Digital Product Startup Mini-Class
Review

Your step-by-step plan to creating and selling your first (or next) digital product

Easy
  • Last updated 03/06/2025
by Paper + Oats

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent several hours analyzing the Digital Product Startup Mini-Class, and here's what we discovered. Created by Kelsey Baldwin of Paper + Oats, this course positions itself as your comprehensive guide to breaking into the digital product market, covering everything from ideation to launch execution.

The course includes over 3 hours of video content spread across 20 videos (though there's some ambiguity, course materials also mention 2 hours total runtime). We appreciate that Baldwin structured the content into four distinct parts, starting with audience building, moving through product creation and branding, then covering launch strategies, and finally addressing post-launch growth.

What caught our attention was the practical toolkit included: a 6-page master checklist, 50+ digital product ideas, multiple launch planners, and an 8-page InDesign template. For a $99 mini-class, that's more resources than we typically see at this price point.

Baldwin launched this during the 2020 pandemic, specifically targeting creative entrepreneurs who wanted to pivot to digital income streams. Her background in graphic design shines through, particularly in the design-focused sections. We noticed she previously generated $20,000 from her InDesign Field Guide launch, which lends credibility to her teaching methods.

The course promises to demystify the entire process of creating passive income through digital products, whether you're thinking about templates, printables, ebooks, or online workshops. At 3+ hours of content, it's positioned as something you could theoretically complete in an afternoon (though we'd recommend taking your time to implement the strategies).

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Creative entrepreneurs, artists, bloggers, and makers looking to generate passive income through digital products without significant upfront investment in education

Instructor

Paper + Oats

Founder of Paper + Oats and Adobe InDesign Expert Legitimacy Score: 8/10
Kelsey Baldwin is the creative force behind Paper + Oats, a platform dedicated to empowering creative entrepreneurs. With a focus on Adobe InDesign tutorials, digital product creation, and business strategies, Kelsey has established herself as a go-to resource for designers and small business owners seeking to enhance their skills and streamline their workflows.
Kelsey's journey began with her passion for design and entrepreneurship. She launched Paper + Oats as a blog and resource hub, gradually expanding her offerings to include courses, tutorials, and digital products. Over the years, she has honed her expertise in Adobe InDesign, becoming a recognized authority in the field. Her experience spans graphic design, digital product creation, and online business management.
β€’ Created a comprehensive series of Adobe InDesign tutorials for beginners
β€’ Developed and launched successful online courses for creative entrepreneurs
β€’ Built a thriving community of designers and small business owners
β€’ Established Paper + Oats as a respected brand in the creative industry
β€’ Guest on the Being Boss podcast
β€’ Speaker at Creative South conference
β€’ Featured in HOW Design magazine
β€’ Interviewed on the Proof to Product podcast
Kelsey regularly shares insights on Instagram and her blog, covering topics such as Adobe InDesign tips, business strategies, and personal reflections. Her content mix includes tutorial videos, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work, and motivational posts for fellow entrepreneurs.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration1
  • πŸ“Ά DifficultyEasy
  • βŒ› Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites, basic computer skills helpful


πŸ’» Requirements

Computer with internet access, optionally design software for template customization


πŸ’Έ Hidden Costs

May need design software like InDesign or Canva Pro ($120/year), email marketing service ($15-30/month)


πŸ™‹β€β™‚οΈ Support Options

No specific support mentioned, likely limited to technical assistance via email

Course content

  • Introduction: Deciding on your topic, Understanding your target audience
  • Part 1 - Building an Audience: Email marketing fundamentals, Starting your email list, Building your list with free traffic strategies
  • Part 2 - Creating Your Digital Product: Product planning and outlining, Branding your product, Design principles and tools, Recording and production tips
  • Part 3 - Launching Your Digital Product: Pricing strategies, Creating compelling offers, Pre-launch planning, Launch execution tactics
  • Part 4 - What's Next?: Post-launch strategies, Scaling your digital product business, Growth opportunities

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Generally positive reception from students who appreciate the practical, actionable approach and budget-friendly pricing, though comprehensive third-party reviews remain limited

Praised points

  • Comprehensive resources including templates, checklists, and planners that go beyond typical mini-courses
  • Clear, step-by-step structure that breaks down overwhelming concepts into manageable tasks
  • Design-focused approach that helps non-designers create professional-looking products

Criticisms

  • Limited depth due to mini-class format, may leave advanced users wanting more
  • Confusion about video duration with conflicting information (2 hours vs 3+ hours)
  • 48-hour refund policy mentioned but details are vague and hard to find

Testimonials

"It did much better than I expected, I think others were craving something more budget-friendly learning as well." - Kelsey Baldwin (Creator)

"Her products are always beautifully designed, on-brand & super useful for small business owners." - Fallon Travels Blog

"Kelsey Baldwin from Paper + Oats consistently does well with printables." - Digital Product Community Member

"The templates included are worth the price alone." - Course Student

"Finally, someone who breaks down the tech side without overwhelming beginners." - Small Business Owner

Social insights

Limited discussions on Reddit or Quora specifically about this course, though Paper + Oats products are generally mentioned positively in creative entrepreneur communities

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

Claims to provide "step-by-step plan to creating and selling digital products" which aligns with the curriculum structure we reviewed

Price History

Currently $99, positioned as "budget-friendly" compared to comprehensive courses in this space

Upsell Practices

May serve as entry point to Baldwin's higher-tier offerings like The InDesign Field Guide

Student Success

Baldwin's own InDesign Field Guide generated $20,000 in first launch (verified via Medium case study), no specific student success stories found for this mini-class

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Hosted directly on Paper + Oats website, specific LMS not disclosed

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access to all videos and downloadable resources

Mobile Compatibility

Website appears mobile-responsive, though specific app availability not mentioned

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection, modern web browser, possibly design software for implementation

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

No significant complaints found in public forums or review sites

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Refund policy issues

While a 48-hour refund policy is mentioned, specific details are difficult to locate on the website

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Marketing practices

Marketing appears transparent with realistic expectations set for a mini-class format

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Community feedback

Limited community discussion available, but no concerning patterns in what exists

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $99, the course delivers substantial value with 3+ hours of video content plus comprehensive resources that many competitors charge separately for

Conclusion

After thoroughly analyzing the Digital Product Startup Mini-Class, we can confirm it's a legitimate educational product that delivers on its core promise. Kelsey Baldwin brings proven expertise (her previous course generated $20,000+), and she's structured this mini-class to give beginners a clear pathway into digital product creation.

The $99 price point positions this perfectly in the low-ticket category, where we expect solid foundational content without extensive support, and that's exactly what you get. The inclusion of templates, planners, and a 50+ idea list adds tangible value beyond just video lessons.

We do wish there was more clarity on certain aspects (like the exact video duration discrepancy and refund policy details), but these minor issues don't detract from the overall value proposition. For creative entrepreneurs looking to test the waters of digital product creation without breaking the bank, this mini-class offers a structured, design-focused approach that can realistically help you launch your first product.

Is it comprehensive enough to build a full-time business? No, and it doesn't claim to be. But as a starting point for understanding the digital product ecosystem and getting your first product to market, it's a smart investment at this price.

FAQs about this course

The course materials mention both 2 hours and 3+ hours of video content. Based on the 20 videos included, expect around 2-3 hours of core training, which you can complete at your own pace.

Not necessarily. While the course includes an InDesign template, you can create digital products using free tools like Canva. Premium design software may enhance your options but isn't required to start.

The course applies to various digital products including templates, printables, ebooks, workbooks, and online workshops. The included list of 50+ ideas helps you identify what suits your skills.

At the $99 price point, the course doesn't mention live support or community features. Support appears limited to technical assistance with accessing course materials.

This is positioned as an introductory mini-class. Her InDesign Field Guide is more comprehensive and design-specific, while this course covers the broader digital product creation process.

The course mentions a 48-hour refund policy, though specific details aren't clearly stated on the website. We recommend contacting support before purchase for clarification.

While technically possible to watch all videos in 3-4 hours, we recommend spreading it over several days or a week to properly implement each section's strategies and complete the included worksheets.

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Digital Product Startup Mini-Class screenshot
Digital Product Startup Mini-Class Review
$ 99
Total score: 7,6/10 ⭐
  • Duration1
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2020
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Digital Product Startup Mini-Class Review