THE 20 PERCENT RULE: LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT TECH OVERWHELM

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Dear UnRetired Earner,

Have you ever stared at a new tech tool, overwhelmed by endless buttons, menus, and features?

You’re not alone.

The good news?

You don’t need to master every feature to launch your digital business.

In fact, you only need to focus on the 20% of each tool that delivers 80% of your results.

That’s the 20 Percent Rule—and it’s how I built CarrdKit.com in just 90 minutes.

In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing the exact tasks you need to master for the four essential tools in our Tech Stack Simplified framework:

• Your Digital Home (Carrd)
• Connection Tools (Email + Zoom)
• Money Collection (PayPal or Stripe)
• Creation Basics (Google Docs, Slides, etc.).

By the end, you’ll have a clear, frustration-free plan to get your business live—fast. Plus, I’ve created a free 20 Percent Rule Checklist to guide you every step of the way.

Let’s simplify tech and get your business earning!

Why the 20 Percent Rule Works

The 20 Percent Rule, inspired by the Pareto Principle, says that 20% of a tool’s functions drive 80% of its value. You don’t need to become a tech wizard to succeed—your expertise and ability to solve client problems are what matter most. By focusing on just a few key tasks, you’ll:

• Save Time: Skip the bells and whistles you don’t need.
• Reduce Frustration: No more wrestling with complex features.
• Launch Faster: Get your business live without delays.

When I created CarrdKit.com, I didn’t learn every Carrd feature.

I picked a template, added a headline and contact form, and published.

That’s it—90 minutes to a professional website.

You can do the same.

The 20 Percent Rule is about good enough to start, not perfection.

Let’s break down the essential tasks for each tool.

The 20% You Need for Each Tool

Tool #1: Your Digital Home (Carrd.co)

Why It Matters: Your website is your online business card, giving clients a professional place to learn about your services.

Setup Time: ~90 minutes | Cost: $19/year (Pro Standard plan)

Essential Tasks:

• Choose a Template: Sign up at Carrd.co and pick a mobile-friendly template from their gallery.
• Add Core Content: Write a clear headline (e.g., “Helping Small Businesses Grow with Marketing Consulting”), a 2-3 sentence service description, and a contact form.
• Publish Your Site: Click “Publish” to go live—no coding required.
  ​Pro Tip: Skip advanced features like animations or multi-page setups for now. A single page is enough to start.
  ​Test It: View your site on your phone and computer to ensure it looks clean and professional.

Tool #2: Connection Tools (Email + Zoom)

Why It Matters: Clear communication builds trust with clients, making it easy to share your expertise.

Setup Time: ~15 minutes | Cost: Free to $15.99/month (Zoom Pro)

Essential Tasks:

• Create an Email Signature: In your existing email, add a signature with your name, service (e.g., “Career Coach for Professionals Over 50”), Carrd site link, and a call-to-action like “Schedule a call with me.”
• Set Up Zoom: Create a free Zoom account at zoom.us and test a 40-minute meeting using the built-in test feature.
  ​Pro Tip: Your current email works fine—no need for a custom domain yet.
  ​Test It: Send a test email with your signature and join a test Zoom call to check audio and video.

Tool #3: Money Collection (PayPal or Stripe)

Why It Matters: A simple payment system turns your expertise into income.

Setup Time: ~10 minutes | Cost: ~3% + $0.30 per transaction

Essential Tasks:

• Create a Payment Link: Sign up for a PayPal or Stripe Business account and make a “Pay Now” button or link for your primary service.
• Add to Your Site/Email: Embed the link on your Carrd site or include it in an email to clients.
  ​Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it—a single payment button is enough to start collecting money.
  ​Test It: Process a $1 payment to yourself to confirm the link works and funds appear in your account.

Tool #4: Creation Basics (Google Docs, Slides, etc.)

Why It Matters: These tools package your expertise into products or services clients can use.

Setup Time: Varies | Cost: Free to $9.99/month (optional upgrades like Canva)

Essential Tasks:

• Create a Simple Guide: Use Google Docs to write a 1-2 page guide, worksheet, or checklist based on your expertise (e.g., “5 Steps to a Stress-Free Retirement Plan”).
• Build a Basic Presentation: Use Google Slides to create a 3-5 slide course outline or client presentation.
  ​Pro Tip: Stick to tools you already know—your expertise matters more than polished production.
  ​Test It: Share your guide or presentation with a friend for feedback on clarity.

Your 20 Percent Challenge

Ready to put the 20 Percent Rule into action? Take the 20 Percent Focus Challenge this week:

• Pick One Tool: Start with Carrd to create your Digital Home.
• Complete the Tasks: Follow the 2-3 tasks listed above for your chosen tool (e.g., pick a Carrd template, add content, publish).
• Test It: Check your setup (e.g., view your site or test a payment).

Get the Free Checklist: Download the 20 Percent Rule Checklist to keep these tasks handy. It’s a one-page PDF with checkboxes to track your progress.

Share Your Progress: Reply to this email with your completed task (e.g., your Carrd site link or email signature) for my personal feedback. I’m here to cheer you on!

Overcoming Tech Anxiety

Tech can feel daunting, but it’s just a tool—not the heart of your business. Your wisdom and expertise are what clients value. To build confidence:

• Watch a 5-minute YouTube tutorial (search “Carrd beginner tutorial” or similar).
• Check help pages like carrd.co/help or support.zoom.com.
• Ask the UnRetired Earner community for tips in our member area.

You’ve mastered far tougher skills in your career than setting up a payment button or a simple website.

Focus on the 20%, and you’re already ahead of the game.

Your Next Steps

This week, focus on one small step: complete the 20% tasks for one tool.

Start with your Carrd site to establish your online presence.

Download the 20 Percent Rule Checklist to guide you.

Reply to this email with your progress or your #1 tech question, and I’ll personally help you move forward.

Your journey continues,

Oliver Wainwright
Founder, The UnRetired Earner
​oliver@unretiredearner.com​

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​P.S. Feeling stuck? Reply with your biggest tech hurdle, and I’ll help you solve it. You’ve got this!

© 2025 The UnRetired Earner. All rights reserved.

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