A minimal toolkit
- One AI assistant for writing and analysis.
- One tool for documents and spreadsheets (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
- One way to be contacted and booked: email, a messaging app and a simple calendar link.
- One simple page or profile that explains your offer.
- Later: one automation tool once a task repeats every week.
Pay for, skip for now
| Worth paying for early | Can wait |
|---|---|
| A paid plan of your main AI assistant | A custom-designed website |
| A professional email on your domain | Paid advertising |
| Tools a client explicitly needs | Several overlapping AI subscriptions |
| Expensive courses before your first client |
Indicative starting budget
Many people start with a monthly budget of $0 to $150 for tools, plus registration costs where they live. Keep it as low as possible until two clients have paid.
Price from your numbers
Use the financial simulator: enter your price, hours per client, tools, fees and taxes, and check your real hourly income and break-even point. Then read how to price an AI service.
Your action for today
List the tools you already have, add only what is missing from the minimal toolkit, and run your planned price through the simulator.
Questions
Free or paid tools?
Start free, upgrade the tool you use every day as soon as it limits you.
Can I use client data in free tools?
Check the data settings first. Some free plans may use content to improve their models.
Prices, budgets and timelines are indicative orders of magnitude for an international audience. Adjust them to your local market and check official sources before any decision. No income is promised.
