If I had to start all over again – with no followers, no product, and zero audience – what would I do?
This is a question I’ve asked myself often, and sometimes I even dream about it. Starting fresh sounds freeing. No expectations, no pressure, just a clean slate and the fire to build again.
And the truth is: if I had to do it again, I’d do it faster, smarter, and simpler, because today, we have so many powerful (and affordable) tools at our fingertips, like AI, social media, and content repurposing systems that just didn’t exist when I started.
In this article, I’m walking you through the exact steps I’d follow to grow from scratch to a six-figure online business in today’s market. And yes, you can start with just a phone, Wi-Fi, and a couple of hours a week.
Step 1: Focus on One Pain Point and One Solution
Most people overcomplicate this step by creating offers that try to solve too many things for too many people. Don’t do that.
Here’s the secret: successful businesses start by solving one specific problem for one specific person.
So instead of thinking, “I want to help people feel better,” narrow it down.
Think: “I want to help busy moms feel confident in their post-baby body using 15-minute home workouts.”
I always say: Your past self is often your ideal client. So ask yourself: what was keeping me up at night back then? What was I struggling with before I found a solution?
That’s your starting point.
Step 2: Start with What You Already Have
You don’t need a fancy logo. You don’t need a new brand name. And you definitely don’t need a big budget.
You already have something most people overlook: your personal network.
Start with your personal Instagram and Facebook accounts. Share insights, stories, and tips that relate to the pain point you identified. Use your existing contacts and your phone's contact list. Yes, those people are part of your first audience.
People often say, “I don’t have an audience yet.” But if you have a phone, you have an audience.
Step 3: Go Live Weekly and Build Consistency
Consistency builds trust. Not just with your audience, but with yourself.
If I were starting over, I’d pick one set time every week, say, Monday at 9 AM, and go live on Instagram or Facebook, talking about the main symptoms or struggles my ideal client has.
These lives are gold. Not only do they help you practice articulating your message, but they also double as long-form content.
And here’s the best part…
Step 4: Turn 1 Piece of Content into 10 (Or More)
After I go live, I’d repurpose that one video into multiple formats:
- A podcast episode (hello, Buzzsprout, super affordable!)
- A newsletter for my email list
- A blog post like this one
- Multiple Instagram carousels
- Reels using clips from the video
- A quote graphic
- A LinkedIn post
- A Pinterest pin
- A short YouTube video
- An IG story series
I call this system the Content Buddy Method, and it’s the key to showing up everywhere without spending 20 hours a week creating new content from scratch.
📥 Do you want my free Content Buddy tutorial and ChatGPT prompts?
DM me the word ‘BUDDY‘ on Instagram (@fastforwardamy) and I’ll send you the tutorial + content prompts instantly.
Step 5: Build an Email List with a Lead Magnet
Don’t rely on social media alone. Start building an email list from day one.
You can do this by linking your weekly content to a simple, valuable lead magnet.
For example, I’d offer something like a free checklist, tutorial, or mini-guide that solves one small but specific problem, like “How to turn one video into 10 content pieces” or “How to launch your first offer in 5 steps.”
In fact, I’ve already created a resource like that! 🎁
📥 DM me the word ‘STARTONLINE' on Instagram and I’ll send you my Online Business Checklist which contains the exact steps you need to go from zero to your first €1K/month and beyond.
Step 6: Don’t Build a Product Before You Sell It
I’ve made this mistake before. I created a whole e-book, spent weeks on it, and then barely anyone bought it.
Ouch.
Now I know better: always pre-sell your product before building it.
How?
Start talking about your idea in your content. Ask your audience questions. Run polls. Go live and share what you’re thinking of creating. Build a waitlist and offer a discount or bonus for early interest. Only when you have demand and interest, then you go and create the product.
This is how I’ve built a multi-7-figure business: by selling before building and letting my audience guide the way.
Step 7: Use Your Time and Energy Wisely
You don’t need 40 hours a week to start. You can build a powerful online business with just 2 focused hours a week if you’re smart about it.
Here’s a minimal-effort, high-impact routine I’d follow:
- Go live weekly to share value (30 mins)
- Record the live as a podcast (same time!)
- Repurpose the podcast into 3–5 content pieces (with AI help)
- Use a lead magnet to grow your list
- Engage with your audience to validate and sell an idea
That’s it. Week by week, your trust grows, your reach expands, and your systems become scalable.
Final Thoughts
Starting over doesn’t have to mean starting from nothing.
You already have the most important assets: your voice, your story, your phone, and your willingness to show up.
Whether you’re still working a job, building a side hustle, or ready to go all in, this strategy works.
So if you’re dreaming about launching (or relaunching) your business in 2025, don’t let perfection or fear stop you.
Take the first step.🎧 Want the full step-by-step breakdown and audio version?
Listen to the full episode of my Fail to Win podcast here:
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