Biz.com Small Business

Best Legitimate Ways to Make Money from Home

2014-11-11T12:02:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

There are some profitable ways to make money from home. Turn a small space into an office or an empty bedroom into a home office where you can see clients. It doesn’t have to be fancy but you’ll need somewhere to place a desk, chair, and a sitting area for clients.

Starting a home business is a solution for many people whether you're a mom with small children at home, a student, or you've been laid off there are plenty of opportunities out there to start a small business inexpensively. Working from home will offer you independence and some have the potential to grow into a full-time business. You have a decision to make if you are going to sell a service or a product.

Service Home Business

Resume Writing

A resume writing service can be started at very low cost and can be set up quickly. If you can write a professional resume and have a way with people, you can help them when they need you the most. Help job seekers create a powerful tool that will highlight their job experience and achievements. Most fees for resume writing range between $100 and $400 according to resume-resource.com. Advertise your resume writing service in the employment classified section of your local newspaper. Advertise in colleges by placing your fliers on bulletin boards around the campus.

Freelance Writing

If you love writing everyday then you should consider being a freelance writer. You can write query letters and write for magazine publishers, write a nonfiction book, or novel. Write content for corporations, small businesses, or the medical field. There are websites that post jobs for writers such as Freelancer.com and Elance.com give them a try for online freelance work.

Data Entry

Starting a data entry business doesn't require a lot of overhead, and is a business to get into with minimum upfront investment. You can work the business as a home based business or if you are planning on hiring employees lease office space. You will have to find clients, have an eye for detail, and be an excellent typist.

Data entry work exists in many types of companies and corporations. Cold call corporations, small businesses, and other industries if you are starting your business without referrals. Get clients by looking at job boards, search the internet, and send direct mail. Start with a few clients and ask for referrals. Once you have established a steady client base and have an inflow of funds, hire employees to service more clients. Your pay is depended on speed and volume.

Consulting

Work as a consultant. Do you have experience in an existing field? Put your skills and experience to work in a home business and hire your services out on an hourly rate or a flat fee. Market your education and experience and find work online or send direct mail to local companies and corporations. Consider opening a consultant home business. If you are an expert in your field or know something better than most people you can hire out your services. Network and contact people that you have done work for in the past and let them know about your business. Print business cards; create a website and cold call.

Computer Technician

If you have experience there are a lot of people and small business that need you, for example doctor’s and dentist offices because some are not automated or they need to be updated. Set up your business from home. You can bill them by the hour or a flat fee.

Personal trainer

You don't need a studio to work as a personal trainer you can visit clients at their homes and offices. Some people don't have time to go to the gym and they want the convenience of working with a personal trainer. The National Federation of Professional Trainers will provide information on certification, insurance and marketing.

Apply for Business License

Acquire a “Doing Business As,” DBA. Register a legal name for your business if you are going to use a name other than your own name. Apply for the DBA with a registration form with your state and local government.

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service if you have hired employees. Open a business bank account so that you can keep your personal finances separate from your business.

Start Up

You can start up a service business with a low startup cost. The biggest finance will be equipment. You will need a computer with modem and printer, fax machine, and internet service. Create a website and print up brochures.

Product Home Business

Online Store

Sell products on eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist. Or you can set up an online store and sell products on your own website with a drop-shipping service. Get a web host. It will provide you with space and support to create your website. Design your website because it will be considered your store front. You can also sell used goods or buy goods wholesale. Sell many of your own products with your own ecommerce store, and work with wholesale suppliers.

E commerce store you can sell many of your own items, but you can also work with wholesale suppliers. A cheap web hosting and templates help you to build a website for your own catalog on the web.

You must have sales tax ID. To sell products you need to collect sales taxes, you must apply for a Sales Tax Permit from your state or local government. In order to deal with wholesalers and distributors you will need the tax ID before they will let you open an account with them.

There are many web hosting services that allow you to use your own domain name. Design your website. Get an account with an online provider such as Amazon, Yahoo, or eBay. Set up a drop shipping arrangement with them. Start promoting your online store.

Crafts

If you are good at creating your own products for example, crafts, candle making, ceramics or baked goods you can set up an Etsy.com account. If you are not creative you can buy products wholesale and sell them online on sites like eBay, and Craigslist.

Homemade crafts are beautiful and are high quality, and are popular with consumers shopping for unique gift items and home decor. Many people don't sell their crafts because they don't know where they might get the highest exposure and where to sell them. Making and selling crafts at home requires an opportunity to make good money, find new customers at little cost and operate with little or no overhead.

High Quality

Make a high quality item. Customers want very high quality when it comes to buying handmade items. They pay for superior workmanship.

Photographs

Take high quality photographs of all your crafts that you are selling. Write good product descriptions of the items. Use a unique selling position.

Choose Place to Sell Online

Etsy

Sign up. You will need a credit card to confirm your identity. You can customize your shop with a banner and profile. They will give you your own URL for your shop.

Homemade Catalog

They offer different packages. Pay $4.95 per month or $40.00 per year for Basic Membership; or $7.95 per month or $60.00 per year for Standard Membership or $12.95 per month or $100 per year for Professional Membership. The basic lets you list up to 50 items. The Standard package allows up to 250 products, plus 3 listings per year on the main page. The Professional package lets you have your own special URL which will feature your business on their Crafter's list, plus list up to 1,200 products and 5 products per page on the main page.

There are many more so do your homework.

Trade Shows

Rent booth space and it will run typically $200 to $300 at some shows. Factor in travel cost and cost of the table, banner, and materials. Start small and price your items right. Make sure that you will be able to process credit cards because it is the common currency of shows and fairs.

Reference:

Entrepreneur; Businesses You Can Start at Home; Lesley Spencer Pyle; 2010

MSN Money; America's Best Home-Based Businesses; Start up Nation; 2010

Entrepreneur: How to Sell at Craft Fairs and Shows

How to Write a Vendor Proposal

2014-10-04T12:36:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

A vendor proposal is used when you are being considered along with other potential vendors, or when bidding. Writing may not be your strong suit, you may feel a little intimidated, and a lot of small business owners feel the same way. There are some pre-designed templates you can buy online that can speed up the process of proposal writing. Outline the proposal and gather all of the information you need before you start writing. The outline will be a step by step deconstructing the Request for Proposal (RFP).

Executive Summary

The proposal’s most important section is the first page because it provides the reader with a snapshot of what is to come. In this section you will write a brief statement of the need of your company and what your company has to offer, and this is also called a statement of need. Tell your evaluators why they should use your vending company. It summarizes the key information and is designed to convince the reader to use your company. Write an excellent reason why they should choose your company over your competitors.

Product or Service Description

If you have piqued your evaluator’s interest they have read past the executive summary this is the section you must build upon their interest. You will provide the description of commodities and or services. How does the product’s key requirement meet the answers to the client’s key questions? Describe the product in terms of customer need. Describe facts or statistics that best support the product or service. This proposal must be tailored to an individual client’s need and can’t be used for every client.

About Us and Vendor Qualifications

Write the name of the President of the company. How your business is registered as a partnership, sole proprietorship or incorporated. How long have you been in business? If you are bidding with the government or the school board you will need to include a Federal ID number. It’s not necessary to include a lot of information about your small business.

Write about your experience with similar contracts. Write about the responsibilities of key personnel, and subcontractors. Make sure that you include client references.

Cost Estimate

List the price you are proposing. Include each service that your company is going to perform with a detailed fee schedule. If you are bidding, contracts are usually awarded to the lowest bidder.

Answer all of the topics in the request for proposal (RFP). Analyze the RFP sentence by sentence making sure that you address every statement. Answer topics in the same sequence that they appear in the RFP.

Provide how you are going to deliver, to install, and your ability to meet the client’s specifications.

Reference:

Fed Market: How Are Winning Proposals Written

NYC Dept of Education: Vendor Guide

Estate Sale Business Start Up Guide

2014-06-06T15:22:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

An estate sale business is a business you can work from home and the start-up cost is low. You will be using your skills to market and sell other people’s property. Sometimes you will even be a comfort to grieving relatives that don’t feel up to organizing and selling their loved ones valuables. People may hire you to hold an estate sale for them in which you will do the work of organizing, tagging, and marketing.

Benefits

Most people are looking for a deal and these types of sales are hugely popular in every community. One advantage of this business is there are millions of people that go to estate and garage sales annually. If you have a knack for organizing and marketing this is an advantage for this business.

Responsibilities and Duties

After you meet with your client to go over the inventory, you will organize, price, and tag items. Your service provides clients the benefit of not having to worry about having to hold their own sale and worrying about how to organize it. You will hold the sell and clean up after it is over. You must provide the client with a list of inventory, what it sold for, and any appraisals that you may have gotten on valuable assets.

Business License

Decide whether you want to operate your business, as a sole proprietor, a partnership, a LLC or a corporation. Even if you are planning to run your business as a home based business you are going to need a business license. Obtain a business licensed from the county clerk office if you are going to run your business as a sole proprietorship or a DBA this allows you to conduct business in your business name. You are going to need a seller’s permit from your local government agency because this will allow you to collect sales taxes. Hiring employees requires that you have a tax ID number EIN. You will need to have your business bonded because your clients will fill more comfortable with you if you are, because if you are handling items that were once their loved ones and it is best that you and your employees are bonded.

Business contract

Before you conduct any business it is going to be necessary for you to have a contract signed before you begin working. You will need to write down exactly what your client can expect from you. You will need to document what you will be selling, what hours you will be working and how long it is going to take you to organize the items, what you will be cleaning, and the price you will charge and any materials that you will be furnishing. Type the contract up and sign and date it and have the client sign before you begin working.

Marketing

You will be responsible for advertising the estate sale. Put an ad in the local paper at least a week before the event. Make sure that you have a catchy headline and list some of the items that you will be selling. You will need to advertise online also for example put an ad on Craigslist, Oodle, and eBay Classifieds. Use social media to post news about your upcoming sale. Have flyers printed up and pass them out or put them on bulletin boards around the community.

How to Use Internet Marketing for a Small Business

2014-05-22T17:27:00.002-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Many small businesses want to use internet marketing but don’t understand how it can benefit their company. Most small business owners understand how to market their business offline but when you are operating your business online you need to embrace an internet marketing strategy. Consumers make buying decisions based on your website, and the availability of the product or service.

Website

Your website should be fast, provide answers to your customers questions, have a nice design and easy to navigate. Include all of your contact information on your website and if you want you can provide a photo of your location and your staff.

If you don’t have a website and want to build one for your company, it’s not hard. Buy a domain name, and give it a lot of thought because a searcher will put your company name into a search engine and must find your company among your competition. Select one that will be memorable. A web hosting company will host your domain name on a server and store your script, text, images, and information about your company on your website. You will have to choose a web hosting service. Choose a web hosting company that will answer your questions, and provide assistance if you are new to building a website.

Local

A good way to market your business online is to list your website with search engines. Google will let you list your business with mapping and your company address. This is great for local customers that are looking for your business online and wish to visit you. You will need to sign into Google Places and verify that you are the owner and here this is where you can give your customers information about your company. Your business will be found on Google+, maps, and mobile devices.

Social Media

Internet marketing should integrate social media but you have to test and find out what will work for your business. With social media you will be able to stay in touch with your customers and answer any questions that they may have about your business or your service. For some small businesses social media allows you to inform customers when you are offering a sale. When you setup your website signup for social media sites and create a profile for your business. Signup for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest these are the major ones but you can sign up for more if you want too. Each one is a little different so you will have to research them to get a fill for them and how they will work for your business.

Content Marketing

If you aren’t already doing it you should. Write useful content for your customers, and you don’t have to upload your product brochure on your website, because you can write a review article. If you have a service business write a How to article on something that you know that your customers need, for example, How to Keep Your Computer Clean from Computer Viruses if you have computer business. People will find your article interesting and useful and this can lead to sales, so don’t just copy your competitors and try to sell to your customers use content marketing to drive people to your website.

Email Marketing

You must build a list of customers or prospects for email marketing. If you have a business, a store, or a service ask your customers for their email address because this is the best list that you can have is from someone that has already bought from you or is interested in buying from your or using your service. Ask visitors that come to your website to sign up for your email newsletter, this will help you build a list by giving you their email address and in return you will send them a newsletter. You must make sure that they have opted in for your email. Another strategy that you might want to consider is you can write an eBook an offer it to your customers as a free download if they will give you their email address in return.

The Best Way to Promote a Catering Business

2014-05-01T18:45:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Marketing your catering business can be challenge because a lot of caterer’s operate as a home-based business or from a shared commissary kitchen. Most small businesses are looking for more ways to promote their catering services offline and online. Getting visibility is hard work, but it’s something that has to be done often. It may be a challenge to brand your business if you work from home or a shared commissary kitchen because you don’t have a storefront to hang a welcome sign.

Promotional items

There are some really cool gifts that you can give away that will help you market your business. You can provide shopping bags with your name, address, phone, email and website address. The bags can be so nice that customers will keep them instead of throwing them away. Promotional gift items may include pens, key chains, mugs, and calculators. There is a large list of items that you can use and this will keep your companies name in front of your prospects.

Direct mail

This is another offline marketing technique that you can use that is effective. Use sales letters, postcards, and brochures. Send out your direct mailers to a list of qualified prospects, insert a reply card where they have to fill it out if their interested and after they have received your sales message give them a call. Ask if they would like more information on your catering business: an information kit or a sales visit.

Business cards

Everyone in business probably has a business card, but you can use it as a postcard by putting a sales message on it. Think about what you offer your customers not what they do for you. What is a benefit that you offer that none of your competitors are doing? Add that benefit to your business cards. Put your web address on your business cards also.

Packaging and receipts

Use your receipts to market your business by putting your address and website URL to build awareness. You can do the same thing with packaging; instead of using disposal shopping bags provide a heavy duty decorative bag. People will not only save it but they will use it over and over. You can put your company name and URL on them for future calls or referrals.

Listings

You can list your local business with Google and Bing, but you must claim and verify the accuracy of your local verify the accuracy of your local listing. Include your website and email information. When you list your company the search engines you can get local customers.

List your company with online directories a lot of them are free. Make sure you write an attention getting summary because most will let you write a description about your business.

Social Media

Create a profile and pages for your company. Get a Twitter account, a company Facebook Page, Google+ Page, and LinkedIn Page. Become active by getting your name out there.

Website

Most small businesses’ have a website but some don’t. If you have a home business you should still have a website. Buy a domain name and get a hosting site. Most people will want to come to your website and look around before giving you their business. Make sure you have photos of your food, testimonials, your menus, a list of services that you provide, and email address and phone number.

How to Use Your Website to Advertise Your Small Business

2013-01-07T19:55:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advertise your small business on the internet.

Advertising is very important to the success of your small business. For a small business with a low advertising budget there is a low-cost advertising tool that is available to you—your website. The internet offers a small business many advantages by letting people buy from you all over the world and every day of the year. Your site must contain the appropriate advertising to tempt potential prospects and customers by giving them value and clear benefits.

Create a website

Design your website or have a small business website designed for you by a web designer. Design your website where your customers are easily able to navigate through your layout. Proofread your web copy and make sure that your content contains no misspelled words. Write a company newsletter and offer it as a free download to your customers. Make your website a resource for your customers for example, answering questions about your product or service in your industry. Create a blog for your website and write helpful articles about your industry, product or service.

Stress the benefits

When you write your content don't just write about how great your small business is. Consider the benefits that your customers get from using your product or service. How does your product work? The benefits will hook the customer because people want to know what is in it for them. Do you offer a money back guarantee if they are not satisfied, or does your product provide a faster way to get things done?

Track promotions

Give coupons and discounts to people that come to your site. Offer a coupon that your customers can download and print on their computer. At the bottom of the coupon create a tracking code that will help you monitor the success of your marketing campaign using your website. Capture your customers email addresses on your website, give them a free eBook, or a discount, and send them a newsletter. Newsletters are a good form of promotional material because they help you keep your company name in front of the customer.

Webinars

Add multimedia to your website and offer free podcast or webinars. Create a webinar about your product or service. Use a current sales presentation, or a seminar about your product or service and how it can benefit the customer.

See also

Resources:

Wikihow:How to Use the Internet to Promote Your Business

[Image of a small business website]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://opuscule.com/

Do I Need a License to Start an E-commerce?

2012-12-24T13:24:00.002-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Sell your products online.

An eCommerce does not require a lot of overhead. Operating an online store is a lucrative way to make money 24/7. You will need to do a lot of planning and researching products but after you set it up you can earn money every day. There are inexpensive tools and free web hosting which gives you the opportunity to set up your catalog and shopping cart on the web and start selling your products online.

Requirements

An E-commerce business will need a business license if you are starting your eCommerce in an office, warehouse, or at home just as any other business you are required to get a business license. A state business license is required for tax purposes and conducting business.

Collecting Sales Tax

When your business has a physical presence in a state, for example a store, office or warehouse (a nexus), then you must collect sales tax from your customers in that state. If you do not have a physical presence in a state then you will not have to collect sales taxes. There are so many different sales tax jurisdictions in the US and determination can be a challenge, so some online shopping cart software offers the function of automatically calculating sales tax rates and adding them on when applicable. There are some states that don't have sales taxes Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana and Hawaii. Most states have sales tax exemptions on certain items for example, food.

See also

References:

SBA; Sales Tax 101 for Small Business Owners and Online

Lawyers; E-Commerce: Internet Licenses and Permits

[Image of a shopping cart]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.baggies47.com/e-commerce-solutions/

Marketing Ideas for a Small Business

2012-12-17T22:00:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Marketing is an integral part of any business.

Small businesses depend on other forms of marketing to market their product or service and don’t use direct-mail exclusively to advertise their business. Marketing campaigns allow you to contact your customer by email promotions, interactive consumer websites, cellular messaging, fliers, catalog submission, salesletters, direct mail packages, and online banner ads.

Samples

Free samples will always be an effective benefit within marketing. Using samples is a marketing tool that will assist to build consumer awareness about your product. Giving out samples will help you get repeat business as well as create brand loyalty. Free trial offers allows your small business to gather the names and addresses of individuals that are interested in your product. Your company will obtain high quality leads that may be converted by using additional marketing campaigns.

Email Marketing

Email advertising involves sending a sales letter to several people on a subscriber list. Capture your prospects current email address on your website after which send your online e-newsletter by email. Sending an online newsletter is a good form of promotion since it keeps your name and message before your prospect and when they decide to purchase they may think of your company. Do not send spam.

Post cards

Postcard advertising is fantastic for the small business owner on the budget. Postcard advertising allows the small business to keep prospects informed on services, or to announce unique sales to customers. Postcards pave the way to invite the prospect to go to your website, come in to your store, come in and service their vehicle, or to call a person. You can use a time sensitive statement such as, call within the following two days and get a special bonus offer.

Promote

Write an ad for your service or product to produce some leads. Try launching the ad promotion for a few days and then cut the ad if you have enough leads. Although, advertising has a high cost you still have a high level of control.

Direct Mail

Direct mail marketing reaches prospective buyers on an individual basis. Direct mail has certain benefits. It can be controlled and sent to a target market. The material could be addressed to lawyers, accountants, physicians, or farmers. When direct mail is used properly, being addressed to the right target market it has the ability to do the selling for you. The results of the mailing can be studied and controlled so that you'll be able to improve your results with each mailing.

See also

[Image of a marketing graph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.broward.edu/academics/programs/marketing/Pages/default.aspx

Advertising a Small Business

2012-12-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Promote your business.

Advertising a small business could be challenging, but you need to advertise anyway. There are several advertising methods you should use to communicate with your customer by email promotions, interactive consumer websites, cellular messaging, fliers, catalog submission, sales letters, direct mail packages, and online banner ads. If you want to start advertising online you have to build an online existence, a web page or a website. Here are some options you might want to consider that are affordable and effective.

Classified Marketing

Advertise your small business within the classified section of papers or magazines. Classified ad charges by the number of lines, and on the quantity of words. Classified ads tend to be inexpensive and effective.

E-mail Advertising

Email advertising involves a letter through electronic mail to several people on a subscriber list. This does not include spam. This form of marketing is perfect for an opt-in list of somebody that has told you they wish to receive email messages from you. Sending an online newsletter is a good form of promotion since it keeps your name and message before your prospect and when they decide to purchase they may think of your small business. Capture your prospects current email address on your website and then send them your online e-newsletter by email.

Postcards

Postcard advertising is fantastic for the small business owner on the budget. Print all the labels on your pc; the other side should have a good offer, for example, a sale, a low cost, or two for the price of one. Create an attractive offer, and it should improve your response rate.

Newsletters

A newsletter will help to build an image with your prospect or client. It's not necessary to cold call if you've got a client that didn’t order from you. Send them a newsletter it will help you keep your business name in front of the client. Over a time period newsletters are able to assist in building a reputation to potential customers.

See also

[Image of an ad]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://advertise.valpak.com/how-to-promote-business-on-black-friday-small-business-advertising-tips-that-really-work/

Advantages and Disadvantages of Lead Generation

2012-12-03T20:40:00.000-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Marketing benefits from lead generation.

Brokers and life insurance companies advertise that they will send you a free information kit without any obligation to interested persons concerning their special market letter or insurance information. The purpose of such offers is that certain types of services and products are not easy to sell and may need a sales person to complete the order. Lead generation is used to get names of people that may be interested in your product or service to be used for list building, and e-newsletters list.

Prepare for the salesperson

The goal of your business may be to sell your product or service, but the actual sale may come in the sales meeting. If you are an independent contractor or your business has a sales team, mail-based generation offers a way to create a demand for the product or service or pave the way for the sales meeting and it offers many advantages. You can create a demand for the product or the advertisement may pave the way for the salesperson to make a sales presentation.

Targeted

The buyer has requested information from your business that they were interested in. You have the opportunity to send information to a qualified buyer that is interested in what you are selling or your service. This is an advantage because you do not have to cold call on prospects that are not interested in what you are selling these prospects have given you permission to send them information. The conversion rates are higher when leads that you receive through lead generation.

Cost Effective

A mailing program to generate leads is cost effective and profitable. An advantage of using lead generation is that you are not going to have to knock on doors or cold call because you will use a qualified mailing list of likely buyers and have a free offer. You can offer them a free information kit, eBook, brochure, demo, fact sheet or software. They respond by mailing in a reply card, by phone, or through your website. After you get a response from them you call or have your staff call to set up a sales meeting or information meeting.

Disadvantages

A disadvantage is that some prospects may not become customers.

Unqualified list building may be a disadvantage. It can be very pricey to send mail to a list of prospects that are not interested in what you are selling. You may have the finest copy, layout, and artwork but if the list is not right your efforts and money will be wasted. The mailing list can determine the success or failure of direct mail advertising done by a company. Another disadvantage is not keeping the mailing list updated.

See also

Reference:

MarketingDoc:The Advantages of Lead Generation

[Image of lead generation services]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://proserviceconnect.com/leadgeneration/

Information on Opening a Vending Machine Business

2012-12-03T18:16:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start a vending machine business.

Know your goals and have a plan of what you are going to do to achieve your goals on opening your vending machine business. Decide what type of vending machine you want for example, bulk machines that dispense a handful of gumballs, or nuts, coffee or soda, candy and chips. The vending machine business does not require a big upfront investment, does not require a lot of overhead, and you can work it part time and keep your day job.

Needs

Analyze the type of machine you want to set up because if you are going to sell food you will need to have a Food Service license. A sales tax license is needed to collect sales taxes. A vendor and peddler license is needed to set up a snack machine for sales of all products in the device. The requirements may differ, so you must check with your personal local licensing department.

Show peddler license

If you have several vending machines in several locations you will be required to have a licensed sticker for every machine. The most popular locations for vending machines are in shops, schools, and corporations. A small company is a good place to setup a vending machine, in addition to hospitals and laundromats.

What you will need

You can purchase or lease them. Choose a good location that provides you with the highest amount of profit. Check out places which have a high amount of traffic and approach business owners. Popular locations for vending machines may consist of shopping malls, car dealerships, resale shops, banks, schools, as well as hospitals.

Low Investment

The investment is small when compared with other businesses, unless you’re purchasing bigger vending machines. Should you put the machine inside a location that doesn't have sufficient traffic or if your competitors has the same kind of vending machine but they're located in a much better location than your device is a disadvantage.

Advertising

You may want to begin with a few machines having a minimal upfront investment. Get a reputable supplier of commercial quality vending machines. Approach store owners inform them about your new company. Set them up and begin making money.

See also

Reference:

SBA.gov

Michigan vendor and peddler

[Image of a vending machine]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.oregonvendingmachines.com/

How to Write Copy for a Sales Brochure

2012-12-03T18:04:00.002-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Write compelling content for your brochure.

Every small business should have a sales brochure. The brochure helps your company to become better known on the market place. Some small businesses don’t possess a brochure; don’t feel they need one, until they are forced to possess a brochure, because they want to get a major account. Your sales brochure must reflect your company image and maintain your advertising message. A good brochure requires exceptional planning.

Know Your Audience

The brochure needs to be written with your audience in mind. What do they want out of your company? This is not the opportunity to write about how great your organization is. Look at it in the prospective of; what do they need from you?

Details

How does the merchandise work? Explain in detail the options that come with the product. Give the prospect all of the information that they must know so they can take the next phase and purchase the product.

All of the services offered by your firm should be written at length explaining how the service works. This isn't the time to brag about your organization, but explain how your firm helps the customer.

Visual

Use graphs, tables, and other visual aids to illustrate your product. Organize the brochure in headings and subheads. Use photos that display how your product can be used. Write a caption under all of your photographs.

Sell Your Business

A sales brochure can help market your business and make an impact, when prospects ask to learn more. The customer wants to find out about your business or product particularly if they are making a buying decision. They want to make sure that they are making the right decision. A prospect will read a lot of copy when they are about to buy a big ticket item so make sure that you write enough information in your brochure.

See also

Reference

[Image of a brochure]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.print-forms.com/SampleBrochures/Sample-Brochures-s18.htm

How to Start a Dollar Store Business

2012-11-28T16:51:00.000-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Dollar stores are very popular and popping up everywhere.

Dollar stores are in demand because customers are always looking for everyday products and at a bargain. Dollar stores are popular and provide everyday products for example, kitchen items, bathroom cleaners, soap, hair care products, and much more. To open a store requires careful planning, the start-up cost is high, and if you are on a budget it may be a challenge to keep your start-up cost at a minimum.

Store Location

Secure a well know location. Do not just select a location for your store because you are offered a great deal. The location of the business should have a lot of potential customers in an area where people generally shop, because they will notice your store. Lease or buy the building but renovate it so that it looks like a dollar store. The store must be easy to notice and have easy access from the street.

Business License

Obtain a business license. Set up your business as a legal entity. Contact your county clerk’s office or the department of licenses and inspections and complete all of the paperwork. You will need to obtain a seller’s permit with your state to collect sales taxes on items in applicable jurisdictions. Your state website should have information where you can find the application. You can mail in the application to the address printed on the form with a photocopy of your state ID or driver’s license, and the fee of free to about $30.00 depending up your state.

Stock

Find good merchandise. The products must be useful and be of reasonable quality. Find manufactures that have low cost products that are willing to work with you. When you have found the wholesale company that provides the types of products you want to sell, contact each through their website, or by calling them on the phone and fill out their new account application.

Advertise

Advertise your store once everything is set up and in place. Have a grand opening sign set out front of your store. Print up flyers and pass them out, put an ad in the local newspaper. If you have the money in your budget you can advertise on TV or radio commercials.

See also

Reference:

Kole Imports: Dollar Store Information

Entrepreneur:Business Idea Center; Dollar Store

[Image of a dollar store]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.buckstore.com/dollar-store/

Direct Mail Ideas

2012-11-23T17:22:00.002-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Create a direct mail package.

A great direct mail package can make your prospect take action. Small businesses shy away from direct mail because they don’t know how it can work for his or her particular company. A direct mail package is very economical and can be made on your computer using a laser or inkjet printer. Direct mail can be geared to specific groups and potential customers. It is one of the most measurable marketing tools. Sales letters could be a powerful tool for your company if handled the proper way.

Follow up

The direct mail package may be used to stay in touch with your former customers and your prospects. You can use a brochure with your sales letter, or send something which you’ve written for example, your published article. This may help the prospect decide to use your firm by giving them information that is helpful.

Headline

Write a headline. Think about the newspaper and the way the headlines grab the reader’s interest. People are busy plus they have many things which take their attention from your sales letter. Start writing down keywords and see what you develop. Gain the attention of the reader with a powerful headline.

Call to Action

You must have a proactive approach that will tell the reader to pick up the phone and call you. If you sell the product by mail tell them to mail in the order. Make it easy for your prospect to do this by including a reply card.

You may have several ad campaigns operating simultaneously, or you have received a lot of orders, or calls and have increased traffic on your website after a direct mail campaign. You don’t have to guess where the leads came from, because there is a way to measure or even track your direct mail results. A measurement system should measure important activities of the direct marketing program which will relate to the success or failure of the campaign.

Use Tracking Codes

Incorporate a tracking code in your coupons and on your self-addressed reply cards, or envelopes. These tracking codes will be different for certain direct mail pieces. Offer a specific toll-free phone number. You may have a variety of letters or direct mail pieces that you're using, so set-up another toll-free number for every direct mail package.

See also

Reference:

Deliver Magazine: 7 Ways to Measure Mail Success

[Image of Direct mail]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sandstormdesign.com/graphic_design_direct_mail.html

How to Make a Business Brochure That Works

2012-11-23T16:56:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Create a business brochure.

Composing a brochure is more than adding a summary of your services to your own desktop publishing software. A brochure says that the company is here to compete and offers useful information to your prospects. Some small businesses don’t have a brochure; don’t feel they need one, until they are forced to present a brochure, because they want to get a major account. Don’t wait until the last minute to create a brochure.

Brainstorm

Write down exactly what comes to your mind and begin crossing things off which are not informative. List all the features of using your service or product. The content of the brochure is essential so you must inform the prospect by making sells points.

Know Your Audience

The brochure needs to be written with your audience in mind. What do they want out from your company? This is not the opportunity to brag about how great your company is. Look at it in the prospective of; what do they need from you?

Inform

You ought to have enough information in your brochure that's necessary to inform your prospect about your company. When a prospect sends for the brochure you must bear in mind that they want more information about your service or product. People will read a lot of copy when they are going to spend a lot of money or making a purchasing decision. Write all of the information about your product, service, website, price, purchasing information, and be descriptive. Break the text into sections. Dramatize the problem that the prospect may be having, position your service or product as the solution for their problem.

Selling Message

The brochure is advertising material and should be persuasive. According to the authors Jay Conrad Levinson and Michael W. McLaughlin, in their book, Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants, “Brochures should be issue-based and should reinforce your marketing message on how you can solve clients’ problems.” Give strong selling points.

Pictures

Demonstrate the products usefulness inside your brochure photo. Show how the product can be used in action because this increases the visual’s appeal. Your visuals can be photos of your product or service, or you should use clip art. Think about the artwork as leaving your sales point. Write a caption under each photo which will tie in your product’s sales message.

See also

Reference:

Jay Conrad Levinson and Michael W. McLaughlin; Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants; Wiley, 2005

[Image of a brochure]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.manydesign.net/useful-tips-on-brochure-design/

Types of Small Business Advertising

2012-11-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advertise your business cost
effectively.

There are advantages of using small business advertising that will help market your business. When you need new business or customers despite how good your service or product is you'll have to advertise. You may not have access to a big advertising budget when getting started, but there are several methods of advertising that produces results. Use a combination of advertising ideas. Here are some small ideas.

Get Listed within Directories

Numerous directories carry a lot of advertising. List your small business with The Yellow Pages. You will get local calls out of your advertisement. The Yellow Pages is used often and almost by everyone. The directory is generally used when someone has a definite need or wants information. Create your ad as if you would for a business-card: the name, the brand, the product, or the service that you simply offer. Register on internet directories also. There are numerous free directories that will list your company information and telephone number.

Google Places

It is really a free way to advertise your company. Set up an account by submitting your organization information, photos and videos. You have to verify your listing by phone or by postcard. Google places will list your small business. After the listing is actually setup, fill out the info about your company, telephone, fax, email. Include your payment options as well as your categories for your company. Most consumers search with regard to local businesses online.

Postcards

Postcard advertising is fantastic for the small business owner on the budget. Print all the labels on your computer; the other side of the postcard should have a good offer, for example, a sale, a discount, or two for the price of one. Create an attractive offer, and it ought to improve your response price.

Email Advertising

Do not send spam. Email advertising involves direct marketing to a select group of people on a subscriber list. Send your messages to an opt-in list of people that have told you they wish to receive email messages from you. Sending an online newsletter is a good form of promotion since it keeps your name and message before your prospect and when they decide to purchase they may think of your small business. Capture your prospects current email address on your website and then send your online e-newsletter by email.

Specialty Items

Get pens, calendars, or mugs made up with your small business name, address and telephone number. Distribute the specialty product to clients, to prospects and to everyone that you simply think can use your service or product.

See also

[Image of small business].(n.d). Retrieved from http://www.amerobiz.com/

Start an Ecommerce for Your Small Business

2012-11-14T15:56:00.001-05:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Sell your products or services online.

Starting an eCommerce for your company will allow you to expand your market by offering your product or service around the world. An eCommerce is a way for customers to buy goods and services from you and transfer funds over the internet. Expanding your small business to an eCommerce will be beneficial it allows you to operate 24/7, reduce labor cost, and lower your overhead. You can increase your profitability for your business because people are using the internet progressively more to buy products and services.

Web Hosting

Find a good domain name. You can select a domain name that is related to the type of business you are in. Select a web host that offers a service that will make it easy to install third-party scripts that will enable a one click shopping cart system. Most web hosting companies offer a free shopping cart script as a quick install that you can put on your website. You will need an online payment processor that will process credit cards. A payment gateway will validate the credit card information. It will process the transaction in real time, take a percentage and then it deposits your money into your back account.

Set Up Your E-commerce

Design your homepage and other pages to your website. Write a strong about-us page. There are a lot of add-on's and templates that you can use to customize your eCommerce site. Change your logo and add your small business logo. Set up your catalog. This is where your categories and products will be located.

Get Traffic to Your Website

Start driving traffic to your site by using search engine optimization (SEO). It can be a challenge at first when you are starting out but eventually you will get the hang of choosing the right keywords, search volume and optimizing your pages. Google has a site, Google Keyword Tool, which allows you to look up keywords for your eCommerce and see the search volume for a keyword. You can also advertise your site by using Google AdWords, banner ads and email marketing.

Shipping

Choose a shipping carrier by the criteria of your company needs, cost per transaction, reliability, and whether you’re going to be shipping globally. Online tracking is another important feature in the distribution system of a shipping carrier.

See also

Reference:

Goecart:Important Decisions before Starting an Online Business

SBA;How to Start a Successful E-Commerce Business; Caron Beesley; 2012

[Image of an ecommerce]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wsiinternetservices.com/e-commerce-websites-cyprus.aspx

Tips for Email Marketing

2012-10-16T21:02:00.003-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Email marketing is cost effective.

Email marketing is an effective way for small businesses to market their business. It is a cost effective way to keep in touch with customers, and an effective way to build brand awareness and loyalty. Marketing online helps to stretch your marketing budget. There is far more to it than just typing a message on your computer and sending it to a mailing list of potential prospects.

Small Business Website

Capture your prospects email address on your website and then send your online newsletter by email. Create an incentive for people to sign up for your email or newsletter. Advertise the benefits of receiving the newsletter; give away something for example a free piece of software or a white paper.

Reach a Wide Range of Prospects

Email marketing has the advantage of reaching a wide range of prospects. It allows you to market your product or service around the clock. The internet allows prospects to respond to your email messages immediately. Email marketing can provide your company with a lot of information that you can use. It lets you discover exactly who your customers are, how old they are, what their interest are, and where they live. Don’t ask too many questions because each question you ask may reduce the number of customers to sign up for your email. Give your customers the option of skipping the questionnaire and make sure that they have opt-in to get information from you. Gather all of this information and tailor your product or service around the information.

Connecting Email with Social Media

Create a level of engagement with your prospects and customers because it helps to build loyalty to your business. Build a blog and write helpful articles that inform your customers, highlight content from an e-newsletter once or twice a month and encourage them to download your content. Answer questions and use Twitter to stay engaged with your customers, and use a Twitter feed with promotions and offers.

Concentrate on Inactive Subscribers

In your small business email marketing campaign you are going to have some inactive subscribers. They are people that have opted-in to receive an email from you. You have sent messages and newsletters but they have failed to unsubscribe and they are not opening their email. Offer them a free trial on a product, or a free eBook. Offer a time sensitive webinar.

See also

Reference:

SBA:Email Marketing

TopRank Blog; 5 Top Email Marketing Tactics for 2012

[Image of an email]. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.smartinsights.com/email-marketing/email-communications-strategy/answers-to-your-email-marketing

Pros and Cons of Direct Mail Marketing

2012-09-19T10:19:00.001-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Direct mail marketing may work
for your small business--

Direct mail marketing is a form of advertising that is sent through the mail and reaches prospective buyers on an individual basis. The advertising communicates to the customer with marketing techniques such as sales letters, announcements, enclosures, booklets, catalogs price lists, samples, fliers, calendars, brochures, novelties, package inserts and postcards. The small business may develop a mailing list or may purchase a mailing list. Most small businesses don’t use direct-mail advertising exclusively but rely on other forms of advertising to market their product or service.

Targeted Messages

Direct mail media has certain advantages. They can be regulated to certain members of a target market. The material can be addressed to lawyers, accountants, doctors, or farmers. When direct mail is used properly, being addressed to the correct target market it is able to do the selling for you. The results of the mailing can be studied and controlled so that you will be able to improve your results.

Messages are Personal

Another advantage of direct mail is that the messages are direct and personal. You can use an informal tone in your letter writing. The message doesn’t have to shout for attention, because it is alone with the reader. It can be directed to their specific interest. It has the advantage of showing your personality beyond the limits of cold impersonal contact and has the ability to create confidence and trust in your product or service.

Not Targeted

Direct mail has the disadvantage of being a money waster if your mailing is not targeted. Direct mail must be targeted in order for the mailing to be successful. It is a disadvantage to send out 10,000 pieces of direct mail and reach some potential customers, but you waste a lot of money reaching other people that were in your geographic area but were not specifically targeted that won’t buy from you.

Boring Content

Direct mail has the disadvantage of being considered junk mail. A lot of readers tune it out. Your letter must gain the reader’s attention in less than ten seconds. If your letter can’t do that, and if the reader finds nothing of interest after scanning the letter, even if you use full color and different sized fonts, he will throw your letter in the trash. The direct mail must do its job by gaining the attention of the reader or you will just waste a lot of money.

See also

Reference:

USPS:Benefits of Direct Mail

Advertisingagency:Five Disadvantages of Direct Mail Advertising and Marketing

How to Start Up a Bakery

2012-09-10T16:04:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start a bakery

Starting a bakery may be your lifelong dream, but it is going to be hard work. You will need to have the knowledge and experience to run a successful business. There are legal and financial requirements that you must follow before you open your doors. Decide what type of shop you want to start. Will you serve your customers in a cafe' setting with tables and chairs or are you going to deliver to stores, caterers, and restaurants. Consider what types of baked goods you will be planning to have, large commercial bakery, pastries and bagels, wedding cakes, or cakes, pies and cupcakes.

Best Location for your Pastry shop

Find the best location. This is a very important thing that you must consider. Do a market analysis on your competition and find out how many established bake shops there are in the location you are considering. Find a storefront that has a busy area where there are a lot of people and that will give your business more exposure. Is there a school, college, or shopping nearby?

Equipment

You are going to require specialty equipment. You can cater to a number of retailers for the equipment or shop online. You will need ovens, commercial mixers, cooling racks, tables, and refrigeration units. A large assortment of pans, a display counter, and a cash register.

Health Inspection

You will need to check with your state for information or contact the Bureau of Consumer Health Services to get a health inspection. Once the inspection has been passed, fill out the necessary forms and pay for the permit. After you pass the test you will receive the license. Visit or go to your local health department website and find out the licenses and permits you will need to apply for. Get liability insurance for protection against food poisoning. You'll need coverage to replace your appliances and equipment in the case of theft, fire or a flood. Consult with a lawyer or with an insurance agent to find out what type of additional coverage you will need.

Advertise

Advertise your bakery before you open by sending out fliers to local residential homes, and businesses around your business. Put an ad in the newspaper. Have a grand opening and invite people to come and taste your products for free.

Reference:

Startabakery:How to Start a Bakery

How to Use Postcards to Advertise a Janitorial Business

2012-09-10T13:21:00.001-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advertise your janitorial business with postcards

Postcards are a terrific way to advertise a janitorial business. The advertisement is written on a single side of the card that allows the prospect to study it even briefly. You've got a better chance of getting the postcard read because it's no envelope. They are simple to create too. Postcards help to pave how you can send more advertising. You can use them to let customers know that you're offering a discount, or let prospects realize that a salesperson will be phoning. You can provide a discount, or a unique bonus, and your postcard will most times be read.

Mailing List

Make sure that you stay in touch with your former customers, potential customers, and referrals. Get the addresses of the customers because your house list is definitely an ideal mailing list in order to mail your postcard. Rent or buy a mailing list from a subscriber list supplier. You can also develop your personal mailing list using a business directory from your own library.

Advertising

It must have an offer. What does your organization offer the prospect? Your response rate is going to be much higher if your janitorial business comes with an offer. You might offer to clean two rooms and get the third free, or a unique bonus offer, or a discount on your service. People love to obtain a special offer. Writing a postcard for any janitorial service requires careful preparing before you decide to write it. Create a good attention getting headline. Include brief information regarding your company that includes a list of your services and prices.

Make your Postcards

You should use your color printer to print attractive postcards. You can use color paper stock together with your black ink. Make sure you use large print, make your contact information large enough for the prospect to read it. Postcards are relatively simple to make. With any desktop publishing program provides you with a good selection of different alternatives. You can buy the actual perforated card stock, which enables you to run the postcards within the computer and tear the actual cards apart after publishing, or you can get your postcards printed with a professional printer with complete four color lamination.

You're going to get a Quick Response

You should start hearing from your prospects within one or two weeks of the mailing. An excellent advantage of having an established postcard is if you wish to get more customers, just send out another batch of cards. If you need 10 more prospects send 1000 postcards if you have a 2% response rate.

How to Start Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business

2012-09-10T11:41:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

A carpet cleaning business is a recession proof business because most people are trying to save money and they would rather clean it opposed to buying it new. You will have two market groups: consumer and commercial. The consumer group consists of customers in their own homes or condominiums and the commercial end with cleaning office buildings, medical centers, auto dealers, and etc. You can have a very profitable business if you are willing to build it into a big business or you can stay small too. If you have managerial skills you can hire crews and manage teams to do the work.

Open a rug cleaning service

Apply for Licenses and Permits. You must set up your business as a legal entity. Decide which form of ownership is best for your particular business: sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, or S corporation. Obtain a business license from your state. Inquire about licensing with your organization that handles licenses and registration in your city. You can check with SBC.gov to find the licensing and tax requirements for your state.

Insurance and Bonding

You should be bonded and insured before you work for clients. Your insurance rates will depend on the state that you live in and how many employees you have on your staff. You may purchase your bond through your insurance company and it will need to be renewed every year.

Start with a business plan

A business plan will be required if you are going to request financing. It can help you by getting you a business loan and investors. It will help you to stay focused. Include information about the type of services you are going to provide. Focus the plan on commercial or residential cleaning and provide a list of equipment and supplies needed, employees, and how you plan to market the business. Include in the plan the name of your company, what your business hours will be, and the types of vehicles your company will use for cleaning.

Equipment

You can purchase the equipment you need online or from local industrial equipment leasing company. You will need truck mount machine, portable extractors, vacuum cleaner, chemicals, steam cleaners, and accessories. You will need a cell phone, clipboard and GPS system or maps.

Advertise your carpet cleaning business. Commercial businesses that will need your services for upholstery and carpet cleaning include restaurants, hotels, churches, schools, banks, and apartment buildings. You can also expand your services to drapery cleaning, wall cleaning, smoke damage cleanup, fire restoration, water damage restoration, and upholstery cleaning.

Reference:

SBC.gov:Business Licenses and Permits

Entrepreneur:How to Start a Cleaning Service; 2003

How to Start a House Cleaning Business

2012-09-09T19:37:00.001-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Open a cleaning business--

Starting a house cleaning business can be done with a minimal start up investment. You can turn it into a profitable business in a short period of time. It can be operated on a full-time or part-time basis while you keep your full time job when stating out. You can have a commercial location or it can be operated out of your home. Research all aspects from customer service to advertising, taxes, insurance and bonding before you open your doors.

Cleaning business business plan

A business plan for your cleaning business will help you stay organized. List your start up plans, and how you are going to go about finding clients and hiring employees.

Get licensing and permits

Inquire about licensing with your organization that handles licenses and registration in your city. You can check with SBC.gov to find the licensing and tax requirements for your state.

Insurance and Bonding

Purchase equipment

Get supplies and equipment. Most clients will prefer that you use your own cleaning supplies. Get appliance and floor cleaners, and you can offer a green service for example healthy natural cleaning products. You will need a supply of rubber gloves, hand sanitizers, cloths, sponges, vacuum cleaner, broom, mop and bucket.

Obtaining Clients

Some clients will be concerned with how long you have been in business. This may be a problem when you are first starting out, but not all of them some won't care if you offer a great price. Get some references by offering to clean some friends or family members for free if they write a reference for you. Advertise for your first clients, by putting an ad in the classified section of the newspaper, create a flyer, send postcards to a mailing list, or put fliers on cars in parking lots. Get magnetic signs for your vehicles. Get a website because a lot of working women shop online and look for house cleaning services while at work.

Reference:

SBC.gov:Business Licenses and Permits

Page'sPersonal Cleaning: Starting a Cleaning Business

Advertise Cleaning Business

2012-09-04T16:16:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Business cleaning--

Most cleaning companies are on a budget and must make their ads work harder. Small business advertising can be achieved even if you are on a budget it may require more time, but it will be worth your time and effort. Your advertising efforts will position your organization’s name in the customer’s mind then when they think of hiring a cleaning service they’ll phone you. Having several ads on television might be out of reach for many cleaning services.

Flyer

With a small budget you are able to invest in time by passing out your fliers yourself. Use your upfront money to purchase 1000 one sided flyers. Produce a strong headline on the actual flyer. Write about your cleaning service. Stress the benefits of using your company. List your contact information, name, title, telephone, address and email address. Use a light colored inexpensive bond paper along with two standard colors of ink. Printing the flyer by using a professional printing company will make your cleaning business appear more established to your prospects. Put them upon bulletin boards, windshield wipers within office parking lots, and medical centers.

Website

Write helpful articles which will drive traffic to your website. Create a company website to ensure that customers can research your organization information.

Classified Advertising

Advertise your cleaning business in the classified section of newspapers or magazines. Classified ad charges are based on the number of lines, and on the number of words. Classified ads tend to be inexpensive and effective.

Business Directories

Get your company listed within the Yellow Pages. Electronic directories are a good place to put your business listing; some are free and enables you to include a profile about your organization.

Magnetic Sign

Get a magnetic vehicle sign. Include your organization information, your website, and phone number.

Postcards

Promote with direct mail postcards. Obtain a mailing list. Write a headline which will attract attention for instance, “Cleaning at Affordable Costs. I Guarantee Your Fulfillment. ” Include a photo of you as well as your crew. Show the prices of the service.

Business Cards

They are an essential marketing tool because you may make them a mini ad by listing all of your services that you offer. Always carry them along with you and give people at least two or three so they can refer others to you.

Reference:

Office Cleaning Business: How to Advertise a Cleaning Business?

Print Label and Mail: Direct Mail Advertising Ideas for a Cleaning Service; Jim Negron

How to Open an Office Cleaning Business

2012-09-02T17:33:00.000-04:00

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start up a commercial
office cleaning service

An office cleaning business is a very easy business to open and the start-up cost is relatively low. It is recession-proof because most of your clients will also have businesses that are profitable such as lawyers, doctor's offices, CPA's, hospitals, restaurants and schools. The hours may be all over the place, you may work mornings, evenings, or some companies may want you to clean for them when their staff has finished and gone home.

Get commercial space for your office cleaning service

Set up an office. Rent or lease office space large enough to have a small reception area with work space for your staff. Think about how much space you will need to store equipment, and supplies. It should have a storage area for your supplies. Most of your clients will not come to your office but you may need to have a space to do repairs or laundry.

Determine Legal Ownership

You must set up your business as a legal entity. Decide which form of ownership is best for your particular business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or S corporation. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service if you have hired employees. Apply for a cleaning service licenses required by your state. Get bonded and insured. Open a business bank account so that you can keep your personal finances separate from your business.

Purchase Equipment

Buy the supplies, tools and equipment that you will need to get started. Get business cards printed. Create a website about your business.

Marketing

Advertise your office cleaning business. Locate new businesses in your area. Go to the county tax collector's website and look up new business licenses and new business building permits. Send direct mail or create a flyer. Make cold calls to doctor's offices, lawyers, or CPA's. Send direct mail describing your office cleaning business to a mailing list. Carry your business cards with you and at every opportunity give your business card to someone.

Reference:

Startingabiz: Starting an Office Cleaning Business; Sam Rodman