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Trying to make a living as a photographer is tough. You have to deal with odd schedules, low-paying gigs, and sometimes long breaks between work. The Internet can help make working as a photographer a little easier. You can post your portfolio online, network with potential clients, and even find new and possibly high-paying jobs. Following is a list of 33 innovative ways amateur photographers can make money online.

Work with Online Companies

Existing online companies are constantly looking for photographers to supply them with photos that they can sell to their own customers. Check out these sites to get a piece of the profits.

1. Buy a Photo: This website serves as an online photography store. Visitors can browse through their catalog of photos, and then purchase the ones they want.
2. Shutterstock: Bloggers, designers, and anyone in the market for photos can download them from this site to use for their projects. If your photo is chosen, you’ll get a cut of the profits.
3. Share A Pic: This company pays photographers through PayPal and Google AdSense. Upload as many photos as you’d like to increase your chances of being published.
4. Digital Railroad: This site connects you to buyers from professional organizations who are looking to purchase and publish photographs.
5. Fotolia: Register with this system to sell your photos. You’ll make making money each time your photo is sold to a new customer.
6. Alamy: Get 65% of each sale when you work with Alamy, “the world’s largest online collection of stock photography.” Alamy makes photographers do a little more work than other stock photo sites, but you’ll get a much larger share of the profits.
7. CameraDollars.com: This company pays photographers to upload digital images onto their site.
8. PhotoBiz.com: Join PhotoBiz.com to make money for submitting your photographs. You’ll also meet new customers who with any luck could become your personal clients.
9. Instaproofs: With Instaproofs, you can upload whatever photos you want. Read the marketing tutorial to learn more about meeting and working with new clients.
10. Backprint.com: Sell your photos through Backprint, and take advantage of their custom marketing campaigns and private label services.
11. Photo Stock Plus: Maintain the rights to your photos and earn 85% of the profits when you affiliate your services with Photo Stock Plus.
12. dotPhoto Pro: At dotPhoto Pro, their number one mission is to “empower the professional.” As an artist and a business person, you have the control to sell whichever photos you want and set your own prices and print sizes.
13. MorePhotos.com: This website lets you upload and organize your photos and set up a shopping cart for customers.

Selling your photos

Find the entrepreneur in you, and sell your photos to buyers online. These sites will help get you started.

14. Show Me Proofs: Register for this free program which allows you to sell photos through your website. The best part? You get to keep 100% of the profits!
15. Zooomr: Their website boasts that Zooomr is “universally the best way to share, search, store, sort and sell your photos online.”
16. Photoblogs.org Create an account to become a member of the Photoblogs community. Your blog will appear on their website, connecting you to an unlimited number of potential buyers and contracters.
17. Image Display Works: This online software designed especially for photographers allows you to sell photos and other photo products from your website. Sign up for direct deposit, and you’ll be able to see your profits instantly.
18. Smug Mug: Set up your own photo gallery using Smug Mug. Get valuable tips and read funny photo session stories on the site’s forum.
19. ProBlogger.net: Learn how to design a sleek, profitable blog, on which you can post and sell your photos.
20. Lulu: Publish your images on the Internet quickly and easily. Lulu allows you to set your own prices and remain in control of your copyright.
21. Shutterpoint: Learn the ins and outs of selling photos online when you participate in Shutterpoint’s photo store. Earn 85% of the profits, and then start your own online shop once you’ve learned the ropes.
22. Easy Store Creator: Download free shopping carts and other handy merchandising tools that will turn your website into an online store.
23. PMA: Visit the Web site for The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations to learn marketing strategies and other money making opportunities for independent photographers.

Miscellaneous

From contests to consulting, you’ll find more money making opportunities here.

24. Snapfish.com: In addition to developing beautiful prints, this site also allows you to create mugs, cards, and other promotional items that feature your photos. Have fun making these items, and then sell them on your website to make extra money.
25. Jyve: Earn money by becoming a consultant over AIM or Skype for Jyve.com.
26. Just Answer: Just Answer is another site that hires freelance consultants to participate in Internet dialogues. Share your photography expertise with people around the globe.
27. Guru.com: Join Guru.com’s directory of freelance professionals and wait for employers to come to you.
28. Spy Media: With Spy Media, you can either upload the photos that you have or go out on actual assignments requested by buyers and the company itself. Earn money for each photo.
29. Citizen Image: Photo categories include: news, sports and entertainment, travel and daily life, and creative. Submit photos, and earn money whenever they are published.
30. FotoSurf Monthly Contest: This website sponsors monthly photo contests. Upload your photos to be considered in the voting process.
31. Proof Positive Photo Contests: Proof Positive sponsors several contests year round. Check out this page for deadlines, guidelines, and prize information.
32. Elance: Use this job board for freelancers to offer your services as a Web designer. Custom design existing photos to fit a website’s theme or take new photos as assigned by your clients.
33. PhotoServe.com: Become a member of this photo community to connect with buyers all over the world. PhotoServe conducts year round marketing promotions to make sure your portfolio is seen by the right people.

Photographers don’t need to just rely on the occasional wedding gig to make extra money. There are plenty of opportunities to make money online as well. Try out a few of these. You might end up being successful enough to quit your day job!

by Laura Milligan

With the dawn of Web 2.0, making money on the Internet has never been easier. Whether you’re in the market to make some extra cash on the side, or you’re trying to create a livable income from your online endeavors, there are numerous ways to make money through the Internet. Below is a list of 50 ways you can cash in during your free time.

Blogging

Blogging is one of the easiest, most straightforward ways to brand and market yourself on the Internet. By being your own boss, you can decide the subject matter of your posts and how often you want to write articles. Take advantage of these smart money making ideas to make the most of your blog.

1. Start your own blog: If you haven’t already started your own blog, you should go ahead and create one now. Use Wordpress to help you get an overview of what blogging is, as well as see all the different kinds of designs, tools, and other custom options you can feature on your blog. Blogs can be real moneymakers, as you’ll find out from the following tricks and ideas.
2. Write paid reviews on your blog: Setting up your blog so that companies can post advertisements on your blog is one way to make money, but another, more profitable trick is to review the actual products for them, for a fee of course. Read more about paid reviews and Pay Per Post on Pureblogging.com
3. Google AdSense: Setting up Google AdSense on your blog is an easy way to make money without spending any time. Once you’ve registered your domain for AdSense, Google will post relevant ads from participating advertisers onto your blog. When readers click on the ads, you receive a percentage of the ad revenue. Click on the Google AdSense page to learn more.
4. Ask for donations: It seems tacky, but asking for donations to help support your blog is actually quite common. Convince your readers that they’re helping your cause: without a little financial support, you may not even be able to continue blogging. Don’t ask for a large sum, and be grateful for anything you do get.
5. Link your professional website to your blog: Drive traffic to your homepage to transform readers into potential customers.
6. Blogads.com: This site is another source that will put you in touch with advertisers. Here you can find out how you can play a more active role in selecting the kinds of advertisers you want to promote.
7. Bidvertiser.com: Search through this website’s directory of approved advertisers to find the ones that best suit your blog or website. You get paid each time someone clicks on the ads.
8. Write for Thisisby.us: Thisisby.us is a website that fosters a community of both writers and readers. Sign up to write for the site and earn 50% of the revenue. Or, you can just browse through the posts and comment on various articles, earning you 10% of the revenue.
9. Freelance for Suite101.com: This site publishes articles on all sorts of topics, from sports to history to pop culture, and more. Sign up to write short articles and blogs, while earning money. You can participate as an entry level writer or a feature writer depending on how much time you have to devote to the project. This site is a great resource for those who are looking to further their freelancing opportunities, or for those with steady jobs but want to earn a little more cash.
10. Search Engine Optimization: Read about how to increase your blog’s appearance in search engines at CourtneyTuttle.com.
11. Weblogs, Inc.: Get paid for one of nearly 100 blogs featured on this site.
12. BlogToProfit.com: Join this networking community to get in touch with the companies who want to advertise on your blog.
13. DayTipper.com: Get paid $3 each time you submit a tip. You don’t have to spend lots of time developing a whole article, and the tips can be about nearly anything, like pets, technology, travel, or finance.
14. CafePress.com: This idea was inspired by Mike Peed, as seen in The Washington Post. Designing and selling t-shirts, underwear, and other promotional items with your blog’s logo will give you instant profits, as well as boost your advertising off the Web.
15. Crisp Ads: Crisp Ads boasts that it is the “premiere blog advertising network.” The site strives to give bloggers and advertisers the exposure they crave by creating relevant matches and partnerships.

Online Investing

Register with one or several of these online brokerage firms to watch your money work for you. You’ll get updates on the stock market, and you can buy and sell at virtually anytime you want, quickly and easily.

16. InvestingOnline.org: Check out this site before you start investing serious cash on the Internet. Take quizzes to gauge whether or not you’re ready to tackle the world of online investing, read about your rights as an investor, and more.
17. ShareBuilder: This website is designed to walk investors through each step of learning and executing trades on the market.
18. E*Trade Financial: E*Trade Financial is one of the most popular sites for online investing. Its website claims to manage 4.3 million accounts across the globe.
19. TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade allows you to trade as much or as little as you’d like. If you’re looking to kill a little extra time at the office each week or at home, this website is worth checking into.
20. Fidelity: Start putting away for your retirement early on with profits you make trading with Fidelity.
21. Sify Walletwatch: This site is an all-in-one toolbox for getting updates on stocks, managing your trades, and learning new tricks for profitable investing.
22. 2BuyShare.com: Buy and sell stocks while you read articles devoted to making you a better trader.
23. Scottrade: Allow the brokers at Scottrade to make money for you, while you spend time at your day job.
24. Bank of America Investment Services, Inc.: Read about what Bank of America can do for you and your wallet with its investment services.
25. BondsOnline.com: Conduct research about and trade your bonds using this great online investment tool.
26. HedgeStreet: Open an account with HedgeStreet and start trading in currency, oil, gold, and silver.

Miscellaneous

Learn about online surveys, becoming a virtual assistant, and more!

27. Become a Virtual Assistant. Only be as involved as you want to when you’re a virtual assistant. Setting your own boundaries and list of clientele will allow you to either work as a VA for your full-time job, or just on the side. A virtual assistant is similar to a personal assistant, only all of your work and communication is completed over the Internet and/or phone. Read more about becoming a VA on the Virtual Assistant For You homepage.
28. Flixya.com: By sharing photos, blogs, and videos on this site, you can earn 100% of your total generated ad revenue.
29. YellowSurveys.com: This site boasts that participants can make $10-$150 an hour taking fun, exciting paid surveys. Follow the link to learn more and sign up.
30. You Tube: Follow the link to You Tube’s Web site to learn how to quickly make money by posting your home videos on their site.
31. Sell items on eBay. eBay is another simple resource for making money online without having to put in much time. Once you’ve registered for eBay and posted whatever product you’re trying to sell, you just wait for the bidding to end before shipping off your merchandise.
32. Play-Asia.com Affiliate Program: Sign up to earn store credit at Play-Asia.com, an online retailer of video games and other entertainment products. Refer other Internet surfers to their Web site by posting their link wherever you want.
33. SurveyClub.com: Set aside a few minutes every once in a while to take online surveys and earn some easy money.
34. PicFury.com Affiliate Program: Join the affiliate program for PicFury.com, and your photos could be seen all over the Internet. You make money based on the amount of impressions each photo receives.
35. eBooks: Read more about writing and selling your very own eBook on the Internet by following the link.
36. Freelance as a Web Designer: Even if you don’t have the time or the resources to design an entire company’s website, you could still put your web savvy skills to use by coding and designing a blogger’s site. Visit FreelanceDesigners.com to see what other freelance designers are doing, and how to advertise your own services.
37. CashCrate: Complete free offers, try out new products, and take surveys to earn quick cash.
38. Shutterstock: Submit your photos to this Web site, and “get paid every time one of your photos is downloaded” from their directory.
39. Become a Millionaire in “Second Life.” Read this article about how to make real money by participating in a virtual economy.
40. Set up an Online Store: Whether you’re trying to get rid of several used items around the house, or you’d like to start your own business selling handmade products, add an online shopping cart to your website and start contacting customers. Try using this software to get you started.
41. $$$Secrets.com: This tutorial shares secrets for making big money on the Internet.
42. Log on to JobThread.com: Post a JobThread widget onto your Web site or blog and earn major cash. You can request a certain job field that is relevant to your site; for instance, if your blog is about pets, JobThread will post job openings for veterinarians.
43. InnerSell Inc.: This site advertises that you can, “Earn additional income when you use the InnerSell system to connect those customers who want what you don’t sell with trusted Vendors.”
44. Amazon.com Affiliate: Read this article by Scott Allen to better understand the system behind the Amazon.com Affiliate program. You can make easy, fast money with little effort.
45. A1Tutor.com: Become a tutor by logging on to this learning network.
46. ShoppingJobs.net: Getting paid to shop seems like a dream, but you really can make money by shopping and eating out.
47. Be a Host or Moderator for a Web site. This article by Kelly Land gives tips for becoming a paid host online.
48. Start your own Credit Card Business. This idea may seem like it would take up a lot of your time, but it really won’t. Read the article, and earn some extra spending money each month.
49. Virtual Vocations: Check out this site for tons of easy jobs you can do from your own computer.

Hopefully there are at least a few ideas here that strike your fancy and will help you start making money on the Internet in no time, whether on your breaks at work, at home, or even on vacation. There are so many options out there that there’s bound to be something that works for you.

By Laura Milligan

If you’re running your own small business or selling services and products over the Internet, you know that getting your clients and customers to pay up can often be a challenge. This list of tools will help you stay on top of your finances so that you can accurately track pay dates, invoice numbers, client contact information and transactions online. Wherever you can find a computer, you can access all of your company’s billing information easily and securely.

1. BillMyClients.com: Freelancers, small companies and large corporations can take advantage of this online invoicing solution that features three separate systems designed to help all kinds of business owners keep track of their finances and “quickly and easily create and print invoices and bills.”

2. Blinksale: This “elegantly-designed web-application” can help anyone create and send invoices to clients and vendors. Users can upload contact lists for easy record management and use a tagging system to organize archived and pending invoices.

3. 2ndSite: Manage your invoices and billing records online with 2ndSite, a company that helps you get “paid faster,” according to one reviewer.

4. FreshBooks: Its website claims that FreshBooks is “the fastest way to track time and invoice your clients,” and their easy-to-use system is especially popular with small businesses and freelancers.

5. BambooInvoice: If you run your own company or freelancing business, try out this open-source invoicing solution to bill your clients and manage your data. According to the website, you’ll “never need to trust your invoicing data to anyone else, and you can get it out of the system easily.”

6. Invoice Journal: The DownloadSquad gives this Web-based system a positive review for it’s simple structure and no-frills website.

7. Simplifythis: Simplifythis promotes “business made easy.” This attractive, professional-looking solution lets companies organize financial data in a clear, concise manner.

8. BillingOrchard: BillingOrchard in an online system that does more than just basic invoices. Freelancers and business owners can set up recurring billing and time billing options to manage the different needs of all their employees.

9. Invotrak: Instead of buying expensive software, use Invotrak to set up, send out and manage your invoices and bills for free.

10. Bank of America Online Banking: Bank of America’s online banking center helps small businesses supports a “premium online invoicing service” for companies “to create and send invoices online using customizable templates.”

11. ToadTime: Metal Toad Media supports ToadTime, an online invoicing system used along with QuickBooks to help you manage your time, project collaborations and more.

12. EZ Invoice, Inc. (EZI): This software system runs on your website’s server so that you can manage all of your client information and business applications on one spot online.

13. SuperInvoice: Windows users should try out SuperInvoice for secure, professional invoicing services hosted online. The system also lets users keep an address book, host password-protected invoice sharing and more.

14. Time59: Time59 is marketed towards independent professionals and contractors, and its sleek look makes it must-use tool for those who work with higher-profile clients and associates.

15. 21st Capital Corp: This company offers several online financial tools, including an easy-to-use invoicing system and QuickBooks integration capabilities.

16. Invoice4u: This online invoicing solution has features like high security standards, a customer messaging system, invoice customization options and more.

17. Simplybill: Simplybill is “ridiculously easy to use” and can help non-techies manage and send out professional-looking invoices for all their clients.

18. Invoicera: Consider using Invoicera to take advantage of their user-friendly online invoice billing system.

19. ST Web Invoice: This online invoicing program pulls from the AJAX software tradition of creating a smart, workable system combined with maximum usability. Use ST Web Invoice to create and design invoices and then e-mail them to your clients and vendors instantly. Payments can also be accepted online.

20. PayPal: If you’ve only been using PayPal for your eBay purchases, it’s time to upgrade. Try out their invoicing services for fast, trustworthy transactions.

By Laura Milligan

With increasing gas prices and a weakening dollar, retailers are concerned about fighting for the attention and cash flow of consumers. It seems as though everyone is looking for a discount, whether it’s on food, electronics or travel deals. Check out this list for 49 places to find great discounts on just about everything.

Electronics

Read below for sweet deals on computers, DVDs and other electronics.

1. eCOST.com: eCOST.com is “your online discount superstore,” providing customers with discount laptops, GPS systems, DVDs, video games, cell phones and accessories, TVs and more. Featured brands include Sony, HP, SanDisk, Canon and Nokia.
2. CNET Clearance Center: After reading the experts’ reviews of your favorite electronics, check out the website’s clearance center to find printers, paper and other electronic office supplies.
3. DiscountElectronics.com: This Texas-based company sells individual desktop parts, wireless routers, speakers, all-in-one printers, and cables at prices much lower than those found in regular stores.
4. TigerDirect.com: TigerDirect.com supplies a wealth of electronics at low prices that are “simply not possible anywhere else.” Find iPods, keyboards, gaming hardware, PCs, cell phones and more from brands like Logitech, Sandisk, Canon and Apple.
5. SavingLots.com: This discount consumer electronics site allows customers to pay for their finds– from karaoke machines to navigation systems — with PayPal or the Google Checkout service.
6. SourcingMap: Find top electronics at wholesale prices at SourcingMap, “the world’s first factory-direct online superstore.”
7. Geeks.com: Computer geeks will love the selection of computer parts, media accessories and other fun gadgets offered at discount prices. Check back often for seasonal specials and other deals like the “no payment for 90 days” feature.
8. Audio Discounter: Audio Discounter encourages shoppers to “find the best”, and they “will make sure you can afford it.” From adapters to headphones to Bluetooth accessories, Audio Discounter has all kinds of products at great prices.
9. Lapantz 4 Less: Low cost electronics are the specialty at Lapantz 4 Less, where Guitar Hero can cost as little as $64.99 and laptops are available at discount prices.
10. Electronic Liquidators: Printers, scanners, desktops, handheld devices, memory cards and other electronics are all sold at Electronic Liquidators, where you can compare their discount prices to prices at retailers like BestBuy and CompUSA.

Auto Parts

Find discounts on auto parts for your car, truck, SUV or jeep by visiting these websites.

11. Advance Auto Parts: Shop online or search for a store near you at the Advance Auto Parts website, where the company proves to be “a leader in the automotive aftermarket industry in parts availability, price, and customer service.”
12. Discount Tire: Discount Tire is a popular company among drivers because of their free tire repair and low prices on other maintenance projects.
13. Auto Parts Warehouse: Shoppers can “save up to 50% everyday” at the Auto Parts Warehouse. Search for bumpers, door handles, fan blades, exhaust systems, mirrors and more for plenty of automotive DIY projects.
14. CarJunky.com: This site features an easy navigation system, allowing shoppers to search by their car’s year, make and model to find the appropriate parts.
15. AllUsedCars.com: Search for used cars and trucks all over the U.S. with this helpful website. Those looking to sell their cars can also register to place an ad.

Travel

Indulging in a fabulous vacation doesn’t have to empty out your bank account. Look to these sites and resources to get great discounts on everything from hotels to transportation.

16. TravelZoo: Find deals on cruises, airfare, car rentals, vacation packages and even last minute trips, all at TravelZoo.
17. Hotwire: Hotwire is known for having some of the best travel deals and packages on the Web. Check out their site for advice and discounts on local vacations or international trips.
18. SideStep: SideStep is “the traveler’s search engine.” Use their search tools to compare prices with other sites to make sure you are getting the best possible deals.
19. STA Travel: This travel website connects students with cheap airfare, hostels and hotels, travel loans and other discount packages.
20. Ding!: Ding! is a popular tool from Southwest Airlines that allows travelers to select favorite Southwest destinations leaving from their city. When unbeatable airfare deals pop up, travelers are notified by a Ding! on their desktop.

Entertainment

Waiting in line at a game or the movies is so old-fashioned. Use these websites to find cheap tickets, movies, games and other entertainment steals from your computer.
21. Outlet Trail: Find everything you need from discount electronics and collectibles to sporting goods, holiday decorations and more at the Outlet Trail. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can take advantage of the 30-day money back guarantee.
22. Your Bargain Mart: Shoppers will find discount electronics, sporting accessories for surfing, hunting, and team sports, toys, games and many other entertainment products at Your Bargain Mart.
23. Complete Tickets: This website offers discount tickets for major sporting events, concerts, theatre events, movies and NASCAR races.
24. The Entertainment Book This annual publication contains coupons for movie tickets, sporting events, travel deals, restaurants and more.
25. Cheap Premium Tickets: Tickets to concerts, sporting events, Las Vegas shows, the Olympics and other special events are all sold here without service charges or other hidden fees.
26. Cheap Fun Wines: This blog features economically priced wines, wine accessories and wine-related vacations and entertainment ideas.

Clothing and Accessories

It’s time to shop ’til you drop! With discount prices on designer clothes, shoes and accessories, you’ll have a blast shopping on these sites.

27. The 15 Dollar Store: From pants to coats to swimsuits, everything on this website is just $15.
28. Bluefly: Men’s and women’s designer clothing and accessories are marked down to more affordable prices at Bluefly.com. Featured items include Vera Wang dresses up to 40% off and Jimmy Choos pumps up to 20% off.
29. StyleMaven Sample Sales: Check out the Sample Sales directory from StyleMaven to attend discount shopping events in cities like London, LA, New York and San Francisco.
30. Top Brands Direct: Clothing brands like Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabanna and Ralph Lauren are available at discount prices here.
31. SourcingMap: Browse through funky jewelry and handbags for just a few dollars each at SourcingMap.
32. Overstock.com: Overstock.com is an online outlet store full of goodies for the whole family. Pick out jewelry, shoes, clothes, furniture and home decor and appliances here.
33. Overstock Jeweler: Deck yourself out in all the baubles and bling that your favorite celebrities are wearing on the red carpet. This site has everything from Tiffany-inspired jewels to baby charms to cufflinks and more, all at discount prices.

Gas

Find the cheapest gas in town with these helpful tools.

34. GasBuddy.com: Search by city, state or province to find the cheapest gas closest to your U.S. or Canada-based home or office.
35. GasPriceWatch.com: If there’s a gas station in your area offering gas at discount prices, you’ll find it at GasPriceWatch.com.
36. MSN Gas Prices: The MSN Autos page allows users to type in their zip code to search for the least expensive gas in their area.
37. mobGas: Sign up with mobGas to have maps of local stations with cheap gas sent directly to your phone.

Health and Wellness

Taking care of your health doesn’t have to be overly expensive Check out these programs and deals that will help you save money on health and wellness.

38. TheMedicineProgram.com: TheMedicineProgram.com offers families a free prescription card that saves you money “at over 48,000 participating pharmacy locations,” including most major pharmacy stores.
39. Drugstore: This “truly convenient, always reliable [and] totally professional” online drugstore provides pharmaceutical drugs at discount prices. Patients can also take advantage of free shipping on all drug orders.
40. Outlet Trail: The Outlet Trail also sells discount exercise equipment. Get the Bowflex Blaze for just $749.99 or the Bobby Bully sparring partner for $169.99.
41. Fitness Discount Outlet: Fitness Discount Outlet is “a health and fitness super mall” for online shoppers. From gravity boots to treadmills to weights, this site has everything a home gym needs.
42. A1 Nutrition: Health and fitness fans can find all kinds of nutritional supplements like creatine, meal replacements, and herbal blends at discount prices at the A1 Nutrition store online.
43. Net2Fitness: Net2Fitness is another online store that specializes in discount home exercise equipment like resistance bands, bars, ankle weights, kickboxing gear, rowing machines and more. Miscellaneous
44. Discount Cookie Bouquets and Food Gifts: Sending a cookie bouquet for a birthday treat, office party or any other special occasion is now more affordable with this discount shopping option.
45. Deal News: Deal News is a website that reveals the day’s best sales and deals. Shoppers can also search for coupons at retailers like eToys.com, Staples, Sears and more.
46. Sale Pirate: Visit this site “where everything’s on sale.” From Christmas supplies to books to kitchenware, shoppers can take advantage of the super low prices.
47. Edible Nature: Natural and organic food lovers can find herbal teas, spices, coffee, supplements and other food, bath and body items here at discount prices.
48. Deep Discount: Movie buffs will have fun searching for discount Blu-ray DVDs, movie posters and other memorabilia, at prices as low as 99 cents.
49. Half.com: Half.com is a reduced-rate online store sponsored by ebay. Shoppers can find new and used items like books, CDs and DVDs for unbelievably low prices.

Between 1993 and 2002, I’ve started and run at least five businesses of my own, sometimes by accident or even by request: monthly print magazine, band management, band bookings, concert promoter, and mobile recording studio owner, in that order. That doesn’t include my web consulting nor what I’m doing now, as an online publisher since 2005, which has been more fruitful than all the other businesses combined.

None of the early businesses succeeded financially, but for all primarily different reasons. Though there was one factor that helped sink them all: not being able to separate wants from needs. This violates a major principle of bootstrapping cashflow: getting overwhelmingly into debt when there’s little or no revenue. Keep this in mind as you read this brief history of my business startups.

1. The Magazine
The magazine was a critical success, though it was hard to sell advertising while simultaneously trying to do a Master’s degree. When my degree supervisor came to me and said I had to choose to focus on the degree (research was already completed) or the part-time, poorly paid job he’d given me, I choose to take a full-time job as a technical writer - a job I landed in part because of my magazine publishing efforts. But having to work long hours over the next two years led to my magazine folding - since I still couldn’t find committed ad sales reps who also wouldn’t lie about what they’d been up to. Also because I wanted to compete with a magazine I used to work for that published biweekly. A big mistake.

2. Band Management and Concert Booking
After the magazine folded, I somehow ended up managing the bands of some of my writing staff - by request. That turned into booking shows at local nightclubs, including up and coming Canadian acts. Before I knew it, I was fully or partly involved in managing something like 40 bands, plus jointly helping another manager with another 20 bands.

All of that resulted in additional money down the drain, primarily because the town I booked most of the shows in was in a recession. Clubgoers would rather fork over $5-10 to hear a DJ play recorded music than $3 to see an act they never heard of. That’s a very important economic detail that I wasn’t aware of as affecting the entertainment industry. But I’d want to seem like a big shot and had bought six months worth of advertising in the local college newspaper, as well as booking increasingly more expensive acts. A big mistake.

3. Web Consulting
Both the band management and the local concert booking efforts went down the drain, not to mention making my co-workers jealous, despite my financial losses. This contributed partly to losing my job - but not before I’d become a webmaster and not only gone back to my computer programming routes but seeded my love for working online.

I took a couple of salaried jobs in Toronto and area after that, but eventually struck out on my own as a consultant again - this time for web development. I got in in 1989, before the 2001 bubble burst, and did relatively well, ending up in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000. Except I didn’t study the North American Free Trade Act properly before proceeding.

4. First Attempt at Moviemaking
I was doing so well in Atlanta and loving the work at the Weather Channel, that I wanted explore my old desire of making movies. I found a young aspiring actor who resembled James Dean. I had a screenplay from a friend back in Canada, and I purchased a low-end Sony camcorder to add to my collection of four still cameras. I also purchased cheap video editing software for my then high-end laptops, eight TV sets, VCRs, and other equipment.

This moviemaking venture was nipped in the bud when I returned to Canada in early September 2000 to visit my mother and was refused entry back into the U.S. Not only did I lose an incredible contract working with great people and a fascinating opportunity (heavy weather phenomena), all of my belongings were left behind in Atlanta. My landlord and his wife - who was once one of my workmates - never returned my phone calls or email.

So that was the end of not only $30,000 worth of equipment but the loss of about 100 music compositions on my laptops. Once again, my wants overtook my needs. I didn’t need ALL of that equipment (however, I’d already had some of it when I went to Atlanta). This business was over really before it started.

5. Music Composing and the Mobile Studio
By this point you’re probably wondering how many times one entrepreneur can make the same mistake. Wait, there’s more.

I licked my financial wounds back in Canada and managed to land some interesting web consulting contracts, but nothing as exciting as the work I did for the Weather Channel, nor as lucrative. (Canadian companies never want to pay me as well as I can get in the U.S.)

Still, my long-term interest in music, as well as my original desire to be involved in movies led to my laying down five figures - mostly on credit - to buying a couple of racks of home studio recording gear, nine guitars and basses, and five synthesizers - including reputedly the only copy in Canada of an Alesis synth that was digital replica of old analog style synths. Cost: about $5000.

Result: almost none of my musician friends and acquaintances thought much of the idea of my going to their homes/ practice lofts and recording a few of their songs for free. They wondered what my motivation was.

6. Digital Entrepreneur
After 9/11 and the burst of the online bubble, I lost my “sure” contract and subsequently had trouble getting computer consulting work, even with my skills and having authored a book. Once again, my business wants seemed to overrule my business needs and cost me dearly. I had to sell off my recording equipment at maybe thirty cents on the dollar (not including the cost of the various loans).

Jaded about consulting, I eventually found my way into digital entrepreneuring and online publishing. While I’m not making anywhere close to what I did as a web consultant in Atlanta, I’m enjoying this “startup”, have some freedom of projects, and opportunities that if successful will earn me beyond what I’ve made in the past.

What am I doing differently? Two things. Firstly, I’m doing mostly partnered projects - beyond my freelancing. Secondly and most importantly, I’m not allowing my business “wants” overtake my business needs. In other words, I’m bootstrapping my cash flow the right way.

It’s true that some niches are more monetizable online than others. But what if you are not an authority in one of the more lucrative niches and can’t afford to hire someone? Being a generalist, I tend to fool myself into believing I can write about anything, but there are only a few niches that I can write about with a level of passion - which is key for a successful blog, but not necessarily a static site.

Now if you’re in the position that you feel your knowledge is not that monetizable, you still have a few options. I’ve been exploring a business model I like to call “cascading cashflow engines”. It is all theoretical, but applicable both online and offline. The gist of the whole exercise is to leverage what you do know into distributed projects that will collectively raise enough capital for your true startup goal. Applied to online publishing, this is an alternate financing method than blogging for startup money.

Cascading Cashflow Business Model:
Basically, I start with a few small projects that I can manage or can find volunteers for. The revenue for these projects (whether websites or something else) is used to fund the next level of projects. These second-level projects usually have some hired help - freelancers. Part of the revenue from the second-level projects is recycled, in hopes of producing more paid work for other people. The rest of the revenue is used to fund some third-level projects, which might have half-time or full-time people.

The revenues keep cascading down the project levels until there’s enough capital generated to launch the real startup goal.

Previous Entrepreneurial Mistakes:
Again, I’ll emphasize that this is a theoretical business model. I’ve been exploring it for years, but I made some serious mistakes before:

1. Didn’t focus on a few areas of interest.
2. Overcommitted resources and had to stop short, making collaborators angry.
3. Bought too much equipment too soon. That is, I didn’t really bootstrap and suffered stunning financial losses as a result.
4. Didn’t consistently apply kaizen.
5. Didn’t take on partners (couldn’t find suitable ones).
6. Over-relied on credit cards, and not even business cards with good rates.
7. Didn’t plan to pay contributors/ hires a share of net monthly revenue.

Summary:
I’ve rectified these problems on what might be termed my third phase of entrepreneuring, which is currently purely online, as a digital entrepreneur. I’m also replicating the successful online business models of some of my colleagues/ partners who are earning between $5-50K/month. I’m also exploring, with partners, web mashup tools and subscription sites.

While all this doesn’t guarantee success, early indications are that the success will come over time, now that I’ve learned from previous mistakes. My cascading cashflow engines will be harnessed over the next three years, in hopes of producing enough capital to bootstrap a film production company (complete with funding of my entry into film school). I know. I don’t like doing things the easy way.

By Christina Laun

Clients are the bread and butter of any business. Without them, your business simply wouldn’t exist. So it can be hard for many business owners to think about sending clients away, especially those just starting out. But it’s inevitable that you’ll have a client that taxes both your resources and your personal sanity to the point where it becomes necessary to let them go. Don’t worry, you’re not crazy to send business away. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is to cut a client loose. It’s not always easy, but it will leave you with more time to concentrate on clients that are easier to deal with and more profitable.

Types of Bad Clients

Bad clients come in many flavors, but these are some of the most common offenders. If you’ve got one of these on your client list, consider showing them the door.

• The Complainer: Don’t expect to ever do anything right for this type of client. Even if you deliver under budget and sooner than expected, they will still be disappointed for a reason they just can’t seem to communicate to you.
• The Something for Nothing: These types of clients ignore the old adage and try to get as much out of you as they can for as little as possible. Often, they’ll get your initial estimate and expect the cost not to increase when they increase the size or duration of the project or keep adding on “little” things.
• The Time Waster: Expect your time to mean little to these kinds of clients. They’ll be hard to get in meetings and when you finally get ahold of them, they won’t listen to what you’re saying. They’ll run you around with changes, pointless meetings, and time wasted waiting, and then complain how much they’re paying you.
• The Aggressor: This type of client is the hardest to work with and the scariest to get rid of. They are often verbally abusive and threaten to sue for the slightest reason. Be especially careful when unloading these as they have particularly short fuses.
• The Know-It-All: The know-it-all is sure that he or she knows how to do your job just as well as you do because they have a basic familiarity with the programs you use or read a book on the subject. What they don’t realize is that your experience and expert knowledge are really what they’re paying for. Nonetheless, they’ll question your every move and drive you crazy.
• The Boundary Crosser: This type of client will ask you for your home phone numbers “for emergencies” and then call you on weekends and after hours just to check in. This kind of client taxes your personal life heavily.

How to Fire Them

Whether you have a client that fits one of these profiles or an entirely different breed altogether, when the time comes to part ways, do you know how you’ll go about doing it? Here are some tips on making the process as painless as possible.

• Do it in writing. This will help to prevent misunderstandings and raised emotions. It will also give you a written record of your interactions with the client if you should need it to back you up later.
• Make sure you get paid prior to terminating your relationship. You’re asking for trouble by firing a client who still hasn’t paid you, even though sometimes this may be the reason that you are firing them. As illegal and unprofessional as it may be, a jilted client may withhold payment for your services as retribution for letting them go.
• Fulfill any remaining contractual obligations to your clients if it is at all possible or you may find yourself subject to the consequences of breaking that contract. If this is the case, you might want to bring in a lawyer to tell you your best options. Remember, you want to do the work you’ve promised to do, as your reputation is still at stake.
• When letting clients go, be honest but not hostile or offensive. If you can’t think of any way to put your reasons for parting ways nicely, then tell them your business is changing directions or that you just don’t think you can complete their project in the manner or timeframe they hoped.
• Don’t just leave your clients high and dry after you’ve let them go. They may not have treated you with respect, but that doesn’t mean you should return the favor. Recommend another business, preferably a competitor, to take the project instead.
• If nothing else seems to work, jack up your prices. Either they’ll part ways with you themselves or the pain of working for them will be lessened by your increased paycheck.

While it might be difficult both mentally and financially to fire a client, in the long run you’ll be doing your business and yourself a favor. You shouldn’t let go of every client that is difficult, but if you’re hitting the brink with a client, it’s time to make a change. In reality, many clients that take up hours of your time are costing you more than they’re bringing in. By cutting these clients loose, you’ll have more time and energy to concentrate on bringing in new, more profitable business, and that’s really what business is all about.

With a shift towards free content online, no doubt many entrepreneurs are wondering how they can bootstrap their business if they are not going to draw any sales revenue. It’s a scary thought.

I don’t profess to have a solid answer, but I do have some ideas. Here are a few ways that you can still monetize your startup, even while offering free content or services.

1. Advertising. TV and radio were always based on free content supported by advertising. At least until Cable/ pay per view and satellite radio came along. If you are offering only free content, consider monetizing your website with relevant ads - preferably those sold direct, on a CPM (Cost per Mille, e.g., 1000) basis of pageviews.
2. Freemium. The freemium pricing model seem to be popular with web applications providers. General access is free, but the features that make the application efficient for the target end users cost a few dollars per month. One non-web app that has scored millions of users worldwide with this model is Skype, the desktop VoIP software.
3. Subscriptions/ pay per view. Build a subscription site where premium content is only accessible by members. This does require that you have initial free content to draw potential subscribers, and for you to build your authority online, in your niche. If you’re successful, the numbers are worthwhile. For example, several marketing sites charge $197-299/year, and offer very high quality content that is essential to some professionals. While building up your membership list, you might supplement with advertising.
4. Freedom to pay. This is what Radiohead did: pay what you like. Stupid or brilliant? You decide. I was unable to find the “buy” link on their official site and ended up downloading someone else’s low quality copy. Very low quality. But I’m a Radiohead fan and would have paid anyway. And of course, if I’m in a city where they’re going to plan, I’m even more likely to go see these guys. This monetization model is very similar to “shareware” for software.
5. Buyout. if you have enough capital to build your brand/ presence online, and gain substantial eyeballs in the form of free content subscribers, selling to the highest bidder is a great option. For bootstrappers, this has to be preceded by one of the other forms above, else you’re not likely to have enough capital on hand to reach this stage.

With the exception of maybe freemium and freedom to pay, none of these are all that new. Which monetization model you choose (or a combo) depends on what it is you’re giving away - knowledge or services. Products, on the other hand, are hard to monetize with any of these models.

Businesses go out of business all the time. It’s a fact. And it’s almost always because of cash flow problems, possibly due to serious debt. It doesn’t always have to be that way, though - something bootstrapping entrepreneurs probably know better than anyone else. Look deeper at your business workflow; is there something about the way you’re running your business that might be resulting in extra costs? Consider the possibility that one of the following behaviors might be affecting you.

1. Using desktop software. Most new businesses these days probably use software. But desktop software that you install on your computer can be very costly. Some require “site licenses”, which might mean you have to pay a fee for every person on your team - even if they are not going to use the software. Webware, on the other hand, is either free or paid per person. The cost savings can make or break you. If you have remote team members, at the least try web-based project management tools and meeting managers.
2. Buying in bulk. Buying in bulk because “it saves money” is not a wise move, financially speaking. If you don’t need it, why commit funds? In the early stages of a startup, you’ll need cash for all sorts of expenses, and if it’s all committed in bulk quantities of items that are not expected to run out for a while, where do you get the funds for what you need right now?
3. Being extravagant. Unless your impressing your clientele is an absolutely essential part of what you do, buy quality but affordable equipment, furniture, supplies. Chairs at $600 might be nice, but you can buy 3+ relativly good ones for the same money.
4. Not delegating tasks. If your time is spent doing tasks that someone else can do cheaper - and likely just as well or better - then you’re potentially losing opportunities or simply not doing the bread and butter work. Delegate as much as possible.
5. Not keeping receipts. Entrepreneurs working for themselves, or with just a few employees, are still in a mindset where they don’t separate personal and business expenses. Simple truth: the less receipts you save, the less you tax writeoffs you’ll have. If you’re really bad at it, and if your accountant is conservative when filing, you could reduce your tax returns by several hundred to several thousand dollars.
6. Not paying bills on time. This goes hand in hand with buying too many items in bulk “to save money”. If you can’t pay for it with cash on hand, you’ll buy it on your business credit card, which could mean interest or “late fees” of some sort.
7. Not collecting accounts receivable. Always been on top of payments owed to your business. Many new businesses that go under often do so because they experience growth that their cashflow cannot handle. Use web-based invoicing applications, which send clients automatic reminders. Some even accept payment into your bank account. You can also use Paypal invoicing.
8. Jumping the gun. Launching too many projects simultaneously on limited capital means you cannot devote the time and budget each one requires to be nurtured to a successful state. So at the end of the day, you have several projects not earning but costing you money.
9. Overzealousness. Cramming in too many features into a product/ service offering is as bad as launching too many projects. You fragment your resources. Instead, start with an offering that you can offer with great quality, then as revenue comes in, apply the principles of kaizen to add features as necessary, or on demand by clients/ customers.
10. Not designing w/ scalability in mind. If you design a system or process that cannot be scaled up when the time comes, that could mean having to redesign from scratch and thus expenses you’re not prepared for.
11. Not bootstrapping. Not sticking to the necessities of your business. This is a catch-all point. Bootstrapping essentially boils down to only spending on what is absolutely necessary. Increase expenditures as revenue allows, and come up with alternate, less expensive ways to get done what you have to. When the business grows and you have larger cash reserves, you can ease up on the bootstrapping, if you find it too restrictive.

A final suggestion if you’re concerned about your cashflow: check out our article The Poor Entrepreneur’s Toolset: 100 Freebies for Bootstrappers.

By Christina Laun

Many entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of having a separate accounting department, instead doing their own number crunching. It’s not always easy, but you can make it less difficult by making use of the huge number of free financial tools for businesses that are available on the Internet. Here are 100 calculators that can help you get and keep your finances in order.

Business Operations

Don’t get caught off guard by the unexpected financial pitfalls of owning a business. Keep one step ahead with these useful business calculators.

1. Break Even Analysis: Figure out how much you’re going to need to sell with your business just to break even. This can be helpful in creating a starting point for your sales goals.
2. Business Valuation: Whether you are just curious, or want to sell your business, this calculator can help you determine the value. Just enter your cash flow and your expenses to get an estimate.
3. Working Capital Needs: Find out what your business will need to keep going with this helpful calculator. It will take into account your short-term monetary obligations and figure out how much capital you’ll need so you won’t fall short.
4. Financial Ratio: Sometimes there are areas of your business that will need special attention relative to others. Figure out what those are with this financial ratio calculator.
5. Cash Flow: No matter what type of business you are in, keeping your cash flow in check is essential to a healthy business. See how much your business is generating with this calculator.
6. Buying vs. Leasing: Sometimes it can be tough to figure out whether simply buying equipment you need will leave you better off in the long run than leasing. Put your costs into this calculator to find out which would suit your business’ needs best.
7. Profit Margin: This calculator can help you determine how much you should be selling your products or services for to achieve a desired profit margin.
8. Inventory Analysis: Keeping a not-too-little, but not-too-much balance of inventory can be tricky business. This calculator will help you figure out how to time your orders and how much to keep on hand.
9. Sales Per Employee: Figure out what your salespeople are averaging with this simple calculator.
10. Operating Profit Percentage: This calculator will help you compare your sales with what is left after the cost of your goods and operating costs.
11. Return on Assets: See how well you’re managing your company with this calculator that compares net income to total assets. You’ll be able to find out how much you’re getting for every dollar.
12. Debt to Assets: This calculator can help you determine to what extent your company is financed by loans and other sources of debt. The lower the number, the better your chances are of staying afloat financially.
13. Starting Costs: Figure out the starting costs for your business idea before you start so there won’t be any surprises and you’ll know how much you’ll need to get things off the ground.
14. Conversion Rate: Unsure how updating or changing your website will or did impact your business? Use this calculator to see how improving your online sales can affect your business.
15. Pay Per Click ROI: Are your pay per click ad campaigns really paying off? See if your advertising is worth the investment with this calculator.
16. Email ROI: The same goes for your email ad campaigns. This calculator will let you know if you’re generating enough sales or if you need to find another marketing strategy.
17. Business Location, to Rent or Buy: Use this calculator to find out if your business would profit more from renting a location or buying one outright.
18. SAP Value Calculator: The SAP Value Calculator for midsize business reveals how strong your business is today and how much additional value you can gain by improving your infrastructure.
19. Double Your Money: Determine how long it will take you to double your money with this simple calculator.

Loans

Unless you’re bootstrapping it, or you’ve come into quite a financial windfall, it’s likely that your business will need a few loans to get up and running. Here are some calculators that can help you figure out how much you can borrow and what your payments will be.

20. Commercial Loan: This calculator can help you determine your debt service coverage with a new loan, which can in turn help you determine if you’ll be approved.
21. Alternative Payment Frequencies: If you’re not sure what payment method will work out best for your loan, try out different combinations with this calculator.
22. Amortizing Loan: Use this calculator to determine how much money you can borrow based on the monthly payment you can afford.
23. Balloon Loan: This calculator can help you determine if a balloon loan (short term but payments are based over 15 year period) might be better for you than a standard loan.
24. Credit Line: Not sure how much money you can qualify for? Your line of credit
    is based on the value or your business or home and this calculator can do the math for you.
25. Enhanced Loan Calculator: This calculator makes it easy to change all the elements involved with getting a loan (monthly payment, amount of loan, interest rate) to find the best combination for your business.
26. Existing Loan: If your business already has an outstanding loan, you can use this calculator to determine how much longer you’ll be paying on them based on your balance and the amount of your monthly payments.
27. Loan Comparison: Don’t let loans confuse you with different rates and terms. Compare loans directly with this calculator.
28. Loan Prequalification: Use this calculator as an initial step in determining what kind of loans you can qualify for.
29. Loan or Line of Credit: Use this calculator from Bank of America to find out if you should get a loan or a line of credit for your business start up or expansion.
30. Term of Loan: Determine what length of loan you should apply for using this simple calculator.
31. Blended Rate Calculator: