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Launching a Side Hustle Checklist

Hard 19 items · 2 hours
testuser's avatar
testuser Published 3 days ago
Productivity

This checklist guides aspiring entrepreneurs through the core steps to validate, set up, and launch a side business. It’s for makers, freelancers, and employees building a lean, legal, market-ready MVP.

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  1. Write a one-sentence problem statement and target customer — Capture the pain, who has it, and why it matters in one line.
  2. Interview 5–10 potential customers to validate demand — Ask about pain, current solutions, and willingness to pay.
  3. Build a single-page landing with an email/signup CTA — Use a template (Carrd, Webflow) and focus on headline and CTA.
  4. Draft three pricing options and choose a test price — Create a low, mid, and premium option and note target buyers for each.
  5. List the core MVP features (limit to 3 essentials) — Include only what proves value to early customers.
  6. Sketch the customer journey and pick one success metric — Map discovery → signup → payment and choose KPI (e.g., conversion).
  7. Choose one primary marketing channel to focus on first — Pick the channel most likely to reach your target (email, ads, SEO).
  8. Create simple marketing assets to support launch — Keep assets minimal and reusable for tests.
  9. Write clear landing page hero copy and CTA — One sentence value prop, one benefit line, and a single CTA.
  10. Draft a one-email outreach template for prospects — Include problem, solution, social proof, and a clear ask.
  11. Check business name availability and buy the domain — Search trademarks and social handles before buying.
  12. Research local registration, permits, and tax obligations — Document what registration or licenses you may need locally.
  13. Open a separate business bank account and set bookkeeping — Use simple tools (Sheets, Wave, QuickBooks) and track expenses.
  14. Set final price and enable payment processing — Add Stripe/PayPal checkout and run a test transaction.
  15. Create a launch timeline with key dates and owners — Include soft launch, outreach, follow-ups, and measurement points.
  16. Run outreach and close your first paying customer — Personalize contact, present the offer, and ask for the sale.
  17. Send personalized outreach messages to priority prospects — Use the drafted email and reference a specific pain point.
  18. Follow up within 72 hours on initial outreach — Send a short reminder with a fresh benefit or deadline.
  19. Collect structured feedback from early customers and iterate — Ask what they liked, disliked, and what they'd pay next.
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