Broke - What would you do?

by spyk
57 replies
I'm very much a newbie, although Ive been lurking about on here for a while now. I think I have a basic understanding of the IM world, but as yet Ive earned nothing...zilch, zero, a big fat nothing! now Ive almost completely run out of cash to even market the simplest of ideas.

I live quite simply and don't have too many over heads, but with little or no cash to put into a project I can't see a way ahead. Is it time to give up this game?

I think I can muster up around £50 (im UK based !) for one last go at something, so my question is, what would you do with a budget like this; firstly to gain some confidence, but also to hopefully get some cash coming back the other way.

All ideas will be very gratefully received, and I really hope one day Im in a position to offer good advice to a newbie. There are a lot of good people on here, just hope one you is logged on tonight!
#broke
  • Profile picture of the author mikeroosa
    Honestly, get a job and do this in your free time. I know there are lots of free methods, but they take time and you are going to need to eat.
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    • Profile picture of the author NateRivers
      Originally Posted by mikeroosa View Post

      Honestly, get a job and do this in your free time. I know there are lots of free methods, but they take time and you are going to need to eat.
      Word. - Get a job for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
    £50=$roughly $80 US

    you have a lot more money than I had when I first started out and you have a lot more than other people have had when they started out. Don't let your lack of money stop you from doing something about your situation.

    The easiest way to make money online is to offer up a service of some kind.

    do you have skills that you can offer up as a service and place a $20 ad in the Warriors for Hire section? cost $20 to place the ad and will still leave you with $60.

    Take the focus off of yourself...here's a little secret trick I use that brings me everything I need: I wake up each morning and ask myself "who can I help today?"

    When you focus on helping other people you will find that your needs will be met. To prosper, help others to prosper.


    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    Broke - What would you do? ... read, learn and try - rinse and repeat.

    You could have a million dollars in your pocket but if you don't take the time to learn how to create an online business then that million dollars will burn out in a few months or maybe weeks. So put your money away, pick a niche and start learning everything there is to know about that niche. Focus, focus, focus .... and you'll gain success.
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  • Profile picture of the author scrofford
    Originally Posted by spyk View Post

    I'm very much a newbie, although Ive been lurking about on here for a while now. I think I have a basic understanding of the IM world, but as yet Ive earned nothing...zilch, zero, a big fat nothing! now Ive almost completely run out of cash to even market the simplest of ideas.

    I live quite simply and don't have too many over heads, but with little or no cash to put into a project I can't see a way ahead. Is it time to give up this game?

    I think I can muster up around £50 (im UK based !) for one last go at something, so my question is, what would you do with a budget like this; firstly to gain some confidence, but also to hopefully get some cash coming back the other way.

    All ideas will be very gratefully received, and I really hope one day Im in a position to offer good advice to a newbie. There are a lot of good people on here, just hope one you is logged on tonight!
    Since you have been "lurking" around here for a while then you should have seen some of the MANY threads started on this exact subject. One in particular you can do a search for. I think the title is "what to do if you're broke." Maybe you should do some searching before starting yet another thread on this subject. Just sayin...
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Brauer
    I agree with one comment above...

    Get a job (for now), and work on this in your spare time....

    Otherwise you can try consulting with offline clients --- that seems to always product short term "bursts" of cash...
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
    I would honestly find a job (any job--even if its sweeping floors or washing dishes) and then use part of that to seed your internet marketing plans.
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  • Profile picture of the author ShayB
    Originally Posted by spyk View Post

    I'm very much a newbie, although Ive been lurking about on here for a while now. I think I have a basic understanding of the IM world, but as yet Ive earned nothing...zilch, zero, a big fat nothing! now Ive almost completely run out of cash to even market the simplest of ideas.

    I live quite simply and don't have too many over heads, but with little or no cash to put into a project I can't see a way ahead. Is it time to give up this game?

    I think I can muster up around £50 (im UK based !) for one last go at something, so my question is, what would you do with a budget like this; firstly to gain some confidence, but also to hopefully get some cash coming back the other way.

    All ideas will be very gratefully received, and I really hope one day Im in a position to offer good advice to a newbie. There are a lot of good people on here, just hope one you is logged on tonight!
    1. I would make sure you had a plan to have steady money coming in. That could be a job or offering a service in the Warriors for Hire section. Make sure you have something to pay the bills. Desperation is a poor motivator.

    2. Start slowly. I started with Blogger blogs for IM (while I had writing bringing in the money to pay the bills), which are free to set up. Once you get the hang of making money, then you can invest in hosting, etc.

    3. Lather, rinse and repeat. Once you make your first dollar, then you can keep doing it over and over.

    I have a free 4-week course for getting started with blogging. If you'd like to have access to it, shoot me a PM and I'll send a link. (It's on a blog. Each week has 5 lessons. Very step by step and very newbie friendly.)

    Edited to add: I see you don't have many posts, so I'm not sure if you can PM me. I'll PM you the link.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by spyk View Post

    I'm very much a newbie, although Ive been lurking about on here for a while now. I think I have a basic understanding of the IM world, but as yet Ive earned nothing...zilch, zero, a big fat nothing! now Ive almost completely run out of cash to even market the simplest of ideas.

    I live quite simply and don't have too many over heads, but with little or no cash to put into a project I can't see a way ahead. Is it time to give up this game?

    I think I can muster up around £50 (im UK based !) for one last go at something, so my question is, what would you do with a budget like this; firstly to gain some confidence, but also to hopefully get some cash coming back the other way.

    All ideas will be very gratefully received, and I really hope one day Im in a position to offer good advice to a newbie. There are a lot of good people on here, just hope one you is logged on tonight!
    You say you've earned nothing so far. The only activity you've mentioned is lurking and gaining a basic understanding - two activities it's very difficult to get paid for doing.

    If you've given something an honest try, you now know something that doesn't work for you right now. So it's time to try something different, whether that's a new variation on something you believe should work for you or something entirely different.

    There's something to be said for small successes. Look for something simple that you know you can do easily, yet something people will pay for. It might be something as simple as building links for someone, doing a bit of research, setting up blogs, even writing if you have the skills. Anything that you can do that someone will put money in your hand in return for doing.

    Several years ago, I hit a rough patch. I took a job that I thought was "beneath me" doing inbound telemarketing - basically taking orders over the phone. I was right - the job sucked (at least doing it the way the company wanted it done, but that's a story for another time). But depositing that paycheck and writing checks to the people to whom I owed money was worth every mind-numbing minute.

    Just don't quit. If you decide to walk away, fine. But walk away on your own terms, knowing that you've done the best you can do.
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Agree with advice to take care of yourself, first. IM isn't going anywhere.

    You will be far more likely to make errors in judgment if you are hungry and
    feeling desperate to make money. Just let it wait.

    Do something to bring cash in, find some kind of job, and then save more than
    you spend. All the while, just work on putting one project together. Only focus
    on one thing you can do without too much strain on your resources.

    Don't buy WSOs or anything you will not use immediately. In fact, stay out of the
    WSO section until things are better.

    There is a thread, here in the main forum, by Paul Myers, and it's about making
    money if you're desperate. Use the search function, find it and read it. You may
    be able to get some ideas.

    Stay positive.


    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author tsuccess
    I started out using free marketing methods so If you need to use free marketing methods use article marketing, Twitter, classified ads, and forums. However, hang in there, that's for sure... Don't give up.
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    • Profile picture of the author sdbagley
      I would start by making a game plan.
      I would go find a job, even one that I hated, to make sure that my expenses were met.
      No matter how many good ideas you have for making money online, the internet, for the most part is not free.
      There is paying for the connection and electricity to run your PC.
      If you can't pay for those, your million dollar IM idea is dead in the water.

      If your internet and electric are paid for now, and you have the basic needs met, take that money and put it somewhere safe or in a savings account, then find a job and start saving what you can, and "moonlight" in internet marketing on your off days/spare time.

      There are several free advertising opportunities via forum postings, free classified ads, guest blogging, article marketing, ect.

      While your working on an offline job, you can start gaining advertising experience for free, and then by time you really feel you know what your doing and have gained some confidence, you can use the money you saved to place paid ads, like on here for example

      That is what I would do, at least
      Good luck to you!
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  • Profile picture of the author Promet Analyst
    Just like what they say "Failure to Plan is a Plan for Failure." and agree agree agree with those members who suggested doing some services first before investing what you've got on something right away.
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  • Profile picture of the author scrofford
    In fact here is the link to the thread I was talking about in my earlier post. Click here and check it out. Again, the search button is there for a reason and should be used before starting a new thread about something that has been addressed thousands of times here already.
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  • Profile picture of the author CheapTrafficDude
    DON'T BUY ANYTHING!! You'll be very dissapointed especially if it's your last pounds.

    Well, if a JOB ain't for you, then take a look at freelancing. Whatever skill you have, someone needs it or someone would be willing to hire you. Of course you're competing with fierce markets that have cheap currency value but I'd suggest you start there, write unique articles for $10 a piece. Write 10 articles in a day and that's $100!

    I know one guy who actually earns a living from giving away free walmart gift cards. Goes around and gives out business cards with a link in his community. I could also bet you use facebook, you can make money there too, I'm sure you have friends, send them a free CPA offer, if you have 2-3K friends, it's not hard to make a few hundreds Of course, you'd prob get paid in USD but since you live in UK and most your friends are prob from the UK, those CPA offers generally pay more because it's a very small country, with lots of people and a high value currency.

    Hope this helps
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    • Profile picture of the author DudleyDog
      The first thing I would do is find the easiest way to make some money. This normally means getting a job or jobs. It depends on your skills and experience. You've got to balance your income and outgoings. If you don't mind working long hours for a while, get more than one job.

      Try to work it so that you can put aside a small amount each week until you've got about £300 to £500 saved-up. Then give me a shout and I'll see what I can do to help you.

      If you can achieve this goal, just think what you can do in the future. It's often a case of short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits.

      If anyone has ever tried to give up smoking, alcohol, lose weight or similar, you know what I'm talking about.

      Many entrepreneurs began the road to success with a struggle. Set your goals, do what you can to get there. Don't ponder too much on your current situation; I know it's hard, but try to spend your thinking time wisely to get to the next level.

      I hope you get there soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    Originally Posted by spyk View Post

    I'm very much a newbie, although Ive been lurking about on here for a while now. I think I have a basic understanding of the IM world, but as yet Ive earned nothing...zilch, zero, a big fat nothing! now Ive almost completely run out of cash to even market the simplest of ideas.

    I live quite simply and don't have too many over heads, but with little or no cash to put into a project I can't see a way ahead. Is it time to give up this game?

    I think I can muster up around £50 (im UK based !) for one last go at something, so my question is, what would you do with a budget like this; firstly to gain some confidence, but also to hopefully get some cash coming back the other way.

    All ideas will be very gratefully received, and I really hope one day Im in a position to offer good advice to a newbie. There are a lot of good people on here, just hope one you is logged on tonight!
    Spyk,

    hint..hint...you notice how your posting is all about spending money? This doesn't make sense at all.

    If you are broke, why are you worrying about how and when to spend the remaining money you still have?

    You know, those kind of posting i read here almost every day, and its simply beyond me why people make such a fuzz about "how can i spend the money?"...because its simply 100% the totally wrong mind set.

    It even answers your initial question already why you are not making money..maybe you waste time thinking about how you can spend our fifty bucks..instead of focusing whats really important HOW YOU CAN MAKE MONEY

    If i am broke or need cash, i am not thinking about spending the last dime, instead i go on forums and try to get projects like writing.

    So.what i am saying..change your thinking and give yourself a pat on the head, 99,99% in IM is in fact free and you can do it right now.

    The best IMers and entrepreneurs are the ones who know how to generate money "out of nothing" (so to speak)..heck it costs nothing to sign up at affiliate programs, fiverr or whatever and start selling services, or making a website on wordpress, squidoo...get backlinks...writing and submitting articles. NO SINGLE PENNY.
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  • Profile picture of the author Terri LC
    I just wanted to add that yes, finding other work will help but you can also do what I did....and that was join Elance....you can get started for free, I think the trick is to have an impressive (accurate) profile with your strengths, for me it was article writing, and I don't know if I just lucked out or what, but out of 8 proposals from others, I was chosen to write some articles for which he paid me $250 a few days later.

    I was on top of the world and now I use Elance and am setting up my own Freelance service blog site while continuing with my IM.

    Good Luck to you!

    Terri
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  • Profile picture of the author Topgunb
    Go onto a site like fiverr or fourer and sell your services or products
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  • Profile picture of the author andymurray2810
    I think that the first thing you need to do is get your mindset right - If you are thinking in that negative way then where you want to start
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  • Profile picture of the author jideofor
    Sure, a lot of warrior have spoken their minds... But being from an English speaking country, I think you can do well by writing article for a few people,mostly internet marketers. All you just have to do is learn 'how to write a good keyword rich articles' ( search Google for this) and if you stay at it, you should come back here to give your own testimonial...

    Just my 2 cent,lol
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    It's unlikely that you'll make money quickly doing IM. I suggest you get a job and invest some of your earnings into IM in order to maximize your profits and decrease your workload. Doing everything on your else can be hard. If you invest, say, $100/month into SEM, you should be making that back within a month or two, easily.
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  • Profile picture of the author cheerios2009
    I agree with two things - 1, Get a day job for now. However, I also know it is hard to find employment so it may be that you would get a job, but you're having a hard time getting one.

    My niece went to Safeway (grocery store) 3 times a week for THREE months. Then one day when she went in to see if there was an opening they hired her on the spot. They didn't even interview her. She had already shown them she was serious.

    Okay, that's just a thought there on getting an offline job.

    2. You can post a service in this forum for $20.00, and you can also post it in your sig file for free. You may have to work hard for a while doing some of the chores people need, writing is a big seller. People need that all the time.

    Best Wishes,
    Chrisi
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    • Profile picture of the author taffie
      Surely this should be easy now, all you need, a good affiliate link, could be amazon, it's free to join, a domain name and hosting, all should cost under £50, install a blog on your domain name and drive loads of traffic to your website using the methods you learn from here.

      Impossible is nothing! A lot of elbow grease this takes, but if you really want it to happen then grease those elbows. Going to work? You will still need to work there, sometimes hard, and if not careful, you will become complacent.

      You know I have been mentored by Shawn Casey in soem way, as one of his students for one of his membership sites, there, there was a product he named Desperate For Money, where he put some very prominent marketers like Bob Silber, speaking about him, I just seen a post by him here today, and a few other I think Shefren was one of them, and prented that they were wanted by some desparedos who threatened to kill them and their families if they didn't pay them a sum of $2000, I think in 48 hours.

      So, it was assumed that each of these marketers would be allowed $200, a laptop with internet connection and locked in a room. He tested them to see how they would do to come up with the $2000 in 48 hours, and guess what, they came up with some brilliant ideas. I know this has all been para phrased of course and not explained properly as I am just being lazy, but I am sure you got the idea.

      Just imagine you are wanted, and you need to make this cash and you know what you already know? Sometimes I think it's just down to our own laziness to be honest.

      All it is is a product and traffic to that product? Why is it difficult?
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  • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
    Read the forum and the countless of threads of people asking the same thing.

    If you have really been around a while, you would know that.

    -g
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    Get your priorities straight.

    If you simply aren't making enough money to put food
    on your table, then get a job. You shouldn't try and build
    an income online until you are stable enough. If you have
    to shovel dirt for sometime, do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    If you're really serious about doing this, there's no need to "muster up" your last 50 pounds on the latest whiz-bang course that promises untold riches overnight.

    Save your money. If you're really committed towards you IM, start by offering related services. You could always offer article writing and other services like press release writing and submission, graphics, blog set up, backlinking, etc. If you've been lurking here for a while, you should be able to do at least a few of these things. You can learn all about it here, if you feel like you're not ready to do this yet.

    In the meantime, learn all you can about one method (through this very forum, ask questions if you need to) and implement it on the side as and when your income from your services allows. It shouldn't take much, as you really only need to buy a domain and hosting (perhaps an autoresponder later on) to get off on the right foot with your IM.

    Don't believe all the promises and half-truths in the latest "get rich quick pushbutton" type programs - it's going to take real effort and persistence to get your IM off the ground, and you'll probably have to do things that aren't terribly exciting in the beginning. This is all part and parcel of starting a real business on the internet.

    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Knowing what I know now... I have a virtual ATM machine.

    When I need money... I just go get it. And I am fairly new to this stuff, sorta.

    I wouldn't buy anything.... I repeat... DO NOT go spend money on a WSO or anything else until you have turned a profit. Then... only buy one if any. They can become a distraction that will get in your way.

    What I needed and still to this day need. Is FOCUS.

    Focus on one thing....

    For myself... I got a phone and a list.... (You can use the phonebook if you want.)

    Then I started calling businesses and offering website design for $599. Within 72 hours I had $1600 in my accounts.

    Don't want to pick up a phone....?

    Walk down the street and go into EVERY SINGLE business you see and offer them a website for $299UK if you dedicate a little time... Like a week tops.... you will sell a few.

    Don't want to do that either?

    I can think of 3 more ways to make money today... but if you can't do those two. You probably don't have the willingness it takes to do them.

    Every great businessman and leader have one thing in common.

    "The ability to do what no one else wants to."
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    • Profile picture of the author Terry Coombes
      spyk,
      A few months back, I was looking around here for similar ideas and one that caught my eye was a casual mention of writing for London Brokers, an online publishing company (Google it). It's relatively poorly paid, but it's good for getting you into the discipline of article writing - if you make mistakes you'll be rejected, simple as that. You have to pass a small test to show that you're a native English speaker. The thing is, once you're under way with them, you can keep writing while you're looking for other work, say on Elance. London Brokers pay every Thursday without fail, into your Paypal account.

      This was the most positive, practical suggestion I saw, although the "desperate" thread mentioned above is excellent.

      If you don't have a Paypal account, get one immediately, to set up a fighting fund. Once you've built up a few hundred dollars (everything's dollars) from writing for London Brokers, plus selling odds & ends on Ebay, you'll be in a position to spend on such things as hosting, domain names and Warrior Special Offers (WSOs) on here. My first investment, that's been worth every penny, was joining the War Room.

      I also placed an ad in Warriors For Hire in which I advertised a low cost article writing offer. People here are very good at giving you a chance. What the low paying articles do is build your confidence that you can get paid for your work.

      A short while ago, I bought Nick Brighton's WSO about getting started on Elance. Low cost, great investment, because within days of taking his advice, I'd got my first job on there, despite having had an account for quite some time.

      I posted a question on here the other day asking "How do writers make a living?" and the responses on the thread were incredibly helpful. If you have any interest in writing take a look at that thread.

      One of the great things about Warrior Forum is how you can feel down on the ground and Warriors can lift you again and fill you with enthusiasm.

      PS I've assumed throughout that life's essentials (food, etc.) are taken care of.

      Good Luck

      Terry
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      • Profile picture of the author spyk
        Hi Terry,

        Thanks for your well thought out response. I've had a look at London Brokers, you're right it is poorly paid, but something is better than nothing, at the moment!!

        I just wanted to know, when you posted your thread about article writers did you get any more writing sites that might be worth looking at?

        I cant PM at the moment, but anymore help like that would be greatly appreciated.
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      • Profile picture of the author spyk
        Originally Posted by wolhouse View Post

        spyk,
        A few months back, I was looking around here for similar ideas and one that caught my eye was a casual mention of writing for London Brokers, an online publishing company (Google it). It's relatively poorly paid, but it's good for getting you into the discipline of article writing - if you make mistakes you'll be rejected, simple as that. You have to pass a small test to show that you're a native English speaker. The thing is, once you're under way with them, you can keep writing while you're looking for other work, say on Elance. London Brokers pay every Thursday without fail, into your Paypal account.

        This was the most positive, practical suggestion I saw, although the "desperate" thread mentioned above is excellent.

        If you don't have a Paypal account, get one immediately, to set up a fighting fund. Once you've built up a few hundred dollars (everything's dollars) from writing for London Brokers, plus selling odds & ends on Ebay, you'll be in a position to spend on such things as hosting, domain names and Warrior Special Offers (WSOs) on here. My first investment, that's been worth every penny, was joining the War Room.

        I also placed an ad in Warriors For Hire in which I advertised a low cost article writing offer. People here are very good at giving you a chance. What the low paying articles do is build your confidence that you can get paid for your work.

        A short while ago, I bought Nick Brighton's WSO about getting started on Elance. Low cost, great investment, because within days of taking his advice, I'd got my first job on there, despite having had an account for quite some time.

        I posted a question on here the other day asking "How do writers make a living?" and the responses on the thread were incredibly helpful. If you have any interest in writing take a look at that thread.

        One of the great things about Warrior Forum is how you can feel down on the ground and Warriors can lift you again and fill you with enthusiasm.

        PS I've assumed throughout that life's essentials (food, etc.) are taken care of.

        Good Luck

        Terry
        Hi Terry,

        Thanks for your well thought out response. I've had a look at London Brokers, you're right it is poorly paid, but something is better than nothing, at the moment.

        I just wanted to know, when you posted your thread about article writers did you get any more writing sites that might be worth looking at?

        Im Post Grad educated, used to work at the BBC as a journalist, so I know my way around an article. Trouble is, everyone's doing it, and the Far East are under-cutting us greatly. Some people don't seem to care about quality.
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        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by spyk View Post

          Some people don't seem to care about quality.
          Those people are not your market. Don't worry about how many people are buying $5 articles from India. Your articles are better than that, and you only want clients who understand that and are willing to pay for it.

          Post more on the forum so people can see how well you write. Take care to always use the same level of proper spelling, grammar, and vocabulary that you'd use on a client article. Start a blog. Do some guest posts on other people's blogs. Get your writing out there where people can see it.

          It does get noticed, and people are willing to pay top-dollar for people who write well. They're just generally suspicious of people who only write well when there's cash on the table.
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          "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by spyk View Post

          Hi Terry,

          Thanks for your well thought out response. I've had a look at London Brokers, you're right it is poorly paid, but something is better than nothing, at the moment.
          In your original post, you spoke of needing to rebuild confidence. There's a saying that 'nothing succeeds like success'...

          London Brokers may be poorly paid, but it is paid. Sometimes the small successes are all you need to get you moving again.

          In an earlier post, I talked about taking a job with an inbound telemarketing company. Here's the rest of the story...

          The company runs a large outdoor equipment catalog (hunting, fishing, etc.) and I've been a fishing nut since I was old enough to hold a pole. Sounds like a good match, right?

          Problem was, they didn't expect or appreciate any product knowledge from order-takers. Take the call, enter the order in the computer as quickly as possible, and move on. I had a tendency to overstep my rank and offer advice when it was asked for, rather than transfer the call to one of the specialists (some of whom were specialists in other areas and knew little about fishing).

          Eventually I parted ways with the company, largely over the difference of opinion on my using my knowledge to help people, even if it resulted in larger or add-on sales.

          The big plus came from the feedback of those callers, reminding me that I was good at communicating with them and finding solutions to their problems. That was the confidence booster.

          I haven't looked back since...
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        • Profile picture of the author Terry Coombes
          spyk, Here's a link to the thread you mention: How do writers make a living? There are some really helpful ideas in the responses. Alexa added some excellent links for writers, as did a few other Warriors. There's a post in there from Ken Thompson where he mentions Bob Bly's site - I found Bob's blog and he has some inspirational give-aways for writers. In fact, the first, in a set of four, is so good, I haven't got around to downloading the other three yet.

          CDarklock's post here puts to bed any worries about undercutting. This is a quote from Alexa that I think says a great deal:
          What one earns as a writer ultimately more or less boils down to one thing: the markets in which one chooses to compete, and those depend on one's marketing skills more than on one's writing skills...
          Terry


          Originally Posted by spyk View Post

          Hi Terry,

          Thanks for your well thought out response. I've had a look at London Brokers, you're right it is poorly paid, but something is better than nothing, at the moment.

          I just wanted to know, when you posted your thread about article writers did you get any more writing sites that might be worth looking at?

          Im Post Grad educated, used to work at the BBC as a journalist, so I know my way around an article. Trouble is, everyone's doing it, and the Far East are under-cutting us greatly. Some people don't seem to care about quality.
          Signature


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  • Profile picture of the author InitialEffort
    Get a job until you get IM figured out then gradually build some sites. Then when you are ready to go full time IM quit your job.
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  • Profile picture of the author dgoodhart
    it's best to get a job to make some money first. save up and then try to tackle internet marketing. you will usually make more money through paid traffic instead of free traffic
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  • Profile picture of the author kharyreynolds
    Your best bet if you do not want to get a J.O.B. is to start freelancing ASAP. You can start by writing articles for Warriors that need content. You can also market you services on places such as Elance, oDesk, and Guru. If you need quick cash, you have to have something to sell...either a product or a service. (Your choice).
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  • Profile picture of the author genietoast
    1. Save your cash and find some income to help you pay bills.

    2. Three words: Chris Farrell Membership.
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  • Profile picture of the author spyk
    Thanks for all who've taken the time to comment here. Lots of good suggestions and some tough love! Im making a note of a few key things that have come up. I did trying offering some writing here, but we(UK/US writers) cant compete with the Far East on prices. Some suggested asking $10 a day, thats seems ok, but I got offered $3 on here. Yes it's money. But I think you've got to keep some value to what you do or you will lose self confidence. You will have all felt (at sometime) that shock and disappointed when something doesn't quite come off...it does bash your confidence. Ive been lucky to have had success at other things, but not this dam IM..yet! I will keep on trying and the advice about not spending any more money has been heeded!
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      Originally Posted by spyk View Post

      Thanks for all who've taken the time to comment here. Lots of good suggestions and some tough love! Im making a note of a few key things that have come up. I did trying offering some writing here, but we(UK/US writers) cant compete with the Far East on prices. Some suggested asking $10 a day, thats seems ok, but I got offered $3 on here. Yes it's money. But I think you've got to keep some value to what you do or you will lose self confidence. You will have all felt (at sometime) that shock and disappointed when something doesn't quite come off...it does bash your confidence. Ive been lucky to have had success at other things, but not this dam IM..yet! I will keep on trying and the advice about not spending any more money has been heeded!
      don't compete with them...you don't have to...in fact I would charge more, way more...
      Listen, before other people know your value, you've got to know your own value. Never ever sell yourself short.
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  • Profile picture of the author DeanJames
    @spyk

    It's hard when you only have £50 but it's not impossible ( not by a long stretch ). The bad news is that your time and sweat equity is your biggest asset. The good news is you can make money by doing what other people don't like doing and also build your business as well ( make a point of doing this ).

    1. Sell your services and make cash. Can be anything from article writing to seo work, admin tasks ... you get the idea. Advertise your services. Once you have a track record you can command more money as you will be in demand.

    2. FOCUS on one thing at a time. Concentrate on making sales as an affiliate first. Become familiar with what your target audience wants, the language they speak ( the lingo ), the buzz words and position yourself accordingly.

    3. Use the revenue you derive from #2 and re-invest it back in to making more income.

    4. Always build an asset. Don't send traffic directly to a merchant without having a website or building a list. You can sell that asset later if you want.

    So it's not about money when you're starting out, it's about what you FOCUS on until you get results.

    Lack of money is NO BARRIER to success.

    Dean
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    Complete Blogging Course and List Building Kit:
    100% FREE Download - Click HERE

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  • Profile picture of the author NateC
    Agreed. Get your life stable first whether you get a job or freelance, get some money coming in so you can learn how to make money online. They have all given you a lot of good information to help you get started.
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  • Profile picture of the author uleesgold
    Banned
    Getting a normal job should probably be your full time job for now.

    You might be having anxiety from your money problems and this might be giving you a case of writer's block.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    Man... I TOTALLY disagree with getting a job...

    The main thing that kept me going when I first started was the gift of desperation.

    It was only because I was broke and needed MONEY FAST that I did what I did.

    My life has completely changed since....

    Whatever you do... do what you do and focus on it.....

    Having a job may distract you enough that you wont do anything... and just be stuck working for someone else.

    Screw that.... Why make someone else rich when I get money anytime I want...

    But I guess that depends on your skill set...

    Maybe you should get a job. I don't know... I just know that I help a LOT of people get started in the Offline IM Field, and they are making money too... The most common set back in IM is not having enough time... trying to work a JOB and make really money at the same time...

    Don't know how to do some of the technical stuff?

    No sweat.... Go sell a website then have someone on this forum do it for you. You can use the deposit money you get from your sale to cover the cost of the design and put some money in your pocket.... Then go sell a bunch more until you can get enough money to focus on adwords, CPA, or whatever it is that you do now....

    Easy Peasy
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  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    There are quite a few threads like this on the forum. Here is one that contains a lot of information you might find useful http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...desperate.html
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    • Profile picture of the author GodFadr
      I agree. Get a job, learn in your spare time. Once you make enough...quit your job.

      It takes awhile to build a business. You don't want to have the pressure of building it overnight - you just end up taking too many short cuts or falling for the latest shiny object that promises instant internet riches!
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  • Profile picture of the author iuditg
    if you are good at something, I would suggest you fiverr.com as it a is the great place for starters.
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  • Profile picture of the author cyong
    you should look for a job full time, doing IM part time, and concentrate just on one IM project at each time. Don't waste your time and money.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joachim Larsen
      If you decide to continue doing IM, I think you should take a look at fiverr.com. I made $120 there for just suggesting fanpages to all my friends at Facebook. It's not that much money, but it's more than you got right now, isn't it?

      This was of course over a longer period of time, but that does not change the fact that I made $120. I think fiverr.com can be a good place to earn your first money online and get you started. I've invested those $120 back into my online business and by doing that I've learned something I wouldn't have done without it.

      Good luck!

      Kindest,
      Joachim
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  • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
    In this economy 'getting a job' isn't as easy as ordering a pizza, so it's feasible you could be looking for a job and work on IM/business at the same time.

    I also don't think 'getting a job' will help in the next 2-3 weeks, because even if you get a job in the next five minutes you're looking at that kind of lag.

    If you're broke and you need money as soon as possible, make sure you have some short term options. Online, Ebay is still the best way to get money in your pocket in a time crunch. As far as providing a service goes, London Brokers is excellent because they pay every Friday. I think Demand Media pays at least once a week as well. Mturk pays slave wages but once you reach 10 bucks they put the money in your bank account, they don't make you wait a month for it. The pay is low but it's money. $10 can pay for a day's meals at least.

    I'm always amazed at the number of 'get a job' responses in threads like this, considering the industry this is.
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  • Profile picture of the author shireen
    Hi:

    Shireen here :-)

    I can't tell you what to do... but I can share some of my experience.

    6 years ago I was seriously in debt and my online business income is not stable yet.

    So I get a part time job to generate some income to survive & at the same time continue to build my online business.

    Now I don't need any more job :-)

    Hope it helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author incliner
    I think Karen Blundell said a whole lot in that short post. Who can you help today?
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    • Profile picture of the author jayshankard
      Hello SpyK

      I would love to help you by providing you with the required technical knowledge (if you don't already have it) within one hour, live, without you spending any money, free of charge. All you have to do is login in one of my sites and watch, as I teach you what I know to be successful in IM.

      Technical knowledge will include website setup, keyword research, search engine optimization. After the one hour session, you will be an intermediate level Internet Marketer. Offcourse you will have to practice for perfection. If you prefer then you can use my website for practicing.

      This all will be spoon feeding. But you will have to be ready with a notepad for taking notes so that you don't forget what I show or tell you.

      And I forgot to mention that you will have to install a free software on your computer (I too will have to install it) so that you can see my actions on your computer. The software doesn't contain any kind of spyware or any such thing. It's a very reputed software. I won't get anything by ripping an already broke guy. I am doing this only to help you and nothing else.

      Get sufficient number of posts under your name and PM me if you want to go any further.
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      • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
        Originally Posted by jayshankard View Post

        Hello SpyK

        I would love to help you by providing you with the required technical knowledge (if you don't already have it) within one hour, live, without you spending any money, free of charge. All you have to do is login in one of my sites and watch, as I teach you what I know to be successful in IM.

        Technical knowledge will include website setup, keyword research, search engine optimization. After the one hour session, you will be an intermediate level Internet Marketer. Offcourse you will have to practice for perfection. If you prefer then you can use my website for practicing.

        This all will be spoon feeding. But you will have to be ready with a notepad for taking notes so that you don't forget what I show or tell you.

        And I forgot to mention that you will have to install a free software on your computer (I too will have to install it) so that you can see my actions on your computer. The software doesn't contain any kind of spyware or any such thing. It's a very reputed software. I won't get anything by ripping an already broke guy. I am doing this only to help you and nothing else.

        Get sufficient number of posts under your name and PM me if you want to go any further.
        That is awesome... I love it...

        Warriors helping warriors... That's what we do.
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        • Profile picture of the author ttenner
          I guess this sums up the responses from the entire thread:

          • Don't buy anything new, no more investments, no more spending
          • Ensure you understand all free marketing tools available
          • Offer a service and accumulate your income
          • Think - "Who can I help today?"
          • Remain determined, don't give up
          • Create a short term, mid and long term planning and vision, failing to plan is a plan for failure
          • Don't run before you can walk
          • Don't quit after the first hurdle, learn from your failures (failing is the beginning of your success)
          • Think positive
          • Maybe in contradiction to others, stop reading take action
          • Exploit your strengths, your skills
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