An Accessible Starting Point
Selling services online is, by far, the easiest way to make money online for several compelling reasons.
Instead of investing extensive time in creating digital products or accumulating physical inventory, you can simply offer a service that suits your skills, whether it’s hands-on professional work or consultancy.
Moreover, unlike traditional networking events, online platforms offer a quicker and more cost-effective means to connect with potential clients. The key is to keep it simple in the beginning: sell one thing to one person and establish a straightforward process in scaling.
You can even leverage your existing network or explore platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to gain initial traction. What makes this approach even more appealing is that you only need to deliver the service after securing a client, ensuring zero wasted effort.
Additionally, requesting upfront payment can provide instant profitability. While there are plenty of other great online business ideas to start, nothing can beat the ease of selling services you’re already amazing at.
How to Scale Up
After establishing your service-based online business, the path to scaling up involves building an audience. This audience not only helps attract more clients but also opens up various monetization opportunities. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reach an unlimited number of viewers online.
To start, take a small but consistent approach. Begin by sharing quality content related to your expertise. As you gain momentum, scale up your efforts with unwavering consistency. This gradual process, combined with a growing audience, will pave the way for expanding your online service business and exploring additional avenues for income generation.
These avenues include:
Making Podcasts
Starting a podcast can be a game-changer for scaling up your online service business.
Many people begin podcasts to build an audience, understanding that it’s a powerful tool for earning trust. Your authentic voice can resonate with listeners. And the best part is, you don’t need to be a born orator to succeed.
The key to podcast success is value, persistence, and consistency. It might take a few episodes to hit your stride, but once you do, the rhythm of continually producing powerful content will draw in more and more listeners.
To guide you on the right path, take some of the insights I’ve shared in my blog on how to make money from your podcasts. You’ll find insider tips as well as tricks on how I expertly break the rules when it comes to using podcasting to significantly boost my brand.
Creating YouTube Videos
Creating YouTube videos is a potent way to scale up your online service business. But it’s important to remember that it’s less about you as the creator and more about the value your content provides.
Building an audience on YouTube involves understanding your viewers’ needs and problems, staying focused on your niche, and consistently delivering high-quality content.
Before starting your channel, get to know your audience deeply and tailor your videos to address their specific concerns. Niching down instead of going broad helps you provide exactly what your viewers want, maintaining their engagement.
For example, if you’re teaching your viewers about copywriting, avoid expanding your topics to related niches like blogging to avoid diluting your focus. And, just like with any platform, success on YouTube hinges on the quality of your content and your consistency in posting them.
Creating a Website
A website is one of the most effective marketing tools for reaching billions of users globally.
It serves as a 24/7 storefront for you to share your expertise and showcase your services, as well as a platform for clients to contact you at their convenience. When your content addresses the pain points and questions of your target audience, you become a valuable resource, and trust starts to develop.
To build an audience through your website, start by selecting a unique domain name with a keyword related to your niche. Register it with domain registrars like Namecheap or GoDaddy. Next, secure hosting services and use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress.org or Webflow to build your site. If you find this too technical, consider hiring a website developer.
Consistently reaching your audience is dependent on delivering top-notch content. Over time, collaborating with an SEO agency to optimize your site for relevant search phrases can significantly expand your reach and returns. While there’s an initial investment, the long-term benefits are worth it.
Networking on LinkedIn
Networking on LinkedIn offers a powerful opportunity to scale up your online service business. With over 700 million users, LinkedIn stands as the world’s largest professional networking platform.
When it comes to building an audience, LinkedIn is a goldmine. By connecting with individuals who are eager to learn or potential clients seeking your services, you’re engaging with an audience that’s highly likely to convert.
