When I started my online journey back in 2010, I remember spending hours trying to embed a paypal button onto a webpage, days building a simple optin lead generation form, weeks creating a short video course, and months building a new membership site.
Today I could probably do the lot in a day. (That sounds like a good challenge actually!)
Starting an online business with todays technology has become more accessible than ever.
With just a laptop, an internet connection, and a crazy idea, you can build a substantial income stream using free tools and platforms.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a $10,000/month business without upfront costs:
1. Choose Your Niche and Start a Newsletter
Begin by selecting a topic you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in.
Use Substack, a free newsletter platform, or Beehiiv, free up to 2500 subscribers, to create and distribute content to your audience. Regular, valuable content is key to building a loyal subscriber base.
Tips to Get Started;
- Sign up for a free Substack account at substack.com or Beehiiv at beehiiv.com
- Choose a unique name for your newsletter that reflects your niche
- Write and schedule your first few newsletter issues before launching
2. Grow Your Audience on Social Media
Leverage free social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to attract subscribers and expand your reach.
Consistent posting and engagement is the key to building a community around your brand. Remember to include links to sign up to receive your newsletter!
Tips to Get Started;
- Create business profiles on major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X etc)
- Post daily!
- Look for which posts get the most comments, likes, shares etc and double down on those!
- Regularly encourage audience to sign up to your newsletter
3. Launch a Weekly Podcast
Use Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) to start a free weekly podcast.
This audio content can complement your written newsletter, and provide more content to use on your social media platforms. This provides another avenue to connect with your audience and establish authority in your niche.
Tips to Get Started;
- Sign up for a free account at podcasters.spotify.com
- Plan your podcast format (solo, interview, storytelling, etc.)
- Record your first few episodes using your phone or computer microphone
Hot Tip: Sound is key, so pick a spacious cupboard or carpeted small room to record or use a super good microphone. For recording on the go, I use the DJI Wireless Mic.
4. Interview Industry Experts
Utilize free video conferencing tools like Zoom to conduct and record interviews with experts in your field.
This not only provides valuable content for your audience but also helps you network and build credibility.
Tips to Get Started;
- Create a free Zoom account at zoom.us
- Reach out to potential guests via email or social media, or use a site like podcastguests.com or podmatch.com to find appropriate interviewees
- Prepare a list of engaging questions tailored to each guest’s expertise
5. Create Visual Content
Use Canva’s free version to design attractive graphics and videos to display your content attractively across all platforms.
Even if you’re not a creative, Canva makes it easy with thousands of easy to edit templates and graphic.
Tips to Get Started;
- Sign up for a free Canva account at canva.com
- Explore templates for social media posts, podcast covers, and infographics
- Customize designs with your brand colors and logo
6. Develop Courses and Resources
Use Notion, a free workspace tool, to create courses, templates, guides, and other resources.
These materials can serve as valuable lead magnets or potential products to sell. I recently purchased an AI video course which was hosted exclusively on Notion.
Tips to Get Started;
- Create a free Notion account at notion.so
- Set up a workspace for your business and organize your content ideas
- Use templates to structure your courses and resources efficiently
- When ready, you can share the URL of your product pages with buyers
7. Sell Your Products
Use Gumroad, a free e-commerce platform, to sell your digital products, courses, and resources.
They only make money when you start to, charging 10% of your sale price.
Tips to Get Started;
- Sign up for a free Gumroad account at gumroad.com
- Create product listings for your digital offerings (courses, ebooks, templates)
- Set up your payment details to receive funds from sales (without spending hours embedding a paypal button!)
The Path to $10K a Month
The caveat!
While these fabulous tools provide a free starting point, as I’m sure you’re aware, building a successful business requires commitment, focus, and time.
Here are some key points to remember:
- Consistency is crucial. Regularly produce high-quality content across all your channels, for as long as it takes!
- Focus on providing value to your audience before trying to monetize.
- Build genuine relationships with your followers and other creators in your niche.
- Be patient. It takes time to grow an audience and develop products that sell.
- Continuously learn and adapt your strategy based on what works for your audience.
- As your business grows, reinvest in premium tools and services to enhance your offerings.
What’s Stopping You?
With all these free tools at your disposal, the primary investment required is your time, effort and gumption.
The barriers to entry have never been lower, but success depends on your dedication, creativity, and ability to meet your audience’s needs.
Listen closely to feedback you get to your content, whether it’s likes, comments, shares or silence. As long as you’re consistent and in it for the long haul, you’ll soon get to know what resonates with your ideal customer.
Also while the tools to get started are free, building a sustainable business will require some financial investment as you grow. Be prepared to reinvest your earnings (or a percentage of) back into your business for the first few years to ensure growth and improvement.
By following this strategy and persistently working towards your goals, there’s no reason you can’t build a thriving online business that generates $10,000 or more per month.
The opportunity is there – it’s up to you to seize it. Good luck!
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