Assuming you already know what Bitcoin is and have a wallet setup, if not please read my introduction article to bitcoin (https://steemit.com/bitcoin/@michael.collett/bitcoin-how-and-why-to-invest). In this article I will show you a few methods you can use today (100% free) to start earning bitcoins. I am also offering a free bitcoin giveaway to help boost your cloud mining account. Spend the time to bookmark these and save them as 'tabs to open' when you launch your internet browser.
Faucets
First you want to setup a 'Coinpot' wallet. Coinpot acts as a 'pool service' for many faucet promos to send free cryptocurrency too. https://coinpot.co/
Go to http://moonbit.co.in/?ref=235674d2b3d6 and sign up with the same email you used for your coinpot account. Click claim, and complete the 'captcha'. You can claim every 5 minutes, or leave it 'build up' and claim at a later time.
Go to http://bonusbitcoin.co/faucet and again, sign up with the same email you used for you coinpot account. Scroll down the page until you see the "I'm not a robot" captcha, tick it and click claim. You can claim every 15 minutes, or claim more less frequently. Ignore the popup adds, it's how the site pays for it's faucet. Note* Don't bother with 'Bitcoin Generators', they all ask for you to send a payment to receive the "generated bitcoins" - it is a scam. This site does pop up bitcoin generator adds, do ignore these.
Lastly, https://freebitco.in/?r=7033445 is a 'Hi-Lo' flipping game that also works as a free weekly lottery and rewards program. There are many crappy strategies on youtube that you can try you hand at losing too. My advice from experience here, don't put any money into it. Just collect the free bitcoins every hour which automatically puts you into the weekly lottery.
Cloud Mining
In short, cloud mining is the ability to buy/rent hashpower for mining bitcoin and altcoins. There is a wealth of options out there, the key is reliability. Essentially mining is not really profitable until you pass the 6-22 month mark depending on who you choose. For that reason there is a risk of investments 'going under' if the mining company shutsdown. Here are two recommendations.
+++++FREE GIVEAWAY+++++
EOBOT - https://www.eobot.com/user/1121663
After registering, click deposit and "generate" a bitcoin address. Upvote and leave a comment with this wallet address and your user ID. You must register via the above referral link. I will send $2 USD to all who sign up, and reply with block transaction link.
Eobot has been running for a while now, the key feature is that anyone can get involved for free. Once you sign up, click the drop down box for Mining, and select 'GHS 4.0'. Then under the 'Products' tab, select 'Faucet' and claim your free hashpower. You can claim free hashpower each day, or alternatively, switch your mining preference to something else, and be paid out respectively.
Once you have received the free bitcoin giveaway in your EOBOT account, you can click "exchange" to transfer it into more mining hashpower. Select BTC from the left dropbox, and 'SHA 256 4.0 5-year rental' from the right dropbox. Click purchase SHA 256 4.0 and you're done :)
The great thing about Eobot is you can essentially "mine" more hashpower, which has a minor accelerating effect on your capacity to mine more.
-----FREE GIVEAWAY-----
Genesis Mining
My second recommendation is https://www.genesis-mining.com/ Genesis mining is your more serious option if you are looking to invest more. Contracts are limited in availability (in high demand), and as of today they have launched a pre-order purchase for open-ended (no term limit) Bitcoin mining contracts, commencing Oct 31. If you would like a 3% discount when ordering, you can use my referral code: OM2rA9
As of today I have pre-ordered a Bitcoin mining contract with Genesis, if you would like to leave your referral code in the comments i'll pick one on my next contract upgrade.
If you would like to donate, details are as follows
Bitcoin: 388eHVMUdDn9EqCnytFdQabwZsW8ybVmdo
Litecoin: MSarwkbtjEScboVDppYhzcgohCUHYDVeNg
Bitcoin Cash: 1MUCiWHfcSzxZ1cxBr88kStPQrEpE4aRks
Ethereum: 0xF4dD42BC37516f729133658726E3034cC4c9B0A8
Dash: XsnuT8rXCz98utSbGBiMqySkR7FsbjX9gw