Whether you're a student, stay-at-home parent, or just want a side hustle — this guide is for you.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- 3 business ideas you can start now
- How much they cost
- How much you can earn
- What tools you need
- A comparison chart at the end
Let’s dive in!
💡 1. Start a Content Editing & AI Fact-Check Service
AI is everywhere now. Many websites and blogs use AI to write content, but they still need humans to:
- Fix grammar
- Make the writing sound natural
- Check if the facts are true
That’s where you come in. You can offer content editing and fact-checking as a service.
🛠What You Need:
- Basic English editing skills
- Good eye for grammar and spelling
- Interest in research
💸 Cost to Start:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Domain & Hosting (1 year) | $20 |
| Grammarly Premium | $12/month |
| Email (Gmail/Zoho/Outlook) | Free or $5 |
| Canva (for visuals) | Free version |
| Marketing (ads/promo) | $30 |
| Total | $67 |
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
You can charge $0.05 to $0.10 per word.
If you edit 5,000 words per week at $0.10, that’s $500/week or $2,000/month.
🔧 Tools to Use:
- Grammarly – for checking grammar and writing style
- ChatGPT or Google Bard – to help clarify sentences
- Google Search – to fact-check content
- Notion or Trello – to manage projects
2. Become a Short Video Editor for TikTok, Reels & YouTube Shorts
Short videos are the future of social media. Brands, influencers, and even small businesses are paying people to edit their videos for platforms like:
- TikTok
- Instagram Reels
- YouTube Shorts
You don’t need a film degree — just basic editing skills and a phone or laptop.
🛠What You Need:
- A mobile phone or laptop
- Free editing software (CapCut, VN, or InShot)
- Creative mindset
💸 Cost to Start:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| CapCut/InShot app | Free |
| Canva Pro (optional) | $12/month |
| Stock music/clips | Free or $10 |
| Fiverr/Upwork profile | Free |
| Marketing/ads | $30 |
| Total | $52 |
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
Video editors charge $50 to $150 per short video.
If you do 5 videos per week at $100 each → $500/week = $2,000/month.
🔧 Tools to Use:
- CapCut – easy mobile editor
- Canva – for graphics and thumbnails
- SnapTik & SaveFrom – to download drafts or examples
- Telegram/WhatsApp – to talk with clients
📲 3. Start a Social Media Management Service
Many small businesses don’t know how to grow their social media. If you know how to post content, use hashtags, and reply to comments — you can offer to manage pages for clients.
This is one of the easiest services to start with no experience!
🛠What You Need:
- Basic knowledge of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
- Canva skills to design posts
- Scheduling tools
💸 Cost to Start:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Canva Pro | $12.99/month |
| Buffer/Meta Business Suite | Free plan |
| Gmail/Zoho Mail | Free |
| Marketing (ads/shoutouts) | $30 |
| Portfolio website/blog | $15 |
| Total | $58 |
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
Most freelance social media managers charge $300–$800 per client per month.
With just 3 clients at $500 each, that’s $1,500/month.
🔧 Tools to Use:
- Canva Pro – for Instagram & Facebook designs
- Buffer – to schedule posts automatically
- Meta Creator Studio – manage multiple pages
- Google Docs – to send reports
📊 Comparison Chart – Businesses Under $100
| Business Idea | Cost to Start | Monthly Earnings | Difficulty | Skill Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Editing & Fact-Check | $67 | $2,000 | Medium | Writing/Research |
| Short Video Editing | $52 | $2,000 | Medium | Video/Creativity |
| Social Media Management | $58 | $1,500 | Easy | Canva + Social Media |
💡 BONUS TIPS: How to Get Clients for These Businesses
- Create a Simple Portfolio Website – Use Blogger or Carrd.co to showcase your services
- Join Freelance Sites – Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour
- Use Social Media – Create a profile on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook
- – Share tips, samples, and client feedback
- Offer a Free Trial – Offer your first service for free or at a discount to get reviews and testimonials
- Email Outreach – Find local businesses and send them a polite email offering your help
📈 Chart: Time vs. Money Potential
👀 Real Example: How I Would Start Today with $100
Let’s say you choose short-form video editing.
- Spend $12 on Canva Pro
- Use CapCut for free
- Create a Fiverr profile
- Make 3 sample videos and post on YouTube + TikTok
- Run $30 in Instagram ads to promote your gig
- Start getting orders → reinvest profit → grow
🙌 Final Words
You don’t need a big budget or team to start a business in 2025. All you need is:
- Internet
- $100 or less
- A skill people want
Start small, stay consistent, and grow over time.