Startup cost: $100 - $500

Setup costs range from $100 to $500 depending on the approach taken. At the low end, an individual could start with just a quality notebook and pen for jotting down ideas. On the higher end, investing in a good quality laptop for writing, editing software for formatting, and potentially hiring a professional editor could enhance the production value of the autobiography. Essential expenses include domain registration for a personal website to showcase the work and potentially social media advertising to reach a wider audience. Optional expenses may include professional cover design services or registering for writing workshops. Hidden fees to consider could be ISBN registration costs or self-publishing platform fees. Online discussions suggest that while starting costs can be kept low, expenses might increase as one delves deeper into the writing process, especially if additional services are outsourced. To take this side hustle seriously, a friend should budget around $300 to $500 to cover initial setup and essential services.