How to Sell a Pre-Ordered Digital Product

How to Sell a Pre-Ordered Digital Product



Pre-orders are a powerful way to validate your idea, generate upfront revenue, and build hype before your digital product is ready. Whether it’s an ebook, template, online course, or design pack, Mainstack allows you to set up pre-orders so you can start selling before the official launch date.

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When to Sell Pre-Orders

  • You’re working on a digital product, but it’s not fully ready yet.

  • You want to test demand before investing time and resources.

  • You’d like to raise early revenue to fund the creation process.

  • You want to build excitement and community around your upcoming release.

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How to set up a pre-ordered product. 

  1. Decide on Your Product

    • It could be an ebook, digital guide, Notion template, training course, or exclusive resource you’re still creating.
    • Example: “The Beginner’s Guide to Freelancing — launching next month.”

  2. Create Your Product on Storefront

    • Visit your storefront and click +add product with AI
    • Add your product name, description, and cover image(s).
    • Clearly indicate that it’s a pre-order (e.g., “Coming Soon” or “Launches September 15”).

  3. Set Pricing Options

    • Use the Fast-action pricing model to offer an early-bird or discounted pre-order price to reward early buyers (e.g., $5 now → $20 after launch). This creates urgency and rewards early buyers

  4. Publish & Share

    • Complete the product set up and publish, then 

    • Proceed to share your product link across socials: Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn. Use captions like:
      “I’m dropping my first ebook in 2 weeks. Pre-order now at 40% off and be the first to get it.”

  5. Keep Your Customers Warm with Email Marketing

    • Use the Mainstack’s in-app email marketing tool to:

      • Share reminders as launch day approaches.

      • Deliver bonus content to pre-order customers.

      • Share sneak peeks or updates as you create.

      • You can share a teaser (sample chapter, preview video, or mockup) to give customers confidence.

  6. Deliver the Final Product.

    • Once your final product is ready, simply upload the file by revisiting the product details page in your Storefront.
    • Customers instantly gain access and receive a confirmation email.

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Benefits of Selling Pre-Orders with Mainstack

  1. It validates demand before investing in a full launch. 

  2. Gives you the opportunity to earn revenue upfront while still creating.

  3. Helps you build an audience and nurture them with email updates.

  4. Helps you stay organized, by keeping everything in one place; from pre-order sales to email reminders to final delivery.

Always set a clear launch date and over-communicate with your pre-order customers. Transparency builds trust and ensures repeat buyers for your next launch. 
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Tip: With Mainstack, you don’t need to wait until your product is “perfect” to start monetizing. Pre-orders let you launch, sell, and build momentum while you create.