1. Quiz
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  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

No-code and AI automation for small businesses: your step-by-step start

Set up automations (forms → spreadsheets → invoices, WhatsApp replies, AI-assisted document processing) that save owners hours.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Technical-minded people who understand business processes; strong if you know one industry.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 60 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 60 days.
  • This can grow into a full income for people with strong skills and steady customers, but that usually takes months.
  • The main risk to plan for: fragile automations breaking: include support.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How no-code and AI automation for small businesses worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Book 5 short conversations3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Map 3 repetitive workflows3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for one paid pilot3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Aim for demo video3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for 3 clients on support plans3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Aim for packaged offer for the industry3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Make/Zapier
  • Google Sheets
  • WhatsApp Business API providers

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.