How do you make startup cash?

[Lee Campbell]

Where would you get your startup cash from if you have 0 dollars, no hosting, no domains, and so forth, just your skills and computer with a decent internet connection. I know articles isn't a bad way to go but I am interested in getting this money fairly quick as I would like to be able to purchase hosting and a domain name or two in the next couple of days.

Just wondering what you fellow warriors do in order to make that first small chunk of cash if you don't have any of your own to spare at the moment.

Thanks,
Lee

PS Although borrowing the money isn't a bad thing I would rather earn it, and stealing most certainly doesn't qualify as earning.

[lazavas]

Originally Posted by Lee Campbell

Where would you get your startup cash from if you have 0 dollars, no hosting, no domains, and so forth, just your skills and computer with a decent internet connection. I know articles isn't a bad way to go but I am interested in getting this money fairly quick as I would like to be able to purchase hosting and a domain name or two in the next couple of days.

Just wondering what you fellow warriors do in order to make that first small chunk of cash if you don't have any of your own to spare at the moment.

Thanks,
Lee

PS Although borrowing the money isn't a bad thing I would rather earn it, and stealing most certainly doesn't qualify as earning.

sell your computer and then steal it back

[Lee Campbell]

Heh lets not include a fire sale of my property in the possibilities of it either.

Lee

[utproducts]

When I need quick cash, I find some clients who want a simple website or wordpress blog. I know a lot of people, so I can find 5 customers at $1000 each in a few days if I needed.

I kind of stopped doing this though, because it was too much work. What I mean by that is: they don't know how to update it, they want to add stuff, you have to answer emails, etc.

Even though you could make money maintaining the sites if you wanted to spend the time and deal with the people.

Good luck bud.

[chris_surfrider]

Sell tangible possessions that you are willing to sacrifice for your seed capital on Ebay.

That's what I did when cash was beyond tight.

It works very well and it's fast.

Articles are a lottery.

Some do well, others don't. And it all depends on the niche and what you're promoting. There's a lot of learning curve in terms of finding THOSE things - which are the most crucial.

So stick to "basic" things like Ebay.

Or shoveling snow, doing handy-man work, etc.

Use Craigslist or Kijiji for those types of things.

Just some ideas.

-Chris

[Lee Campbell]

Great feedback so far.

Only thing is I am thinking of something that can get you the money you need same day. The building a website or wordpress is perfectly valid here only thing is I do not necessarily know the people that are going to be willing to shell out a grand at will for a website. As far as the eBay route I would rather save that as a desperate last attempt, I would prefer to try and earn the funds with what I got at the moment.

In concern to the articles I mentioned previously I didn't mean a Bum Marketing approach here, more along the lines of ghostwriting articles for other people.

Lee

[chris_surfrider]

Oh I see, re: articles.

Well, freelancing is viable.

You could secure larger projects and get "instant" cash with 50% deposits, etc.

That's always an option.

-Chris

[utproducts]

Hey Lee,

Did you check out this thread? Here's "A Stupidly Simple Cash Cow" and it's FREE :-)

I know you want to focus on articles, though. Anyway, my point was that you don't need to start out building entire websites for 1000 bucks. You could find customers doing little projects, such as the one mentioned in that thread.

Hope this helps. To be honest the same concept as mentioned in that thread could probably work with articles/marketing/PR too.

[Buildingfutures]

I go and talk to my girlfriend.

But, she's like my sugar-momma, which is really, really bad on my part.

I only owe her about 1k. :P

But I'm making it back. Things are looking up for the both of us.

[TheInternetWorkshop]

Hey Lee-

Need just a little more info...

What computer skills do you have? That's going to be the key in determining your course of action.

Post them back here in the thread so others will know as well.

The Crazy Internet Dude

[Lee Campbell]

Originally Posted by Buildingfutures

I go and talk to my girlfriend.

But, she's like my sugar-momma, which is really, really bad on my part.

I only owe her about 1k. :P

But I'm making it back. Things are looking up for the both of us.

Haha unfortunately for me my girl friend does not have the bank roll to fund all the different things that I want to try. At the same time I think I would be to stubborn to ask her for the money in the first place.

But as far as the skill sets I know small bits of HTML and Graphic Design but haven't done either in ages so would need a little bit to warm up to it. Decent enough writer. Understand how to make graphs and tables in excel. I am certainly not skilled enough to call my self a web designer or a programmer.

Lee

[TheInternetWorkshop]

Perfect. Even if you have basic HTML skills that's all you'll need.

Since all you are looking at doing is getting enough start up cash to buy hosting and a few domains, you don't need $1000 or the headache that comes with that type of work. We're only talking about $20 or $30 here.

There are two quick suggestions I HIGHLY recommend you pursue:

First, qkz283 was right on target with suggesting you read this thread:

Here's "A Stupidly Simple Cash Cow" and it's FREE :-)

But, I would put one twist on it since you're time frame is shorter and you can't wait for them to call you.

Read the thread so you understand what the strategy is.

Instead of mailing letters, walk into a business and ask the following question:

"Who do I talk to about bringing some customers in here to spend some money?"

Focus on smaller, single owner shops for best results. Walking into Macy's or Wal-Mart asking that question probably won't get you too far...

I GUARANTEE you will get an answer, and usually it's the person behind the counter.

WHATEVER you do DON'T ask to speak to the owner. DON'T ask or say ANYTHING else except for the question above EXACTLY like it's typed.

When you ask it, ask with a strong, confident voice.

Then, introduce yourself and tell the owner this:

"I am a small business owner that does one thing and one thing only - I get more customers to walk into your store and spend money. The best thing is, you already have the tool you need, I just change one small thing that takes about a day or so, and you'd be amazed at how much extra you can add to your bottom line every month. It will take me about 15 minutes to explain."

I ask it that way exactly because it weeds out the owners that simply don't have a clue or are too arrogant/think they know it all. It takes about 5 minutes up to that point. So if they aren't interested, nothing lost.

But, I'll tell you this: For every 10 you ask this question, you'll get at least 6 that will give you another 15 minutes, and if you do it correctly, 3 of those will write you a check on the spot (or better yet give you cash ).

Especially when you tell them it's only going to cost them $25.

Tell them you normally do it for $200, but you want to bless 5 businesses over the holiday season and you're only going to charge the first 5 that say yes $25.

If they ask for references, tell them you have an exclusive confidentiality contract that you sign with each customer just as you will with them (you can find a free one with a simple Google search and customize it) so you can't reveal any business names.

Then, use your HTML skills to put the web form on their page, and ...

VOILA - instant start up cash.

Now, here's the catch.

Don't sound desperate. You have to come across as a successful business owner that they'd be foolish not to work with (just don't say it that way )

I use this approach for higher priced consulting, so I can't believe it wouldn't work for a $25 item.

The second suggestion I'll share privately with you if you'd like. It's just too good to share publicly...

Hope it helps.

The Crazy Internet Dude

[Fabian Tan]

Concentrate on making profits first through any means (offline or online), then turn that profits into startup capital.

That is the best option. Of course you could always take up debt.

The worst thing to do is to get an outside investor in and have part ownership of the business.

Fabian

[Solidsnake]

Originally Posted by Lee Campbell

Where would you get your startup cash from if you have 0 dollars, no hosting, no domains, and so forth, just your skills and computer with a decent internet connection. I know articles isn't a bad way to go but I am interested in getting this money fairly quick as I would like to be able to purchase hosting and a domain name or two in the next couple of days.

Just wondering what you fellow warriors do in order to make that first small chunk of cash if you don't have any of your own to spare at the moment.

Thanks,
Lee

PS Although borrowing the money isn't a bad thing I would rather earn it, and stealing most certainly doesn't qualify as earning.

It would take couple of months but if you have dedication, you can make several blogs with blogger.com and earn with adsense... Or, do some freelance jobs like linkbuilding, design, seo, or writing.

[TheInternetWorkshop]

LOL - in my sleep-deprived state I forgot to mention that you'll also include as a bonus for them, 5 articles written specifically about their business/niche/industry that you'll submit online for them. It will sweeten the deal, and maybe lead to some more ongoing article writing cash for you.

CID

[Lee Campbell]

This is all great information and I really appreciate it. This is giving me a ton of ideas right now, so lets keep it going maybe I can join some ideas together to make one great one. And crazy I would love to hear the second suggestion feel free to PM me.

Lee

[babarapho]

With zero capital outlay you can try out the following with a free blog:
1. Affiliate Marketing
2. Adsense
3. Freelancing
4. Designing

[Tom Church]

Write Guest Posts. Bloggers like to receive guest posts because it shows the readers that others want to write for you (i.e. your perceived value increases) and you gain a hell of a lot of traffic - which can then be turned in to cash...

[Bishop81]

I started with the Pay To Read sites, and stupid survey sites. If done correctly, they can bring in some decent income. I wouldn't recommend it, though, but that's what I did.

[Julian X]

When I first started with no money i did some freelance work for some guys from different forums and this way I managed to get some money to start some sites and earn some return income.

Best Regards,
Bemodo

[JohnMcCabe]

For the kind of money you're talking about here, I'd walk into the nearest temp worker agency and sign up. Even at the pitiful wages they pay, you can make enough for a couple of domain names and a few months hosting in one boring day. Many of them pay cash at the end of the day, too.

Just open the Yellow Pages and let your fingers do the walking...

[Drunken1]

Newbie here, just wanted to say thanks for all the great Ideas in this thread. I'm on Here at my Day Job, ( which hopefully learning from you guys I'll be able to Walk away from oneday)

My question was the same as the Original Posters, except I don't have the same time limitations. I wish I would've come here sooner, I also recently signed up for some Survey Sites, and a couple of programs, Mostly because I was kinda bummed over not having the cash to try the much talked about "Arbitrage Conspiracy", so I figured, if the Survey stuff and etc even sort of panned out, between my Day Job, (lowly Help Desk, lol) I'd be able to sock away enough for the next "big opportunity."

After Reading the Thread on the A/C on the Warriors forum, I'm starting to think it was for the best that I wasn't able to do it, I'm no longer bummed, and I have a new resolve to try to do this IM thing.

I saw the Simple Cash Cow thread, and thought it was brilliant, but Being completely new to this, was trying to get a feel for how difficult the tech aspect is. I'm more of a hardware guy, Avid Net Surfer, Gamer, but never built a website from scratch, not really into coding, How hard is it to make/put an auto-responder opt in form on an existing site?

Crazy Internet Dude, Feel Free to PM me the second method if you want, Anyone, feel free to PM me, I need all the help I can get, and I can't wait to be able to contribute to the forums, and help those that come after me.

Thanks again for all the great advice.

[imaddict]

Bank of America 0% APR card

[pmore]

Freelancing is a great suggestion, there are full forums dedicated to people outsourcing jobs they can't or can't be bothered to do themselves.

Try GetAFreelancer.com or any others along those lines. People will pay you for jobs as simple as creating various accounts at free online services, it'll cost you nothing but your time.

I recently outsourced a job such as this simply because I didn't have the time to do it myself and it needed doing! The guy I paid thought I was crazy since it wouldn't have cost me anything to do it myself except the time involved. I was happy with the deal as I preferred to invest money in him doing it so I could better invest my time in other activities.

A win-win for all parties and there's your startup cash right there!

[Louis Raven]

I'm writing the perfect book that will get you great start-up capital within days.

I'll send you a free copy before Crimbo so send me a PM so I don't forget and I'll reply with a download link. In fact, hopefully you could give me a testimonial or feedback?

Good luck.

Louis

[RRicart]

it seems to me that your trying to make a quick buck online to get your business off the ground; truth of the matter is that there is no quick way to make money online....

The key point you need to remember is to have patience because a lack of it will cause you to quit before you make any significant amount....most folks quit because they dont understand the value of that word....

If you are serious about making money and you dont have cash to buy a domain and hosting - then try blogger.com wordpress.com and create a free blog. - plugin some adsense, affiliate products, perhaps even some CPA products....from places like neverblue, or azoogle....it will take time but if your consistent you will be making money online in "no time" figuratively speaking of course. :-)