From Idea to Income: The 3 Steps Most Creators Skip

A clear, step-by-step online business planning guide to help you define your niche, create your offer, and build a strategy you can stick to.

Let’s be honest—the idea of making money online is exciting. Our minds fill with possibilities, and we’re constantly reading stories of successful entrepreneurs earning six or seven figures, sometimes even more.

When I started my first blog, my goal from day one was to create an income online.

I was drawn to the freedom of working from anywhere, doing what I love—writing, creating, connecting, and helping others.

Inspired by the stories of bloggers I admired, I didn’t feel jealous—I felt hopeful. I believed I could do it too.

Fast-forward: that blog has grown into a thriving online business with steadily increasing revenue—now five figures and on its way to six.

But it didn’t start that way.

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Beyond the Glamour: Navigating the Reality of the Online Business World

Starting an online business can feel overwhelming—especially in the beginning.

We see successful entrepreneurs promise fast, passive income. (Quick side note: “passive” isn’t a word I use in my own business vocabulary—but that’s a story for another time.)

With so many strategies and shiny objects out there, it’s easy to get stuck in learning mode or feel pressure to do everything at once.

In the beginning, I made that mistake. I tried to copy what others were doing. I spread myself too thin, focused on how polished my blog looked, and tried to show up everywhere—without a clear plan.

• I wasn’t getting results. So I hit pause.

• Instead of chasing new ideas, I decided to simplify.

• I enrolled in one course and stuck with it—no distractions.

I learned two powerful lessons that shaped my business:

• Balance learning with action. Consuming info feels productive, but real growth comes from implementing it.

• Focus on one thing at a time. One course. One offer. One platform. Go deep, not wide.

That’s when things started to change.

If you're just starting, or starting over, I’ve created this online business planning guide to help you simplify your path—from idea to income.

Let’s walk through the Who, What, and How of your business.

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A Simple Online Business Planning Guide: Define Your Who, What & How

Step 1: The WHO — Know Who You Serve

Your business starts with people. Who are you here to help?

This is your niche—your ideal audience—and your unique voice. Together, they form your positioning.

Here’s how to define your Who:

• Who they are: The specific group of people you're serving.

• Who you are: Your story, strengths, and why you're the right fit for this niche.

• Alignment: Your message, values, and offer should resonate with the needs and desires of your audience.

💡 Tip: Don’t get stuck overthinking your niche. Start broad and refine as you go.

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My Who:

• Who they are: Busy creators who want to build a consistent, profitable Substack—using just 4 focused hours a week.

• Who I am: I’m building my own Substack side business alongside my full-time business—using the same 4-hour weekly framework.

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Step 2: The WHAT — Define Your Offer

The What is what you plan to sell. This is your income-generating offer.

Your offer could be:

• Templates

• An ebook

• A course or workshop

• A membership or paid newsletter

• Coaching or consulting

💡 Start small. Before you write a full book, offer a mini ebook. Before building a course, host a webinar.

You can also start with a free offer that leads into your paid offer. This helps you test your idea, grow your audience, and attract the right people.

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My What:

• Free offer: From 0 to 50 Subscribers in 30 Days – a simple, actionable challenge to help creators grow their audience from scratch.

• Paid offer: Templates, mini-courses, and a paid Substack newsletter (currently in development) designed to help creators save time and stay consistent.

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Step 3: The HOW — Your Strategy to Share and Sell

Your How is your strategy. It’s how you show up, build trust, and sell your offer.

Here are the 4 main parts of a simple, beginner-friendly strategy:

1. Content – Share valuable insights through blog posts, newsletters, podcasts, or videos.

2. Traffic – Use platforms like SEO, Pinterest, or social media to attract new readers.

3. Email – Build an email list to nurture relationships and introduce your offer.

4. Launches – Decide how you’ll sell: live launches, evergreen funnels, or soft sales through content.

💡 Reminder: You don’t need to be everywhere. Choose 1–2 platforms and commit.

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My How:

• Content: Substack

• Traffic: Notes, Pinterest, SEO

• Email: Weekly newsletter

• Launch: Freebie leads to funnel → paid offer

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Keep It Simple and Start Where You Are

Here’s the truth: You don’t need a 50-page business plan. You need a clear and focused start.

Use this online business planning guide to define your Who, What, and How—and then take the next small step.

Don’t aim for perfection. Just aim to move forward.

Simplify your tools, focus your energy, and trust that clarity comes through action. You’ll get better over time—and so will your business.

Now it’s your turn.

You’ve seen my Who, What, and How—what does yours look like?

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🚀 Build Your Substack Business in Just 4 Hours a Week

If this online business planning guide sparked new clarity, don’t stop here.

🎯 Want your first 50 subscribers—without burning out?

Grab my free action plan: From 0 to 50 Subscribers on Substack. It’s built for busy creators like you who want simple, focused growth—fast. 👉 [Download it HERE]

✨ Looking to turn your Substack into a purpose-driven platform?

Explore How to Win on Substack—a step-by-step course to help you define your niche, strategy, and offers with intention.
👉 [Start the course HERE]

🎁 Bonus: Enroll now and get access to the Substack Launchpad—my plug-and-play template to launch and refine your publication with confidence.

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