How do you raise money online?

[sweetvanilla]

Hi, I don't know if this is the right place to post my message but anyways, here goes:

I cannot work mainly because of chronic dizzy spells/vertigo that I've had since the age of 15 (I'm 30 now). I've seen many doctors and they could never find what was wrong with me. Eventually, an osteopathic doctor told me it was probably related to either a ski accident or teeth braces I had as a child. Osteopathic and chiropractic treatments help but offer only temporary relief. I have had several jobs but had to quit after only a few months or even a few weeks because of debilitating vertigo. I now live with my mother, I have no income and I have accumulated credit card bills totalling 3000$ because of natural supplements and therapies I have tried over the years to help my condition.

Since I have no income, I only give the minimum payment each month because that's all I have in my bank account. I would very much like to be able to pay off my debt and try to start something online that would generate some income for me so that I can atleast help my mother with the bills.

Can someone tell me what is the best way to raise money online? I don't want people to think I'm scamming them. I can provide medical records if needed. I just don't know where to turn for financial help. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

[Wayne Liew]

Have you tried to inquire from your local charity organizations regarding this matter? I know going to them may be a tough choice to make. Instead of asking them directly for money, what you can do is to seek their expertise on some of the ways they use to raise funds.

To be honest, I really think that you should start telling your story via a blog. It can be a personal blog or about your hobby. I think that despite the illness, you must have some kind of hobby right?

Take care and welcome to YE.

[businesgoonline]

if you want to raise money online, i suggest you create a website telling the world about your real life experience, you can either earn money from "donation" or from selling ad space from the site and google adsense.

[sweetvanilla]

Thanks to both of you for your replies and suggestions. If I create a website, what would be the best way to get people to visit it and make donations? I don't have any money to spend on marketing. Could myspace be useful for me?

[SerialEntrepreneurs.]

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Best of luck!

[onlinecashwebs]

if you want to raise money online, i suggest you create a website telling the world about your real life experience, you can either earn money from "donation" or from selling ad space from the site and google adsense.

I agree, a website or blog to get your word out is a wonderful idea. I'll PM you if you want more info for the company I host with. they also have money making opportunities.

[chrispalko]

Right, I would say go with a blog and use internet marketing to raise extra funds.

[Wayne Liew]

If I create a website, what would be the best way to get people to visit it and make donations? I don't have any money to spend on marketing. Could myspace be useful for me?

Marketing is the only way to get people to visit your site. A line asking for donations or a small widget by the sidebar would do the trick. Like what others have suggested, you might even get advertising deals if your site starts to get some traffic.

MySpace can be a good way to market your site but this is dependent on the topic that you are going to blog about. If you are going on the route of setting up a blog, I would recommend you to blog on a specific interest instead of a personal rambling blog because the latter don't get much attention nowadays unless your life is very very interesting.