8 Online Ventures You Can Launch With (Nearly) No Capital

      Side Hustle Nation is committed to enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this goal, we frequently collaborate with companies that align with our mission. If you register or make a purchase through one of our partners' links, we may earn compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Are you eager to start making money online but lack substantial funds for initial investment? You're in luck. There’s considerable excitement surrounding faceless YouTube channels, AI-generated content, dropshipping, vibe coding, and print-on-demand services. All of these are indeed viable options. Today, however, we will explore 8 practical methods to make money online, even if you're not an expert, not particularly technical, or have faced challenges with previous side hustles. These are low-cost, potential-rich businesses you can launch right from your laptop.

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      1. Amazon Influencer Program

      This is, without a doubt, the simplest method I've ever used to earn money online. Here’s the process: you apply to join the Amazon Influencer program. While you do need some social media following to qualify, having millions of followers isn’t necessary. After being accepted, you create short video product reviews of items available on Amazon. Amazon features your videos on the corresponding product pages, and when someone purchases the product after watching your video, you receive a small commission. I began by reviewing items I found around my office, such as a microphone arm, a standing desk, a standing desk mat, a ring light, a teleprompter, and podcasting headphones. I’ve made over $2,000 in total earnings, including more than $300 this year without uploading any new videos. Just think of the potential if you committed to being consistent in creating content. Tyler Christensen, featured in Episode 656, has taken this quite seriously. His advice for success as a product reviewer is: “Set achievable goals. Produce five videos weekly, and remain consistent over several months. The effects will start to compound. If your initial earnings are modest, remember it’s a numbers game.” Tyler shared that a review he created about six months into his journey brought him $17,000. That product now continues to earn him several hundred dollars each month. But if he had stopped after his first 400 videos, he wouldn't have stumbled upon that successful product. The longevity of the videos is remarkable; content from previous years can still generate sales. If you create something valuable, it can provide passive income for months or even years. Tyler estimates that even if he ceased making videos today, he'd likely still earn at least $25,000 this year just from his existing catalog.

      3 Ways Amazon Influencers Earn:

      - Brand Deals: Once influencers have a solid portfolio and reputation, brands often reach out to them and pay directly.

      - Influencer Commissions from Amazon: You upload review videos → Amazon places them on product pages → you earn commission when shoppers view your video and make purchases.

      - YouTube Ad Revenue: If you post on platforms like YouTube.

      Bonus: Reselling free products on platforms like FB Marketplace, eBay, Whatnot, etc. Earlier this year, I met someone who often had to clear out his inventory every few months. He was receiving so many free products that he needed to resell them to create space. Thus, he sold them on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and the live shopping app Whatnot.

      2. Freelancing / Consulting

      The next online venture you can embark on with no monetary investment is freelancing or consulting. The concept is simple: Identify a problem you can solve and connect with those experiencing that issue. Start by defining your service. Ask yourself:

      - What have you been compensated for in the past?

      - What do people frequently seek your assistance with?

      - What knowledge do you possess that exceeds that of the average individual?

      - What comes easily to you that others find challenging?

      An effective strategy is to leverage popular software tools. You don’t need to be a top-tier expert—just being more knowledgeable than your clients will suffice. Perhaps you’re an early adopter or a frequent user of tools like:

      - ClickUp

      - HoneyBook

      - SEMrush

      - QuickBooks

      - Asana

      - Salesforce

      - Microsoft Excel

      Kristi DaSilva from Episode 627 did precisely that. She began her journey as a general Virtual Assistant (VA) but found her passion in assisting clients with system building in ClickUp and HoneyBook. As she specialized, her earnings soared: “I went from earning about $30-40 per hour as a VA to now charging $300 per hour for a strategy session,” she revealed. After identifying her service, the next step is to attract clients. Kristi focused on YouTube, producing tutorials that built