Over the last 4 years, I've consulted hundreds of people on this specific topic.
Most people stay stuck and never get started because they are trying to pick the perfect idea.
Don’t.
Start with both.
That’s what I tell clients all the time.
If you have two directions that both feel like good potential, you don't need to build two full businesses.
You need to TEST BOTH lightly.
Then let demand lead the way.
This is how you move from zero to your first dollar online
1️⃣ Pick two simple ideas
Two clear problems you could help solve.
One should be the area where’s you’ve spent the majority of your career.
2️⃣ Write about both on LinkedIn
Post about the pain (show you understand them)
Post about the outcome (show your deep experience)
Post about what you know (shows that you move inside this area)
Post about mistakes people make (positions you and enables people to turn to for help)
See what creates real conversations (not just polite likes).
3️⃣ Create one tiny offer for each
A 60 minute call
A short audit
A small guide
A simple workshop
Something people can actually buy.
If you want to increase the possibility to succeed:
Start a newsletter and/or build a free guide.
Something that people can download where you can go a bit deeper, and tie them closer to you and build trust.
4️⃣ Watch for demand
Demand looks like:
People DM you.
People ask questions.
People say “this is exactly my problem.”
People invite you to podcasts or panels.
People want details.
People share your post with their network and share their perspective and thoughts.
People pay.
❌ Polite encouragement is not demand.
✅ Payment is demand.
5️⃣ Kill what doesn't move
When one path gets traction, revenue, and real pull, double down.
The other path can wait.
This is exactly what I did myself.
I didn't think my way into the right business model.
I tested.
I listened.
I experimented.
I failed a lot.
I followed what people actually paid for.
One of the services that I tried selling in the beginning was a remote operations playbook: how to build and scale a remote company. That’s where I was coming from having built a remote team and scaled the business from 0-$30M in ARR.
I got a few clients but it never really took off so I killed it and doubled down on what I had demand on:
Personal brands for founders and CEOs, and the system to build your business!
Me at my first gig back in 2022 - feels like a life time ago 😂
Your first dollar online comes from a small offer, a real problem, and enough courage to test before you feel ready.
Sadly, a lot of senior people overanalyse things and let their ego get in the way of making money online.
When you're ready to get your hands dirty (do the ground work and feel like a fool in the beginning) you start making money and can build a proper foundation and online business.
This is how most of us got started.
Start small and sell early.
Let demand lead the way.
Let’s build a life we don’t need a vacation from,
Hanna
📌 PS. Need my help? Reply to this email or go here to learn more: hunt.rs
