Doing What You Love For Money

You have to take great risks for what you love.  We’re not talking about romantic kisses in the dark love.  We’re talking about the passion you have for what you love to do.  Maybe you want to be a doctor.  Maybe you want to be a fashion designer.  Maybe you have a voice that will make Mariah Carey nervous.  Maybe you love math so much you think you may be onto a new theorem.  Whatever it is, you love it. 

There is nothing wrong with working hard and getting paid little or nothing to get experience, but there is a line to be drawn.  Even the youngest of aspiring professionals can make extra cash without becoming a familiar face at the drive-thru. 

Collect samples of what you do.  Take pictures.  Make files on the computer.  Save templates.  Save formats.  Make it all look nice and professional in a black binder with laminated pages.  This may cost you a little bit of money, but it should not cost you more than $50 to put everything together.

Start with family and friends.  Can you get them to pay you for a drawing?  To entertain?  To design something for them?  To make something for them?  What can you sell?

Make a nice simple flier you can then photocopy and distribute locally.  If you’re too shy to “hit up” neighbors, ask your parents if it is okay to create an email as a contact information and slip fliers underneath home doors.

Charge cheap.  You’re trying to build a client base, not get rich in a year.

Ask for referrals.  If they’re a happy customer, find out who else wants to be happy!

Use free online networking sites to create a serious profile to showcase your new “business.”  The sooner you start to work on the side, the more likely you will be able to have enough in your portfolio to work while you’re in college. 

Take a risk.  Don’t be afraid to hear “no thanks.”  Just keep trying.