A few days ago, a lady reached out to me and asked, “Sir, I’m a housewife, and I want to start earning money from home. But I don’t own a laptop or a computer. What can I do?”Here’s the truth: having a laptop or computer is definitely important if you want to run an efficient online business. But it’s not a deal-breaker if you’re just starting out. You can begin your journey using just your mobile phone, build your foundation, and upgrade to better tools as you grow.Here’s how I guided her—and how you can do the same:
Step 1: Get the Right Apps on Your Phone
Your phone can become your most powerful tool if you equip it with the right apps. Start by downloading these five apps today:
- YouTube – Your free university for learning new skills.
- Canva – A powerful tool to design anything, from social media posts to product listings.
- Etsy – A platform where you can sell handmade, vintage, or digital products.
- Fiverr – Start freelancing by offering services like graphic design, content writing, or virtual assistance.
- LinkedIn – Build your network, find clients, and showcase your skills professionally.
These apps are everything you need to get started. No excuses.
Step 2: Get the Right Apps on Your Phone
Before you dive in, ask yourself: What do I want to achieve?
Do you want to earn a side income? Build a full-fledged business? Learn a new skill?Setting a clear goal is like building a roadmap. Without it, you’ll find yourself wandering aimlessly.
Step 3: Learn the Skills That Pay
You can’t earn if you don’t know what to offer. Here’s how you can start learning:
- YouTube is Your Best Friend:
I’ve uploaded a 15-hour Etsy business course on YouTube. It’s detailed and beginner-friendly. Watch it at least three times, take notes, and start practicing. The link to this course is in the comments. - Understand Fiverr and LinkedIn:
Learn how to create a seller account on Fiverr and start offering services. Build a professional LinkedIn profile and begin networking. I’ve shared video tutorials to guide you step-by-step.
Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you’ve learned the basics, don’t just sit there. Start practicing.
- On Etsy: Research trending products, understand what sells, and start creating. Even if you’re selling digital products like printables or templates, there’s a huge market waiting for you.
- On Fiverr: Offer simple services you can deliver quickly, like creating logos on Canva or writing short articles.
No one becomes an expert overnight. You’ll fail, you’ll mess up, but every attempt will teach you something new.
Step 5: Find Clients
This is where LinkedIn and Fiverr come into play.
- On LinkedIn, optimize your profile to reflect your skills and goals. Start connecting with people in your niche. Don’t spam; focus on building genuine relationships.
- On Fiverr, complete your profile, add clear service offerings, and deliver your first orders with 100% effort.
Clients won’t come knocking on your door. You have to actively reach out, pitch, and prove your value.
Step 6: Stay Consistent and Upgrade
The biggest mistake people make? They give up too soon.This process isn’t about getting rich overnight. It’s about building a system. If you follow these steps repeatedly, one day you’ll be earning $700 or more every month.And when that happens, invest in yourself. Save up and buy a laptop or computer. It will open up even more opportunities for you.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be honest: staying at home and doing nothing won’t change your life. But taking small, consistent steps will.If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t know where to start,” I’ve already laid out the blueprint for you. All you need to do is follow it with honesty and dedication.You have a phone in your hand. You have access to the internet. You have platforms like YouTube, Fiverr, Etsy, and LinkedIn. That’s all you need to take the first step.So, what’s stopping you?Start today. And when you succeed, remember to help someone else start their journey too.May Allah make it easy for everyone. Ameen.