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How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

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How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#1

Post by b_mutea »

I’m trying to figure out how to make around $10k, but honestly, I’m stuck on where to even start. I see people pulling things off and I genuinely want to understand how you’re doing it.

Up until last year, I was working as a technical writer in ML/AI. Those roles basically 'disappeared', so I spent most of last year upskilling and trying to pivot. I’ve attempted a few app MVPs, but none of them really stuck, and now I’m at a point where I can’t even afford tokens to keep experimenting properly.

I’m broke, no way around it, but I still want to build something, or at least get involved in a project or startup where people are building things that actually make sense. I’m not looking for handouts (but that would help), just momentum and a place where I can contribute and grow.

I’m six months behind on rent, just managed to buy time after my first eviction notice, and I’m trying to get back into building without constantly worrying about when the next one shows up.

So yeah, what are you guys building? If there’s something interesting going on and you need help, I’d love to get involved.

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#3

Post by stumpyfr »

Step 0: Stop aiming for 10k, aim for enough to live (for now).

Then decide between option1 or 2.

Option 1: Start by taking a "random IT integrator/service job" to keep your flat and food on the table, stop even thinking about building and "vibing" something. Just take a job, large "consulting" companies are easy to join as entry-level and will give you enough to survive, but far from your 10k dream.

Stabilise your finances, take time to refine your ideas and plan the next step without the stress to not knowing if you will be homeless or hungry next month.

Option 2: Play the local lottery and tomorrow, GOTO option 1

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#4

Post by ben_w »

The hard part with business has always been finding what problem needs to be solved, something that's under-served in the marketplace. Asking on a public forum like this is, unfortunately, a great way to give identical inspiration to a lot of other people, at which point the winner is immediately (at best) a lottery.

For example, if I were to say "I want to improve my German, make me a personalised tutor" and you thought that sounded good, 300 other people who lurk here without commenting will immediately go "ooh, interesting" and also make the same app (and as everyone will be vibe-coding from almost the same prompt, most of them really will be the exact same app down to the style choices and the number and names of achievements).

This was already a problem before LLMs, where copy-cat apps sprung up the moment anything new got famous and interesting. Clones of Flappy Bird and Wordle, even Apple did this with Sherlock and Microsoft with Internet Explorer.

So, my advice here, is to think small-scale. Find individuals and small businesses near you who are willing to pay for the work of a day to a fortnight, where the hard part is talking to them and learning what their needs are, not individual big projects that bring in $10k all at once. (For a fortnight sized project, you might get lucky and find someone who's up for $10k, but don't count on it).

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#5

Post by b_mutea »

stumpyfr wrote: post #3

Step 0: Stop aiming for 10k, aim for enough to live (for now). Then decide between option1 or 2. Option 1: Start by taking a "random IT integrator/service job" to keep your flat and food on the table, stop even thinking about building and "vibing" something. Just take a job, large "consulting" companies are easy to join as entry-level and will give you enough to survive, but far from your 10k dream. Stabilise your fi…

Thanks, that is exactly what I have been doing, I'm trying to get some jobs relentlessly right now just to get some traction. I think it just that one stressfull thought of homelessness that it eating me up.

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#6

Post by b_mutea »

trilogic wrote: post #2

Step 1: Change current location (results show it may be toxic :) Step 2 If you know ML/AI then send 10000 applications this weekend for job positions (whatever you may like). Step 3 Wait till Monday.

Thanks. Step 2 has been my job especially this month.

What about step 1? I seem not to get the 'may be toxic part'

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#7

Post by b_mutea »

ben_w wrote: post #4

The hard part with business has always been finding what problem needs to be solved, something that's under-served in the marketplace. Asking on a public forum like this is, unfortunately, a great way to give identical inspiration to a lot of other people, at which point the winner is immediately (at best) a lottery. For example, if I were to say "I want to improve my German, make me a personalised tutor" and you tho…

This makes so much sense 'Ben' and is spot on. The problem I find becoming hard is the survival part, I just have to keep trying, because I have noticed these roles are not coming in easy especially in this era and given the field I am into. Seems like everyone can do whatever with AI right now.

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#8

Post by aristofun »

Build a career or build a business.

Nothing new under the moon in the last few centuries. There is no magic pill or secret ingredient.

Each path has its trade offs.

I’ve tried both. Reaching 10k in software engineering salary took longer but easier and more predictable. My first profitable business attempt was a tiny bootcamp school (about software engineering obviously) and it never reached 10k of my own income due to lack of business experience and motivation.

Choose a field where 1. There is enough capacity to reach the number with just a hard work (software engineering, finance, law, real estate etc)

2. You feel comfortable and genuinely longterm interested in (most important criteria).

What else do you expect to hear on a forum like this?

I bet LLM would give you similar answer :)

Re: How do I make $10k (What are you guys doing?)

#9

Post by trilogic »

b_mutea wrote: post #6
trilogic wrote: post #2

Step 1: Change current location (results show it may be toxic :) Step 2 If you know ML/AI then send 10000 applications this weekend for job positions (whatever you may like). Step 3 Wait till Monday.

Thanks. Step 2 has been my job especially this month. What about step 1? I seem not to get the 'may be toxic part'

Usually is the location and the surrounding environment (sometimes "friends etc") that leads a person in a certain situation. A radical change may help as may make things worse (but it can´t be much worse then an eviction notice I guess). A new location can offer less stress, fresh start, maybe cheaper accommodation and lifestyle, but most importantly motivation and new opportunities. The 10k are in the range of a company owner instead of employment. Some states/countries facilitate the startup and if you did it once you can do it again.

Good luck.

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