Turn a skill into a first offer

Difficulty

Beginner

Estimated time

30 minutes

Expected budget

No new purchase required for this exercise

Required tools

A note taking tool and your existing project information

Prerequisites

Choose a task or idea to work through

Define a useful result, clear boundaries and a small way to test your offer.

This practical exercise helps you make a clearer plan. It does not promise work, sales or earnings.

1. Choose a result

List three things people already ask you to help with. Choose one result you can demonstrate. Organizing a folder of product photographs is more specific than helping with business. Start with a task you can deliver using skills and equipment you already have.

2. Define the scope

Write what the customer receives, what they must provide, the delivery format and the number of revisions. State what is outside the scope. A short sample can make the result easier to understand.

3. Estimate the whole effort

Include preparation, communication, production, delivery and revisions. Write down direct expenses too. Use the effective hourly calculator in Tools to compare your proposed price with the total time involved.

4. Ask for feedback

Show the description to someone in the intended audience. Ask them to explain the offer back to you. Ask what is unclear and how they solve that problem today. Interest is useful feedback, but it is not a confirmed sale.

5. Run a small test

Choose a limited trial you can manage. Record the questions you receive and the actual time involved. Review the scope after the trial before committing to a larger workload.

Your completion checklist

• One audience and one result
• Deliverables and revision limits
• Estimated time and direct costs
• A small test and a way to collect feedback

Your next move

Save your notes, choose one small action and set a date to review what happened.