Have you been curious about how to deliver pdf downloads on your WordPress blog? In this tutorial, I will show you how to use a free WordPress Plugin called Download Monitor.
I use the Download Monitor WordPress Plugin to distribute pdf downloads and content upgrades on my blog.
This is a free plugin that is quick and easy to use.
There is also a nice security feature if you are trying to protect your files for a membership site.
Members only: Only logged in users will be able to access the file via a download link if this is enabled.
I am not guarding my content upgrades this closely but you should be aware that if someone were to share the download link, people could get access. You have to weigh the pros and cons of that risk.
Considering that I use this tool to give away free and helpful tips, I will not be devastated if the share link gets passed around. Of course, my hope is that people will sign up for my email newsletter in exchange for the document.
Ok so now that we are past the cons, let's get down to it.
- A self hosted WordPress Blog
- Download Monitor Installed
- a PDF document to upload to your blog
- Log into your WordPress Dashboard
- Click on Downloads
- Click on Add New
- Give Your Download a Title
- Click on 'Add file'
- Click on 'Upload file'
- Select your file from the Media Library or Upload Your File
- Click on 'Insert file URL' (this is a blue bottom on the bottom right)
- Click on 'Publish'
- Copy Download URL
Here are a few tips on content upgrades
From: The Daily Egg
List Building Case Study: How to Get 492% More Email Subscribers
For example, say you have a post on doing pull ups for your cross fit blog or site. Here is what a content upgrade is not:
- “Free ebook on getting in shape!”
- “7 steps to getting started with cross-fit!”
Here is what a great content upgrade could be for that post:
- “A 3×5 inch pull-ups checklist – print it out and take it to the gym with you. It fits in your pocket.”
- “Here’s a video of me doing pull ups with the exact steps in this blog post”
From: Digital Marketer
Cheat sheets and handouts work well.
They have a different “feel” to them than Reports or Guides.
They are generally very short (one page or so) and cut straight to an ultra-specific point.You can deliver these as checklists, mind maps or “blueprints.”
When lead magnets or content upgrades first started hitting the internet as “THE THING” to do, everyone started giving away free ebooks. This seemed like a great idea but people quickly became overwhelmed with the sheer volume of it all. There are just not enough hours in the day for a reader to consume all of that data. Let’s face it, people just want the answers and they want them quickly.This is why a blueprint or cheat sheet is such a better option. This offers the reader a quick win. They have a problem, they download a short document and they quickly get the solution. This makes you a hero in their eyes.