How do you start a business for free during (or post) COVID-19?

I know during this crazy moment in time, a lot of you are feeling the desire to have some control over your life.

Maybe during this period of time, you are realizing that you don’t have the security you thought you had in your job and are ready to create that business you have been wanting to start for so long. 

I also know that some of you are freaked out about spending money to start a business right now.

What if I told you that you could start a business, right now, today, for free?

Likeeeeee… free free FREEEEEEE.

Seriously. 

We are living in a world where there are so many applications and resources we can use to start a business for free.  

And I wanted to highlight them for you.

If cost is something that has been holding you back from creating a business, this blog is going to eliminate that excuse for you right now! 

Below are the topics that I think are the biggest points we have when we are starting a business & the apps I use or have used in the past to help get my idea off the ground.

Graphic Design Work 

𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚 

Canva is my go-to for design.

You can create everything from a logo for you business, pick your brand colors, design posts, fliers, brochures, everything.

It’s user friendly, efficient and super simple. 

A few pro tips for you regarding how to use Canva even more efficiently.

First, with regards to your color palate – Google the colors you want and search for a palate of color codes. 

You can take those color codes and put the into your branding on Canva. 

That way, you are always using the same colors so you can keep your branding cohesive.

Second, you can pick the typography you want and use that consistently.

I can’t tell you how much better and more professional your business will look with this branding consistency. 

Mail Server 

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩 

Did you know with the free version of MailChimp you can create an email list & building landing pages. 

Why do you want a landing page?

Because you will want to create a free value offer to your community and Mailchimp gives you the ability to create a page that will simultaneously add people to your email list AND immediately send them the free offer you created. 

It’s a no-brainer. 

MailChimp is also pretty simple to use and very intuitive. 

Building a Free Website 

𝗪𝐢𝐱 𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲

If you want a website but don’t have to invest just yet in a full scale website, these two sites are great options.

They are super user friendly, allow you to create a free website to highlight your services and if you want to upgrade in the future, you can opt in and pay to upgrade.

Remember, when you are starting a business, you do not need a website. 

If you want to have a website fresh out of the gate, keep it simple.

What pain points do you solve with your service?  How do you solve them?  What is the service or product that you offer?

Video Conferencing with Clients & Employees 

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Zoom is my favorite app to use to have virtual meetings with people anywhere in the world. 

It allows you unlimited free 1:1 meetings and for meetings larger than 2 people, you are able to have up to 45 mins free per meeting. 

I started with the free version and only just recently upgraded. 

It is SO worth it! 

If you are working in any capacity with people 1:1, use a video conference program.  You want to be able to see the people you are working with.

Another free and simple option?  FaceTime! 

Marketing Platforms 

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 / 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 / LinkedIn / All Social Media Platforms 

Did you know that if you use social media effectively, these are incredible spaces for you to offer ALL THE VALUE, create groups, connect with humans, share your brilliance and create a presence that can connect you with people all over the world.

These platforms are a way for you to organically connect with your target audience and serve them on an intimate level.

Want to learn more about how to create community online?  Click here & I’ll show you how! 

Another incredible and free way to connect with your target audience is through utilizing a podcast.

Want to start a podcast?  Click here and I’ll show you how! 

Planning For Your Week

If you follow me, you know that I love to plan out my week and my life.  That includes bulk creating my social media content.  If you want to learn more about my bulk content creation plan, click here! 

After I bulk create my content, I like to plan it out in the Later planning app!

This is such a good, free simple tool to plan your social media content out ahead of time and it will post for you. 

That way you are able to consciously create valuable content for your people and then schedule it so you can set it and forget it. 

I have been doing this more and more & it’s a game changer when life get’s crazy. 

Does this help you?

What’s your excuse to get started now?

Exactly. 

It’s go time!

Need help executing your plan?

Click here and schedule a virtual coffee chat with me & we can begin to map out exactly how you will do this!