Free Marketing Leads: Best Sources & Contact Methods

When I first got started in the make money online industry, I used only one or two of the methods below. There is no need to start with all of them. Choose the ones that resonate with you, on platforms that you are already active on.

Put in the work and it will pay off, do nothing and you can expect nothing. But I know you don’t want that.

Read to the end of this article, because I’m going to share with you a done-for-you approach that you can automate and reap the benefits on a regular basis.

Social Media Platforms

Facebook Groups (BEST for this niche)

  • Search terms: “make money online,” “side hustle,” “passive income,” “work from home,” “online business”
  • Process: Join 10-20 active generic entreprenurial type groups, engage daily by commenting on posts, answer questions, share valuable tips (without pitching initially), then DM people who engage with your comments
  • Look for: People asking questions, sharing struggles, or looking for opportunities

YouTube

  • Search for channels about: affiliate marketing, dropshipping, freelancing, passive income
  • Process: Leave helpful comments on recent videos (especially smaller channels with 1k-50k subscribers), engage with other commenters, connect via their social links
  • Target: Channel owners who might need marketing help AND engaged viewers looking for opportunities

Instagram

  • Hashtags: #makemoneyonline #sidehustle #passiveincome #workfromhome #digitalnomad #onlinebusiness
  • Process: Engage with posts (meaningful comments), follow relevant accounts, send DMs after building rapport
  • Focus on: Accounts with 500-10k followers (more likely to respond)

TikTok

  • Search: “make money online,” “side hustle ideas,” “passive income”
  • Process: Comment on videos, duet/stitch with value-added content, follow creators, engage in comments section
  • Best for: Younger demographic (18-35)

Twitter/X

  • Hashtags: #MakeMoneyOnline #SideHustle #PassiveIncome #AffiliateMarketing
  • Process: Search hashtags, reply to tweets with helpful insights, retweet with commentary, follow and DM

Reddit Communities

Key Subreddits:

  • r/passive_income
  • r/sidehustle
  • r/WorkOnline
  • r/beermoney
  • r/Entrepreneur
  • r/juststart (for affiliate marketers)
  • r/sweatystartup

Process:

  • Sort by “New” to catch posts early
  • Answer questions genuinely (check post history to qualify leads)
  • Build rapport first before any self-promotion
  • DM people who seem serious (avoid tire-kickers)

Quora

  • Search topics: “How to make money online,” “passive income ideas,” “online business”
  • Process: Answer 2-3 questions daily, include soft CTA in bio, follow people who ask good questions, DM after establishing credibility

Online Forums

Warrior Forum (warriorforum.com)

  • One of the oldest make-money-online communities
  • Process: Create profile, participate in discussions, offer free advice, connect via private messages

BlackHatWorld (blackhatworld.com)

  • Large MMO community
  • Process: Similar to Warrior Forum, focus on providing value

DigitalPoint Forums

  • Process: Engage in relevant sections, build reputation

Free Lead Generation Sites

Hunter.io (free tier)

  • Find email addresses of website owners in the MMO niche
  • Process: Enter domain names of MMO blogs/sites, get contact emails

Apollo.io (free tier)

  • Search for: online course creators, coaches, affiliate marketers
  • Process: Use filters for industry/job title, export limited contacts

LinkedIn Sales Navigator (free trial)

  • Search for: “online business coach,” “affiliate marketer,” “course creator,” “digital entrepreneur”
  • Process: Connect with personalized messages

Content Platforms

Medium

  • Follow tags: #makemoneyonline #sidehustle #passiveincome
  • Process: Comment on articles, follow authors, engage meaningfully

Substack

  • Find newsletters about making money online
  • Process: Subscribe, engage with content, reply to emails, connect with authors

YouTube Comments Strategy (Highly Effective)

Target these types of channels:

  • Affiliate marketing tutorials (10k-100k subs)
  • Dropshipping guides
  • Freelancing tips
  • Passive income strategies
  • Course creation advice

Process:

  1. Find videos posted within last 7 days
  2. Leave thoughtful, helpful comments early
  3. Reply to other commenters with value
  4. Your profile should have a clear description of what you offer
  5. Pin a comment if you have your own channel

Specific Outreach Strategy

Week 1-2: Build Presence

  • Join groups/communities
  • Engage without pitching
  • Provide genuine value
  • Build credibility

Week 3-4: Strategic Engagement

  • Identify active, engaged members
  • Start conversations
  • Offer free tips/audits
  • Collect contacts

Week 5+: Direct Outreach

  • DM people you’ve engaged with
  • Reference previous conversations
  • Offer specific help
  • Soft pitch your services

Ideal Prospects

  • Already have some online presence
  • Willing to invest in growth
  • Ask intelligent questions
  • Have taken action before
  • Looking to scale existing efforts

Sample Opening Message Template

“Hey [Name], I saw your post/comment about [specific topic] in [group/platform]. I’ve been helping people in the MMO space with [specific result]. Would you be open to a quick chat about [their specific challenge]? No pitch, just happy to share what’s worked for others.”

How To Automate This Process

If all of this seems daunting, don’t stress. You can automate this process, here’s how:

  1. Choose a few of platforms and methods above, such as Facebook groups, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
  2. Hire a virtual assistant to do this work for you. Let them know which methods to implement, and which platforms to focus on. Give them the Ads and the messages to use.
  3. In advance set up an autoresponder with a lead capture page and have your virtual assistance provide this to your potential lead.

Freelance Platforms

Upwork (upwork.com)
Process: Post a job or search for VAs with “lead generation” skills, filter by experience and rates, review portfolios, conduct interviews
Cost: Free to post, platform fee applies to payments

Fiverr (fiverr.com)
Process: Search “lead generation VA” or “virtual assistant,” filter by ratings/reviews, check gig details, order service
Cost: Services start at $5, typically $50-200 for quality lead gen

Freelancer.com
Process: Post project, receive bids, review proposals, hire
Cost: Free to post, commission on payments

PeoplePerHour (peopleperhour.com)
Process: Browse VAs by skill, post project, receive proposals
Cost: Similar to Upwork

*Groups to join: “Virtual Assistant Jobs,” “Freelance Virtual Assistants,” “VA Networking,” “Online Jobs for Filipinos”
Process: Post job listing with requirements, review applications, conduct video interviews
Cost: Free to post
Best for: Direct hiring, negotiating rates

LinkedIn
Process: Post job, search for VAs with relevant skills, send connection requests, recruit directly
Cost: Free to post (or LinkedIn Recruiter for advanced features)

Instagram
Hashtags: #virtualassistant #VAservices #leadgeneration #virtualassistantservices
Process: Search hashtags, review profiles, DM potential candidates
Cost: Free to post
Best for: Finding VAs who market themselves actively
Specialized Lead Gen Services

Indeed (indeed.com)
Process: Post “Virtual Assistant – Lead Generation” job, review applications
Cost: Free to post (sponsored posts cost extra)

Recommended Hiring Process

Step 1: Create Clear Job Description
Specific tasks: Find leads in MMO niche on [platforms]
Required skills: Social media research, data entry, basic outreach
Hours needed: 10-20 hours/week
Rate: $5-15/hour (depending on experience)

Step 2: Test Assignment

Ask candidates to find 10 qualified leads in MMO niche
Evaluate quality, speed, communication

Step 3: Trial Period

Start with 1-2 weeks trial
Set clear KPIs (number of leads, quality metrics)
Provide feedback
Step 4: Tools & Training

Give access to: Spreadsheets, CRM, social media accounts, Ad copy, messages, etc.
Provide training on your ideal customer profile
Set up reporting system

What to Look For in a VA
✅ Experience with social media platforms
✅ Understanding of “make money online” niche
✅ Good English communication skills
✅ Attention to detail
✅ Self-starter mentality
✅ Familiarity with lead generation tools

Red Flags
❌ No portfolio or examples
❌ Unrealistic promises
❌ Poor communication
❌ No questions about your business
❌ Extremely low rates (may indicate low quality)

Cost Expectations
Philippines-based VAs: $3-8/hour
Indian VAs: $5-12/hour
Eastern European VAs: $10-20/hour
US-based VAs: $25-75/hour
My Top Recommendations for Your Niche:
OnlineJobs.ph – Best value, dedicated workers
Upwork – Quality and variety
Facebook VA Groups – Direct hiring, negotiable rates


I hope this information helps give you ideas and sparks you to take action in one of the categories, even you start this method of developing online leads by doing it yourself.

This is how I started, so it can absolutely be done but it does take personal time and dedication.

Let me know how it goes for you, but whatever you do, don’t give up on your journey to create a better life for yourself and your family by gaining more disposable income and time freedom!

For more helpful tips, stay connected to my Free Gift Sunday newsletter by going to: freegiftsunday.com

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