how to templatize your services to create passive income

The vast majority of my clients and email list are service based creatives— like, wedding photographers, interior designers, professional organizers, landscapers, artists, etc. I myself am one of them.

I love what I do, and I know we all do. But everything comes with a trade of, and for us it’s trading time for money. Due to the nature of our work, and not all of us being tech superstars, it’s hard to realize the options that we DO have, nevermind knowing how to pull it off.

The thing is, there’s a huge market for people who love what you do but can’t afford your full custom services, or aren’t ready to invest, or haven’t connected the dots between your offers and how they would be a fit for them.

Offering templates or a step-by-step guide to your process gives them the ability to DIY while keeping your main services intact for higher-paying clients. This post will walk you through the nitty-gritty of templatizing your services and making them accessible without overwhelming yourself (or your clients).

I’m writing this blog post in September— with the intention of carving out enough time to create, launch and sell a new digital product by Black Friday. But this technique can be done any time of the year when you want to make something new.

Aight- here we go. You can get this ALL complete in a week. Ready?

5 steps to preparing your small business for Black Friday / Cyber Monday—>

Step 1: Define Your Outcome and Niche It Down

When creating a template or DIY offering, start by identifying a specific outcome that your client wants to achieve. This keeps your product easy to manage and less overwhelming for you to create.

For example, if you’re a baker offering custom cakes, you could create a template or guide for “Decorating Cupcakes for Christmas” rather than a general “How to Decorate All Cakes.” If you’re a designer, think “How to Make Your Own Holiday Cards in Canva” instead of offering a complete branding overhaul template.

Tip: The more specific, the better. Think about the specific holiday season challenges your customers face and provide a detailed solution. It’s easier to sell, more actionable for the buyer, and cuts down on production time for you.

Step 2: Break Down Your Process

Now that you have your specific outcome, break down your process into easy-to-follow steps. Don’t assume your customers know as much as you. Every step that you take for granted needs to be spelled out in clear detail.

For instance, if you're offering a guide on creating custom holiday stockings, break it down from gathering materials to specific stitch types or fabric cuts. If you’re a designer, walk them through everything from opening Canva to selecting the right fonts, layouts, and images.

Common Pain Point: People get stuck when instructions aren't granular enough. Try testing the process on a friend or family member who's less experienced and see where they need clarification.

Tip: Include visuals like screenshots or step-by-step photos to make it feel more approachable. Even if your clients are creative, they’ll appreciate extra guidance.

Step 3: Create a Simple Template

Once you have the process broken down, the next step is creating the actual template or DIY product. Templates allow customers to replicate your professional process but at a fraction of the cost.

If you're offering holiday card designs in Canva, create one or two base templates your customers can easily customize. Include links to those Canva templates in your product so customers can jump right into editing. For product-based businesses like bakers, offer worksheets or printable guides that walk through the decorating process. Think recipe cards, downloadable design outlines, or video tutorials.

Common Pain Point: People often feel overwhelmed by too many choices or options. Keep your template streamlined and easy to customize. Stick to one or two options, and don't flood them with choices.

Tip: Add “extras” like bonus fonts or design elements if you're a designer, or decorating tips if you’re a baker. These added value items make your product feel more premium without extra effort on your part.

Simplifying the Tech

For many creative business owners, tech is where things get sticky. However, simplifying your tech setup is essential to making the process easy for both you and your customer.

Tech for Selling Templates:

• E-commerce Platform: If you don’t have one already, platforms like Shopify or Etsy are great for selling templates and digital downloads. They make it simple to list your products, and they handle the transactional side (like payments and emails) for you.

• Downloadable PDFs and Files: Services like Gumroad or SendOwl are helpful for sending your clients downloadable files after their purchase. Simply upload your templates, create a product page, and let the platform do the rest.

• Email List Integration: Use an email platform like ConvertKit or MailChimp to create a simple sales funnel. You can offer a freebie (like a mini version of your template) to gather email addresses, then upsell the full version of your DIY template.

Tech for Online Courses/Video Tutorials:

• Video Hosting: If you're providing tutorials or video guides, platforms like Vimeo or YouTube (unlisted) are perfect for uploading videos without extra fuss. For a more professional setup, consider a course platform like Teachable.

• Canva for Templates: If your offering involves design, Canva is user-friendly for both you and your clients. Create shareable templates, and customers can make a copy to edit themselves. Be sure to include instructions in your product so customers can easily access and customize them.

Tip: Test your entire funnel or platform yourself before launching to make sure there are no issues. The last thing you want is a tech mishap frustrating your customers before they even use your template.

Step 4: Packaging Your Template for Sale

With your digital product ready, it’s time to set up the systems that will deliver it seamlessly to your customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure everything is functioning smoothly:

1. Choose a Delivery Platform: Select a platform that suits your needs for selling and delivering digital products. Options include e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Gumroad, or digital product-specific platforms like Podia or Teachable. Ensure the platform you choose integrates well with your existing systems and offers a smooth purchase and delivery experience.

   I’m a big fan these days of selling in my email marketing platform- to keep this as simple as possible

2. Create your product listing: Once you’ve selected a platform, create a listing and upload your digital product files. Configure product details, such as descriptions, pricing, and access settings. Make sure your product pages are clear and compelling, with detailed descriptions and previews if applicable.

   *Some/many platforms want you to upload a PDF instead of a link. To get around this, turn either a Canva graphic or Google doc into a PDF and include the link there.

3. Set Up Automated Delivery: Automate the delivery process to ensure customers receive their digital products immediately after purchase. Most e-commerce platforms have built-in options for automated delivery. If you choose ConvertKit, another email marketing provider, or have an e-commerce platform, you should be able to send automated follow up emails or download links that are triggered once a purchase is completed. This reduces manual work and enhances the customer experience.

4. Test Everything Thoroughly: Before going live, run multiple tests to ensure that your purchase, download, and access processes are working correctly. I do this by creating a discount code for 100%, and acting as the purchaser. Check that customers can complete transactions smoothly and access their digital products without issues. Test the entire flow, from purchase to download, to catch and resolve any glitches.

5. Ensure Easy Access and Support: Provide clear instructions on how customers can access and use their digital products. Include a user guide or FAQ section if necessary. Additionally, offer customer support channels for any issues or questions that might arise. Make sure your support process is responsive and helpful to maintain customer satisfaction.

Make DIY Work For You

Templatizing your services or products is a great way to serve customers on a budget while keeping your custom offerings premium. By creating step-by-step guides and templates, you provide an accessible DIY option for clients who aren’t ready for full services but still want the quality and expertise you offer.

Start small, make the process clear and actionable, and use tech tools that make it easy for both you and your customers. Before you know it, you'll have a new income stream that doesn't demand your full attention—perfect for scaling your creative business without burning out.

Not sure what you can make, or even if your service translates into passive income? I’ve got some ideas for ya! Grab this list of 70 ideas that covers 20 professions— 10 bonus ideas that anyone can do!

* Resources

• Start a free trial with my preferred email marketing platform, ConvertKit

• get 30% off your first payment with Dubsado after the free trial (click HERE if you need help setting that up, or HERE if you’re a service based creative and want to see how I automate my inquiry process)

• Free Canva Pro credits when you sign up for a free account to make your promo materials

• Get your legal stuff in place with affordable and customizable legal templates

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Need more help?

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[free] 70 digital products for 20 service based professions

Not sure what you can make— or even if it’s possible?

I made a list of 70 ideas. 20 service based professions. plus 10 bonus idea that anyone can do.

Get it here >>>