Ideas for sale

[jedimaster107]

I don't know if this is the right spot for this or not. I was looking for a place where i can sell ideas to writers who have writer blocks or just can't think of them. I'm in a tight bind and need the money. I had a ton of ideas laying around and I'm always coming up with me. If someone can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Amadan]

Good luck with that.

[WildScribe]

Um... yeah, not really a viable market. Sorry.

[Kitty Pryde]

Writers have way way way more ideas than they could ever possibly have time to write about :)

[Silver King]

If you're willing to sell them for a dime per dozen, you might find a few takers. Any more than that amount would be considered highway robbery.

[Jessianodel]

Or maybe selling to desperate newbies....

[Stacia Kane]

That's not really going to work, sorry.


But I sincerely hope your financial situation improves; I've been there, many times (I'm not that far off now, in fact).

[Cella]

Writers write because they have something to write about, so it would seem. Then for those who have writer's block, there are many writing prompts and such to get the gears turning.

I don't really see how you could turn this into money unless you do something like create a blog that gets a lot of activity and can use ads to generate $$, though I'm not at all sure how that works...

Of course, these ideas are probably best in their creator's hands ;). But I don't have to tell you there's no quick cash in this business. Good luck with it all :)

[Birol]

I understand the financial predicament, but lack of ideas is not the problem when a writer is "blocked," as the saying goes. It's that the cursor keeps blinking and blinking and blinking and the page is just so damn white. IF you could solve either of those problems.... Also, time. We need time. For example, you could hire yourself out to stand guard at a writer's office door or take their kids to the park or play ball with the dog so they could have some quiet time to concentrate on their projects.

[CatMuse33]

Birol,
Those last two ideas are actually viable ways to make fast cash for people willing to put in a little bit of time for a few bucks. (ie, babysitting and dog-walking). You may have realized that with your wonderfully witty post, but figured I'd point it out in case you didn't. I think both jobs pay between $7 and $15 hour depending on experience and the marketplace. :D

Jedimaster -- Why don't you write some of the ideas yourself and see how you do? Or there's always babysitting and dogwalking for "fast cash." ;)

Dawn

[Birol]

Yes, I did realize it. :)

It may have seemed fictitious but if you hang around these boards long enough, if you listen, the one thing you hear over and over again is "how do I find the time to write" and "how do I make the time to write".

Writers need time and many who can afford it -- and some who can't -- will pay to gain it.

ETA: I should add, this need for time, it's not unique to writers. Many people would love to have someone run their errands for them or... you name it.

[scottVee]

This went in an unexpected direction, but yes, I imagine there's plenty of demand for assistants to creative people. And I don't think there's anything wrong with assisting someone. Trouble is, creative people are not always known for having lots of money to spare, though like anything else there will be exceptions. If you widen your search, as Birol said, there are lots of non-writers who could also use a hand, whether it's pulling weeds or clearing out clutter. When we're short on cash we can usually find someone who's relieved to have a few hours of help. I used to think ideas were like gold. But I'm also completely flooded with them: more things than I could ever write (or draw) in a lifetime. The trick is finding time and quiet to do things, without going broke myself.

[ChaosTitan]

Y
Writers need time and many who can afford it -- and some who can't -- will pay to gain it.


I knew a girl once who was paid to grocery shop by a lady in her apartment building who hated shopping. She got a list and the cash, did the shopping, took the groceries back to the lady, and netted a decent pay out of a few hours work.

[Jamesaritchie]

Many writers use research assistants. Sometimes two or three. But you need the right qualifications.

But everyone knows real writers, at least once they made enough pro sales to qualify for a subscription, get almost all their ideas from Ideas Monthly. And since this wonderful magazine is written entirely in-house, it's not a viable market to sell ideas, either.

[CatMuse33]

Chaos,
Great job esp. if you love grocery shopping!! LOL James!!

[mshaw2268]

Continuing the thread in it's off-topic direction :tongue

When I realized that there are a lot of creative people out there that are pressed for time, I started trying to market a new service as an assistant.

I actually landed one client, but (surprise, surprise) that's not quite enough to pay all the bills.

the number one problem seems to be that some writers want an in-person assistant (for the grocery shopping and dog walking, etc.)

I live in a rural area so the biz has to be virtual, in my case, but if you're somewhere where writers are physically located then you might try to offer that service, instead of selling ideas.

[Birol]

What sorts of virtual services do you offer?

[mshaw2268]

Offer a few different services, from administrative (Typing/Data Entry/Transcription, Respond to emails, Schedule appointments and interviews) all the way to marketing (Send out advance review copies, Set up and maintain social media platforms, Locate and enter books in award competitions, Organize virtual book launches and book tours).

You can click the AuthorShield link in my sig to check it out.

[Greenwolf103]

I heart mshaw2268. We ALL need assistants like that! :e2thud:

[mshaw2268]

I'm here for ya, Greenwolf ;)