Seller Guide

Everything you need to know to start selling digital products on Blyss. From setting up your store to maximizing your earnings.

Complete step-by-step guide for Kenyan creators

1. Getting Started

Welcome to Blyss! This guide will help you start your digital product business and build a successful online store. What You Need to Begin: • A valid Kenyan ID or passport for verification • M-Pesa account for receiving payments • Digital products ready to sell (ebooks, courses, templates, etc.) • High-quality product images and descriptions • Basic computer skills and internet access Types of Digital Products You Can Sell: • Ebooks and digital publications • Online courses and educational content • Design templates (Photoshop, Canva, etc.) • Software and mobile applications • Music, audio files, and podcasts • Photography and digital artwork • Business documents and spreadsheets • Any original digital content you create Time Investment: • Initial setup: 30-60 minutes • Product listing: 10-15 minutes per product • Ongoing management: 1-2 hours per week • Customer support: As needed based on sales volume

2. Account Setup and Verification

Setting up your seller account is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps to get verified and start selling. Step 1: Create Your Account • Visit blyss.co.ke and click "Create Store" • Fill in your personal information accurately • Choose a unique store name that represents your brand • Create a strong password for account security • Verify your email address Step 2: Identity Verification • Upload a clear photo of your Kenyan ID or passport • Ensure all text is readable and the image is well-lit • Verification typically takes 24-48 hours • You'll receive an email confirmation once approved • Contact support if verification takes longer than expected Step 3: M-Pesa Integration • Add your M-Pesa phone number in account settings • This is where you'll receive payments from sales • Ensure the number is active and belongs to you • Test the integration with a small transaction if needed • You can update your M-Pesa number anytime in settings Step 4: Store Profile Setup • Add a professional profile photo or logo • Write a compelling store description (2-3 paragraphs) • Include your background, expertise, and what customers can expect • Add social media links if you have business accounts • Set your store policies and customer service approach

3. Creating Winning Product Listings

Great product listings are key to attracting buyers and making sales. Here's how to create listings that convert. Product Title Best Practices: • Keep titles clear and descriptive (under 60 characters) • Include relevant keywords buyers might search for • Mention the format (PDF, MP4, ZIP, etc.) • Avoid ALL CAPS or excessive punctuation • Example: "Complete Social Media Marketing Course - 50 Video Lessons (MP4)" Writing Compelling Descriptions: • Start with a hook that grabs attention • Clearly explain what the product includes • List specific benefits and outcomes for buyers • Mention any bonus materials or extras • Include technical requirements if applicable • Use bullet points for easy scanning • End with a clear call-to-action Pricing Your Products: • Research similar products on the platform • Consider your target audience's budget • Remember you keep 60% after Blyss's 40% commission • Start with competitive pricing and adjust based on sales • Offer bundle deals for multiple products • Consider seasonal pricing strategies Product Images and Previews: • Upload high-quality cover images (1200x800px recommended) • Show what's inside with preview screenshots • Use consistent branding across all your products • Include mockups or lifestyle images when relevant • Ensure images load quickly and look professional • Add watermarks to preview images to prevent theft

4. Product Categories and Formats

Understanding product categories and file formats helps you optimize your listings and reach the right customers. Popular Product Categories: • Education & Courses: Video tutorials, ebooks, worksheets • Business & Marketing: Templates, guides, tools, strategies • Design & Creative: Graphics, templates, fonts, mockups • Technology & Software: Apps, plugins, code, scripts • Health & Fitness: Workout plans, nutrition guides, meditation • Personal Development: Self-help guides, planners, journals • Entertainment: Games, music, stories, comics Supported File Formats: • Documents: PDF, DOCX, TXT, EPUB • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, PSD, AI • Videos: MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV (max 500MB per file) • Audio: MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC • Archives: ZIP, RAR, 7Z (for multiple files) • Presentations: PPTX, KEY, PDF • Spreadsheets: XLSX, CSV, NUMBERS File Organization Tips: • Keep file sizes reasonable for easy downloading • Use clear, descriptive file names • Include a README file with instructions • Organize multiple files in logical folders • Test all files before uploading to ensure they work • Provide multiple formats when possible (PDF + DOCX) Quality Standards: • Ensure all content is original or properly licensed • Proofread text for grammar and spelling errors • Test interactive elements and links • Optimize images for web viewing • Include proper attribution for any third-party content

5. Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Great products need great marketing. Here are proven strategies to increase your visibility and sales on Blyss. Optimize for Search: • Use relevant keywords in titles and descriptions • Research what terms your customers search for • Include location-based keywords for local products • Update listings regularly to maintain freshness • Monitor which keywords drive the most traffic Social Media Marketing: • Share your products on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter • Create behind-the-scenes content showing your process • Join relevant Facebook groups and communities • Use WhatsApp Status to promote to your contacts • Collaborate with other creators for cross-promotion Content Marketing: • Start a blog related to your expertise • Create free samples or mini-versions of your products • Share tips and tutorials on social media • Guest post on relevant websites and blogs • Build an email list of interested customers Customer Engagement: • Respond quickly to customer questions and messages • Ask satisfied customers for reviews and testimonials • Offer excellent customer service to encourage repeat business • Create loyalty programs or discounts for return customers • Build relationships with your customer community Seasonal Opportunities: • Create holiday-themed products and promotions • Align with Kenyan events and celebrations • Offer back-to-school products in January and September • Develop Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas content • Take advantage of trending topics and current events

6. Understanding Payments and Earnings

Learn how payments work on Blyss and how to maximize your earnings as a seller. Commission Structure: • Blyss takes 40% commission on each sale • This includes 37.1% platform fee + 2.9% M-Pesa transaction fees • You keep 60% of every sale • No setup fees, monthly charges, or hidden costs • Commission is automatically deducted before payment Payment Process: • Payments processed automatically within 24-48 hours • Money sent directly to your M-Pesa account • You'll receive SMS confirmation for each payment • No minimum payout amount - get paid for every sale • Payment history available in your seller dashboard Maximizing Your Earnings: • Price products competitively but don't undervalue your work • Create product bundles to increase average order value • Develop premium versions of popular products • Offer upsells and cross-sells to existing customers • Build a catalog of complementary products Tax Considerations: • Keep records of all your sales and earnings • Understand your tax obligations as a digital seller • Consider registering as a business if earnings are substantial • Consult with a tax professional for personalized advice • Set aside money for tax payments throughout the year Financial Planning: • Track your monthly earnings and expenses • Reinvest profits into creating better products • Build an emergency fund for slow sales periods • Consider diversifying across multiple platforms • Plan for seasonal fluctuations in sales

7. Customer Service Excellence

Outstanding customer service leads to positive reviews, repeat customers, and word-of-mouth marketing. Response Time Standards: • Respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours • Faster responses lead to higher customer satisfaction • Set up email notifications for new messages • Use templates for common questions to save time • Be available during peak shopping hours when possible Handling Common Issues: • Download problems: Provide alternative download links • File compatibility: Offer different formats when possible • Technical questions: Create detailed FAQ documents • Refund requests: Handle professionally according to policy • Product questions: Be thorough and helpful in explanations Building Customer Relationships: • Personalize your communications when possible • Thank customers for their purchases • Follow up to ensure satisfaction • Ask for feedback and implement suggestions • Recognize and reward loyal customers Professional Communication: • Use proper grammar and spelling in all messages • Maintain a friendly but professional tone • Be patient with less tech-savvy customers • Provide clear, step-by-step instructions • Always end with an offer to help further Preventing Issues: • Include detailed product descriptions and requirements • Provide clear instructions for product use • Test all files thoroughly before listing • Create comprehensive FAQ sections • Set realistic expectations about what's included

8. Analytics and Performance Tracking

Use data to understand your performance and make informed decisions about your digital product business. Key Metrics to Track: • Total sales and revenue over time • Best-performing products and categories • Customer acquisition sources • Conversion rates from views to sales • Average order value and customer lifetime value • Seasonal trends and patterns Using Your Seller Dashboard: • Check daily sales and earnings • Monitor product performance and popularity • Track customer reviews and ratings • Analyze traffic sources and search terms • Review customer messages and support requests Making Data-Driven Decisions: • Identify your most profitable products • Understand which marketing channels work best • Optimize pricing based on demand and competition • Create more products in successful categories • Improve underperforming listings A/B Testing Strategies: • Test different product titles and descriptions • Try various pricing strategies • Experiment with different cover images • Test promotional strategies and timing • Compare performance of different product formats Setting Goals and Benchmarks: • Set monthly sales and revenue targets • Track progress toward your business goals • Benchmark against your own historical performance • Celebrate milestones and achievements • Adjust strategies based on results

9. Scaling Your Digital Product Business

Once you've established a successful foundation, here's how to grow and scale your digital product business. Product Line Expansion: • Create complementary products for existing customers • Develop advanced versions of popular basic products • Branch into related categories and niches • Collaborate with other creators for joint products • License your content for additional revenue streams Automation and Efficiency: • Create templates for product descriptions and listings • Set up automated responses for common customer questions • Use scheduling tools for social media marketing • Develop systems for regular content creation • Streamline your product creation workflow Building a Brand: • Develop consistent visual branding across all products • Create a memorable store name and logo • Build a professional website or blog • Establish yourself as an expert in your niche • Network with other creators and potential customers Advanced Marketing Strategies: • Build an email list for direct marketing • Create affiliate programs with other sellers • Develop partnerships with complementary businesses • Invest in paid advertising when profitable • Speak at events or host webinars in your expertise area Long-term Business Planning: • Set 6-month and 1-year business goals • Plan for product launches and promotional campaigns • Consider expanding to other platforms • Explore opportunities for passive income • Build systems that can run without constant attention

10. Legal and Best Practices

Protect yourself and your business by following legal requirements and industry best practices. Intellectual Property: • Only sell original content or properly licensed material • Understand copyright laws and fair use principles • Register trademarks for your brand if appropriate • Respect other creators' intellectual property rights • Include proper attribution for any third-party content Content Guidelines: • Ensure all products comply with Blyss policies • Avoid prohibited content categories • Maintain high quality standards for all products • Be honest and accurate in all product descriptions • Provide appropriate content warnings when necessary Business Practices: • Keep detailed records of all business activities • Understand your tax obligations and requirements • Consider business insurance for valuable intellectual property • Maintain professional standards in all interactions • Stay updated on platform policy changes Data Protection: • Protect customer information and privacy • Follow data protection best practices • Be transparent about how you use customer data • Secure your accounts with strong passwords • Regularly backup important business data Dispute Resolution: • Handle customer complaints professionally • Work with Blyss support for serious issues • Document all customer interactions • Follow platform dispute resolution procedures • Learn from complaints to improve your products and service

Ready to Start Selling?

You now have all the knowledge you need to build a successful digital product business on Blyss. Start with one great product and grow from there. Remember, every successful seller started with their first sale.

Start Your Digital Business Today

Join thousands of Kenyan creators who are building successful businesses selling digital products on Blyss. Your journey starts now.

Seller Guide | Blyss Digital Marketplace