💡 Insights

Cracking The Notion Template Code

How Thomas Frank Built a $100k/Month Business Selling A Notion Template

Stumbling upon Thomas Frank's "Ultimate Brain" Notion Template a year ago was a catalyst for me.

What really caught my attention was the thriving community he fostered around it, and the more I learned about his business the more it led me to my pivot towards 100% digital business models.

In a candid YouTube interview with Josh Gonsalves, Thomas shares his adventure of overcoming startup fears, identifying a niche, and the iterative cycle of build, launch, and refine.

Though a year old, this conversation continues to resonate, offering a rich trove of actionable insights for anyone keen on exploring digital templates as a business model.

In this video interview, Thomas Frank shares a candid view of building his Notion template business.

I promise you I watched the whole hour video and it’s worth it.

It’s a solid interview, packed with practical value.

You and I both know the chances of you watching that whole hour-long video is slim-to-none, so I took some notes for you:

1. Identifying demand: 

   “Pay attention to audience questions and feedback to identify specific niches and cater to their unique needs.” 

   For example, Thomas Frank recognized the growing interest in productivity tools and note-taking systems within the Notion community based on the questions and feedback he received from his audience.

2. Exceptional customer experience:

   “Go beyond selling products by offering refunds, providing support forums, and creating comprehensive tutorials to build trust and loyalty.” 

   Thomas Frank’s commitment to exceptional customer experience includes offering refunds, providing support through forums, and investing in comprehensive tutorials.

3. Incorporating established methodologies:

   “Incorporate established organizational philosophies like PARA and GTD to add value and align with the interests of the target audience.” 

   Thomas Frank incorporates established methodologies like PARA (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) and GTD (Getting Things Done) into his templates, providing users with a structured and efficient system for managing tasks, notes, and projects.

4. Continuous improvement:

   “Actively engage with customers through support communities to gather feedback and ideas for ongoing improvement.” 

   By engaging with his audience through support communities, Thomas Frank gathers valuable feedback and ideas that inform continuous improvement and ensure his templates meet the evolving needs of customers.

5. Effective marketing strategies:

   “Leverage platforms like YouTube and newsletters to provide valuable content, tutorials, and updates to attract and retain customers.” 

   Thomas Frank leverages his YouTube channel to provide valuable content and tutorials related to Notion and productivity. He also utilizes newsletters to inform subscribers about new releases and promotions, creating a sales funnel that drives conversions and builds a loyal customer base.

6. Building a high-quality product:

   “Focus on creating a product that stands out in terms of quality, functionality, and user experience.”

   Thomas Frank emphasizes the importance of providing a high-quality product that exceeds customer expectations. This includes ensuring the templates are well-designed, user-friendly, and offer valuable features.

7. Listening to customer feedback:

   “Use customer feedback as a valuable source of insights and ideas for product enhancements and updates.”

   Thomas Frank actively listens to customer feedback, incorporating their ideas and suggestions into future updates and enhancements of his templates. This iterative process ensures that the templates meet the specific needs and preferences of his customers.

   
   To save space, I’m only including some of my notes in this newsletter. For all my notes, click the button below.

   See All The Notes

Thomas the Frank isn't alone; Notion templates are a booming field. For another expert take, check out Pascio's insights on how he became a successful Notion template creator (worth checking out).

Template Trailblazers:

Here’s a peek into how some others have built businesses using Notion templates in a variety of ways:

1. Creator Notion Pack:

   • A treasure trove of Notion templates designed for digital creators. By selling access to these templates, the creator helps others streamline content planning and business management, all within the versatile framework of Notion.

2. Magic Beans:

   • Venturing beyond a mere template, Magic Beans has concocted a Notion-based solution for automated bookkeeping. By selling this service, they are erasing the dreary task of manual bookkeeping for business owners, making financial tracking a breeze…all within Notion.

3. Course Architect:

   • Selling this Notion template is like handing over a blueprint for online course creation. It aids educators in designing, organizing, and rolling out online courses seamlessly within Notion, opening up a realm of possibilities for digital learning.

4. MakerBox:

   • A creative marriage of Notion and ChatGPT. By selling access to this innovative fusion, MakerBox turns Notion into a bustling hub of interactive content for businesses, demonstrating the power of AI-enhanced templates.

Each of these creators showcases the boundless potential in customizing Notion templates, thereby adding distinctive value and solving real-world problems for other entrepreneurs.

Let’s dive into the bigger opportunity and explore it more.
👇🏼

🌟 Opportunity

👯‍♀️Templates-as-a-Business-Model

A shortcut for one person is a business model for another.

Paid templates are digital canvases, pre-designed and ready to cater to the various content creation needs of businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals.

Templates are not just a cost-effective solution but a substantial time-saver.

The essence of paid templates is their customizable nature.

Editable elements, allow users to tailor them according to their unique requirements, without starting from scratch.

The wide variety of template opportunities across different platforms adds to their accessibility and overall appeal as a digital product.

They can be purchased either for a one-time fee or via a subscription service, making them accessible and a smart choice for varying budget ranges.

🧠 Understanding Your Niche

Identifying and understanding the target niche is paramount. Deep-dive into market research to comprehend the specific needs and preferences of your target audience. Being knowledgeable about the niche will help in creating templates that solve real problems and add value, establishing a solid foundation for your brand.

🛠 Tool Mastery

Adeptness with essential tools like Adobe Creative Suite for design, Webflow for web templates, or Zapier for automation is crucial. Mastering these tools not only elevates the quality and functionality of your templates but also streamlines the creation process, saving time and resources.

🔄 Feedback Loops

Establishing feedback loops with your customers is invaluable. Their insights on template usability, design, and functionality can guide refinements, ensuring your products continuously evolve to meet market demands. Utilize platforms like Uservoice or GetFeedback to gather and analyze user feedback effectively.

💼 Building a Template Portfolio

A diversified portfolio showcases your expertise across various domains. It also caters to a broader segment of the market, increasing potential revenue streams. Regularly add new templates, and ensure your portfolio remains fresh and relevant to evolving market trends.

🔄 Iterative Improvement

Adopt an iterative approach to template improvement. Utilize analytics and feedback to identify areas of enhancement. Each iteration should aim to increase the template’s value and usability, establishing a reputation for quality and customer-centricity.

🤝 Community Building

Foster a community around your brand. Engage with users on platforms like Discord or Circle, offering support, and encouraging discussions around your templates. A strong community not only drives repeat business but can become evangelists for your brand.

🎨 The Spectrum of Digital Templates

The variety of opportunities in digital templates is vast, each catering to a unique audience and/or business needs:

• Airtable: Database templates for anything from CRM systems to content calendars.

• Canva: Graphic templates for social media, presentations, and marketing materials.

• Webflow: Website and landing page templates with a no-code twist.

• Shopify: eCommerce themes and layout templates for online stores.

• Trello: Workflow and project management boards for various industries.

• Google Workspace: Sheets, Docs, and Slides templates for business processes.

• Figma: UI/UX design templates, wireframes, and mockups.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Think Photoshop presets, Illustrator assets, and InDesign layouts.

• Bubble: No-code templates for web apps or marketplaces.

• Gumroad: Digital product sales pages and funnel templates.

• WordPress: Blogging themes, portfolio templates, and more.

• Zapier: Automated workflow blueprints for connecting multiple apps.

• ClickUp: Task management and productivity templates for teams.

• Mailchimp: Email marketing templates, from newsletters to drip campaigns.

• Teachable or Thinkific: Course creation templates including lesson plans and sales pages.

• Coda: Dynamic templates that combine docs, tables, and apps into a single platform.

• … +1,000 more…

📡 Channels of Digital Distribution

Various channels are at disposal for distributing templates:

• Marketplaces: Platforms like Creative Market are ideal for hosting and selling templates.

• Personal Websites: Tools like LemonSqueezy and Gumroad facilitate setting up digital storefronts and links for template sales.

• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram can be leveraged to showcase and market templates.

... among other channels like email newsletters and online communities.

🎁 Wrapping It Up

Digital templates presents a viable opportunity for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and creators to monetize their expertise.

By developing and selling templates, individuals can meet the growing demand for streamlined digital solutions and build a sustainable business around it.

The success stories of individuals like Thomas Frank underline the potential in this domain.

Utilizing platforms like Notion, creators can develop templates that cater to specific niches, delivering value while establishing a community of engaged users.

As the digital landscape evolves, venturing into the template market is a strategic step towards meeting the needs for simplicity, functionality, and aesthetic appeal in digital creation.

The template business model illustrates the convergence of creativity, technology, and commerce, showcasing the substantial prospects within digital entrepreneurship.

🧰 Featured Tools

🌐 Discover Spheria: Your Personal AI Adventure

Venture into the intriguing world of Personal AI with Spheria.

This no-code platform stands out by creating a digital extension of you, learning and evolving from your social media interactions and professional engagements on platforms like LinkedIn.

Spheria emphasizes data security and user control, making sure your data remains yours.

This platform isn't just a tool; it's an exploration of how AI can become a personal asset, understanding and representing your unique perspectives online.

Links Worth a Look

1. PeerBoard: A plug-and-play community platform for products, brands, and learning. PeerBoard allows customization to either stand alone or integrate with existing sites. It caters to various sectors like memberships, e-learning, e-commerce, SaaS, LMS, service marketplaces, and non-profits, aiding in member engagement, discussion, and business growth.

2. Megaphone: A platform that amplifies content through organic engagement from reputable creators on LinkedIn and other platforms. It offers various subscription tiers to boost visibility and engagement with a creator network, focusing on amplifying content within specific niches for better CPM rates and follower growth.

3. Stacks: Stacks is an AI-powered recommendation engine designed to resurface forgotten bookmarks during Google searches or on other search engines. It simplifies bookmarking, learns user preferences, and organizes bookmarks, suggesting the right ones at the right time.