thousands in wasted time and money.
That's why I've put together this carefully curated list of tools that I've seen work time and time again for successful digital product creators. Each recommendation comes from real-world experience and proven results, either from my own business or from the hundreds of entrepreneurs I've helped guide to success.
Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through them. However, none of the fees have been increased to compensate me, and I only recommend tools that I've personally vetted or that my students consistently see success with.
Digital Product Creation and Hosting
ThriveCart Learn
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
As someone who runs multiple digital product businesses (I have two ThriveCart accounts), I've found ThriveCart Learn to be a game-changer for hosting my online courses and membership sites. While ThriveCart is well-known for its checkout capabilities, their Learn platform is a great solution for delivering your digital content including your online courses, memberships, or low cost digital products (for your order bumps or upsells).
The best things is its one-time payment model. Instead of paying monthly fees that eat into your profits, you make a single investment. For creators just starting out or those scaling their business, this one-time payment is a smart investment.
Another thing that sets ThriveCart apart is its powerful affiliate management system. If you're looking to scale your course or membership through affiliate marketing, you'll appreciate features like:
Flexible commission structures - set different rates for different products or affiliates
Automatic payment processing - no manual tracking or payouts needed
Real-time affiliate reporting - your partners can track their performance instantly
Custom affiliate links and promotional materials - make it easy for affiliates to promote your products
Joint venture tracking - perfect for collaborative launches or partnerships
Multi-tier commission structures - great for building affiliate teams
However, there's one important consideration: ThriveCart doesn't host video content directly. You'll need to host your videos elsewhere (like Vimeo) and embed them into your course pages. While this might seem like a limitation, it’s not been a problem for me.
For creators looking to minimize ongoing costs while maintaining professional delivery of their content, ThriveCart Learn gives you a perfect balance of functionality and value. The one-time payment model means you can focus on creating and marketing your courses rather than worrying about mounting platform fees that increase when the number of students you serve or the products you create increase.
Whether you're selling solo or building an affiliate army to promote your products, ThriveCart Learn provides all the tools you need to succeed.
👉 Check out ThriveCart here.
Course in a Box
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After seeing countless online business owners struggle to turn their expertise into a profitable digital course, I developed Course in a Box – a streamlined, ADHD-friendly system that helps you launch your course in as little as one week. This proven 5-step framework is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to create their first mini-course without getting overwhelmed by complex tech or endless planning.
What makes it truly transformative:
AI-Powered Course Creation: Leverage our specialized AI tools to effortlessly generate course outlines, content, and supplementary materials
Built for Quick Implementation: Complete, focused training modules that help you go from idea to launch in just one week
Flexible Learning Experience: Access training through video modules or our private podcast feed for learning on-the-go
Complete Resource Suite: Done-for-you templates, pricing guides, and naming strategies to eliminate guesswork
Perfect for Non-Tech Creators: Step-by-step guidance on recording, editing, and hosting your course, even if you're not tech-savvy
Idea Generation Support: Access to 1,324+ course ideas and AI-powered idea generation if you're starting from scratch
Whether you're creating a tripwire offer, a lead magnet, or your first paid digital product, Course in a Box provides everything you need to transform your expertise into a profitable online course. The system is specifically designed to prevent perfectionism paralysis and keep you moving forward with clear, actionable steps.
👉 Check out Course in a Box here.
HelloContent
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
As a course creator or digital product entrepreneur, you need more than just great ideas – you need professional-looking assets to bring your vision to life and market it effectively. HelloContent is my curated collection of done-for-you templates and marketing materials specifically designed to help you create, launch, and sell your digital products with polish and professionalism.
What makes HelloContent invaluable for digital entrepreneurs:
Course Creation Assets: Ready-to-customize planners, worksheets, and workbooks that can serve as high-value bonuses for your courses or standalone digital products
Marketing Suite: Complete social media template collections, email sequences, and Canva website templates to help you promote your offerings professionally
Multi-Purpose Templates: Every template can be used across different business needs – whether it's for your main course, membership site, or as a standalone digital product
Time-Saving Solutions: Skip the endless hours of design work and focus on what matters – creating and selling your digital products
Professional Branding: Maintain a cohesive, professional look across all your digital products and marketing materials
Instant Implementation: Download and customize templates immediately to start selling faster
Think of HelloContent as your digital product success toolkit. Whether you need a polished planner to enhance your course offering, professional social media templates to market your membership, or a complete website template to showcase your digital products, everything is designed to work together seamlessly.
With HelloContent, you're not just getting templates – you're getting a complete system to elevate your digital product business with professional, conversion-focused assets that save you time and help you stand out in the market.
👉 Check out HelloContent here.
Marketing and Sales Tools
LeadPages
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After years of running digital product launches and online events, LeadPages has become my go-to tool for creating pages that actually convert. While other page builders try to do everything, LeadPages focuses on what matters most: making it easy to build pages that turn visitors into customers.
I use LeadPages every day in my business to create:
Sales pages for courses and digital products
Webinar registration pages that fill up our events
Lead magnet pages that grow our email list
Summit pages (we host our entire Hobbyscool summits here!)
Thank you pages that guide students to their next steps
Strategic pop-ups and alert bars that capture attention at the right moment
What makes LeadPages especially good for digital product creators is how quickly you can get things done. Their drag-and-drop editor is straightforward – you can create professional pages in minutes, and every template is already optimized for mobile devices. Plus, all their designs are tested to convert well, so you're not starting from scratch or guessing what works.
For those who like to optimize their pages, LeadPages includes A/B testing tools that let you try different headlines, images, or buttons to see what works best. Their analytics are clear and help you understand which pages are performing well and which ones need adjustments.
👉 Check out LeadPages here.
The Funnel Cure
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After creating over 21 successful tripwire funnels (with some generating $20K+ in just weeks), I developed The Funnel Cure to help digital product creators turn their leads into instant customers on autopilot. This step-by-step system shows you exactly how to create and launch a tripwire funnel that works while you sleep.
What makes this course different:
Complete Tech Setup Training: Step-by-step guidance for Leadpages, ConvertKit, and ThriveCart (plus principles you can apply to any platform)
AI-Powered Content Creation: Learn to write high-converting funnel copy using AI, saving hundreds on copywriting costs
Ready-to-Use Templates: Get plug-and-play funnel templates to fast-track your setup
Lead Magnet Mastery: Create Facebook ad-worthy lead magnets that naturally lead to sales
Strategic Profit Boosters: Learn how to implement order bumps and upsells that increase your average order value
Organic Traffic Strategies: Fill your funnel without spending a fortune on ads
Perfect for creators selling low-ticket digital products like planners, templates, mini-courses, or memberships, The Funnel Cure teaches you how to turn a simple lead magnet into a profitable customer journey. You'll learn to set up the entire system – from capturing leads to delivering your tripwire offer and upselling additional products like consultations or higher-ticket items.
[Note: For anyone selling premium courses $500+, check out my Evergreen Funnel course instead – it's specifically designed for higher-ticket products.]
👉 Learn more about The Funnel Cure here.
MetricAgent
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
As someone who runs multiple marketing campaigns, I've found MetricAgent's free calculator suite to be a game-changer for making data-driven decisions. Instead of guessing about your marketing performance, these tools help you measure exactly what's working and what's not.
Let me share a real-world example:
When you're speaking at a virtual summit, you want to know if it's worth your time investment, right? Here's how to use these tools strategically:
Use the UTM Builder to create a trackable link specifically for your summit presentation (e.g., yourwebsite.com/offer?utm_source=business_summit&utm_medium=speaker_presentation&utm_campaign=spring2024)
Beyond URL tracking, you'll find calculators for:
Business Growth: Track your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), and Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)
Ad Performance: Calculate ROAS, CPC, CPM across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
Campaign Analytics: Measure conversion rates, bounce rates, and engagement metrics
Social Media Impact: Track engagement rates, viral coefficients, and audience growth
The best part? Everything is free, and you don't need to be a math whiz – just plug in your numbers and get instant insights to guide your marketing decisions. Bookmark the page here and reference it time and time again!
👉 Check out MetricAgent here.
ThriveCart
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After setting up dozens of successful sales funnels and processing millions in digital product sales, I've found ThriveCart to be the most reliable and flexible cart platform for digital product creators. Its robust funnel-building capabilities make it perfect for everything from simple tripwire offers to complex summit VIP upsells.
How I use ThriveCart for marketing:
Summit Funnels: Convert free summit registrants into VIP pass buyers with strategic upsells
Lead Magnet Tripwires: Turn freebie seekers into customers with low-ticket offers
Digital Product Sales: Create complete funnels with order bumps and upsells
Membership Sign-ups: Handle recurring payments with flexibility
Affiliate Programs: Manage partner promotions and commissions seamlessly
What makes it powerful for marketers:
One-Time Investment: Pay once, use forever (no monthly fees eating into profits)
Conversion-Optimized Templates: Pre-built layouts proven to convert
Multiple Pricing Options: One-time payments, subscriptions, payment plans, and pay-what-you-want
Bump Offers: Add complementary products right on the checkout page
Multi-Step Upsells: Create post-purchase offers to increase average order value
Split Testing: Test different prices, offers, and page layouts
Real results from my funnels:
Increased summit revenue by 40% with strategic VIP upsells
Average 30% take-rate on order bumps
25% conversion on post-purchase offers
Consistent sales from evergreen tripwire funnels
Higher customer lifetime value through smart product ladders
Key funnel features:
Flexible Payment Options: Support multiple payment processors
Coupon Management: Create targeted promotional offers
Affiliate Tracking: Built-in system for partner promotions
Customer Management: Track purchases and engagement
Dunning Management: Handle failed payments automatically
Custom Scripts: Add pixels and tracking as needed
My best tip? Start with a simple tripwire funnel (like I teach in The Funnel Cure) and gradually add complexity as you understand what your customers want. ThriveCart makes it easy to start small and scale up.
👉 Learn more about ThriveCart here.
Email and Communication
Newsletter Profit Club
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After running two successful email newsletters (HobbyScool with 27K subscribers, Creator's MBA with 12K subscribers), I created the Newsletter Profit Club to help online business owners transform their newsletters into profit-generating assets. This isn't about sending another "here's my weekly blog post" email – it's about creating newsletter issues that your subscribers actually save and act on.
Real results members are achieving:
Securing newsletter sponsorships ($200-500 per email)
Generating consistent affiliate income (one member made $583 from a single newsletter ad)
Attracting coaching clients through strategic content
Selling digital products without launching
Improving engagement rates across the board
What makes this program different:
Monthly Live Growth Workshops: Deep-dive into topics like content planning, referral systems, and monetization strategies
Private Podcast Feed: Get your specific questions answered through our members-only audio content
Collaboration Platform: Connect with other newsletter creators for partnerships and cross-promotions
Complete Training Library: Access proven templates and systems for newsletter planning and monetization
Expert Newsletter Reviews: Submit your newsletter for personalized feedback (yearly members)
The program is especially valuable for creators who:
Want to monetize through affiliate marketing or sponsorships
Sell digital products, coaching, or services
Need help creating consistent, engaging newsletter content
Are looking to grow their email list strategically
Want to increase email engagement and revenue
Instead of dreading your next newsletter or feeling stuck with what to write, you'll have a clear system for creating profitable newsletters that your subscribers look forward to opening. Think of it as your complete toolkit for turning your email list into a predictable revenue stream, whether you're just starting out or already have thousands of subscribers.
👉 Checkout the Newsletter Profit Club here.
Newsletter Profit Club Collaboration App
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Growing your email list through newsletter collaborations is powerful, but finding the right partners can be time-consuming and awkward. After seeing thousands of creators struggle with this, I built the Newsletter Profit Club Collaboration App – a dedicated platform that helps newsletter creators find perfect collaboration partners without the endless DMs and cold outreach.
What makes this platform different:
Direct Connections: Find partners based on audience size, niche, and collaboration goals
Quality-Focused Community: Connect with serious newsletter creators actively looking to grow
Simple Discovery: Search by category, subscriber count, or keywords to find your ideal match
Flexible Options: Choose from simple shoutouts to deep content collaborations
No Algorithms: Direct access to potential partners without social media gatekeepers
Free Lifetime Access: For founding members who join early
How creators are using it:
Simple Newsletter Swaps: Quick mentions in each other's newsletters
Content Collaborations: Co-create valuable content for both audiences
Newsletter Takeovers: Guest write an issue for maximum impact
Joint Promotions: Run contests or special offers together
Freebie Swaps: Cross-promote lead magnets to grow both lists
The platform works especially well for:
New Newsletter Creators: Find partners at similar growth stages
Established Publishers: Connect with quality partners in your niche
Niche Newsletter Owners: Discover complementary audiences
Digital Product Creators: Build relationships for future launches
Course Creators: Find promotional partners for your programs
Instead of spending hours searching through social media or sending cold emails, you can find and connect with potential partners in minutes. Plus, since everyone on the platform is actively looking to collaborate, you skip the awkward outreach phase entirely.
👉 Set up your free Newsletter Profit Club Collab App account here.
Kit
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After managing multiple email lists totaling over 40,000 subscribers across three different businesses (HobbyScool, Creator's MBA, and Newsletter Profit Club), I can confidently say Kit is the best email platform for digital product creators and newsletter publishers.
How I use Kit across my businesses:
HobbyScool (27K subscribers): Manage our course launches, summit promotions, and student communications
Creator's MBA (12K subscribers): Deliver weekly newsletters and course updates
Newsletter Profit Club Collaboration App: Handle all collaboration and partnership communications
What makes Kit especially powerful:
Creator Network Integration: Connect with other creators for partnerships and cross-promotions, expanding your reach naturally
Smart Automation System: Set up complex sequences that feel personal, like welcoming new students or following up on course completions
Tag-Based Organization: Easily track subscriber interests and behaviors to send more relevant content
Simple Yet Powerful Templates: Create beautiful emails quickly without needing design skills
Analytics That Matter: Track not just opens and clicks, but actual revenue from your emails
Newsletter Focus: Built-in features for newsletter creators like referral systems and paid newsletter options
Real Results I've Seen:
Higher engagement rates compared to traditional email platforms
More successful course launches thanks to better segmentation
Increased collaboration opportunities through the creator network
Better understanding of which content resonates with subscribers
Additional Features Worth Noting:
Subscriber scoring to identify your most engaged readers
Easy integration with course platforms and payment systems
Modern, clean interface that makes email management enjoyable
Reliable deliverability to ensure your emails reach inboxes
For digital product creators and course builders, Kit isn't just another email tool – it's a complete system for building and nurturing your audience while selling your products effectively. The platform grows with you, whether you're just starting out or managing multiple large lists like I do.
👉 Check out Kit here.
Legal and Business Protection
Contract Club
WHY I RECOMMEND IT: As digital product creators, we often put legal protection on the back burner because custom contracts can cost thousands. Contract Club solves this with a one-time payment that gives you lifetime access to every contract template you'll need – from course terms to affiliate agreements.
What makes it especially valuable:
Create-Your-Own Contract Builder: Build custom client contracts through a simple 9-section system, perfect for any service or digital product
Comprehensive Template Library: Access 50+ legal templates, including course terms, membership agreements, podcast releases, and licensing contracts
Website Legal Package: Get compliant with essential documents like privacy policies and terms of service
Team Protection: Full suite of contractor and employee agreements to protect your growing business
Regular Updates: Templates stay current with changing laws and business needs
Legal Emergency Kit: Ready-to-use templates for tricky situations like cancellations, refunds, and disputes
Perfect for digital creators who:
Sell online courses or memberships
Run affiliate or bundle programs
Host podcasts or speaking events
Hire team members or contractors
Need website compliance documents
Want protection for client services
Instead of paying $400+ per template or risking DIY legal documents, you get lifetime access to a complete library of professionally crafted templates for a one-time fee of $200. Best part? Each template comes with video training showing you exactly how to customize it for your business.
Plus, with nearly 2,500 members and counting, you're joining a community of creators who understand the importance of proper legal protection. Need a specific template? You can request new ones through their active community platform.
👉 Check out the Contract Club here.
Content Creation and Delivery
Canva
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After creating hundreds of digital products and marketing materials, I can confidently say Canva Pro is a game-changer for entrepreneurs who want professional design without the Adobe learning curve. Their latest AI features and whiteboard tool have transformed how I create content for my courses and business.
What makes Canva Pro essential for digital product creators:
Course Creation Powerhouse: Design workbooks, slides, and course materials with pre-made templates specifically for educators
AI Magic Tools:
Magic Write: Generate copy for social posts, course descriptions, and marketing materials
Magic Design: Transform text into fully designed layouts instantly
Magic Edit: Remove backgrounds, replace elements, and reposition objects with AI precision
Magic Expand: Extend images beyond their original boundaries for perfect social media fits
New Whiteboard Feature: Create engaging course explanations, process maps, and brainstorming sessions with infinite canvas space
Video Suite: Record screen tutorials, edit course videos, and create social media content all in one place
Brand Management: Store your colors, logos, and fonts to maintain consistency across all materials
Content Planner: Schedule and publish social media content directly from Canva
Real ways I use Canva Pro in my business:
Design complete course workbooks and templates to sell
Create professional thumbnails for course videos
Build engaging social media content for product launches
Design lead magnets and opt-in freebies
Record and edit tutorial videos
Collaborate with team members on marketing materials
Generate and edit images using their AI tools
Create interactive presentations for workshops
The platform keeps evolving with features like:
Live collaboration tools for team projects
Data visualization capabilities for creating infographics
100+ million stock photos, videos, and audio tracks
Print-on-demand services for physical products
Website and presentation design tools
Background remover and photo effects
While the free version is good for basics, Canva Pro's expanded features pay for themselves in time saved and professional results achieved. Plus, their educational pricing makes it even more affordable for course creators.
Hello Audio
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Running virtual summits, courses, and membership programs taught me that many students prefer to learn while on the move. Hello Audio helps solve this by turning your content into private podcast feeds that students can listen to during their commute, workout, or daily tasks.
How I use Hello Audio in my business:
Summit Sessions: Every HobbyScool summit speaker session becomes a private podcast episode, making it easier for attendees to catch up on sessions they missed
Newsletter Profit Club: Members get exclusive audio content through their private feed, including monthly workshops and training
Course Materials: Students can listen to lessons instead of watching videos or reading text
Bonus Content: We turn PDF guides and workbooks into audio formats, giving students more ways to learn
What makes Hello Audio valuable:
Quick Setup: Create private podcast feeds in minutes without technical headaches
Simple Access: Students listen through apps they already use (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)
Protected Content: Each member gets their own private feed link
Usage Insights: See which content your members actually consume
Bulk Processing: Convert multiple videos or text pieces at once
Custom Branding: Add your logo and colors to your feed
Results from using Hello Audio:
Students actually finish more summit sessions
Members stay engaged longer with program content
Fewer refund requests since adding audio options
Great feedback from busy professionals
Perfect for creators who:
Host virtual events or summits
Run membership programs
Deliver online courses
Create digital products
Want to make existing content more accessible
Work with busy professionals
Instead of having great content go unused because people "don't have time," Hello Audio helps your students learn while doing other tasks. It's become a key part of how we deliver content in all our programs.
👉 Check out Hello Audio here.
Live Sessions and Webinars
Zoom
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Running multiple online events every month - from member workshops to virtual summits - has shown me why Zoom stands out as the go-to platform for live online gatherings. While there are many video platforms available, Zoom consistently delivers the best experience for both hosts and attendees.
How I use Zoom across my business:
Monthly Member Workshops: Host interactive training sessions for Newsletter Profit Club members
Virtual Summits: Run multi-day events featuring guest speakers and panel discussions
Live Webinars: Deliver free training sessions to grow my email list
Group Coaching Calls: Facilitate focused learning sessions with course students
Team Meetings: Collaborate with my team on content and launches
Key features that make it essential:
Breakout Rooms: Perfect for summit networking sessions and group activities
Cloud Recording: Easily save and repurpose live content for courses
Multiple Hosts: Seamlessly manage large events with co-hosts and moderators
Live Streaming: Connect to YouTube and Facebook for wider reach
Custom Branding: Add your logo and colors to maintain professional presence
Waiting Room: Control access for paid events and member-only sessions
AddEvent
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
When you're running regular live events like I do, getting people to actually show up is crucial. AddEvent solves the "which calendar app do you use?" problem by working with every major calendar platform, significantly improving our attendance rates.
How we put AddEvent to work:
Summit Registration: Make it easy for attendees to save all summit sessions to their calendar
Member Workshops: Send automatic calendar invites for monthly training sessions
Webinar Reminders: Boost show-up rates for free training events
Panel Discussions: Help speakers and panelists keep track of event times
Course Launch Events: Ensure potential customers don't miss live Q&As
What makes it valuable:
Universal Compatibility: Works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and others
Time Zone Management: Automatically adjusts times for international attendees
Multiple Reminders: Set several notification times to maximize attendance
Easy Integration: Works smoothly with most course and membership platforms
Bulk Event Creation: Perfect for setting up multi-day summits
Custom Branding: Add your logo and event details for a professional look
Using these tools together helps us maintain 40-50% live attendance rates for our events, which is well above industry average. For paid memberships, the combination of Zoom's reliability and AddEvent's calendar features helps ensure members get full value from our live components.
Social Proof and Testimonials
Social Juice
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Collecting customer testimonials used to be a hassle - chasing screenshots, formatting text reviews, and trying to get video testimonials. Social Juice changed that for my business, making it simple to gather and showcase success stories from my courses, memberships, and virtual summits.
How I use Social Juice in my business:
Course Wins: When students share their success stories in our community, I immediately send them a Social Juice link to capture their enthusiasm
Summit Testimonials: Gather feedback from attendees right after our virtual events while their experience is fresh
Member Results: Document Newsletter Profit Club members' wins and milestones
Launch Social Proof: Build a library of testimonials ready for upcoming product launches
Sales Page Content: Display dynamic testimonial walls that show real people getting results
What makes it stand out:
Quick Video Collection: Students can record their testimonial right from their phone or computer
Professional Look: Clean, branded interface that makes customers feel comfortable sharing
Multiple Formats: Gather video, text, and photo testimonials all in one place
Easy Organization: Tag and categorize testimonials by product or program
Smart Automation: Set up automated review requests after key milestones
Flexible Display Options: Create testimonial walls, widgets, and social media content
Real-world uses:
After Live Events: "Just had an amazing experience at our summit? Here's a quick link to share your thoughts!"
Celebrating Wins: "You just made your first $500 from your newsletter? Let's capture that story!"
Course Milestones: "Finished your first module? Tell us what you've learned so far!"
Social Media Content: Turn customer wins into engaging social proof for marketing
The platform really shines for digital product creators because:
Students can share their screen to show actual results
Video testimonials feel more authentic than text
Easy embedding on sales pages and websites
Quick sharing to social media platforms
Professional collection process builds trust
My best tip? Create different collection links for different products or events. This makes it easy to organize testimonials and use them strategically in your marketing. Don't wait for testimonials to come to you - when someone mentions a win in your community or via email, immediately send them your Social Juice link to capture their success story while they're excited to share.
👉 Check out Social Juice here.
Podcast Resources
Buzzsprout
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
After trying several podcast hosts, I settled on Buzzsprout for my Creator's MBA podcast because it makes monetization and promotion incredibly simple. The platform stands out for its ability to easily insert mid-roll advertisements for your own products – perfect for promoting courses, events, and memberships to your audience.
How I use Buzzsprout:
Dynamic Ad Insertion: Place ads for my products and events exactly where I want them
Episode Management: Schedule content in advance to maintain consistent publishing
Audience Insights: Track which episodes and topics resonate most with listeners
Distribution: Automatically publish to all major platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)
Show Notes: Create professional episode pages with links to products and resources
Monetization: Easy integration of both sponsor ads and product promotions
What makes it valuable:
Clean Analytics: See exactly how your episodes perform
Easy Updates: Change ads across multiple episodes with a few clicks
Professional Sound: Automatic audio optimization for consistent quality
Chapter Markers: Help listeners navigate longer episodes
Team Access: Give virtual assistants limited access for uploading and management
Magic Mastering: Professional sound without complex audio knowledge
👉 Check out BuzzSprout here.
Descript
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Podcast editing used to take hours – now with Descript, I can edit an entire episode in about 10 minutes. Their AI tools have transformed how I handle podcast production, making it as simple as editing a Word document.
Game-changing features I use:
AI Underlord: Automatically identifies areas that need editing and lets you accept/decline suggestions
Filler Word Removal: One click to remove ums, ahs, and other verbal clutter
Studio Sound: Makes any recording space sound professional
Text-Based Editing: Edit audio by simply editing the transcript
Multi-track Recording: Perfect for recording with remote guests
Overdub: Fix minor mistakes without re-recording
My editing workflow:
Upload the raw recording
Let AI Underlord suggest edits for clarity
Quick review and accept/decline suggestions
Remove filler words automatically
Apply studio sound
Export and upload to Buzzsprout
What makes it especially valuable:
No Audio Expertise Needed: Edit like you're editing text
Time Savings: Turn a 2-hour editing job into 10 minutes
Transcription: Get accurate transcripts for show notes or repurposing
Video Editing: Also works great for course videos and social content
Team Collaboration: Easy to have assistants help with editing
Content Repurposing: Quickly create clips for social media
Whether you're just starting a podcast or looking to streamline your production process, these two tools work perfectly together. Descript makes the editing process incredibly fast, while Buzzsprout handles the hosting and promotion side professionally.
AI Tools
Claude.ai
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
As someone running multiple online businesses, I've found Claude to be my go-to AI assistant for creating compelling business content. Unlike other AI tools that give surface-level responses, Claude excels at understanding context and creating nuanced, well-researched content that actually sounds human.
How I use Claude in my business:
Email Marketing: Draft engaging newsletters and email sequences that connect with subscribers
Sales Copy: Create compelling sales pages that tell authentic stories and showcase value
Course Content: Develop comprehensive course outlines and lesson materials
Social Posts: Generate thoughtful social media content that sparks engagement
Blog Articles: Write detailed, well-researched posts that provide real value
Product Descriptions: Craft clear, benefit-focused descriptions for digital products
What makes Claude particularly valuable:
Context Awareness: Understands your brand voice and maintains it consistently
Long-Form Capability: Creates comprehensive content without losing quality
Research Skills: Provides detailed, accurate information for course materials
Natural Tone: Writing that actually sounds human, not robotic
Versatility: Handles everything from quick social posts to full sales pages
Memory: Maintains context throughout conversations for better results
My workflow tips:
Start with Claude for initial drafts, then add your personal touch
Use it to brainstorm different angles for your marketing messages
Have it analyze your existing content to suggest improvements
Create templates for regular content needs (emails, social posts, etc.)
Use it to repurpose content across different platforms
Real examples of how I use it:
Turn customer testimonials into compelling story-based marketing
Draft different email subject line variations for better open rates
Create detailed outlines for new course modules
Generate ideas for lead magnets and freebies
Write engaging welcome email sequences for new subscribers
And yes, I even used Claude to help craft this recommendation, showing just how valuable it is for creating clear, structured content!
ChatGPT
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
Custom GPTs feature, which lets me create specialized AI assistants for my digital products and courses. The ability to train custom versions for specific tasks has transformed how I support my students and scale my business.
How I use Custom GPTs:
Course Support: Created a dedicated GPT that helps students work through my Course in a Box program
Funnel Analysis: Built a specialized GPT for The Funnel Cure that helps analyze and optimize sales funnels
Newsletter Assistant: Designed a GPT specifically for Newsletter Profit Club members to generate content ideas
Digital Product Creation: Developed a GPT that helps brainstorm and outline new digital products
Student Support: Set up GPTs that answer common questions about my courses and memberships
What makes ChatGPT valuable:
Custom Knowledge Base: Load your own content and expertise into specialized GPTs
Visual Processing: Use images in conversations for better understanding and feedback
Code Generation: Create quick scripts and automation for your business
Quick Iterations: Generate multiple versions of ideas rapidly
Browser Integration: Access current information when needed
Multi-Modal Support: Handle text, images, and code in one conversation
Practical business applications:
Generate social media content ideas
Create quick email responses to common questions
Brainstorm product names and descriptions
Draft promotional copy variations
Analyze competitor offerings
Debug simple code issues
My Custom GPT strategy:
Create specific GPTs for each major product or course
Train them with FAQs and common student challenges
Add examples of successful student outcomes
Include specific templates and frameworks we use
Update them regularly with new information and cases
Here Are My Results:
Reduced support ticket volume by having custom GPTs handle common questions
Improved student success rates with 24/7 AI guidance
Faster content creation for marketing materials
More consistent messaging across all platforms
Better scalability for student support
NotebookLM
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
As someone who creates multiple digital products and courses, I've found NotebookLM to be perfect for organizing and developing content. This free AI tool from Google excels at helping you make sense of your research and turn it into actionable course materials.
How I use NotebookLM:
Course Development: Upload course outlines and get AI-powered suggestions for content organization
Research Analysis: Input articles and resources to get key insights and summaries
Content Planning: Organize ideas and create structured outlines for new products
Student Resources: Develop comprehensive study guides and reference materials
Product Updates: Track and organize feedback to plan improvements
What makes it particularly valuable:
Source Grounding: All AI responses are tied directly to your uploaded documents
Smart Summaries: Get quick overviews of lengthy materials
Intelligent Q&A: Ask questions about your content and get accurate, sourced answers
Note Organization: Create structured notes with AI assistance
Citation Tracking: Keep track of where information comes from
Collaborative Features: Share notebooks with team members
My workflow process:
Upload relevant documents and research materials
Use AI to analyze and extract key themes
Ask specific questions to dig deeper into topics
Create structured outlines based on insights
Generate detailed notes for course modules
Export organized content for course creation
Best uses for digital product creators:
Planning new course modules
Organizing customer feedback and testimonials
Creating structured learning materials
Developing comprehensive resource guides
Analyzing market research and competitor content
Building better course outlines
What sets it apart:
Free to use (with a Google account)
More focused than general AI chatbots
Maintains context across conversations
Excellent for educational content development
Strong privacy and data security
Regular updates with new features
I particularly love using NotebookLM in conjunction with Google Docs and Drive for a seamless content development workflow. The integration makes it easy to move from research to final course materials.
Perplexity
WHY I RECOMMEND IT:
When creating digital products and courses, having accurate, up-to-date information is crucial. Perplexity has become my trusted research companion because it provides real-time information with actual sources, making it perfect for content creation and market research.
How I use Perplexity in my business:
Market Research: Stay current on digital product trends and industry changes
Content Updates: Check latest statistics and data for course materials
Competitor Analysis: Research similar products and market positioning
Newsletter Content: Find interesting stories and trends to share with subscribers
Course Development: Research new topics and verify information accuracy
Topic Discovery: Identify emerging trends in online education
What makes it stand out:
Real-Time Information: Access current data, not just training data
Source Citations: Every claim is backed by reliable sources
Deep Dives: Explore topics thoroughly with follow-up questions
Visual Support: Get images and charts to enhance understanding
Multiple Perspectives: See different viewpoints on topics
Pro Features: Advanced research capabilities with GPT-4 integration
Practical applications:
Verify facts before including them in courses
Research pricing trends in your market
Find recent case studies and examples
Track industry news and developments
Discover new content angles for marketing
Validate business ideas with market data
Research workflow tips:
Start with broad topic exploration
Use follow-up questions to dig deeper
Save sources for future reference
Compare multiple perspectives
Cross-reference important information
Export findings for team sharing
What sets it apart from regular search:
Conversational interface makes research feel natural
Synthesizes information from multiple sources
Provides context and explanations
Updates in real-time with fresh data
Offers Pro features for deeper research
Includes academic and scholarly sources
I especially value Perplexity's ability to fact-check claims and provide current market data when updating course materials or creating new digital products. The source citations make it easy to verify information independently.
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Remember: The most expensive tool isn't always the best – it's about finding the right fit for your specific needs and business goals.
