This checklist is for anyone who wants to earn online by offering professional services – even if marketing has felt confusing, expensive, or discouraging before.
Keeping it Simple | Starting Small | Building Steadily
1. Define Your Service
Write down one main service you want to sell. Example: Wellness guidance.
You might offer related services (nutrition advice, lifestyle management, sleep hygiene), but at the start, focus on one service – two at most, and only if they fit together and share the same audience.
2. Know Your Customer
Who will you sell to?
- B2B (Business-to-Business) – selling to companies (e.g., corporate wellness programmes).
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer) – selling directly to individuals.
Why This Matters: Knowing your audience shapes your message, it will help you if you, in the next step, to create an ideal customer.
Tip: Start with B2C. Corporate decisions can be slow and harder to win. Keep it simple at the beginning.
3. Craft Your Core Message
Service-based businesses sell results, not products, this is what makes them different from product-based ones. You’re not selling a physical item—you’re selling the transformation your client will experience after working with you.
Answer these two questions:
- What problem do you help people solve?
- What result can they expect after working with you?
Keep it short and human.
Example: “I help [who] get [what] so they no longer [problem].”
Tip: Your message should show the journey – how you take people from their problem to the result they want. This helps them picture the transformation and builds trust because it shows you understand their needs.
Learn more about ‘How to Show Customer Transformation – from Problem to Result’ in your written message. Download the full Checklist as a PDF instantly – no email required – and get an exclusive bonus section with additional insights on this topic.
4. Choose One Platform
Don’t try to be everywhere. Pick one free platform where your audience already spends time:
Create a business account, follow similar businesses, and learn what questions people ask and what language they use. Once your business assets are ready (Step 5), you can start soft-selling.
5. Set Up Your Business Assets
- Business name (your own name works well for a personal brand).
- Domain name and professional email address that match your business name.
- A simple one-page website – This is all you need to start; it can help people learn about your service and contact you easily. There are lots of free tools to create a basic page quickly, such as Carrd, Google Sites, or WordPress.com.
These are intangible assets – they add value and credibility to your business.
6. Write Clear, Friendly Posts
No jargon. No pressure. Just talk like a real person.
Include:
- What you help with
- A short tip or insight
- A gentle invitation to message you if they want help
Examples of the invitational messages:
- Offer a free 15-minute chat
- Share a simple downloadable checklist
- Post a short video explaining your approach
These builds trust without costing money. See the next step for the last element of this post.
7. Make It Easy for People to Contact You
People need clear direction:
- “Message me to get started”
- “Click here to book a call”
“Send me a quick email”
One simple call-to-action works best.
8. Use 1stOnlineBiz101.com as Your Free Learning Hub
If you feel stuck with:
- Writing your message
- Choosing where to show up
- Knowing what to post
- Structuring your offer
- Building confidence
We’ve got free guides, examples, and support to help you grow your business without wasting time or money. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Option 1: Download the Checklist
Get Your Free Checklist Now
Start selling your services online with confidence. These simple steps will help you stay focused and avoid overwhelm.
Download it as a PDF today and keep it handy as you build your business.
Option 2: Sign Up for the Zero Budget Marketing Guide
Want More Help Getting Clients Without Spending a Penny?
Sign up to get our Zero Budget Marketing Guide – packed with practical tips to promote your services for free. Perfect for beginners who want results without big costs.
No jargon. No fluff. Just real strategies you can start using today.
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