Most beginner entrepreneurs burn money on ads before they understand marketing fundamentals. Here's the stack I'd use if I was starting from zero with no budget:

Layer 1: Pick ONE platform. Not three. Not five. One. Whatever platform your customers already scroll — that's where you go. For most B2C plays, it's Instagram or TikTok. For B2B, it's LinkedIn or X.

Layer 2: The 3-1-1 content formula. Every week post: 3 value posts (teach something), 1 story post (share your journey), 1 CTA post (actually sell). Most people either never sell or only sell. The ratio matters.

Layer 3: DM outreach that doesn't feel slimy. Engage genuinely with 20 people a day in your niche. Comment on their stuff. When they follow back, start a real conversation. No pitch in the first message. Ever.

Layer 4: One lead magnet. A checklist, a template, a mini-guide. Something that solves a specific problem. Put the link in your bio. This builds your email list while you sleep.

This stack alone can get you to your first $5K/mo. I've seen it work dozens of times.

I break down each layer in detail inside The Marketing Edge — frameworks, templates, real examples. If you're serious about learning marketing without wasting money on guesswork, come check it out.