Want to start an online business, but not sure what to specialize in?Read this!
What a state the world is in lately, hey? Things are changing faster than I can keep track of, and the business landscape is shifting every day. So many brick and mortar businesses are unfortunately having to temporarily (or even permanently) close their doors, but it seems that online businesses are thriving more than ever.
As disheartening as this is for a lot of small business owners, it seems like these big changes are making a lot of people rethink what’s possible online.
A lot of traditional businesses are thinking fast and trying to adapt, which is SO inspiring to see!
Personal trainers are offering virtual sessions, physical therapists are booking online appointments, and brick and mortar stores are setting up their e-commerce websites for the first time.
There’s definitely two common themes I’ve noticed coming from this super hard and testing time we’re living through:
Sometimes a (really) big challenge is just what we need to get creative and start thinking outside the box.
2020 is the perfect time to move your business online or start an online business from scratch.
The combination of these two things — creative thinking and thriving online businesses — is obviously birthing some amazing online businesses.
I’ve been submerged in the online business world for the last 3+ years, and I’ve always seen the incredible potential of it. You don’t have to go far though this website to see that I’m passionate about online businesses and helping people launch their own.
Why an online business?
Risk free
One of the best things about starting an online business is that it’s super inexpensive to set yourself up. With little to no overhead, you have the freedom to do you. Dip your toes in, experiment a little bit, or go all-in — it’s all good, and it’s almost risk-free!
Extra income
Add to the low overhead cost the fact that you can actually make money with your new online business, and it almost starts to sound too good, right?
But, it’s true — all you need to do is set yourself up with business essentials (an awesome website, a payment platform, and any tools you need to serve your clients), and you can start making money in a matter of days.
But when you’re first getting started it can be pretty daunting. Where do you start? How do you even run a business online? Or a particularly hard one to tackle, what should your business even be if you don’t have any “online skills”?
There’s something for everyone!
If you’re thinking about starting an online business but aren’t sure what you’d offer, don’t stress! You can turn pretty much any skill set or expertise into an online service or product if you’re willing to get creative with how you offer it.
And, if you’re worried that your niche is too specific, or that not enough people will be into what you’re offering, don’t stress about that either! When it comes to online business, anything is possible.
Actually, I tend to believe that the more specific you are, the better. The audience that you can reach with the online business is SO big (approximately 4.3 million people use the internet!) that the more specific you can get, the better chance you have in finding the perfect clients.
Are you a graphic designer that works with vegan companies exclusively? That’ll work!
Want to offer your services as a Virtual Dating Assistant? Yep, that’s a thing!
Dreaming of starting a podcast all about Microsoft Excel? Go for it!
How to turn your existing skills into an online business
If your specialty is currently one-on-one or in a group setting:
You’re in luck! You can totally transfer those skills into an online business.
Dare I say it, but it might actually be pretty easy. With all the tech out there these days, almost every service can be made available online, so all you need to do is dream up a way to offer that service virtually.
For example, if you’re a French teacher, you could:
Offer language lessons online
Film video lessons
Create worksheets and guides for learning a new language
If you’re a Fitness Instructor, you could:
Offer live, online group classes
Offer 1:1 fitness online
Create free workouts on your blog and social media
Create a paid workout program
If your service is a little trickier to translate online (eg. a photographer):
In a case like a photographer, where it’s physically impossible to offer your services online, try thinking about your skills and how you can possibly teach others, or assist others. Now’s the time to get creative and think of a complimentary service or product that you can offer virtually.
And note, in cases like this, you don’t have to give up doing your 1:1 services! Online is never going to be able to replace your specialty. But, maybe it’s time to consider supplementing your 1:1 income with some online services or products, so when times get tough (cough, covid-19!) you can still have some income.
For example, if you’re a photographer, you could use your expertise:
Create a digital course on how to edit photos
Host an online workshop about getting photography clients
Write an Ebook or a guide about using your camera
Create and sell photo editing presets
Teaching about the skills you have is an awesome way to make money online. Maybe your skills aren’t directly useable online, but you can always teach people about them!
Okay, but none of these things work for me!
If you don’t have any specialty that you think will work for online business, why not learn something new?
You can learn new skills really easily by Googling, watching YouTube, reading Blogs, taking Online Courses — and there’s a course out there for basically everything.
Some super popular, tried and true service and product based online business that you could easily teach yourself right now are:
Graphic Designer
Web Designer
Artist
Virtual Assistant (an umbrella term that covers tons of different online assistant stuff + skills!)
Social Media Manager
Online Ads Specialist
Copywriting
These businesses are totally killing it in the online space, it’s like they were made to be virtual. And if you think any of those specialties would work for you, go ahead and dive into learning about them! There’s so many courses + guides on these specialties, and I know (from experience) that this stuff is all very much self-teachable!
If you want to do something else, go for it! If you can get it online, it’s highly likely that there’s an audience there waiting for you, no matter how specific your niche is.
Don’t put too much pressure on this part! You don’t have to totally change your entire career path or anything. Just try learning something you’re interested in, and go from there.
At the end of the day, even if you don’t start a business with your new skills, you’ll still have learned something new! It’s a win either way.
If you want to dabble in trying to make money from your new online business without stressing yourself out, keep your day job and start a side-hustle. This way, you won’t have that sink-or-swim financial pressure to make it work.
Just give it a go!
Why not give online business a try this year?
I’m almost certain you already have a skill set you could turn into a business, and if not, you can easily learn one online. With low risk, almost no overhead, and the potential to start making side income in a matter of days, it’s hard to find a downside to starting an online business! Trust me — you won’t regret it!
Want more tips? Check out the blog posts below!
An unconventional guide to naming your new business
How to choose the perfect template to start with for Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1
How to Onboard a New Client (my Complete Automated Process)
5 Ways to Promote Your Business on a Budget
Our Best Tips for Managing Money as a Small Biz or Freelancer
5 easy writing tricks for better DIY Copy
If you liked this post, Pin it to Pinterest! 👇🏻
