How to make money in New York City (or any other major city) in Free fast and easy ways

Steps

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Step One

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The First Way to Make Fast Free and Easy Money:Autographs. Okay, so you're probably thinking how can I do this? How will this get me the much needed dinero for that ski trip/surf board/rent? Well let me tell you how....one day, as I was walking home from yet another endless day of interviewing for that ever evasive writing/acting/designer job...I noticed all of these people standing outside of the theatres near broadway...scads of them. I quicly joined one of the lines. I didn't know what we were waiting for. All of a sudden the back door opened up and out came the "Star!" People began handing the "Star" pamphlets and programs and napkins, which she would sign. These people had been to the play and were getting the "Star's" autograph. I promptly handed her the receipt from my bus ticket which she signed. I then ran over to another theatre and another and another, following suit. Before I knew it, I'd collected 6 signatures from some of the Hollywood greats who had deigned to star in a broadway show (after their talk show, sitcom, or new program failed). I then realized "I can sell these autographs!"

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Step Two

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Locate the place where you can collect the autograph. This could be outside a theatre where you know the stars are playing, or outside a ballfield (locker-room) or if you follow the society/gossip columns you can learn where events are taking place.

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Step Three

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Have pad and pen handy. It's helpful if you can get ahold of a program from the event (easy to do as people discard them after seeing a show, usually on the street. You'll be fighting polution as well as helping yourself!) The easier it is for you to present the pad and pen, the better. If you have to spend several moments juggling through your purse/bag, etcetera by the time you blink the celebrity may well be on their way to somewhere else. Remember, once the limousine door closes, it's too late.

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Step Four

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Ask the Celebrity politely, for an autograph, or if there is a publicist present, address the publicist if you can't get to the star. Nobody really gives the publicist their due respect and so it helps sometimes if you are respectful to them. They may even invite you to the side to speak with the celebrity. You need never let on that you couldn't give a fig about the acutal star/athlete/author/musician and are only out to get the autograph for profit. And if you have one of those instant cameras, so much the better if you get a picture to include with the autograph.

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Step Five

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Dress like a backwoods tourist. These are the people the stars seem to go for the most, people from their past, or at least their preceived past-the one they all write for themselves, those honest to goodness fans who've travel all the way from bumfck ozarks to see them and had to stand four hours on a country bus and take a trolley and walk for three hours just to see a "star." They like all that corny crap, so corn it up!!!

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Step Six

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When you get them to sign, have them sign it to a "friend" or "my one and only" or if they must have a name, give them a generic name like John, or Mary, or Elizabeth..but try to steer away from names because an autograph with no name is worth more money.

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Step Seven

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Once you have the autograph, you'll want to put it into some protective packaging which you can find at any of the crafty department stores (acid free darlings!). Remember that presentation is everything. If you can add a program to the package or any other paraphenelia, such as a ticket stub (which you also might find outside the event)- so much the better.

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Step Eight

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Locate a store that sells autographs and present your find only after you find out what they sell them for. Sometimes they'll try to get you on the cheap. Don't settle. I once had a bevy of items, the salesman offered me 100.00 for the box. I said no and went onto Ebay and made over 5,000.00 on those items. Be wary. You will also find several other sites online that will help you to auction off your autographs -and also give you an idea of what they are worth. You can easily collect a bunch of these every night of a peak season if you pay attention. After awhile you'll get very good at this. In no time at all you'll be raking in the dough and having a good time too!

• Don't just go for events. Remember that book signings of first edition books are also very popular. If you go to ABEBOOKs.com just see what a first edition of Stephen King's Signed copy of "The Stand" goes for. You could buy a small cabin in the midwest for what you can get. Remember, you are limited only as to how far you are willing to dream! Don't let anybody steal your dreams.
• Change your wardrobe freqently. Wear hats and wigs. You don't want everyone getting to know you as that "eternal" autograph hound.
• If a concert is playing for three days, don't go all three days to get autographs..because then you might get pegged as a "stalker" and you don't want that. I was outside a newsprogram a few days in a row because I was just watching the news (believe or not) and I noticed by the third day security was eyeing me..but really I just wanted the weather...stay away from getting noticed. The idea is to get the autograph and get out.
• Always be polite. Try to plan more than one event/etc. to go to. If a star doesn't want to give you an autograph, smile politely and walk away. Don't take it personally, remember there are many more stars in the sky!
• Plan, plan, plan! If you don't you'll be running around the cities like a chicken with your head cut off.
• Take at least two or three days a month to market your things. After awhile you'll get very good at figuring out your calendar around who will be where.
• Try to stay in a region where you'll find the most stars. Don't limit yourself to those one day trips where you'll only get the one article.
• Don't fall in love with your autograph collection. Remember, every autograph is a potential sale. You don't want to end up having a huge collection, because once you start saving them..it gets harder and harder to part with them. :)