So now you and everybody else knows that you’re ready to take on the world. However, the world may have other ideas about that. Here are some possible solutions to the problems that often arise.

Problem: It takes money to make money, and I don’t have any to begin with.
Solution: Firstly, look at what you have available to you for little or no money. Getting a domain name isn’t too expensive and, if you learn how to make a kick-ass website on your own*, then that is a powerful promotional tool. Don’t forget about free social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace**, and the likes. Post some stuff up there, and call upon your network to forward it to their networks.

Secondly, depending on the type of project (like starting your own business), you might have to invest some of your own money. If you don’t have enough to get yourself started, there are always grants and loans you can apply for. Just be careful to read all the fine print before you sign anything.

Problem: I can’t get a job without experience and I can’t get experience without a job.
Solution: Phht. What are you, living in the 20th Century? Do something. Learn from it. Now you have experience. Infinitely loop that and you’re good.

Problem: I’ve got a good idea, and I’ve done all I can with it, and I would like to continue but I don’t know where to go next.
Solution: You might be able to find a mentor. Go online, and search for local people who have done something similar to what you want to do. Contact these people, and politely make your case: here’s a one-sentence summary of my idea, here is what I have so far, and here is what I need. Because of your accomplishments in [what the person did], could you offer me any advice? The person or their secretary might be impressed and want to help you out. They might also tell you to F- off or just never get back to you, but it is worth a try. Just don’t go into too much detail until you know that they are interested.

Problem: There are too many people already doing something similar to what I want to do.
Solution: Take whatever makes your version different from everyone else’s and make that the prime feature. Focus on what makes you unique or better than everyone else. If you can’t find said feature, then go back to the drawing board and ask yourself some questions:
1. Why do I want to do this in the first place?

2. What is something else I like, totally unrelated to this main thing, and can I put the two together?
3. What are all the things I am good at and like to do, and how do they fit together?



That should give you some ideas for how to modify your project. The last thing I have to say here is that there are a lot of brick walls, but none of them totally encircle the path. It may take some climbing or changing your route, but you can eventually get to where you want to be. Now get out there and make yourself proud.

*Or beg a friend to do it for you.
**Myspace is actually useful when it comes to music.

-Tamara Hecht