Low‑friction ideas to test
- Micro‑products: templates, prompts, or niche tools
- Service sprints: 2‑week engagements with clear outcomes
- Workshops: cohort sessions with practical deliverables
- Content services: research, briefs, or editing for operators
Mini case studies
Ops reporting sprint
Cut a weekly report from 90→25 minutes; saved 3 hrs/week for 5 staff; error rate −60%.
Onboarding rewrite
Reduced steps 7→5; activation +6% over 3 weeks; added a 60‑second demo.
Show the baseline, the intervention, and the measured after state.
Weekly calendar
- Mon (60–90m): pick one painful task; write a one‑paragraph brief.
- Wed (60–90m): ship the thinnest slice; capture before/after screenshots.
- Fri (60–90m): measure the delta; publish a 60‑second demo and ask one question.
Consistency beats intensity. Three short focused blocks are enough.
Legal & payments basics
- Use simple terms: scope, timelines, acceptance, and refund policy.
- Collect 50% upfront for sprints; invoice balance on delivery.
- Keep receipts and a separate account; track income/expenses monthly.
Consult a local professional for requirements in your region.
Lightweight tooling
- Docs: one living doc for briefs, deliverables, and retros.
- Data: a simple sheet for baselines, after states, and links to evidence.
- Automation: small scripts with clear inputs/outputs and version notes.
Risks and guardrails
- Scope creep: timebox to 1–2 weeks; any new scope becomes a follow‑on.
- Data sensitivity: get written permission; anonymize examples.
- Underpricing: raise after 3 wins; anchor on outcomes, not hours.
Testimonials that convert
Ask for specifics: the pain before, the change after, and a number.
“We saved ~3 hours every week and reduced errors by half. The Friday demos kept us aligned.”
“Activation lifted 6% after the onboarding rewrite; the 60‑second demo made adoption easy.”
Make it compounding
- Pick a narrow audience and painful problem
- Ship a small offer; collect testimonials and data
- Package learnings into an asset; raise price or widen scope
Who this is for
You want extra income without risking your day job. You have 5–10 focused hours weekly and access to a small audience or network. The goal is to validate a repeatable offer, then compound into assets.
Quick‑start offer picker
If you like writing
- Write 3 research briefs/week for 1 niche audience.
- Offer editing for operators; track replies and reuse notes.
- Package 10 briefs into a paid mini‑library.
If you like building
- Automate one repetitive task; productize the script.
- Offer a 2‑week "throughput sprint" with a clear KPI.
- Publish a template pack with a 60‑second demo.
Pricing & packaging
Start simple; anchor on outcomes and timeboxes.
- Entry: $99–$249 micro‑product with a specific promise.
- Service sprint: $500–$2,000 for 1–2 weeks, one KPI, one deliverable.
- Workshop: $49–$199 per seat; cohort of 8–20.
List what's included, what's not, and how success is measured.
Distribution that works
- Pick one niche community; contribute value before pitching.
- Publish a weekly 60‑second demo; ask one specific question.
- Collect 3 testimonials; turn them into image quotes.
Delivery & operations
- Onboard with a one‑page brief: user, pain, constraints, metric.
- Set a cadence: kickoff, mid‑week check, Friday demo.
- End with a one‑page report + next‑step recommendation.
Metrics that matter
- Time saved per run/week
- Throughput: tasks/hour, tickets closed
- Quality: error rate, revision count
- Revenue proxies: activation, conversion, reply rate
Landing page outline
- Outcome title with a number
- Who it's for and constraints
- What you deliver in 1–2 weeks
- Proof: 60‑second demo and quotes
- CTA: book a 15‑minute fit call
Outreach email samples
Subject: 2‑week sprint to reduce your reporting time
Hi {Name}, I cut a weekly report from 90→25 minutes for a team of 5. 60‑second demo: {link}. Want the same outcome in the next two weeks?
Subject: Template pack that lifted activation +6%
Quick demo: {link}. If activation is a priority, I can adapt this to your funnel in a 1‑week sprint.
FAQs
How do I pick a niche?
Choose where you already have context and access. Pain + access beats total addressable market.
Do I need a company?
Start as a sole proprietor if allowed locally; add invoicing and basic terms. Keep records.
What about payments?
Use a simple checkout or invoice. For sprints, ask 50% upfront and 50% on delivery.
Wrap‑up
One small, repeatable offer. One metric. One weekly demo. Compound from there.