Finding the proper amount of funding for your startup can be a long shot. Depending on your type of business, you may be able to receive only partial funding from traditional sources, or you may have no luck at all and must find ways yourself to raise capital for your entrepreneurial dreams.
The good news is that there are many different ways you can earn some extra cash to fund your startup. This way, you can finally get that final amount of cash needed to get your business going, or you can begin building a stash for your future business plans. Either way, you don’t have to worry if you can’t completely fund your startup idea. Here are a few ways you can earn extra cash and start making your business dreams come true.
Freelancing
Freelancing has become a very popular — and possibly lucrative — way to earn extra cash from your home. There are thousands of freelancing jobs online for many different fields, and even local business are more willing than ever to hire someone from outside to complete projects.
While there are several different fields of freelancing that could work for you, the two most popular freelancing jobs are for writers and software programmers. Both of these professions make it easy to work from home, so there is little to no cost for you other than a computer and an internet connection. You can work as little or as often as you like and can make very good money once you find the right niche.
Freelancing can take some time to break into, so if this seems like something you’d be interested in to fund your startup, you should start as soon as possible. Here is a quick guide for beginning freelancers, and there are tons of books available as well.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing with companies like Lyft and Uber is a great way to get around when you don’t have a car, and it’s also a great way to make money on the side if you do have one.
These services use an app to connect users with a driver for a fee, much like a taxi. As a driver, you get to choose which users you pick up and you can work anytime you want, so it’s a very flexible side gig that can leave you more time to focus on your real business plans.
It’s fairly easy to become a driver for the many ridesharing companies out there. You need a valid driver’s license and a reliable car. If your car isn’t in great condition, it’s best to avoid this type of side career, or look into purchasing a newer car once you find the best auto loans that won’t drain too much cash.
Sell things online
People have been using the internet since it’s invention to sell things online, but it’s still a great way to make some extra cash.
One of the quickest ways to take advantage of this is to go through your closet and sell everything you no longer wear. You would be surprised how many articles of clothing you haven’t worn in months — or years! — and are just hanging there doing nothing. Clothing is a big seller on sites like eBay, so why not find some prices you are comfortable with and try it out?
You can also look for low-cost items that may have some value at second-hand stores, yard sales and antique shops and sell them for a markup online. You’d be surprised at how many things you can find and make money on to find your startup.
Don’t forget the traditional side gigs
Having a side career isn’t anything new: people have always looked for ways to make extra cash. There are some way that are so common you may overlook them.
Traditional side gigs include things like walking neighborhood dogs, mowing lawns in the summer and shoveling driveways in the winter. Sure, these jobs may take a little physical effort, but you would be surprised at what some people will pay so they don’t have to use a lawnmower on a sweltering summer day.
You can take advantage of this by offering your services. You can do them after work or over the weekend. If you stick with it, you could find yourself with enough startup money in no time.
If you’re having trouble finding the funding for your startup, try one of these side careers and keep pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams.
This post was written by Sienna Hurst. Sienna works as a startup business consultant, helping businesses to fly instead of fail as they enter the starting gates.
