How to Start an Online Business With No Money and No Audience

So, you’ve got a dream. You want to start your own thing online. Maybe it’s coaching, creating art, helping people feel better, or teaching something you love—but there’s just one tiny problem:

💸 You don’t have money to spend on fancy tools
👀 You don’t have a big following (yet)

Good news: You don’t need either of those to get started. Seriously. All you need is your unique magic (yes, you’ve got it!) and a smart, simple plan to get your first people cheering you on.

Let’s break it down step-by-step—like we’re building a lemonade stand, but on the internet

Step 1: Start With What You Know (Your Magic!)

You don’t have to be an “expert” to start a business. But you do need to have something you're passionate about, or something you’re good at.

Ask yourself:

What do people come to me for help with?
What’s something I could talk about for hours?
What’s a problem I’ve solved for myself that I can now help others with?

🎯 Example: Maybe you figured out how to meal plan on a tight budget, create calming routines with essential oils, or design cute birthday invites in Canva—that’s your magic.

You’re not selling a product or a service. You’re sharing a solution to a real-life problem.

Step 2: Get Super Clear on Who You Want to Help

Now let’s talk about your audience. Even if you don’t have one yet, you’re going to build it. But first—you need to know who you’re building it for.

Ask yourself:

Who needs the thing I know how to do?
What are they struggling with?
How can I make their life easier, better, or more fun?

The more specific you get, the easier it is to connect.

Instead of “I help moms,” try:
“I help overwhelmed moms of toddlers create 10-minute calming routines using essential oils and simple habits.”

Boom. Now you know exactly who you’re talking to and how you can help.

Step 3: Focus on Building an Email List (Before a Website or Logo!)

This might surprise you, but you don’t need a full website or logo right away. The first thing to build is your email list—because that’s how you talk to your people, build trust, and eventually make sales.

How do you do that with no money?

Use a free tool like AttractWell (my fave!) or MailerLite to start collecting emails
Create a simple freebie that helps your audience solve a small problem
Share it on social media, in Facebook groups, or even by texting friends who might know someone who needs it

Example freebie ideas:

A 3-day challenge
A checklist or planner
A 5-minute video
A how-to guide (like my website eBook!)

Want to see a freebie in action?
Download my website eBook here—it’s a perfect example of how you can teach, help, and collect emails!

Step 4: Show Up and Serve on Social Media (Even With 0 Followers)

You don’t need to go viral—you just need to show up consistently and be helpful.

Pick ONE platform you like (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) and start posting helpful, fun, real stuff that your ideal audience would love.

🎥 Ideas to post:

Tips and “how-to’s”
Before/after stories
Mistakes to avoid
Behind-the-scenes of what you’re building
Personal stories people can relate to

💡 Pro Tip: Always point people back to your freebie and email list!

Step 5: Keep It Simple and Grow One Step at a Time

Don’t try to do everything at once. You’re building a house, not setting up a circus.

Start with:

A clear focus (your topic + who you help)
A simple email list + freebie
A social platform to connect
Lots of patience, practice, and kindness to yourself

Once you’ve got that down, then you can add a website, courses, memberships, or offers. One layer at a time.

You Can 100% Do This

Starting an online business without money or followers isn’t just possible—it’s actually how most successful people start. You don’t need to be big. You just need to be real, helpful, and consistent.

And remember: You don’t have to figure it all out alone.