Make Money Monday: 3 Creative Ways To Fund Your Dream

Last Thursday, Lisa Maria Carroll and I hosted a webinar: How To Fund Your Dreams. We hosted this webinar because we know there’s nothing worst than having a great idea for a business, program or a project and not having the money to fund the idea. I’m a firm believer that innovation is a great equalizer for the lack of money. So the less money you have the more innovative you need to be.

In that webinar, many of you discussed that you wanted to write books and start businesses, and we told you about the 7 ways to fund your dream. Here are 3 more innovative ways to help you fund your dreams:

1. Internet. The internet has become a great creator of wealth. Likewise, it is also one of the best ways to generate funds for your dreams. Kickstarter.com and DonorsChoose.org are two sites that allow you to raise money that don’t have to be strictly for charitable purposes. Although DonorsChoose.org is specifically for teachers (you can request donations for supplies, etc), Kickstarter.com allows you to request funds for a variety of personal projects from funding to make your CD to money to publish a book. Contributors select how much toward your goal they would like to give. Note there are fees that apply upon successful project funding. For nonprofits, consider sites such as Networkforgood.org, causes.com and Justgive.org.

2. Personal blogs/websites. Consider using your personal blog or website to solicit funds for your projects. Using your blog or personal website especially if it has a project that fits the niche of your blog or website can allow you to closely connect with the people most likely to contribute to your project: your followers. Sites like Chipin.com can help you raise such money by creating widgets you place on your site.

3. Household/Barter. Look around your house. Many people buy so many things they don’t need or fail to use. Gather up all those clothes, DVDs and old appliances you no longer use and have a garage sale, sell them to a used or consignment shop. Sell your used books on Amazon.com. The bottom line: sell the things you no longer need to help finance the things you do need. Additionally, most people have forgotten the barter system. See if you can barter your services in exchange for services you may need. For example, if you’re an attorney in need of graphic design work can you barter legal services with a graphic design person who may need contracts written or trademarks filed. If you don’t think you have a skill set you can barter like legal services what can you do? Can you babysit, housesit, mow someone’s lawn in exchange for services. You are only limited by your own creativity. So get creative.

In the end, there are many ways to fund your dream. Don’t be stymied if traditional methods for funding seem limited or no longer exist. Think creatively, use the internet and your own site to help you raise money. Your dreams are worth it.

Kim Crouch and Lisa Maria Carroll are on a journey to become millionaires in 365 days. They don't want to do it alone, so they're bringing you with them. You can follow them on the Journey by joining the Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Millionaire-Journey/165487378056?ref=ts or the Millionaire Journey blog at http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com