62 Advertising Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Interested in starting a advertising business in 2024?

We put together 62 of the best advertising businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other advertising businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

Embracing the Experience Economy with a $300K/mo Photo Booth Startup

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

About
Brandon started Photobooth Supply Co. about 11 years ago
Revenue
Brandon grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 15,174 founders

2. Start a content marketing agency

Content is the currency of the digital world. Today, more and more businesses need to work with writers and content marketers. If you want to get into these kinds of jobs, you should start a writers' or content marketing agency.

Worldwide content marketing industry revenue was estimated at roughly $66B in 2021. The source projected that it would increase to $76B in 2022 and that it would continue growing over the further years to reach $137B in 2026.

Content marketing will continue to grow in significance with the increased use of digital channels. Therefore, the demand for content marketers is projected to grow by 27% over the next few years.

How much you can make: $500 — $741,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

About
David started Article-Writing Co about 13 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $125K/month
Read by 23,593 founders

3. Start a podcast

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

About
Jeremy started Counterweight Creative almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Jeremy grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 17,640 founders

4. Start an online course sales business

Do you know you can make money selling what you are passionate about? People are making money creating courses and selling them online. Common online courses include music, cooking, coding, web design, dropshipping, etc.

Thus, you can turn it into a passive income by launching online classes if you have a skill. All you need is to choose a target audience, create the online course and choose an online learning platform where you can sell the course.

The e-learning market is expected to be worth over $645 Billion in the next few years.

How much you can make: $100 — $1,666,666/month

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

About
Cinquanta started Cinquanta Cox-Smith over 14 years ago
Revenue
Cinquanta grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Cinquanta $100 to start the business
Read by 11,100 founders

5. Start a content writing company

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How Dani Mancini Transformed Her Freelance Gigs Into A SaaS Business

Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.

About
Dani started Scribly over 5 years ago
Revenue
Dani grew the business to $37K/month
Read by 12,536 founders

6. Start a referral marketing platform

How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Created A $18K/Month Referral Marketing Software

ReferralHero is a profitable, referral marketing platform with over 6,000 customers and MRR of around $18,000/month, built by founder Manuel Frigerio as an MVP in just four days, with growth coming from content marketing and SEO.

About
Manuel started ReferralHero over 6 years ago
Revenue
Manuel grew the business to $18K/month
Read by 9,906 founders

Building links is necessary as it helps businesses improve the site’s visibility. However, link building can be overwhelming, so business owners hire experts.

If you are interested in starting an SEO business, anything along with link building can be a profitable venture. To become a link-building expert, embrace learning new SEO techniques, focus on producing valuable content, and network with other content creators.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $416,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $10K/Month SEO Link Building Agency

Italian electrical engineer turned entrepreneur grows manual outreach link building service for profitable software companies and startups from zero to $10k in monthly recurring revenue in less than a year.

About
Alan started Growth Gorilla almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Alan grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 38,957 founders

8. Start a web development business

A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.

These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.

How much you can make: $6,600 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

I Built A $300K/Year Vue.js Component Library

Vuetify is a popular open-source user interface library, built with the Vue.js framework, that generates revenue through digital content and services such as paid digital content in the Vuetify store, direct support through consulting, ad revenue from Carbon ads on the documentation pages, and donations/sponsorships via GitHub and Patreon, generating an average income of $6,500 per month.

About
John started Vuetify almost 7 years ago
Revenue
John grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 45,083 founders

9. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

About
Chhavi started Mrs Daaku Studio almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Chhavi grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost Chhavi $500 to start the business
Read by 13,571 founders

10. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

About
Spencer started Buildapreneur over 6 years ago
Revenue
Spencer grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 22,698 founders

11. Start an online newspaper

How much you can make: $3,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

The Newsette's Daniella Pierson on how to prove your haters wrong

This case study shines a light on Daniella Pierson, the founder of The Newsette, who managed to grow her newsletter from 15,000 to over 500,000 subscribers and increase its revenue from one million dollars to 40 million dollars in only a few years, securing herself a spot as one of the richest women of color in the United States.

About
Daniella started The Newsette over 9 years ago
Revenue
Daniella grew the business to $3.33M/month
Costs
It cost Daniella $15000 to start the business
Read by 785 founders

12. Start an influencer platform

How much you can make: $2,000 — $350,000/month

How long does it take to build: 282 days (?)

I Built $140K+ MRR SaaS With No Audience & Sold It For $3.5M

This case study is about a founder who launched a paywall platform for content creators in 2019, bootstrapping it from $0 and eventually selling it for $3.5M on Flippa, with the platform generating between $125,000 - $142,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) on 95% margins.

About
Spencer started Spencer Patterson over 5 years ago
Revenue
Spencer grew the business to $140K/month
Costs
It cost Spencer $6000 to start the business
Read by 4,365 founders

13. Start an ecommerce store

An eCommerce business is a company that sells products or services online. Ecommerce businesses have many advantages over brick-and-mortar businesses, including lower overhead costs, increased flexibility and reach, and the ability to reach a wider audience.

eCommerce is booming right now because of the convenience and efficiency it offers consumers. Consumers can buy products from their favorite brands on a platform that makes the whole process easier than ever. They don't have to leave their homes or go out in public, they can just sit down at their computer, tablet or smartphone and browse through all of the options available to them.

To start an ecommerce business, you'll need to set up a website where customers can browse your inventory and purchase items, as well as payment processing software that allows you to accept credit card payments. You'll also need to choose a shopping cart software and manage inventory tracking software.

How much you can make: $450 — $62,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.

About
DShawn started Southern Elegance Candle Company over 8 years ago
Revenue
DShawn grew the business to $140K/month
Read by 70,351 founders

14. Start an online advertising agency

An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.

To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.

Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.

Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

How much you can make: $2,797 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How I Started A $120K/Month Online Course For Social Media Marketing Agencies

Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.

About
Iman started Grow Your Agency almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Iman grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 14,302 founders

15. Start a branding agency

A branding agency helps create, develop, maintain and improve brands. The role of branding agencies is to create, plan, measure, and manage branding strategies for clients to support them in advertising and other promotions.

Business branding has always been a vital part of a business. With branding, businesses reach more customers daily and stay relevant to their existing customers. As companies compete to get more customers and remain relevant, there is a high demand for branding solutions.

Starting a branding agency can be a profitable and satisfying business venture. To start a branding agency, you must be able to weave together disparate pieces of data and information into compelling narratives so you can help a business convey its story or express its unique values and culture.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $741,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $5,000/Month Luxury Branding Agency

How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.

About
Elva started Elva Li Luxury Branding almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Elva grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 13,879 founders

16. Start a billboard and outdoor advertising business

Starting a billboard and outdoor advertising business can be a lucrative and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs. This business involves leasing space on billboards and other outdoor structures to advertisers who want to reach a broad audience through visual marketing.

To start a billboard and outdoor advertising business, you will need to secure leases for billboard locations and negotiate rates with advertisers. You will also need to design and install the advertisements and maintain and repair the billboards. It is essential to have a strong understanding of the local market and demographics to target your advertising campaigns effectively.

In addition to the practical skills needed for this business, you should also have excellent communication and negotiation skills to work with advertisers and secure leases. Strong marketing and sales skills will also be beneficial in attracting new clients and growing your business.

To run a successful billboard and outdoor advertising business, it is essential to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices constantly. It would help if you also were willing to adapt and pivot your strategies as needed to meet the changing needs of your clients and the market.

With hard work and dedication, a billboard and outdoor advertising business can be a lucrative and rewarding career path.

17. Start a social media advertising specialist business

A social media advertising specialist uses social media platforms to promote a product or service. Advertisers often use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to reach new customers and engage with the current ones.

To become a social media advertising specialist, get the skills you need to discover essential concepts in modern social media marketing. Choose an appropriate social media platform and design your unique advertising plan.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $162 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

I Started My Own $20K/Month Social Media Marketing Agency

This case study follows Kelsey Chance and her creative agency, Good Chance Creative, which specializes in social media content creation, and in just 3 years she has grown her one-woman business to make $20,000 in monthly revenue through a niche in small in-house marketing teams and start-ups managing their social content, with key services including lifestyle brand photography, social media account management, copywriting, and eCommerce strategy consulting.

About
Kelsey started Good Chance almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Kelsey grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Kelsey $500 to start the business
Read by 6,463 founders

18. Become a community manager

A community manager business is a service that helps businesses and organizations build and engage with their online communities. This can include managing social media accounts, moderating online forums and discussion groups, and organizing events and campaigns to encourage community involvement.

Running a successful community manager business requires a strong understanding of social media platforms and online communities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to create engaging content. It is also essential to analyze data and metrics to measure the effectiveness of community-building efforts and continually adapt and improve strategies.

One essential tip for running a successful community manager business is thoroughly researching and understanding the target audience and their needs and interests. This will help create relevant and engaging content and campaigns to build and maintain a strong community. It is also essential to be responsive and timely in addressing any issues or concerns that may arise within the community.

Another essential aspect of running a community manager business is to stay up to date with industry trends and best practices, as well as any changes or updates to social media platforms and other tools used for community management. A community manager business can ensure long-term success and growth by constantly evolving and improving strategies.

How much you can make: $9,000 — $41,700/month

How long does it take to build: 183 days (?)

How I've Been Running An Online Photography Community, Making $10K/Month From Premium Memberships

52Frames is an online photography community that started as founder Yosef Adest's passion project, which grew into a successful business with over 3,000 photo submissions weekly and 700 paying members after ten years of incremental growth and centred around community building, organic word of mouth, and delivering value to customers.

About
Yosef started 52Frames over 13 years ago
Revenue
Yosef grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Yosef $500 to start the business
Read by 1,757 founders

19. Become a public speaker

Motivational speakers share powerful messages based on their life experiences. The focus is on helping others gain life's wisdom and become successful.

If you plan to become a motivational public speaker, learn how you can transition your genuine passion to becoming a professional public speaker who inspires others.

Then, start a social media channel and share your videos widely to go viral.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Membership Platform Focused On Self-Improvement

Founder Dean Bokhari shares how he launched a membership platform focused on self-improvement, generating over $100,000 per month in revenue, attracting customers via high-quality content, guest blogging and Facebook ads, with plans to grow to $1,000,000 per month over the next 3-5 years.

About
Dean started Dean Bokhari about 3 years ago
Revenue
Dean grew the business to $120K/month
Costs
It cost Dean $5000 to start the business
Read by 7,556 founders

20. Start a Business/Visiting Cards Printing Business

Business/Visiting cards are a popular item for businessmen because they can use them to promote their businesses. As long as businesses continue to grow, there will be an ever-growing demand for business cards.

Digital printing is a great business idea for new entrepreneurs. It is a great idea to start a digital printing business. However, you must learn the basics of digital printing. You will also need to learn how to design custom business cards and then you can begin selling your products.

Business cards cost between $10 and $500. The national average is $194. The cost depends on the quality and complexity of the card, as well as the company that produces it.

21. Start a partnership business

22. Start an association management service business

How much does it cost to start: $199 (?)

23. Start a guerrilla street marketing business

24. Start a customer referral program business

25. Start a live q&a weekly show business

26. Start a surveying business

Surveying is a business that involves the measurement, analysis, and mapping of land, structures, and other features of the earth's surface. Surveying professionals, also known as surveyors, use specialized equipment and software to collect and interpret data that is used for construction, land development, and other purposes.

To start a surveying business, you must have a thorough understanding of math and geospatial technologies and a solid attention to detail. You will also need to be licensed as a surveyor in your state, which typically requires a degree in surveying or a related field and passing a written exam.

To run a successful surveying business, you must build a strong reputation in your community by providing accurate, reliable, and timely services to your clients. You should also continually educate yourself on the latest technologies and techniques in the field and stay up to date on any changes in local regulations or laws. Additionally, it is important to have strong communication and project management skills, as you will often be working with multiple clients and stakeholders on complex projects.

In terms of marketing your business, networking with local builders, developers, and other professionals in the construction industry can be a great way to get your name out there and attract new clients. You should also consider building a website and leveraging social media platforms to showcase your services and portfolio.

Overall, a surveying business can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in working in a technically-skilled and data-driven field. With the right knowledge, skills, and marketing strategies, you can build a successful surveying business that provides valuable services to clients in your community.

How much you can make: $1,600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A $1.6M/Month Online Surveys And Research Tools Software

QuestionPro's Founder, Vivek Bhaskaran, shares the story of how he started the most robust survey software on the market, which has provided innovative technology to Fortune 100 companies, academic institutions, small businesses, and individual DIY researchers for over 12 years.

About
Vivek started QuestionPro about 19 years ago
Revenue
Vivek grew the business to $1.6M/month
Costs
It cost Vivek $60000 to start the business
Read by 11,374 founders

27. Start a newspaper advertising business

28. Start a sponsored posts creation business

29. Start a tv advert creator business

30. Start a drive-in movie theater

A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen and a projection booth. The drive-in cinema structure is designed so customers can watch the movies while staying in their cars.

Based on the structural design, the drive-in cinema must be spacious. To start a drive-in cinema, you may hire a piece of land or purchase land large enough to host many customers.

31. Start a youtube channel

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

About
Chhavi started Mrs Daaku Studio almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Chhavi grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost Chhavi $500 to start the business
Read by 13,571 founders

32. Start an ad banner design creation business

33. Start an advertising clipping service

34. Start an elevator advertising business

35. Start a bench advertising

36. Start a mobile truck advertising business

Mobile truck advertising gets brands noticed, recognized, and remembered. The alternatives here can include using the truck for roadshows/mobile advertising campaigns and mounting mobile billboards/truck side advertising.

The business idea allows truck owners to diversify their income sources. Therefore, you can use your truck for hauling and at the same time rent the truck side to an advertising company.

37. Start a retargeting adverting business

How much you can make: $50,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How I Created The "Bitcoin For Ads" [$600K/Year]

This case study showcases the story of Jordhy Ledesma, founder and CEO of Bitfari, who bootstrapped the advertising network to a 70M fully diluted market cap valuation in less than six months using crowdfunding, cryptocurrencies, and the latest technology.

About
Jordhy started Bitfari almost 3 years ago
Revenue
Jordhy grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Jordhy $8000 to start the business
Read by 3,355 founders

38. Start a paid advertising business

How much you can make: $2,797 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

These Brothers Quit Their Jobs & Started A $3M/Year Digital Marketing Agency

Flying V Group, a digital marketing agency co-founded by Robb and Tyler Fahrion, has experienced explosive growth and profitability through their focus on SEO and content marketing, generating 540% more traffic in 2020 compared to the previous year, and increasing revenue YoY, all while operating debt-free and cash-positive.

About
Robb started Flying V Group over 8 years ago
Revenue
Robb grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Robb $10000 to start the business
Read by 4,917 founders

39. Start a golf advertising agency

Are you a professional marketer looking for a profitable niche? How about starting your golf advertising agency?

A golf advertising agency offers its clients access to millions of golfers through integrated digital marketing expertise and a strong relationship with leading influencers. Your golf marketing agency will be responsible for creating targeted, compelling branded content to seed with relevant media outlets and maximize digital exposure for their clients.

Your target market will be golf course owners, manufacturers and retailers, and golf gear companies.

40. Start a t-shirt customization business

A t-shirt customization business is a business that allows customers to design and create their unique t-shirts. You can do this business either online through a website or in a physical storefront location.

To start a t-shirt customization business, you must invest in a t-shirt printing machine and the necessary equipment, such as ink and screens. You may also want to consider offering a variety of t-shirt styles, colors and sizes to appeal to a broader range of customers.

One way to attract customers is to offer a user-friendly online design tool that allows customers to easily upload their designs or choose from a selection of templates and clip art. You can also offer in-store design consultations for customers who want a more personalized experience.

In addition to t-shirts, you may consider offering customization for other types of clothing, such as hoodies, tank tops, and hats. You could also provide customization services for other items, such as bags, mugs, and phone cases.

To market your t-shirt customization business, you can use social media, online, and local advertising to reach potential customers. You can also participate in local events and trade shows to promote your business and attract new customers.

Overall, a t-shirt customization business can be a fun and rewarding way to turn your creativity and passion for design into a successful business.

How much you can make: $200 — $4,255,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Bootstrapped A $1.4M/Year Clothing Manufacturing Business [From Ludhiana]

NG Apparels is a garment export unit based in Ludhiana that caters to the clothing segments worldwide, boasting a turnover of $1,581,547 without loans or credit card limits.

About
Arpit started NG Apparels about 13 years ago
Revenue
Arpit grew the business to $1.33M/month
Costs
It cost Arpit $10000 to start the business
Read by 3,260 founders

41. Start a google advert consulting business

Starting a business in the world of digital marketing can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of advertising on platforms like Google. That’s where a Google Advert Consulting business comes in.

As a Google Advert Consultant, you’ll help clients create and optimize their Google Ad campaigns to reach their target audience and achieve their business goals. You’ll be responsible for researching keywords, writing ad copy, setting up and managing campaigns, and analyzing data to track performance and make adjustments.

To start a successful Google Advert Consulting business, you’ll need a strong understanding of how Google Ads work and how to effectively target and reach your client’s target audience. You’ll also need excellent communication skills, as you’ll work closely with clients to understand their needs and goals.

Additionally, you’ll need to be well-versed in analytics and data analysis, as you’ll be responsible for tracking the performance of campaigns and making recommendations for improvements. You’ll also need to be up to date on the latest trends and best practices in digital marketing to ensure that your clients get the most out of their ad spend.

Overall, a Google Advert Consulting business is a great opportunity for anyone with a passion for digital marketing and a desire to help businesses succeed online. With the right knowledge and skills, you can start and run a successful Google Advert Consulting business and make a difference for your clients.

How much you can make: $40,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

After Multiple Failures, I Now Run A $1.2M/Year Digital Agency

Ogline Digital is a digital marketing agency that helps small to medium-sized businesses profitably gain customers with only one service managing a marketing system for clients; the company's founder, Dylan Ogline, started as a freelancer and grew it to become a million-dollar business.

About
Dylan started Ogline Digital over 7 years ago
Revenue
Dylan grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Dylan $100 to start the business
Read by 3,053 founders

42. Start a LED screen advertising business

43. Start a gift cards selling business

We all love receiving gifts from friends for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or festival celebrations like Christmas and Easter. As times change, people's tastes and preferences are changing rapidly, and offering variety is the best way to fulfill customers' expectations.

Therefore, if you are looking for a good business idea, you may consider setting up a gift card shop at a convenient location. A strip mall with high traffic of target customers makes a good choice for a gift card business.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $35,000/month

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A $25K/Month Online Group Greeting Cards Service

30-year-old Val shares how she founded Thankbox, an online group card and gift collection service in Scotland that has been used to send over 40,000 cards, issued over $2 million worth of gift cards, and now pulls around $25k in revenue per month, with plans to expand and offer physical versions of cards.

About
Valentin started Thankbox almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $35K/month
Costs
It cost Valentin $2500 to start the business
Read by 4,550 founders

44. Start an advertising news business

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 10 days (?)

45. Start a drone advertising business

As the use of drones becomes more and more popular, the potential for using them as a marketing tool. Our business uses drones to display advertisements in the sky, reaching a wider audience in a unique and eye-catching way.

To start this business, you will need a few key things. First, you will need a fleet of drones that can carry the advertisements and fly for long periods. You will also need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses to operate the drones in your area legally. Additionally, you will need a team of trained pilots to operate the drones safely and efficiently.

To run this business successfully, it is important to have a clear marketing strategy and a strong understanding of your target audience. You will also need to stay up-to-date on the latest drone technology and regulations to ensure that your business is compliant and efficient.

With creativity and the right resources, Drone Advertising can be a lucrative and unique way to advertise your business. We hope you consider joining this exciting industry and bringing your marketing to new heights!

46. Start a local classified advertisement business

How long does it take to build: 1095 days (?)

47. Start an email marketing business

Email marketing is a popular and effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services.

With the rise of the internet and the increasing use of email as a communication tool, starting an email marketing business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture.

An email marketing business involves creating and sending marketing emails to a list of subscribers. The emails can be newsletters, promotional messages, or other types of content designed to engage and convert the recipient into a customer. The business owner is responsible for building and maintaining the email list, creating the content, and sending the emails using specialized software.

To start an email marketing business, you must have a strong understanding of marketing principles and a good grasp of best practices. This includes creating compelling subject lines, segmenting your email list, and analyzing your campaigns’ results. You will also need to be proficient in email marketing software like Mailchimp or Constant Contact.

To run a successful email marketing business, you must clearly understand your target audience and what they are interested in. This will help you create relevant and engaging content that resonates with your subscribers and encourages them to take action. A solid call to action in your emails is crucial, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter. Starting an email marketing business requires marketing skills, expertise, and a willingness to learn and improve continuously. The right strategies and tools can be a rewarding and successful way to reach your target audience and grow your business.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $8,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $55K/Month Email Marketing Agency Specialized in Ecommerce

Boundless Labs is an email marketing agency for eCommerce brands that has generated over $25 million in email attributable revenue for their clients since launching 18 months ago and currently makes around $90K per month, with plans to reach $100K per month by the end of January 2020 through client referrals, strong relationships, and hard work.

About
Chase started Boundless Labs almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Chase grew the business to $8.3M/month
Read by 11,752 founders

48. Start an infographic designing business

49. Start a reddit posting business

With approximately 52 million daily active and 430 million monthly users, Reddit is a good platform for creating niche discussions and getting answers from highly engaged subreddits. Thus, starting a Reddit posting business can pay off well if you identify or create engaged subreddits. You can post about topics of interest, so you grow a subreddit quickly and receive many views.

50. Start a 3D animation using vr business

VR will change the game in so many industries. But the potential for it to affect animation is huge. VR allows animators to flourish and become involved in the ever-changing landscape of animators.

3D animation with VR allows animators to bring pose characters in a way that fits the story and create vibrant and life-like surroundings. Applying VR technology in creating and designing 3D animation will improve the interactivity of 3D animation and promote the animation industry to a higher level.

A 3D animation with VR business involves the creation of computer-generated experiences for animation clients.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $62,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

How We Started A $514K/Year Content Curation Agency With Just $35 [From India]

Content-Whale, a content curation agency, has achieved a Rs. 4 crore ($514k/year) turnover 4-5 years after being started with just Rs. 2500 ($35), and has a pool of more than 500 writers, aiming to become a market leader in the global content market.

About
Vaibhav started Content-Whale Private Limited over 6 years ago
Revenue
Vaibhav grew the business to $62.5K/month
Costs
It cost Vaibhav $35 to start the business
Read by 5,045 founders

51. Become an advertising campaign developer

How much you can make: $70,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Starting A Business At 16 And Growing It To $70K/Month Thanks To Networking

Founder and CEO Chris Wizner started Vivid Candi, a full-service digital tech agency, at age 16 with only a $300 Taco Bell paycheck as capital, and now the agency has been running for over 22 years with 10+ employees and an impressive clientele, thanks to networking, Google Adwords, SEO, and selective, quality relationships with clients.

About
Chris started Vivid Candi, Inc. about 25 years ago
Revenue
Chris grew the business to $70K/month
Costs
It cost Chris $50 to start the business
Read by 3,758 founders

52. Start an advertising consulting business

How much you can make: $2,797 — $1,600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)

From Zero to Multi-Million In Annual Recurring Revenue with Colton Bollinger

Jumper Media-founder Colton Bollinger's Instagram-focused marketing strategies helped him to assist over 3000 small businesses to build brand awareness and boost audience engagement and sales, leading Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Yahoo to recognize him for his efforts.

About
Colton started Jumper Media over 8 years ago
Revenue
Colton grew the business to $1.6M/month
Read by 753 founders

53. Become a graphic designer

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $81,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How We Make $7.5K/Month With A Productized Service

Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.

About
Junaid started Draftss almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Junaid grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Junaid $100 to start the business
Read by 11,322 founders

54. 3D printing for marketing & promotional products

3D printing for marketing products gives businesses a unique way to set their brand apart and make a lasting impression. As competition intensifies, businesses in different sectors choose 3D printing as a way to customize and create fantastic designs and products.

Therefore, if you want profitable and high-in-demand 3D printing business ideas, consider starting 3D printing for marketing products.

How much you can make: $275,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 197 days (?)

I Built A Multi-Million-Dollar Presentation Folder Company From Scratch [From United States]

Multi-million dollar presentation folder company, Company Folders, offers over 100 million variations of products and has won multiple awards, including making Inc.’s list of 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America for three consecutive years, due to their focus on quality, variety, and personalized customer service.

About
Vladimir started Company Folders, Inc over 20 years ago
Revenue
Vladimir grew the business to $275K/month
Costs
It cost Vladimir $60000 to start the business
Read by 2,757 founders

55. Start an event management agency

The event management agency oversees all logistics leading up to and during an event, whether a conference, a wedding, or an organized gathering. The event management agency executes the event plans by managing staff, finances, and vendor relationships.

The demand for event management services will grow by 18 percent in a few years. If you love organizing parties and corporate events, an event management agency could be your best business. The event management business has huge earning potential, provides you with networking opportunities, and builds your creative skills.

To start your own event management business, gain event planning skills and experience, and determine your event planning market or the target audience. To increase business success potential, develop an expansive network and staffing resources.

How much you can make: $108,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How I Started a $150K/Month Ticketing Platform That Sells More Than 5 Million Tickets A Year Worldwide

A successful ticketing platform that grew from a side project into a business that issues over 5 million tickets annually, using a combination of cold calling, word of mouth, and partnerships to attract and retain customers while navigating the challenges of COVID-19.

About
Jonny started Ticket Tailor over 13 years ago
Revenue
Jonny grew the business to $500K/month
Costs
It cost Jonny $1000 to start the business
Read by 10,348 founders

56. Start an internet marketing consulting business

Starting an internet marketing consulting business can be a lucrative venture. Such businesses provide customized solutions to help companies improve their online presence and digital marketing strategy, to reach a wider audience.

To start such a business, you need to have expertise in areas such as search engine optimization, content creation, website analytics, social media, and pay-per-click advertising.

Offer your consulting services to local businesses and startups, highlighting your ability to cost-effectively drive web traffic, convert visitors, and expand their brand's digital footprint.

It is crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest online marketing best practices and trends so that you can guide your clients to make smart, data-driven decisions that maximize their Return On Investment (ROI).

How much you can make: $40,000 — $465,583,333/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Inspired By My Father, I Started A $72K/Mo Digital & Management Firm [Baltimore]

Digital and management firm theta. has served over six government agencies since its inception, providing innovative solutions to unique computing problems that meet client needs so effectively, it has doubled its employee number and is aiming for a 50/50 prime-subcontractor revenue split.

About
Emmanuel started theta. about 9 years ago
Revenue
Emmanuel grew the business to $72K/month
Read by 3,781 founders

57. Start a graffiti removal business

Are you interested in starting a graffiti removal business? Great choice! This is a great way to make a positive impact in your community and earn some extra income.

So, what does a graffiti removal business entail? Essentially, your job will be to remove graffiti from buildings, walls, and other surfaces in your area. Removing graffiti can be done through various methods, such as pressure washing, sandblasting, or specialized graffiti removal products.

You’ll need a few key things to start your graffiti removal business. First, you’ll need to purchase or rent the equipment you’ll need, such as pressure washers, sandblasters, and protective gear. You’ll also need to research and buy effective and environmentally friendly graffiti removal products.

In terms of operating your business, you’ll need to advertise your services to potential clients and negotiate prices with them. You’ll also need to schedule and coordinate your work with clients and be prepared to travel to different locations.

Starting a graffiti removal business is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in your community. It is also a good opportunity to earn some extra income. Just be sure to research, invest in the right equipment, and be prepared to work hard and make your business a success!

58. Start a flyer distribution business

59. Start a marketing brochures business

Marketing brochures are one of the most effective and versatile marketing tools companies use to inform the target audience of their services and products. According to statistics, over 70% of marketers use brochures to relay brand messages to their target customers.

Given businesses' high consumption of brochures, starting a marketing brochure design and printing business can be a lucrative opportunity. To start, you need design skills so you can come up with amazing brochures that capture the attention of the target audience.

How much you can make: $800,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A Digital Flipbook Making Tool That Makes $9.6M/Year

Flipsnack is an online tool that allows anyone to create digital flipbooks and has increased its business revenue by over 50% year over year, with YoY growth rates between 50% - 84%, shifting from a B2C approach and focusing more on B2B.

About
Janina started Flipsnack almost 13 years ago
Revenue
Janina grew the business to $800K/month
Read by 8,001 founders

60. Start a discount code sharing business

How much you can make: $3,000/month

My Coupons And Promo Codes Website Makes $3K/Month

PennyCanny is a coupon website founded by Uzair Farooq in 2021 that offers customers free coupons for popular stores like Wayfair, JCPenny, and DoorDash, generating a monthly profit of $3,000 and aiming to expand its coverage to multiple regions and complete a browser extension in the future.

About
Ahmed started Penny Canny over 3 years ago
Revenue
Ahmed grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Ahmed $5000 to start the business
Read by 1,014 founders

61. Start a giveaway videos business

62. Start a human billboards business

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.