﻿Today we're going to talk about 5 small business ideas for beginners that are cheap to start and
come with virtually no risk but your time.
The first small business idea is what I call "SaaSaaS."
You might have heard of SaaS, which stands for Software as a Service.
And this is usually web-based software that companies create and license out to users.
For example, Mailchimp, Hubspot, and Ahrefs are all SaaS companies.
Now, SaaSaaS stands for "Software as a Service … as a Service."
And this is when you become a master of a SaaS product and sell services based
around that tool.
For example, if you know how to do bookkeeping, you might specialize in a software like Xero.
You could offer daily bookkeeping services, migrations from other tools like Quickbooks
to Xero, or provide end of the year tax prep with Xero.
Or let's say you have experience using ConvertKit's email marketing platform.
You could offer email migration services from tools like Mailchimp to ConvertKit.
You could also offer marketing automations and funnel services for users.
Now, the great thing about SaaSaaS is that marketing yourself is actually quite
easy when you're just starting out.
First, check if the company has a directory of power users or certified users and apply
to be included.
For example, Xero has this handy page to connect bookkeepers or
accountants with their customers.
Another place that's worth signing up to find new business is Upwork.
Upwork is a freelance network and it's the place where I found my Xero bookkeeper and many
other software specialists.
These two networks alone are enough to help you start and grow your SaaSaaS small business.
Do a great job for these people and over time, you'll likely build a steady stream
of referral business too.
Alright the next small business idea is to start a niche drone videography business.
I'll use a niche golf course drone videographer for my example.
This is what a golf course flyover with a drone looks like.
And while it may look beautifully cinematic, it doesn't take a ton of skill to create footage
like this.
Now, there are three huge advantages to starting a drone videography business.
#1. It doesn't cost very much to start.
#2. It's very easy to get halfway decent at basic drone videography like flying over a golf hole.
And #3. People typically charge quite a lot for this service.
In fact, this company charges $400 for a course flyover, this one charges $1,500 and this one,
a whopping four grand.
Now, there aren't exactly a ton of people looking for golf course videographers
because it's a pretty niche service for a very niche audience - owners of golf courses.
So the way I'd go about starting this business is with a validation experiment.
To get started, search for golf courses in your area and visit their websites.
And what you'll want to look for are course overviews which generally provide a description
of each hole on their course.
So for this course, they have a background image of the hole and a short text description
of the hole.
But this isn't really that helpful to golfers compared to hole-by-hole flyovers, since
they'd actually be able to see exactly how the hole is meant to be played.
So using this pitch angle, you can contact the different golf courses
and offer your services.
Do this for as many golf courses as you can to gauge interest, buy your drone,
get an hour or two of flying experience in and you'll be able to do a halfway decent
job at golf hole drone videography.
Now, after you've validated the idea, you can consider offering your services to more courses
or explore other areas of drone videography.
Alright, the next small business idea is to become a voiceover actor.
Now, I'm not talking about Hollywood or radio level broadcasting.
I'm talking about doing voice overs for budget ads, commercials, screencasts or whatever.
Now, the reason why I think this is such a great business idea is two fold.
#1. Pretty much anyone can do it;
and #2. It can pay really well in terms of your time to earnings ratio.
In fact, according to voices.com, a voice over job of around 300 words, or around 0-2 recorded
minutes would typically cost $100 - $499.
To put that into perspective, it takes me around 5 - 10 minutes to record and edit
a two-minute audio recording.
Now, there are two places you can look to when you're just getting started.
The first is Upwork.
On Upwork, you can search for jobs and apply for ones where you might
be a good fit.
And of course, you should have some samples ahead of time because no one's going to hire
a voice actor without hearing their voice.
Now, that doesn't mean you need to go and find work before you can start.
Just record some sample scripts to start your portfolio or even a short introduction
about yourself.
Now, the second place I'd look to is Fiverr.
And I like the idea of using it alongside Upwork because instead of applying for
jobs, you post ads about services and have full control over your pricing.
For example, this person is offering a voiceover in a British or American accent for $10.
And while that might sound low, if you increase the word count of the script,
you'll see it goes up by another $5.
Continue with the checkout process and you'll see even more options to upgrade your order.
And to give you an idea of earnings potential, this person has done nearly 30,000 orders on
Fiverr alone.
Alright, the next small business idea is to become a freelance content writer.
Now, there are already a ton of freelance content writers.
Some of these people go on to make six and even seven figures per year, while
others struggle just to make ends meet.
So that begs the question: how do you build a freelance content writing business that puts
you in the first group?
The oversimplified answer is to become a niche expert.
Let me illustrate using this Venn diagram.
On one side, you have expertise and on the other you have interest.
So for me, I love golf, but I'm pretty terrible at it if we're being honest.
So that topic would fall around here on the Venn diagram.
Now, I have quite an extensive background in consumer products, specifically in consumer
tech products, but I don't really enjoy keeping up with the trends or the latest news.
So that would fall on the other extreme of this diagram.
Ideally, you want to find a happy medium.
So for me, that would be SEO and digital marketing which I'm both knowledgeable and interested in.
Now, this only covers one component of becoming a "niche expert" in a content writing business.
The other area you should consider niching down in is the type of content you'll specialize in.
So will that be blog writing, conversion copywriting writing scripts for YouTube
videos, Twitter threads, or something else?
Whichever you choose is entirely up to you but I recommend focusing on just one and
only branching out if necessary.
Now, just like any other service-based business, you'll need to get clients.
And the easiest way to get started is to apply for jobs on freelance networks
like Upwork and writing job boards like Problogger jobs.
And while business may not exactly be "booming" when you're getting started,
it's a good way to get your foot in the door and to start building a portfolio of your work.
This will help you justify your rates so you can charge more and to attract more clients.
Alright the next small business idea is to create a niche affiliate website.
If you're new to affiliate marketing, it's where you promote another company's
products or services in exchange for a commission when you refer a sale.
Now, the great thing about this business model is that it's about the lowest risk, lowest cost
online business idea you can start today.
On top of that, the growth potential on niche affiliate sites is quite high.
In fact, some affiliate marketers make six and even seven figures per month!
Now, the thing with affiliate marketing is that you don't go from 0 to six figures
per month with the snap of a finger.
You'll need to start by learning the basics of affiliate marketing, site building, and
traffic generation.
And we have a full beginner's tutorial that'll give you a high level overview of how you
can get started with affiliate marketing so I'll link that up in the description.
Now, none of these business ideas will likely be the next trillion dollar business.
But they all have potential to replace average and even above average salaries.
And I know this because I've actually built businesses from four of these five small
business ideas, and a friend of mine actually became a drone videographer.
And everything I've shared with you today is more or less the way we got started.
So rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, find a super-unique business idea, or create
the perfect business plan, just go out and actually try an idea for yourself.
They're all low-investment and low-risk opportunities ripe for the taking.
I'll see you in the next tutorial.