I get it — you want to work from home, but you have no idea where to even begin. That was me too.

I didn’t grow up around entrepreneurs. I wasn’t handed a roadmap. And when I started googling “how to make money from home,” all I found were weird survey sites or jobs that barely paid anything. It was overwhelming and discouraging.

But here’s what I discovered: You don’t need to have a business degree or any fancy background to work from home. You just need to know what your options are — and then take the first step.

In this post, I’m breaking down beginner-friendly ways to start working from home, even if you feel like you have no clue what you’re doing (yet!).

Below, I’m sharing a step-by-step roadmap to help you go from “no idea” to real income — without feeling like you’re drowning in scams or fluff.

 

Step 1: Get Clear on Why You Want to Work From Home

Before anything else, figure out your why. Do you want to be home with your kids? Escape a toxic job? Create more freedom and flexibility in your life?

Your reason matters more than you think. When motivation dips (and it will), your why will keep you grounded. It also helps you choose the right path — because working from home doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people want flexibility, some want full-time income, and others just want a creative outlet. There’s no wrong answer.

 

Step 2: Take Inventory of Your Skills, Strengths, and Interests

You don’t need to be an “expert” to get started, but you do need to know what you enjoy and where you already have momentum.

Start by making a list:

• What do people ask you for help with?
• What are your hobbies or past jobs?
• What could you talk about for hours?
• What tech tools or apps are you already comfortable with?

Think broadly — even soft skills like being a good listener or problem-solver can turn into paid work. (Think coaching, customer support, virtual assisting, or even helping someone organize their digital life.)

 

Step 3: Explore Online Income Options

Now that you’ve got a better idea of your strengths, it’s time to see what opportunities match them.

Some beginner-friendly options include:

• Freelancing: Offer services like writing, social media management, graphic design, data entry, or customer support through platforms like Fiverr. It’s a great way to start earning while you build your skills and portfolio.
• Virtual assisting: Helping small business owners with email, scheduling, or content creation.
• Selling digital products: Create printables, templates, journals, or planners once — and sell them over and over. If you’re interested in learning more about how to get started with selling digital products, sign up for my free 7-day How to Start an Online Business course here for step-by-step guidance and more info on building your own digital product business!
• Blogging or niche websites: Start a blog on a topic you’re passionate about. You can monetize it through affiliate links, ads, or even your own digital products. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out my How to Start a Profitable Blog guide to get step-by-step instructions on launching your blog.
• Coaching or services: Share your skills through one-on-one or group support.

Not sure what to choose? Go with what sounds the least overwhelming. You don’t need the “perfect” path — just a place to begin.

 

Step 4: Choose One Path to Start With

This is the step where most people get stuck. Don’t overthink it — just choose one path for now.

If you’re drawn to creative work, maybe printables or a blog make sense. If you’re organized and love checklists, virtual assisting could be perfect. The goal is momentum, not mastery. And you’ll learn a ton just by doing.

The sooner you pick a direction, the sooner you can start building confidence and experience.

 

Step 5: Learn as You Go (Don’t Wait Until You Feel “Ready”)

You will never feel 100% ready — and that’s okay. The best way to learn is by doing. Start with one tutorial, one blog post, one small project. Let it be imperfect.

There are so many free or low-cost resources out there (including my free course at the bottom of this post). The key is to avoid getting stuck in research mode. Action builds clarity.

Treat this like learning a new skill — because that’s exactly what it is.

 

Step 6: Set Up a Simple System to Get Paid

You don’t need a fancy setup to start making money — but you do need a system in place so people can pay you.

Use something beginner-friendly like PayPal or Stripe. If you’re offering services, tools like ThriveCart or Podia can help you create a simple checkout page. If you’re selling digital products on your blog, I recommend SendOwl for easy product delivery.

Bonus tip: Most platforms walk you through the setup process. Just follow the prompts, test it out, and you’ll be ready to go!

 

Step 7: Focus on One Way to Market Yourself

Marketing doesn’t have to mean being everywhere or posting constantly. In fact, trying to do it all is one of the fastest ways to burn out.

Start with one platform. If you love writing, start a blog. If you like quick tips and visuals, try Pinterest or TikTok. If you enjoy community, maybe email or Facebook groups are a better fit.

Create something valuable and share it consistently. Over time, people will start to notice — and buy!

 

Want to See How It’s Actually Done?

If you’re still feeling unsure or just want someone to walk you through it all, I created a completely free 7-day online business course — something I’ve been asked to do for years. I’ve spent the last several years actually building my own planner shop (not just talking about it), and after selling over 60,000 digital products, I finally said yes to teaching what’s worked for me.

This course is my way of pulling back the curtain and showing you what’s worked for me — without fluff or filler.

I don’t hold back the info you actually need to get started. While I will offer more advanced training later, this free course is all about helping you get set up in the right direction so you can start making sales as soon as possible.

Here’s what you’ll learn inside:

• How to pick a profitable niche

• How to create a product people actually want

• How to set up your shop (the simple way)

• How to start getting traffic that leads to sales

I’m not just throwing random advice at you. I’m showing you what’s worked for me — and how you can do it too.

So what’s in it for me? Well, I hope you like my teaching style enough to buy something from me down the road 😉 — and I do use affiliate links for tools I’ve personally used for years (like Canva, Bluehost, and Shopify). But even if you don’t, I want to make sure you’re set up for success before you move on to anything more advanced.

Ready to get started?

Don’t keep putting your dreams on hold or waiting for the “perfect time.” This is your moment — and this free 7-day course will help you take that first step with clarity and confidence.

Since starting my planner business, I’ve made over $1.5 million in digital product sales — and it all began with the same steps I share in this free course.

🎉 Click here to join the Free How to Start an Online Business Course and let’s start building something amazing together — one step at a time!