How To Sell On Gumroad: The Starter Series
How To Sell On Gumroad: The Starter Series
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Image: Screenshot by najfywrites, originally published on Medium |
Episode 4: How I Got My First Sale on Gumroad (Without Ads or an Email List) by najfywrites
"No one is coming to save your product. Not even Gumroad… until you make your first $10."
That's a lesson I learned the hard way.
Like many new creators, I thought uploading a digital product to Gumroad was the final step.
I hit publish.
I waited.
I refreshed.
Still $0.
So here's the truth: Gumroad doesn't advertise your product on their marketplace (Gumroad Discover) until you make your first $10.
Which means…
If you're new and just launched your first product, you're on your own—until you get that first sale.
But don't worry. I'm going to show you exactly how I got my first sale—and how you can too.
Step 1: Make a Product People Actually Want
You don't need to be a designer. You don't need fancy skills. You just need to solve one real problem.
I made this product called The Focus Formula (For Busy Minds). It's a simple PDF guide that helps people stop procrastinating and get things done.
That's it.
It's not 100 pages long.
It's not expensive.
But it solves a real issue.
Ask yourself:
"What is one tiny but painful problem people have—that I can help with using a guide, template, or Notion file?"
Start there. Even a $9 product can get you your first sale if it's useful.
Step 2: List It Like a Pro
Most people upload their product and write something boring like
This is a Notion template to plan your week.
That won't sell.
Instead, write your title like a promise.
Here's how I listed mine:
The Focus Formula (For Busy Minds)
"Fix your focus in 7 minutes a day — even if your mind feels like chaos."
Now that grabs attention.
Use simple but powerful language. Make people feel:
"I need this. Right now."
Step 3: Share It Before Gumroad Will
Here's the part most people skip.
Gumroad will NOT show your product on their marketplace until you make your first $10.
That means no exposure. No traffic. No luck.
So you need to drive the traffic yourself.
Here's what I did:
- Posted about my product on Medium and Substack (like this article).
- Shared it on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Instagram Stories.
- Added it to my Blogger site for free traffic.
- Created a free bonus product to give away and attract interest:
Product Planner—Notion Template (Free)
This helped me build trust.
People grabbed the freebie… and a few came back to buy the real thing.
Step 4: Use Your Freebies as Sales Magnets
Don't just post your paid product and wait.
Give away something helpful for $0.
Then, inside that freebie, add a link to your paid product.
This is what I did with my free Notion Product Planner.
I added a call to action at the end:
"Want to turn your idea into a real product?
Check out The Focus Formula — it's how I started."
That's how I got my first sale.
Step 5: Price to Win, Then Raise Later
I started my product at $9.
Just enough to look serious.
Just low enough to reduce risk for the buyer.
Once I made my first sale, I knew it worked.
Now it's listed at $15 here, and sales are picking up.
You can do the same.
Step 6: Track What's Working
Gumroad shows you how many people viewed your product and how many bought it.
When I saw 123 views and 1 sale, I asked:
- Where did those clicks come from?
- Which post or article worked?
- Which headline made them click?
That's how you improve.
Keep testing your title, pricing, and cover design.
Step 7: Stay Consistent (But Smart)
Posting once won't do it.
You have to keep talking about your product—in creative ways.
Here's what worked for me:
- Posting behind-the-scenes on how I made it
- Writing articles on Medium (like this)
- Creating bundles like Digital Product Trio
- Adding bonuses to encourage sales
- Using short video walkthroughs
Real Example: My First $9
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Screenshot by najfywrites, originally Published on Medium. |
Product: The Focus Formula
Sale: $9
Date: July 16, 7:39 AM
Traffic: From a Medium post + Blogger
It wasn't a big number. But it was the start of momentum.
And now Gumroad can list me on Discover—because I crossed the $10 threshold.
Final Tip: Don't Wait for Perfect
If you wait until everything is ready…
You'll never start.
Just launch your first small product. Even a 3-page cheat sheet, a Notion habit tracker, or a mini guide can help someone—and make your first sale.
Ready to Start?
Get your free product-building checklist here:
Download the Notion Product Planner (Free)
Then create your first product like I did:
The Focus Formula—$15 Only
Or get the full bundle:
Digital Trio Bundle—3 Bestsellers
Let's Grow Together
If this helped you, follow @najfywrites for
- More episodes of the Gumroad Starter Series
- Free digital product tools
- Real ways to earn online
Drop a comment below.
What’s stopping you from launching your first product?
Let’s build—no gatekeeping.
Originally published by the author on Medium najfywrites.
