Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#31

Post by jere » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:28 PM UTC

I made a library application for Epic Games. Looking back, I think I severely undersold myself (closer to $1k than $10k). Then sold it to another studio. I'm thinking about converting it to a SaaS app, but I don't know how I'd gauge further interest (I made a barebones landing page but apparently google won't let you advertise those).

The one lesson that is extremely clear: networking is paramount. I only got the job initially because my name was thrown around by a friend and was only able to sell to the other studio because of a connection I made while doing the project.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#32

Post by pallavkaushish » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:29 PM UTC

I've been working for around 11 months now as a marketing guy and I now touched my $10000 mark. In India $10000 is annual average salary of a fresh graduate. I'm into my 11 month of my first job and I touched it even though I started with below average salary. And the feeling is inexplicable.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#33

Post by jroseattle » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:30 PM UTC

Lost my job. Updated my resume. Got on the phone. And pinged all my contacts via LinkedIn.

And instead of taking the next F/T gig, I went to work for myself. 5 years and counting.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#34

Post by edw519 » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:30 PM UTC

I wrote an ERP system for SMBs. (Enterprise Resource Planning, Small/Midsize Businesses). My first sale was to a 20 person automobile aftermarket wheel manufacturer for $20,000. I remember sleeping with the check that night.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#35

Post by tosbourn » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:32 PM UTC

I made a porn site.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#36

Post by soufron » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:33 PM UTC

By selling imported dreamcasts...

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#37

Post by ReedR95 » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:34 PM UTC

High School student here. Made my first 10k the summer after my Junior year as a software development intern at a startup that had recently been acquired by a larger tech company.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#38

Post by tehwebguy » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:34 PM UTC

Freelance PHP dev work while I was in college.

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#39

Post by beobab » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:35 PM UTC

zwieback wrote: post #30

Paper route. I went through a couple rear axles on my bicycle because the papers were so heavy. At one point it just snapped right in the middle. I guess I'm dating myself now, you kids don't remember what an actual newspaper looks like.

My son does a paper round on his bike. :) The tradition is very much alive.

The weight of his papers is quite staggering. I sometimes think it weighs more than he does. :)

Re: Ask HN: How did you make your first $10,000?

#40

Post by gagabity » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 1:36 PM UTC

First $1,000 Admob Ads.