Final answer:
Without significant financial resources, Bryan campaigned by actively traveling and delivering speeches directly to the people, which helped him resonate with common citizens and the Populist Party's base.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Jennings Bryan, without significant financial backing, campaigned by speaking directly to the people. In stark contrast to William McKinley's sedentary "front porch" campaign, Bryan embarked on an energetic speaking tour around the country. He traveled through nearly two dozen states, often standing atop a platform on his modified railcar and delivering as many as a dozen speeches per day. This active campaign strategy was backed by the Populist Party and focused on a message against the gold standard and in support of free silver, resonating with the common people and the farmers' plight. Bryan was effectively campaigning as the embodiment of the populist movement, despite the Populist Party risking their identity by endorsing him and not having their own presidential candidate.