How to Start a Business With No Money
Whether you’re changing careers completely or just want to create a side hustle, starting a business is a lot of work. And while many people associate this with a huge investment, the reality is, that you don’t need rounds of funding to be successful. You can start reaching your audience today, right now, with no money invested. Here’s how.
Utilize Social Media
With so many businesses out there, it can be difficult to grow your social media following organically. But with a little strategy and hard work you can get in front of the parents that need you the most. Here are a few of the social media channels to consider…
LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with other businesses–think midwives, Doulas, pediatricians, etc. These are other professionals in your field you want to connect with who can provide you with referrals–or vice-versa.
Make sure to fully use every section of Linkedin–fill out your bio and experience, and ask other people you’ve worked with to endorse you.
Try to post at least a few times per week as brands grow at a rate six times faster who post more frequently. It is important to remember your audience. Rather than speaking to parents, on this platform you want to position your messaging toward those that have clients who might need you.
Facebook/Instagram
Both Meta (Facebook) and Instagram are great places to meet and engage parents. We know this is a big ask for a new business owner, but it is most beneficial to post once per day. If this is too much, use scheduling tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or even Facebook.
While your brand should be a big part of your post, it’s important to post different types of content. For example, one day it might be advice for dealing with sleep regression, and another day it’ll be a win you had as a parent.
Remember, parents are going to need to trust you and feel comfortable disclosing information about themselves and their child. All of your content should be working to make you appear credible, knowledgeable, and approachable.
Leverage Videos
Both TikTok and Instagram Reels should be priorities. 91% of Instagram users engage with Reels on a weekly basis. This could be as simple as giving tips about creating a great sleep environment or showing someone how to properly swaddle.
Networking Groups
Virtual networking groups have exploded thanks to the pandemic. Where once you were limited based on your location, now you have access to people around the world–parents all around the world.
Consider groups like:
HeyMAMA- a paid subscription platform where momma professionals can connect, share and ask for advice, and support one another in both their parenting and professional journeys.
Facebook groups- You can likely find national and local Facebook groups focused on providing resources for parents. Look into Mom Life, #ParentsIRL, Working Mom Support Group, The Mom Squad, and more.
Meetups- Try simply searching for parenting groups. You’ll find meetup groups and virtual networking events happening each month.
Local Directories
Local directories are a great way to show you exist and most are completely free. They are platforms where you can list your business name, address, phone number, and website.
Many of them already have a good reputation with Google so by adding your brand to the list, you’ll expand your reach. Moreover, this will earn you a backlink to your website which helps to boost your own SEO. Start here:
You might also consider looking into local hospital or pediatrician directories and asking to be added to the list of people they refer.
Word of Mouth
This may seem obvious but it’s not to be ignored. Word of mouth is still an extremely important component of marketing. In fact, 92% of consumers trust word of mouth. This may actually be the most effective strategy as you’re just starting out.
Ask friends and family to help spread the word. Have just one client? Ask them to write a review about you on your Google business page and social media. Even better, ask parents you’ve worked with to describe their story and how you helped them. You could even leverage it on your own social platforms.
Starting a business can be scary–it’s not guaranteed and often takes a while to build up. But with these free resources you can easily start spreading the word and helping more families get more sleep.
