Instead of paying for the popular paid software
There are financial barriers when it comes to purchasing software to start a business or offer a service online. The cost of software from leading companies like Adobe or Microsoft might not be a viable choice for someone just starting out. When I start a new business, the software is always one of the biggest upfront costs.
The limited amount of money that I have to put into a new venture has caused me to be a bit creative when it comes to software. Let us be clear that I am not encouraging piracy that is wrong. What I am suggesting is to look for open-source software that matches your needs.
There are many talented computer programs that work on their own or in groups to create a free version of popular applications. You might need Adobe Photoshop to complete your work, but the free version of the Gimp might be just what you need to get the job done.
There are limitations to what free software is capable of doing compared to the expensive retail product. The good thing is that it is free and you can play around with the program and get a feel for it. If it does not meet your requirements you can find another free program, as sometimes there are various open-source projects from different groups.
The first thing I do when I am looking for software is to type into Google a simple search term. I start by searching on Google for a free alternative to the paid software and see what Google brings up.
There is also a web site called Source Forge which has thousands of open-source software titles you can download for free. It’s pretty easy to find almost any type of program just from visiting this one site.
The open-source software might take a bit more time to learn how to use, but remember it is free. Sometimes it might not be worth your time. If you are familiar with the paid software you will find some options might not be included or will have a few extra steps to get the task done. You have to make a judgment call and see if you can work with the free software, or do you need to purchase the paid software.
Once I find the software I want to work with, I start to get familiar with the interface. There are also many resources online that users share tips and tricks on how to work with the software.
The way I make money with the free software is by matching my skills to freelance job web sites like Fiverr. I will take a look at what task other people are offering on the site and see if I have the skill level to post a similar offer. Then I will try to complete a test with the software. If I feel that I am capable of completing the task I will post it on the site and now I have a task that can help me earn some extra income.
There are so many ways that you can use free software to generate an income. As a content creator, there are many free tools that help me complete projects. There are free office suite programs video editing and photo editing programs, everything that I might need to create content.
The one thing I will caution is to ensure that you are downloading a program from a legitimate source and that you check the software for viruses before you install the program on your computer.
The other thing to consider is the terms and conditions of the software. There are some free programs that can only be used for personal use, and you can not use it for commercial projects.
Over the years I have started a good number of businesses with free open-source software. If I have made money from the software I always return to the creator of the software's web site and see if I can make a donation. If you were helped by the project and it worked for you, don’t forget to give back and reward the programmers for their hard work and countless hours spent working on these programs.
If you are an entrepreneur the cost of software should not stop you from starting a business. You can manage with free tools to start your business, and as you generate an income you can purchase the more expensive software as you need. Free software is a stepping stone to get your business to the next level. In the end, you might end up using the free software and never need to use the paid version of the commercial equivalent
