Ever catch yourself scrolling through social media, thinking, “Wow, I’d love to start my own online business, but… I’m broke!”? You’re not alone. The good news is that lack of funds doesn’t have to be a dream-killer. In fact, there are more free and low-cost tools and resources available today than ever before. All you really need is some determination, a reliable internet connection, and a plan of attack.
In this article, I’ll show you how to start your own online business—even if you’re working with the tightest budget on the planet. Let’s get into it.
1. Reframe Your Mindset: Money Isn’t Everything
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar
Let’s kick things off by addressing the elephant in the room: you feel broke, so you think you can’t make moves. But here’s the deal—online business opportunities are virtually limitless, and many of them don’t require a fat wallet.
Time, Skills, and Resourcefulness
- Time: Your biggest asset is how you use your time. Even if your bank balance reads $0.00, you can invest your hours into learning and taking action.
- Skills: If you’re starting from scratch, that’s cool. Hone in on one skill—like social media marketing, copywriting, or graphic design—and go all-in on mastering it.
- Resourcefulness: The internet is a goldmine of free resources (we’ll talk more about those in a moment).
2. Tapping into Free Education
YouTube: Your Online Business University
One of the best ways to educate yourself for free is with YouTube—and not to toot my own horn, but I’ve got over 1,000 free videos on my channel to help you learn marketing and business inside and out. You can check them out here:
YouTube.com/adamerhartvideo
You’ll find:
- Step-by-step guides on digital marketing
- Practical tips for launching a business on a budget
- Interviews and insights to spark your entrepreneurial creativity
The right video can literally save you hours (and tons of money) by pointing you in the right direction.
Instagram & TikTok
For quick, digestible tips, follow me on:
I share daily snippets, behind-the-scenes strategies, and marketing hacks that can help you move forward—no dollar sign required.
3. Try Free or Low-Cost Tools
HighLevel’s 30-Day Free Trial
Need an all-in-one marketing platform to build funnels, manage contacts, and automate emails—without an upfront investment? HighLevel offers a free 30-day trial you can use to get your business rolling without spending a dime. After the trial, their plans range from $97 to $497 per month. If it’s not a match, you can cancel anytime.
Note: You do need to be 18 or have parent/guardian permission to sign up. If you’re under 18, chat with a trusted adult and see if they can set it up on your behalf. But if you’re over 18—no problem, you’re good to go.
Other Freemium Tools
- Canva for graphic design
- Google Docs for collaboration and writing
- MailChimp (free plan for email marketing)
- Zoom for video calls and webinars
When you’re just starting, aim to minimize expenses. Use these free versions until your business starts generating revenue.
4. Unleash the Power of Social Media
If you’re broke, social media is your secret weapon. Done right, it’s practically free marketing.
- Create a Personal Brand: Share your story, what you’re learning, and what you’re offering. People buy from people they know, like, and trust.
- Engage, Don’t Just Broadcast: Reply to comments, DM potential customers, and get in on relevant online conversations.
- Leverage Trends: Keep an eye out for trends (like challenges on TikTok or trending audio on Instagram Reels) to boost visibility.
5. Start Small, Aim Big
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
When your budget is tight, it’s best to focus on the MVP—Minimum Viable Product or Minimum Viable Project. Don’t try to do everything. Pick the smallest profitable idea you can and test it.
6. Monetize Your Skills & Passions
Even if you don’t have money to invest right now, you probably have a skill, passion, or hobby that could bring in revenue. Think about what you’re naturally good at—or what you enjoy doing. Could you monetize it?
Action Steps
- Brainstorm: Jot down your top 3 to 5 interests or skills.
- Research: Look at how others are making money with these skills (YouTube is your friend here).
- Validate: Try offering a service or product for free or at a low rate to see if people are interested.
- Scale: If you get good feedback, gradually raise your prices or expand your offerings.
7. Learn from Mistakes (Because They Will Happen)
Here’s the thing: when you’re doing something new, you’re guaranteed to make mistakes. The trick is to learn fast, pivot, and keep moving forward.
- Stay Curious: Always ask, “What could I do better next time?”
- Iterate: If a strategy isn’t working, tweak it. If that doesn’t work, try something else.
- Stay Connected: Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs or marketers who can give you feedback and encouragement.
8. Keep Investing in Yourself
When money is tight, the thought of paying for courses or tools can be stressful. But remember, your most powerful investment is in your own knowledge and skills. It can be as simple as dedicating time each day to read, watch tutorials, or practice new techniques.
“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn
Ways to Invest When You’re Broke
- Library Books: Don’t overlook the local library! It’s full of business and marketing books.
- Podcasts: Free, convenient, and jam-packed with advice from experts.
- Webinars & Workshops: Many entrepreneurs and marketers run free online events—sign up for those.
9. Action Plan: Launch Your Business in 5 Steps
- Pick Your Niche
Decide what problem you want to solve or what topic you’re passionate about. - Educate Yourself
Devour free content on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or blogs in your niche. - Try Free Tools
Sign up for HighLevel’s 30-day free trial and experiment with its features. Use Canva, Google Docs, and other free platforms for daily tasks. - Create a Minimal Viable Offer
Whether it’s a product, service, or piece of content—put something out into the world for feedback. - Promote, Promote, Promote
Use your personal networks, social media, and free online communities. Be ready to tweak and iterate based on real-world feedback.
10. Final Thoughts (Time to Get Started!)
Being broke is no longer a valid excuse to put off your entrepreneurial dreams. You’ve got access to a world of free resources, supportive communities, and low-cost tools that can help you get your idea off the ground—and a head start on generating your first dollar online.
Next Steps
- Subscribe: Head over to my YouTube channel with over 1000+ free videos.
- Follow: Get daily insights by following me on Instagram and TikTok.
- Explore: Test out HighLevel’s 30-day free trial for building your funnels and automating your marketing.
- Take Action: Start small. Create something. Try out a business model. See what happens.
Remember, your biggest limitation isn’t your bank account—it’s your mindset. So ditch the excuses, leverage the free resources, and get to work. Your future self will thank you.
