How To Start A One-Person Business With AI ($0-$10k)

Starting a one-person business as a solopreneur can be challenging, but AI can help you make money much faster.

This guide will walk you through the fastest path to launch your own solo venture, from finding your niche to building an audience and monetizing your skills.

What Is A One-Person Business?

A one-person business is a way you can make money without having to hire a team or sales team.

Many entrepreneurs start like this, building a business around skills they enjoy doing.

You don't need a big team to run a successful business. With the right AI tools and plans, one person can do great things.

One big plus of a one-person company is freedom.

You pick when and where you work, which is perfect if you want to balance work and life. You can start small and grow at your own speed.

New artificial intelligence makes it easier than ever to run a business alone.

You can use tools to do tasks faster, manage your time better, and focus on what's important.

Helping clients and growing your business.

Benefits of the One-Person Business Model

• Low costs: No need to hire others or rent an office
• Full control: You make all the decisions
• Easy to grow: You can expand without lots of money
• Personal happiness: Build a business you truly care about

Many entrepreneurs find that starting a one-person company is a great way to test a business idea.

It lets you see if people want what you offer before you spend too much time or money.

Remember, even big companies often start as one-person businesses. With hard work and smart choices, your small start could lead to big things.

Examples of Successful Solopreneur Business Ideas

I've come across many creators who have been able to manage a business on their own by setting up systems.

It doesn't matter what niche or offer you have, because anyone can do this.

There are people like Dan Koe, Justin Welsh, and myself included that can do this. So can you.

These businesses have succeeded through hard work, determination, and a well-defined business plan. Here are a few examples:

• Online Marketing Consultants: These solopreneurs offer SEO, social media management, and content creation services. They help businesses improve their online presence and drive traffic to their websites.
• Graphic Designers: Talented designers create visual content for clients, including logos, brochures, and websites. Their creativity and technical skills make them invaluable to businesses looking to enhance their brand image.
• Software Developers: These tech-savvy individuals design and develop software applications for clients. They often work on custom projects, providing tailored solutions to meet specific business needs.
• E-commerce Store Owners: Running an online store through platforms like Amazon or Etsy, these entrepreneurs sell products ranging from handmade crafts to digital downloads. Their ability to market and manage inventory is key to their success.
• Bloggers and YouTubers: By creating engaging content and building a loyal following across various platforms, bloggers and influencers monetize their online presence through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
• Coaches and Trainers: These experts offer coaching and training services to individuals or businesses and share their knowledge and skills to help others achieve their goals.

Here Are One-Person Business Ideas You Can Try

Starting a one-person business can be exciting. Here are some popular business ideas you can try:

1. Freelance writing business
2. AI Automation Agency
3. Virtual Assistant
4. Graphic designer
5. Chatbot developer
6. Social media manager
7. Copywriter or ghostwriter
8. Market research consultant
9. Productivity coach
10. Data analyst
11. Newsletter curator
12. selling online courses

Before starting any of these one-person businesses, it’s important to do market research.

This helps you understand if people want your services and who else offers similar things.

You can look at online forums, social media groups, and industry websites to see if people are interested in what you want to offer.

You can also use tools to look at market trends and what customers like.

Try to find a unique way to offer your services. Think about how you can stand out and give extra value to your clients.

By combining your skills with new tools, you can create a one-person business that makes money and can grow over time. The goal is to meet real market needs.

Tools You Should Use To Get Started

Starting a one-person business often means keeping startup costs low.

The right AI tools can help you do more with less. Here’s a list of useful tools to consider:

1. Trello: Great for planning your content and tasks
2. Hypefury: Helps manage your X (Twitter) and LinkedIn posts
3. Claude: An AI assistant for writing and brainstorming
4. Tella TV: Makes recording content quick and easy
5. Senja: Collect and showcase customer testimonials

These tools can also be beneficial if you manage your one-person business as a side hustle.

These AI can help you stay organized, create content, and grow your one-person company. They’re affordable and easy to use, which is perfect for beginners.

For example, Senja allows you to collect testimonials through automation and this will help you build trust with your audience 

Remember, a solid business plan is key. It helps you stay focused and make smart choices. Don’t forget to open a separate business bank account, too.

This keeps your personal and business money apart, making tax time much easier.

With these tools and careful planning, you can run a successful one-person business without breaking the bank.

Here's How To Start A One-Person Business

Let's develop your marketing strategy and find your unique selling point. Here's how successful one-person businesses get started:

Step 1: Setup A Business Plan

Creating a detailed business plan is important when starting a one-person business.

Begin by choosing the right business structure affecting your legal and tax benefits.

I ended using ZenBusiness to help me setup my LLC and it was hands-off work.

Business registration is a critical step to ensure your business is legally recognized. Common types of business entities include:

• Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one person. It’s the simplest and most common business structure. However, it does not provide personal liability protection.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC is a business structure that provides personal liability protection and tax benefits. It’s a popular choice for many solopreneurs due to its flexibility and protection.
• Corporation: A corporation is a more complex business structure that provides personal liability protection and tax benefits. It’s suitable for businesses that plan to grow significantly and may seek outside investment.

Each structure has different implications for liability, taxes, and operational flexibility.

It’s best to work with an attorney or tax professional in your state to determine the most suitable option for your situation.

Your business plan should outline your goals, target market, financial projections, and operational strategies.

Opening a Business Bank Account

Opening a business bank account is essential for separating your personal and business finances. Here are some steps to consider:

• Research Options: Compare different business bank accounts to find one that meets your needs. Look for features like low fees, online banking, and good customer service.
• Choose a Bank: Select a bank that offers the best terms for your business. Consider both local banks and larger national banks.
• Open an Account: Open a business checking account and obtain a debit card. This will help you manage your business expenses and keep your finances organized.
• Set Up Online Banking: Use online and mobile banking to manage your account easily. This will allow you to conveniently monitor transactions, pay bills, and transfer funds.

Step 2: Identifying Your Niche

Identifying your niche is the first step and probably the hardest when starting a one-person business.

It defines your target audience and the specific problems you aim to solve.

[Here’s an example: Start an online fitness training program, but you should only target a specific outcome and help those people.]

Without a clear niche, your marketing efforts may be scattered and ineffective. Don’t worry; we will help you pick the right one-person business idea by the end of this article.

Begin by reflecting on your passions and skills. Ask yourself what problems you can solve for others.

Luckily for you, I made an AI prompt that can help you find your niche. Use this.

Conducting thorough market research will help you understand the demand and competition in your chosen niche.

Once you have a list, research market demand. Use social media platforms and online forums to understand what people are discussing.

AI tools can assist you in brainstorming niche ideas. You can input your interests and receive suggestions based on current trends.

This can streamline your niche selection process significantly.

Once you have a few niche ideas, validate them. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to check the search volume.

This will ensure that there is an audience for your niche. Another effective method is to analyze competitors.

Look at what similar businesses are doing and learn from their successes and failures.

This will provide you with insights on how to position yourself in the market.

Finding Pain Points

To better serve your audience, identify their pain points. Ask yourself what challenges they face and how you can provide solutions.

Create a list of potential pain points and turn them into actionable "how to" statements.

This process helps in creating content that resonates with your audience. It also guides your product development, ensuring you meet a genuine need.

Step 3: Validating Your Niche

If what you create can be validated and a viable market for it, you are going in the right direction.

Market research will help you determine if this niche is already solved or if people are specifically looking for what you want to deliver.

That way, you don’t waste your time chasing something that doesn’t exist.

Methods for Niche Validation

• Google Trends: Check the popularity of search terms over time.
• Competitor Analysis: Analyze what successful competitors are doing in your niche.
• Surveys and Feedback: Reach out to your audience for direct feedback on your niche ideas.
• Gathering customer feedback: This can provide direct insights into the viability of your niche.

Step 4: Creating Your Product or Service

Once you have identified your niche and pain points, it’s time to create your product or service.

There are several ways you can monetize your skills:

• Services: If you have a skill, you can offer consulting or coaching services.
• Digital Products: Create templates, online courses, or workshops that address specific audience needs.
• Affiliate Marketing: Promote other people’s products and earn a commission for each sale.
• Paid Communities: Create a membership where others can communicate and charge for weekly live Q&As
• Coaching Services: Offer one-on-one or group coaching sessions.

Currently, creating a mini-course can be a great way to start. Once you have made money, you can turn that into a community.

This allows you to provide value without overwhelming yourself with content creation. Focus on solving a specific problem for your audience.

AI can also help brainstorm product ideas.

You can input pain points and receive suggestions for potential products or services that align with your niche.

Step 5: Developing a Content Strategy

Creating a solid content strategy is important for attracting and engaging your audience.

Content marketing is important for attracting and engaging your audience through valuable and relevant content.

Start by choosing your primary platform.

For example, you might select YouTube for video content and a blog for written content. Having at least two platforms will help you with reach.

Your content should revolve around the problems your audience faces. Create a content calendar to plan your topics.

This helps maintain consistency and ensures you cover a variety of subjects.

Content Planning Tools For Solopreneurs

• Trello: Use Trello to organize your content ideas and track your progress.
• Notion: Notion can serve as a versatile content planning tool.

As you create content, consider repurposing it across different platforms.

For example, a blog post can be transformed into a video script or social media posts.

Tools like ChatGPT can help you generate content ideas, outlines, and even entire articles in a fraction of the time.

Remember, while AI is a powerful assistant, it should not replace your unique voice and creativity.

Use it as a tool to enhance your content creation process.

Step 6: Creating Content with AI

Creating content for your one-person business is everything, especially if you want a pipeline of leads.

It helps you connect with your audience and showcase your expertise.

Incorporating SEO best practices can help your content rank higher in search engine results, driving more traffic to your site.

I follow Alex Hermozi’s method of the Rule of 100.

This means you’ll do the following every single day without fail:

• 100 minutes of creating content
• 100 minutes of outreach
• 100 minutes of commenting

With AI, you can streamline the content creation process and save time.

Start by deciding on the type of content you want to produce. This could include blog posts, videos, podcasts, or social media posts.

Each format has strengths, so choose one that aligns with your skills and audience preferences.

For instance, if you prefer writing, focus on blog posts and articles.

If you enjoy speaking, consider starting a YouTube channel or podcast. Your content should reflect your personality and expertise.

Using AI for Content Creation

AI tools can assist in generating content ideas, outlines, and even full articles. Using prompts, you can harness AI to draft engaging and informative content.

When using AI, provide specific instructions. This helps the tool generate relevant and useful content.

For example, you can ask it to create a blog post outline of a particular topic.

Once you have a draft, review and edit it to add your unique voice.

AI should enhance your content, not replace it. Your audience wants to connect with you, so ensure your personality shines through.

Step 7: Building and Nurturing Your Email List

Your email list is one of the most valuable assets for your one-person business.

It lets you connect directly with your audience without relying on social media algorithms.

Effective lead generation strategies can help you grow your email list and connect with potential customers.

This is something that many solopreneurs fail when launching an online business on their own because an email list can last you a lifetime.

Start by creating a lead magnet. Here's what mine looks like:

This is an incentive for people to subscribe to your list. It could be a free eBook, checklist, or mini-course related to your niche.

Once you have your lead magnet, set up an email marketing platform.

Options like ConvertKit or Beehive are great for beginners. They offer free plans and are user-friendly.

Crafting Your Email Sequence

After building your list, create an email sequence to nurture your subscribers.

This should include:

• Welcome Email: Introduce yourself and thank them for subscribing.
• Nurture Emails: Share valuable content, insights, or stories that resonate with your audience.
• Promotional Emails: Occasionally, promote your products or services.

AI can help you draft these emails.

You can generate ideas for subject lines and content that meet your audience’s needs.

Just be sure to personalize and edit the final drafts.

Engaging with Your Audience

Engagement is big for maintaining a healthy email list. Encourage subscribers to reply to your emails.

This creates a two-way conversation and helps build a relationship.

Additionally, ask for feedback in your welcome email and then send weekly newsletters. I use convertkit for this process, but Beehiiv works great.

This can guide your content creation and help you understand what your audience values most.

• Regularly analyze your email metrics.

• Look for open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth. 

This data will inform your email strategy and help you improve over time.

Step 8: Launching Your One-Person Business

With your content and email strategy in place, it’s time to launch your one-person business.

Start by announcing your business on social media and to your email list.

Or hosting a launch event or webinar. 

This can generate excitement and provide value to your audience. Use this opportunity to showcase your products or services.

As you launch, focus on building relationships. Engage with your audience through comments, messages, and emails.

This will foster loyalty and encourage word-of-mouth marketing.

Monitoring Your Progress

After your launch, keep track of your progress.

Use analytics tools to measure your website traffic, email engagement, and social media performance.

This data will help you understand what’s working and where to improve.

• Set Goals: Define what success looks like for your business.
• Adjust Strategies: Be open to refining your approach based on feedback and data.
• Stay Consistent: Continue producing quality content and engaging with your audience.

Launching a one-person business is an ongoing journey. Stay committed, adapt to changes, and continue learning.

With the right tools and strategies, you can achieve your goals.

My Experience Building My Own One-Person Business

Starting my own one-person business has been an exciting journey.

My entrepreneurial journey has been filled with both challenges and rewarding experiences.

I’ve found success as an affiliate and by writing YouTube scripts with AI help. This work has even led me to collaborate with well-known creators like Adam Enfroy.

One of my best decisions was starting a YouTube channel. It’s become a great way for me to make money online and share what I’ve learned with others.

Looking back, there are things I wish I’d done differently. Setting up a proper business entity from the start would have been smart.

I also should have been more prepared to handle my business finances, especially regarding taxes.

Managing social media accounts has been crucial for growing my business. It’s helped me connect with clients and build a following.

If you’re considering starting your own one-person business, learn from my experience.

Plan, especially for the financial and legal aspects. And don’t underestimate the power of putting yourself out there on social media. It can open up amazing opportunities.

Wrapping up

Many one-person businesses start small but grow into something amazing. The key is to stay focused and keep learning.

Remember, your goal is to attract clients and provide value. Use the tools and tips discussed to streamline your work and stand out.

Don't be afraid to try new things. You can make money with AI and other tech, but your unique skills and ideas are what will truly set you apart.

Starting a business alone might seem scary, but it's also exciting. Take it one step at a time, celebrate small wins, and keep pushing forward.

With hard work and smart planning, your one-person business can thrive. Good luck on your journey!