CV writing and LinkedIn profiles
Rewrite CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles for job seekers and professionals.
- To startR0 to R500
- First randabout 3 weeks
- WhereOnline or in person
- Effort Easy to start
Is this for you?
Best for
Good writers with HR, recruitment or hiring-manager experience.
In South Africa: Good, but price for local means.
What you need
- A laptop or computer
- Works on everyday data
- No camera needed
- No cold selling
- At least 3 hours a week · age 18+
- Writing (competent or better) or Professional expertise (5+ years in a field) (competent or better)
The money
What it can earn
- Pocket money
- A top-up
- A second income
- Can become a full income
Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
What people charge
No reliable SA figure yet
No reliable current SA data.
Costs to plan for
- Start-up
- R0 to R500
- Every month
- Data and airtime.
- Payment fees
- EFT or PayFast/Yoco link.
- Margin
- High.
How it is paid: Fixed packages. Our viability score for it: 58 out of 100 (how we score).
How to start
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Rewrite 3 CVs for free in exchange for honest feedback and permission to use before/after
- Post the offer in 3 professional groups
- Success signal: 3 paid orders in a month
First week Days 1 to 7
- Create a CV template and process
- Do 2 free rewrites
- Post your offer
First month Days 8 to 30
- 5 paid packages
- Referral discount
- Ask your first three clients for a short review you can share
- Make one before-and-after example with permission and names removed
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Partnership with a training college or recruiter
- Add a LinkedIn profile rewrite or interview practice session as a second offer
- Ask recruiters and career counsellors if they refer people
Friends-of-friends often become the first customers. First income usually takes 3 to 60 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.
CV writing and LinkedIn profiles: from your first rewrite to your first paid client
26 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.
See what is insideCustomers and demand
Who pays
Graduates, career changers, professionals seeking promotion.
Getting interviews in a competitive job market.
Is there demand?
CV services are widely advertised in SA; high unemployment means many job seekers but low ability to pay; professionals pay more readily.
Facebook groupsLinkedInFiverr
Getting customers
Word of mouth, social media posts, LinkedIn, partnerships with training providers.
Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesResponding to enquiriesFreelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr)Partnerships with other businessesBeing found through search or content
Risks and rules
Watch out for
- Never promise jobs
- Job seekers with no income cannot pay much
Competition: High at the low end; AI tools make basic CVs cheap.
Room to grow: Low; templates help.
Legal and tax in South Africa
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start CV writing and LinkedIn profiles in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R500. Recurring costs: Data and airtime.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 21 days, and between 3 and 60 days. Friends-of-friends often become the first customers.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Not really. You will need a laptop or computer for most of the work.
What about tax and legal rules?
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received.
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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy