Don't have access to a quality computer or just need a simple business model?
No worries.
Although working from a cell phone isn't ideal for most entrepreneurs, it's definitely possible if that's what you need to do.
And entrepreneurship is all about getting the job done regardless of the situation.
These are five business models you can start from your cell phone.
#1: Social Media Influencing
How do you use social media?
For many people, they're barely on desktop when they're browsing the internet at all.
Source: Oberlo
When they're browsing Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or whatever social media platform they use, they're often doing it from their phone.
Which means you can become a social media influencer with just a cell phone.
Influencers make money in several ways...
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored posts
- Paid product placement
- Selling digital products
...just to name a few.
Even if you don't have a massive following, there's a trend toward brands working with "micro-influencers," people who have smaller but highly engaged followings.
With just 500-1,000 followers, you can start leveraging influencer marketing.
#2: Social Media Management
If influencing isn't your thing, there's another way to monetize social media.
In Buffer's 2019 State of Social report, they found that 73% of marketers said that social media was at least somewhat effective for their business.
The interesting part for you is that there's a disconnect between how many businesses find social media useful and how many have a plan in place to use it.
Source: Buffer
Only half of businesses report having a documented strategy in place.
So, you could come in and create a strategy for businesses and then create content for them using your phone.
#3: Start A YouTube Channel
Making money on YouTube is similar in many ways to influencer marketing, but it gets its own section because it requires a different skillset.
Like influencer marketing, there are several ways to monetize...
- Advertising
- Subscriptions
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored videos
- Paid product place
...and you don't need a bunch of fancy video equipment or software to shoot these videos.
There are plenty of popular YouTube videos that are just someone talking into their cell phone camera.
#4: Product Arbitrage
This one is a bit different, but bear with me.
Product arbitrage is when you find a product that's undervalued, buy it and then resell it at a higher price.
And there are plenty of websites and apps you can use on your phone to do this...
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- OfferUp
- Ebay
- Amazon
You can buy and sell anything from kids toys to watches to secondhand clothes (a market projected to triple in the next 10 years).
For reference, this is a comparison of what products people like to buy online vs. in-person.
Source: Statista
You can use this to guide your product search.
#5: Create & Sell Shirt Designs
Although it's easier to create designs on your computer, there are mobile apps that allow you to create and sell your shirts from your phone.
One example is Teespring.
With Teespring, you can design, order and sell your creations completely within-app.
If all you have is a cell phone, or you're just looking for a simple lightweight business to start, these are five options you can start relatively quick. | 
