Okay, this post might seem completely random to some of you guys, I mean how can you make money online as a successful bum? It’s like, um, begging for money on the internet? Well, since I’m an internet entrepreneur, I’m willing to test out different things to see what works and what doesn’t. But don’t worry, I’m not going to beg for money but rather tell you a few points about it and how it has worked for someone I met before.
I remember when I first started working on this internet stuff, I ran across this “online bum”. Hey, I didn’t call him that, he called himself that. I don’t remember his website or his name but his site stuck out to me. His entire site was basically begging for money on the internet and admittedly, he seemed to be pretty good. I would also just like to point out that his site wasn’t really well designed at all, either.
I had a chance to talk with him a couple of years ago and I wish I stayed in touch with him just to see how his project was going.
He referred to himself as an online bum and his site was actually pretty funny. He was going to ask anyone and everyone to simply donate at least one dollar to him and see if he can make it to a million. He had some funny points on why you should give him money which included some points like (these might not be exactly what he listed):
- Bums on the streets make about $30K a year (non-taxed) just begging for money so he figured if they can do it, he can… online.
- He wants to buy a house, a boat, etc and you could be doing your charitable cause for the year for donating to him.
- He asked nicely.
A lot of people thought it was so unique and interestingly funny that they were like “eh, why not, this guy made me laugh, I’ll give him a dollar”. And for the other people who laughed but didn’t donate, they eventually did because more and more people started to donate.
When I ran across the site, it was only a couple of months old. And after a couple of months, he had already made close to $2,000! Most people just starting as an online entrepreneur wouldn’t make that in their first year.
There were more incentives, of course. The more you donated, he would add your banner/link/name to his “sponsors” page. It was sort of equivalent to purchasing advertisement.
So, where am I going with this?
Well, a lot of people come up with creative ideas and think out the box and work hard for it. You guys remember that guy that sold ad space by the pixel and became a millionaire? That’s exactly how this online bum was. He thought out of the box, kinda, and he was begging shamelessly.
But here’s the thing, most people wouldn’t even attempt this because they would shoot down that idea to begin with. Though, if you did give it a try and worked on it, the outcome could definitely surprise you.
What I’m saying is, try to think out the box and give your ideas a try. It may sound stupid and random as hell to someone but to others, I’m betting you’ll find a lot of people that will support your stupid creative ideas. 
Does anyone know this site? Let me know if you have seen it or know of it. If I find out the site, I’ll make sure to link it so you guys can check it out for yourselves.
Support for my stupid ideas?
Is this a case of birds of a feather flocking?
If all your friends jump off a bridge….
I remember the Million Dollar Web Page but not the “bum” you’re talking about.
Wasn’t there also a woman who did this?
I think Leo LaPorte featured her on the old Screen Savers Show (back when Kevin Rose was the Dark Hacker or something like that).
She readily admitted she was just trying to pay off bad debt.
Leo, of course, gave her 5 bucks.
You inspired me. Let’s give it a try! Click my name!
Ben Moreno´s last blog ..If You Donate Money To This Blog I Promise To Use It To Toward Paying My College Loans Back
Hey hey! This is so funny. I don’t know this site you’re talking about, but I actually did this! The Internet Begging Experiment. I wanted to shoot down the idea, but I thought what the heck… And my promise on my site is if I can get 1 million people to donate $1 each, I’ll donate half of it to a charity. At least come by and give the charities your favorite vote!!!
I love your blog, by the way. I just subscribed the other day cause one of your posts caught my eye. And I LOL’d when I saw this post. Internet begging… yep. I’m giving it a try already. So a word of advice to your readers, don’t shoot down ANY of your own ideas, no matter how dumb, or scary, or weird you think they might be. Just try it. If nothing ever comes, you’ll learn alot along the way.
Hey, I’ve got an IBE blog, too. I’ll write a post and link to yours!
~Jeannie
internetbeggingexperiment.com
Hi,
I think that the most affordable internet cyber begging and donation website dedicated to helping those in need. Post a cyber beg or donate money for as little as $1. Get your own web page and ask for donation money or donate money to other people in need of help of relief from bad debt.
Photography´s last blog ..GILA MONSTR MEDIA: IDEAL OPTION FOR PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS
I do not want to beg money from other, its just like shame for me, as you said here that many internet entrepreneur earning thousand of dollar selling ad space. I like the strategy of problogger, copyblogger. I also want to market my blog by selling ads.
Legitimate work at home jobs´s last blog ..How to submit article to article directories
Now that’s interesting! hahah I want to check out the site myself…
I can say his strategy is very genius! He made people laugh and donate even a bit of a dollar and made it into millions, simply amazing!
Hi there Jay,
You know, I have heard of this guy and his website, as well. In fact, I remember visiting the website you’re talking about in the article, but, unfortunately, can’t remember neither its URL, nor the owner’s name
.
Indeed, the idea he had was/is pretty interesting. But, to be honest, never thought he’d be able to bank 2000 bucks in just a couple of months
. Kudos to him! Sometimes, it seems that even the wackiest thing you could think of, can in fact bring you some cash.
Note to self: start churning stupid ideas..ASAP!
Best regards,
Tiberius
Tiberius Burciu´s last blog ..Getting ready to jump back into action!
I can’t believe bums make 30K per year, lol that is crazy. Maybe it all depends on their location? I am sure bums might make alot more money in a bigger city. Anyways I don’t know what the website is since I haven’t of this before but I looking forward to seeing the website once someone jumps in and answers it! =D
Till then,
Jean
really unbelievable
Tiberius – I don’t remember reading about an article on it, I literally went to this place to promote and I ran into his website and was chatting with him online about it. He seems like a cool guy and yeah, I still can’t believe how many people are generous enough to donate that much… but then again, it’s almost like donating to other charities but this time you KNOW exactly where the money is going lol.
Used Tires – I’m sure it does depend on the location but I live in a big city and I think that’s where most bums would be. I mean, how many bums have you seen in small towns?
Jay
Big Cities are where the money is for bums. I live in NYC myself and most of the bums are stepping up their game, especially on the subway’s. I think NYC has some pioneers in the begging game. Instead of just asking for money, they get really creative with a jingle or a dance instead of just saying “change please”. I’m not surprised they are making around $30k/year. A lot of them can make around $5/5 minutes by going from cart to cart in the trains and once they are done with a train they just switch to another one, Easy money.
@ Jay: You got it a bit wrong. I haven’t read about the guy and his website in an article ( well, except in the one I’m commenting on right now ), but, just like you, I have actually visited the site itself. Haven’t had the opportunity to chat with the owner, though. Anyway, even if this hasn’t happened at that time, I still am of the oppinion that he came up with a really interesting and out of the box concept for cyber begging.
Aren’t these type of ideas the ones which, usually, make some folks rich?
. Well, maybe it’s not the case here, but..you get the point 
.
Tiberius Burciu´s last blog ..Getting ready to jump back into action!
Amazing bum! his strategy is simple but worth it. Out from a small he made it to millions.
I had fun reading this one, it’s funny.
I can not believe a full time bum makes 30k/year with no taxes. If they were really making this, they would not be a bum anymore. They could go home to their apartment and come back out for work the next day.
Thats pretty funny, Im sure he probably made much more and eventually reached his 1 million dollar goal. 1 dollar isn’t that much but if you get millions of people to give you 1 dollar you can become rich.