My Free-(ish) Tech Stack for Digital Creators
Mostly free tools, with paid upgrades only when they actually earn their keep.
🧠Gemini or ChatGPT
(Your AI Brainstorm Partner)
Your always-available, infinitely patient thinking partner.
This is the tool you open when ideas feel scattered or the page feels intimidating. It helps you think faster and clearer — not lazier.
âś” Best for:
Brainstorming ideas when you don’t know where to start
Outlining ebooks, courses, newsletters, and prompts
Organizing messy thoughts into usable structure
âś” Free version highlights:
Conversational interface for questions, ideas, and outlines
Drafting help for sections you’re stuck on
Research summaries from pasted articles or notes
⚠️ One honest limitation:
Not ideal if you want fully hands-off content creation — you still need to think, edit, and decide.
Why it’s in your toolkit:
Because blank-page syndrome kills momentum. This tool makes sure you’re never starting from zero.
How to think about it:
This is your junior research assistant, not your ghostwriter. You’re still the expert — the AI just helps you get to clarity faster.
👉 Start Using ChatGPT (Free)
🎨 Canva (Your Design Studio)
Canva is your professional design department in a browser tab.
No design background required. If you can drag and drop, you can create polished visuals that look legit.
âś” Best for:
Ebook covers and lead magnets
Social media graphics and thumbnails
Course worksheets and PDFs
âś” Free version highlights:
Thousands of professional templates
Stock photos, icons, and design elements
Clean PDF export for finished products
⚠️ One honest limitation:
Not ideal for highly custom, from-scratch design — but perfect for 90% of creator needs.
Why it’s in your toolkit:
Presentation matters. Canva makes your $27 product feel like it belongs next to $97 offers.
How to think about it:
This is your brand’s visual voice. Set your colors and fonts once — reuse them everywhere.
đź›’ PayHip (Your Store & Delivery System)
PayHip handles the business side so you can focus on creating.
It’s your checkout, delivery system, and storefront — all in one simple setup.
âś” Best for:
Selling ebooks, courses, and digital downloads
Creators who don’t want to build a full website
Simple, no-stress monetization
âś” Free version highlights:
Customizable sales pages
Secure payments via Stripe or PayPal
Automatic digital delivery
No monthly fees (they take a small cut per sale)
⚠️ One honest limitation:
Not built for complex funnels or memberships — it shines at simplicity.
Why it’s in your toolkit:
Because “taking money and delivering files” stops more creators than creating itself.
How to think about it:
This is your cash register, salesperson, and delivery service in one place.
👉 Launch Your Free Digital Store
📬 Beehiiv (Your Growth Engine)
Beehiiv is more than email — it’s audience infrastructure.
It’s built specifically for creators who want to grow and eventually monetize attention.
âś” Best for:
Building an owned audience
Publishing newsletters consistently
Long-term creator businesses
âś” Free version highlights:
Up to 2,500 subscribers
Clean, modern newsletter templates
Built-in referral and growth tools
Analytics that actually matter
⚠️ One honest limitation:
Not ideal if you need heavy CRM or complex automations early on.
Why it’s in your toolkit:
Because social platforms control reach — your email list doesn’t.
How to think about it:
This is your direct line to your audience. It compounds over time.
🌍 Draft2Digital (Your Global Distributor)
Draft2Digital puts your ebook everywhere readers already shop.
You upload once — they handle formatting, distribution, and reporting.
âś” Best for:
Passive ebook income
Wide distribution without tech headaches
Authors who want discovery beyond Amazon
âś” Free version highlights:
Distribution to Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, more
Automatic formatting per retailer
Unified sales dashboard
No upfront cost — they earn when you do
⚠️ One honest limitation:
You give up some control compared to direct sales — but gain reach.
Why it’s in your toolkit:
PayHip is for profit. Draft2Digital is for discovery.
How to think about it:
This is your global expansion team — working while you sleep.
🔥Final Note: Why This Stack Works
This isn’t a “perfect” tech stack — it’s a tested one.
These are the tools I actually use to create, design, sell, grow, and distribute digital products without overcomplicating my workflow or blowing money on subscriptions.
I keep what earns its place.
I remove what doesn’t.
If you’re a creator, solopreneur, or side-hustler looking for a simple, mostly free tech stack that supports real progress (not busywork), this setup will get you moving — fast.
Start with one tool.
Add the next when you need it.
That’s how sustainable digital businesses are built.