Maybe you know the work you’d like to do. Maybe you’re choosing between a few ideas. Either way, start by working out what one customer could hire you for. BizSolo’s guides are written for US-based owners who plan to deliver their work remotely.
If you’re exploring this alongside a job, read your employment agreement and workplace policies, check for conflicts, and be realistic about your available hours. Use your own equipment and material for practice work; get permission before using anything that belongs to your employer.
Choose a task you already know how to do.
Think about work you’ve done reliably: organizing information, editing copy, updating a website, or producing audio. Could you do it for someone else, explain your decisions, and check the finished result? If you need more practice, work with your own material first.
Talk to someone who might need it.
Ask about the last time they did the task. What took time? What went wrong? Who could approve paying for help? You’re looking for work they actually need done and a chance to discuss how you could help.
Make the first project small and clear.
Agree what you will deliver, what the client supplies, deadlines, approvals, changes, and payment. Add time for messages, administration, and revisions when you work out a price. Check the business requirements that apply where you live and work before accepting paid work.
Check the price against your time · Agree the scope · Check location requirements
Give customers a useful page to visit.
Explain the service in everyday language. Show a permitted sample and say how to ask about availability. Use the page in conversations and appropriate professional communities. AI discovery is one part of this work; check it alongside the inquiries you receive.