Part III: AI for Digital Work and Income | Chapter 10
Digital Services You Can Offer
The Goal
By the end of this chapter you will know the two main markets for digital services — local clients and global online platforms — and the strengths and risks of each. You will have chosen one service to start with, and you will have described it so clearly that a client understands it in ten seconds.
Understand: two markets
When people talk about “online work”, they usually mean global freelance platforms where clients from abroad post jobs. That is one market. There is a second one that many people overlook: businesses and people near you.
| Local clients | Global platforms | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Shops, salons, schools, churches, farmers’ groups, small offices in your area | Clients worldwide, via platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr |
| Competition | Often low. Many small businesses have no online presence at all. | Very high. Thousands of freelancers from many countries. |
| What wins | Trust, being nearby, speaking their language, understanding their business | Proven reviews, speed, specialisation, excellent English |
| Payment | M-Pesa, usually smaller amounts | US dollars via the platform, then withdrawn to Kenya |
| Getting started | Walk in and talk. Show an example. | Create a profile, pass verification, compete for first jobs |
| Main risks | Late payment, clients who don’t value digital work | Platform fees, account bans, scams, falling demand for simple tasks |
For most beginners, my advice is: start local, then go global. Local work gives you real clients, real samples and real reviews quickly. Those make you stronger when you later compete on global platforms.
Continue with Missing Linkk Learn
The rest of this chapter is for members. Early access is free until 31 March 2027: every chapter, every prompt, and your own results saved on your phone.