As a general rule, those who typically become successful entrepreneurs are the people who come up with unique solutions to problems or challenges. This rule has continued to be proven true, again and again, in the technology space, especially as the world becomes more accustomed to the “here and now” provided by the increasing ease and portability of devices.
Along with the innovation model, technology has enabled the “fast cash” model to start popping up in completely new ways. As a result, a completely new wave of start-ups have appeared that allow all of us to make money on the side with our spare cash, our extra space, or our vehicles when we’re not using them.
Just as in the Three Days to Cash Workshop, new “micro-economies” are forming around using the resources we already have to bump up the bank account.
What types of marketplaces already exist? Take a look at these sites:
AirBNB has recently received quite a bit of publicity due to an angel investment by the King of Twitter, Ashton Kutcher, but the service flourishes because it’s simply a great idea. The service allows you to rent out your spare bedroom (or your entire house) by the night to travelers at the rate you set. For the most part, visitors are searching because the cost is far less than your average hotel room and allows for more of a “close to home” feel. Travelers are able to search and book a room from the web or via a mobile app.
Mobile car rental and sharing has also become a huge market, particularly for those living in urban areas. The most known service in the space is Zipcar, which allows you to rent out your vehicle in over 50 cities in the U.S. or the U.K. If you’re not in an urban area, Getaround allows you to get in on the action regardless of your location. In addition, Getaround recently took first place at Techcrunch Disrupt, a popular start-up and tech industry conference.
If you’re not looking to gain from your extra space or stuff, perhaps you’d just prefer to make a small loan to an up-and-coming business. If so, sites like Prosper or Lending Club may be your cup of tea. These services allow anyone to apply for a loan with some details and a credit check. Lenders are then able to determine whether a particular project or loan is worth the risk, or simply invest in a “portfolio” that allows diversity across various projects that are pre-screened by the services. The majority of these loans tend to be for small business capital, but they can be used for virtually anything that qualifies.
These are just a few examples of the hundreds of new sites and start-ups that can make you some fast cash online. What examples have you found? Do you have a success story from any of these services?
Share your experiences with us below!
