25 KILLER Microbusiness...

25 KILLER MICROBUSINESS CONCEPTS

Abbott ePublishing

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25 KILLER MicroBusiness Concepts by Stephen Abbott © 2012 Abbott ePublishing. All rights reserved.

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25 KILLER MicroBusiness Concepts!

1. Apartment packer

2. Babysitter

3. Baked goods provider

4. Bartender

5. Car detailer

6. Car washer

7. Chauffeur

8. Child-proofing

service

9. Concierge service

10. Courier

11. Disc Jockey

12. Dog walker

13. eBook author

14. Elder care provider

15. Errand service

16. Exterior house painter

17. Fundraiser

18. Genealogy

researcher

19. Gutter cleaner

20. Handyman

21. House cleaner

(interior)

22. House sitter

23. Indoor house painter

24. Internet/Computer

tutor

25. Laundry and Ironing

service

introduction

Our economy has been in the tank for years now.

Unemployment is higher than it’s been in decades. And to top it all off, it’s

been very hard for many to find decent, good paying jobs. But there are

some jobs that are really, really easy to start, with little cash, and offer the

hope of not only being one’s own boss, but being able to make a bit of

money in these depressed economic times.

This book outlines 25 KILLER service business ideas that are well-suited to

this economy, and with a bit of hard work and some creativity, they CAN

MAKE YOU RICH!

Despite what the economists say, people still need basic services and are

willing to pay a reasonable price for them. Sometimes, if marketed

correctly, with a high level of personal service, and the price is right, even

NON-basic luxury services can “sell” in this economy.

Each of these businesses – or “MicroBusinesses” - are simple to start,

depending on your level of skill and ability to focus on the start-up with

drive, vision and passion. Passion is perhaps the most key element to

starting your business. As winelibrarytv.com founder and social media guru

Gary Vaynerchuk says, “When you build a business around a passion,

that’s when you really hit it out of the park.”

Once you have the passion, start focusing on the details:

• Business name: Naming your business can be crucial to its success. Be

sure to come up with a clever name that drives home the nature of the

business, and make sure the one you choose isn’t already registered

with your state’s agency that takes care of such things.

• Licensing: Are you licensed with your state and community? Do you

know all the rules and regulations (federal, state, local) regarding your

profession?

• Phones: Do you have a dedicated phone line? Does it have a strong,

professional message? You may want to consider an answering service

if you don’t have an office of your own

• Research: Check out your competition or potential competitors for the

job you select. What are their prices? What are the services they are

NOT providing that you could be providing? You need to know what

others are doing before leaping into a new job that will directly

compete with them.

For each job described in 25 KILLER Microbusinesses, we’ll list some other

basic criteria you should consider. Here’s a description of each:

Estimated Start-up Costs: The start-up costs listed here should be seen as

estimates, and may vary widely based upon your geographical location,

the cost of materials, the cost of advertising and producing marketing

materials, and the scope and size of your intended business. The costs

listed here should be seen as a low-end estimate of what you’ll need to

start a business.

Of course, you can spend more or less than suggested here. You can

spend just a few hundred dollars or less for most of the business ideas in

this book. If you choose, however, you can spend $1,000, $10,000 or even

more to give you a kick-start. In larger cities, some of these ideas may

require far more spending. The philosophy behind this book, however, is to

give you something you can start on a shoestring – the very definition of a

MicroBusiness. Sometimes, the more you spend, the more you can make.

That’s not always true, though. With good planning, consistent hard work

and a great commitment to an idea, you can make a go of things

Simplicity Rating: The rating scale here reflects the kind of real-world

experience required to start a business. Obviously, this will vary based on

the situations in which you start your business and the markets you seek to

serve.

Potential earnings: Earnings are also estimated here in order to give you a

good feel for what can be earned. However, as with other criteria, market

rates will vary in different areas of the country, with the hours put into the

job, and depending on the markets you serve and the going rate for

similar services being offered by your competitors.

Up-market, higher-end clients will obviously pay more for services targeted

to them, for instance. Putting in longer hours also has a great effect on

earnings. Again, your commitment to the job is directly related to how

much it gives back.

Special skills needed: Every job requires some skills, and for each listed in

this eBook, we describe some of the special skills you will need to master in

order to perform the tasks the job requires.

Of course there are many other skills needed to be an entrepreneur:

Passion for the job, the ability to handle money, the finesse required to

deal with customers and vendors professionally, and the ability to perform

tasks in a punctual, timely way are just a few skills required of the

entrepreneur on a daily basis.

It would also be remiss to acknowledge that, although these jobs are all

relatively easy to start and most require minimal knowledge and

experience at launch, acquiring more education - either through a local

junior college or vocational school - would greatly increase your chances

of success, not to mention your credibility with potential clients.

Description: Each job here is described in a thumbnail sketch that

nonetheless contains sufficient detail to get started. Each focuses on what

clients will expect to hear about the job and how you intend to do it for

them.

Market: For each job described, a few “markets” for them will be

suggested. There are undoubtedly others you will think of as well. These

have been selected as the most likely and perhaps the most

advantageous for each profession.

It makes a lot of sense to take a while to identify the best markets for your

services. This first means determining which demographic to target your

marketing materials towards. For example: the elderly, people who live

alone, young couples with children, busy businesspeople, skilled workers

like plumbers and carpenters, students, etc. It also means that you must

identify those who are in the most advantageous economic bracket for

your business - the poor, the middle class, the wealthy, students who work

part-time jobs, the retired person with a pension.

Ideas for promotion: The Internet, local bulletin boards, local cable access

shows, TV, newspapers, specialty magazines, and many others will be

suggested throughout this book as great promotional and advertising

leads. In fact, almost all businesses can use these and other tools. Social

networking sites like facebook and twitter should also be utilized for no

charge, and of course, a Website should be considered if the funds are

there.

Watch out for: This is the legal disclaimer section of each description. For

the most part, you need to makes sure your job doesn’t require licensing

or specialized training before undertaking it.

While this eBook can’t GUARANTEE you will get rich, we

hope this is a GREAT START! With that out of the way,

read on, and let’s start making money!

the MicroBusinesses 1. Apartment packer Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 for fliers and other advertising

Simplicity Rating: 1

Potential earnings: $15/hour, more if you provide packing materials or

actually load the boxes onto a truck. Double your earnings by unpacking

the boxes, too, if local.

Special skills needed: Patience, ability to pack boxes

Description: No one really likes to pack, and that’s your opening for this

business service. Your job will be to pack up a stranger’s belongings into

boxes quickly but safely. Materials (boxes, wrapping paper, foam

peanuts) not provided by the person moving could be provided at a

reasonable mark-up. Of course you can always use your own

newspapers, find (clean) boxes and foam peanuts from local businesses.

Market: Anyone who’s moving or about to move, and Americans are on

the move. We change residences 12 times in our lives, more than any

other nation.

Ideas for promotion: Print up brochures on your computer or have them

done professionally and place them on the doors of homes with For Sale

signs, or even better, introduce yourself to the owners. Tell real estate

agents about your services and ask them to pass along your flier to clients

who sell their homes. A guerrilla technique is to check court records for

newly-divorced men who have lost their houses in the settlement with their

ex-wives. And of course, post online.

Watch out for: Be sure to get it in writing that you are NOT responsible for

goods damaged on the moving truck. You will, however, be responsible

for goods you break putting them into boxes too tightly or without proper

padding, so be extremely careful.

2. Babysitter

Estimated Start-up Costs: $50 for fliers and other advertising


Potential earnings: $10-18/hour depending on experience and how many

children you’re watching, plus tips and good referrals.

Special skills needed: You have to like kids and be able to assert your

authority with them. Knowing a bit about the medical and psychological

needs of children would be a plus.

Description: Babysitting is the perennial favorite “first job” for teenage girls,

but as a grown-up, it works even better as a great part-time job. If you

can watch kids, keep them entertained or keep them doing what their

parents want them to do while you have them in your care, you can do

this job. Start-up for this job is extremely low and it’s easy to get into.

Remember that the kids are your clients as much as the parents are. If

they like you (though not TOO much!) the parents will begin to trust you. If

you’ve baby-sat for relatives or friends’ kids, get references from them

that you can show to prospective clients. This could evolve into a lucrative

“nanny” service if a client really trusts you.

Market: Young couples who want to get out of the house after having a

baby, single mothers during the day who need to work part-time jobs or

simply run a lot of errands in places that aren’t “baby-friendly” or kid

friendly.

Ideas for promotion: Fliers on doors, ads online and mailed resumes will

work well, but the best and most effective source of business will be

referrals from satisfied customers. Be sure to reward referrals by giving

those who refer you a printed coupon for half off the next babysitting job.

You’ll earn a lot more than that back with the new referrals. Sell your

maturity and experience (if you have any) to differentiate yourself from

the 12-16-year-olds who do this. Offer discounts for repeat customers or for

scheduling more than three days in advance.

Watch out for: Be sure you know CPR, understand the family’s emergency

procedures (names of doctors, allergies, etc.) and any local or state laws

governing child care. You cannot, for example, administer medication to

children unless you’re a registered nurse in most states.

3. Baked goods provider

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-$500, depending on supplies you already

have on hand.


Potential earnings: $1-$4 per baked item, up to $75/day with hard work

Special skills needed: You will need to know how to bake, obviously, as

well as enjoy getting up early in the morning and dealing with people.

Some marketing skills will also be needed to reach out to new customers.

Description: You bake and deliver baked goods to hungry working

people. Products could include muffins, biscuits, large cookies, date bars,

croissants, bagels, breads or anything else you think will sell.

Personalization is a key to success, as well as responding to your

customers. If they don’t like a certain kind of muffins, or want more, you’ll

have to adjust - and quickly! Hand-delivering these to offices could be a

novel and lucrative tactic, since it saves time they don’t have to waste

standing in line at a bakery. A hand-pushed cart that’s easy to push and

maneuver is critical to this job, or, you can call in and get orders in

advance - though it’s easier to say “no” to someone on the phone. Seek

out (and reward) customers who give you a “standing order” each day.

Market: Office workers, busy mothers, parties, social events.

Ideas for promotion: Bring free samples to offices, and offer to show up

every morning with a cart full of pastries.

Watch out for: Food selling regulations in your state may regulate this kind

of business. Be sure to obtain all of the relevant licenses.

4. Bartender

Estimated Start-up Costs: Online training courses today are as low as $130.

Training videos and books are as low as $20. You will need appropriate

clothing.


Potential earnings: $7-13/hour, plus tips. $50-75 for special events.

Special skills needed: Drink mixing, customer service skills, speed and

accuracy, a good memory for drink recipes.

Description: Bartenders fill drink orders either taken directly from patrons at

the bar or through waiters and waitresses who place drink orders for

dining room customers. Bartenders are responsible for checking ID’s to

ensure customers are of legal age to drink. They prepare mixed drinks,

serve bottled or draught beer, and pour wine or other beverages.

Bartenders need to know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to

mix drinks accurately, quickly, and without waste. Besides mixing and

serving drinks, bartenders stock and prepare garnishes for drinks; maintain

an adequate supply of ice, glasses, and other bar supplies; and keep the

bar area clean for customers.

They also may collect payment, operate the cash register, wash

glassware and utensils, and serve food to customers who dine at the bar.

Bartenders may also are responsible for ordering and maintaining an

inventory of liquor, mixes, and other bar supplies.

Market: Bars, of course, and also country clubs, venues that host special

events and weddings, nightclubs, backyard parties.

Ideas for promotion: Check the local paper for engagement

announcements and offer to bartend for the weddings. Put out the word

to local bar owners that you’re willing to work cheaply to gain

experience. A local bartender may take you under his/her wing. Advertise

online.

Watch out for: If you serve an under-aged driver who leaves the barstool

or table on which you served him alcohol, and he or she drives off and

wrecks their car, or worse, kills someone with their car, you will be legally

held responsible. Checking every ID to ensure legal drinking age is vital.

Educating yourself about how to spot faked IDs is also vital in this industry.

Be fully aware of your bar owners’ policies on drink mixing and learn when

to cut off people who have had one too many.

5. Car detailer

Estimated Start-up Costs: Cost of materials, as little as $100 or as much as

$200. Consider insurance.


Potential earnings: $100-150 to detail a car/SUV

Special skills needed: Attention to detail, commitment to excellence,

knowledge of materials and cleaners, ability to work fast and effectively,

since you’re not getting paid by the hour, but by the job.

Description: Auto and truck detailers perform a thorough, and detailed,

cleaning of the interiors and exteriors of vehicles. This may include wiping

down, waxing, buffing, claying or polishing them, including the use of

vacuums, various brushes, buffers and cloths, and liquid cleaners

designed to get into the unseen crevices where dirt and grime may be

hiding. Detailers take extreme pride in their work, some of which is

destined for auto shows. Engine cleaning may require strong degreasers

and cleansers.

Market: Antique car and truck owners, car show enthusiasts, luxury car

owners, and business professionals all will be good targets for this service.

Ideas for promotion: Professional-looking letters sent to individual car

owners are a good start. Try also appealing to busy moms who have

messy kids who have trashed their cars and vans, but have no time to

clean up. Post in online forums for local car enthusiasts. If you see a luxury

car, stick a professional business card in the driver’s door handle. Using

“eco-friendly” products can be a great selling point.

Watch out for: You may want to consider a small amount of liability

insurance to cover you, just in case you get sued by a car owner who says

your chemicals damaged their vehicle. To minimize mishaps like this, go

over each chemical you’re going to be using with the customer

beforehand and get at least verbal assent. This will set them at ease, and

allows them to let you know what they think is best for their car. (They may

also recommend cleaners and other materials to you that they’ve used

before.)

6. Car washer

Estimated Start-up Costs: $20 for initial supply of soap, sponges and

buckets


Potential earnings: $10 for a wash and wax; up to $400/day on busy days.

Special skills needed: The ability to make cars shine.

Description: This is an incredibly easy service. You wash cars at clients’

homes using their hoses and your equipment and soaps. Offer buffing and

waxing as well as general cleaning. If you can find a business that will rent

you a space and provide water (or give you a free space and charge for

the water) you can set up shot semi-permanently during most of the year

when the weather is acceptable. Offer repeat customers discounts.

Once you have a regular clientele, you can offer a 50/50 split with local

groups seeking to raise money. This is a volume business when done right,

so do a great job but move the cars in and out quickly. Customers don’t

have a lot of time on their hands to watch their cars being washed.

Market: People who hate to wash their cars, and those who will never

take them to automatic car washes because they fear damage (mostly

unfounded.)

Ideas for promotion: Promote yourself as a safe and gentle car washer.

Promote your service as providing a “personal touch,” especially for

expensive cars with expensive paint finishes.

Watch out for: Check into laws in your community governing water usage

and water run-off. They may not allow this business if it’s set up in one

location, or even done in people’s driveways.

7. Chauffeur

Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 for advertising, assuming you can use your

own car or your clients’.


Potential earnings: $25 pick-up fee and 10 cents a mile; additional fees for

long distance service

Special skills needed: A spotless driving record, the ability to drive well,

and the time to drive on your client’s schedule.

Description: In this service, you’ll pick up and deliver clients to their

destinations, sometimes waiting for them, other times returning to pick

them up and bring them home. You can either drive them in their own car

(ala Driving Miss Daisy) rent a car, or invest in an upgraded car. Some

services are dispatching drivers on small motorized scooters, which are

then folded up in clients’ car trunks while they drive the clients to their

destination. Then they take the scooter home or to the next job.

Market: Hit up executives who may need rides to the airport (depending

on the condition and style of your car, this may not work.) Young people

going to the beach or other trips. Consider an “underground market” at

local high schools and colleges, aimed at teens who drink irresponsibly.

Along the same lines, chat with bar owners who are concerned about

their customers driving home, and may want an alternative to taxis.

Reach out to people who want to avoid the stigma of calling a cab

(which could imply they’re drunk or don’t own a car) can instead “call a

friend” for a ride. In fact, “Just a friend” is a great name for this business!

Ideas for promotion: Stress the costs of driving drunk, including jail and

higher insurance rates for crashes. Advertise with fliers in bars. Offer deals

to take teens or the working poor who don’t have transportation to work

and pick them up. College radio stations can reach the “party” crowd.

Advertise as a “non-conspicuous” alternative to the yellow taxi pulling up

in front of your house at night.

Watch out for: Make sure your service doesn’t come under the heading of

“taxi” in your community. There are always rules attached to cars-for-hire,

so be sure you know them. Fees for taxi service may push this job into the

“non-start-up” category.

8. Child-proofing consulting and products service

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-$500 (with minimal advertising and

overhead)


Potential earnings: $50 per consultation, up to $500/month in supply sales

Special skills needed: You need to educate yourself about the latest

items that are used to child-proof homes, and you must be able to work

with parents and others who care for children in a sensitive and non-

threatening way.

Description: This service is designed to put parent’s minds at ease about

having small children in their home - either theirs or the children of visiting

friends. A Child-proofing Consultant thoroughly examines a home for

potential hazards including open electrical sockets, and kitchen cabinets

with potentially dangerous or hazardous materials.

The consultant presents a list to parents of areas that pose a danger to

children. As a sideline business, create a catalog and sell clients materials

to “child-proof” their homes, and offer them for sale, taking care not to

“push” expensive items by recommending them willy-nilly Such practices

can ruin ones reputation for fair dealing.

Market: New parents are a great target market, but don’t neglect

adoptive parents, who may have no previous experience and who

suddenly have a toddler in their home. Many are in desperate need of

guidance. At-work child-care centers and small daycare centers are also

great markets for this service (especially if they’re worried about lawsuits

from parents.)

Ideas for promotion: Baby and parenting magazines are a great place to

put ads, as well as local papers in the baby announcement section.

Watch out for: Be sure to have clients sign a document after the services

are performed stating that your services were a consultation and not a full

inspection, and that they hold you harmless for any or all future accidents

in the home involving children. This is a must, since you don’t want them

coming back to you and claiming you didn’t advise them about the one

thing that caused their child to be injured.

9. Concierge service

Estimated Start-up Costs: Advertising and promotion, $100-$300. You may

need to pre-purchase items and be reimbursed, so have $500 on hand for

that purpose.


Potential earnings: $30-50 per use of service; $150 to plan full events on

short notice.

Special skills needed: Knowledge of sources who can get things for you

quickly; an eye for clothing and gifts; the ability to read’ what clients want

and need; party and event planning background is helpful.

Description: This is the service for you if you can get things done for people

who don’t have the time, connections or ability to do so. Clients may ask

for tickets to the ball game, a big movie premiere or a local community

theater presentation that they forgot to pick up or are difficult to obtain.

They may need dinner reservations at the drop of a hat, or a special cake

- immediately - or they may ask for help planning a special romantic

evening in a unique setting. They may just want you to come up an

special evening or event for them and then make it happen for them. As

you can see, event planning will likely also be part of this job.

You provide all of this quickly and efficiently. That requires that you know

whom to call and can sometimes get favors from people who offer these

amenities. Knowing the local florists, ticket agents and head waiters is

crucial for success in this job. Knowing what goes into the aforementioned

romantic evening - and how to plan it - is also crucial. This can be learned,

with a lot of study, or you can work with a party planner for a while to gain

those skills.

If you get a reputation for getting things done, word will spread about

your service. You can charge for this service by the task, or based on the

complexity of the event you’re being asked to produce on short notice.

Some assignments are extremely tough. Don’t hesitate to price

accordingly. You may have to pre-purchase items and be reimbursed

later.

Market: Businessmen, and their wives; couples who want exciting nights

out; groups of friends looking for new things to do.

Ideas for promotion: Advertise in the business section of newspapers and

in higher-class local magazines and Websites. Send blind letters to

attorneys, doctors, accountants and other professionals.

Watch out for: Never make promises that you can’t keep. Promise to “try

your best” to get tickets, reservations or other last-minute services that very

well could be too hard to obtain, even for someone of your skill and

caliber. Have a “back-up” plan to suggest, or ask up front what other

ideas they have in mind if things fall through. Feel free to require pre-

payment up front until you develop a relationship with the client, and

require them to respond to an email outlining what you want them to do,

giving you permission to do it, and promising to pay immediately after the

task is performed, especially if the task is elaborate or expensive.

10. Courier

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200 for advertising, $50 for printing and forms

and other materials.


Potential earnings: Up to $100/day for local deliveries

Special skills needed: You need to be a good, efficient driver, and have a

reliable vehicle or bicycle. Listening abilities and good customer service

skills are a must.

Description: A courier service quickly and safely delivers packages, letters,

legal or other documents or any number of other things to their specified

destinations. There are obviously a lot of Big Guys in this field, namely,

FedEx, UPS and others. But as a small operation (one person, to start) you

could focus on one specialty (like speeding legal documents between

firms and courthouses, or to their clients) or in one geographic area where

you have intimate knowledge of the addresses and landmarks.

If you start as a bicycle service, you need water-tight tubes for large

documents and of course the proper protection from the rain for yourself.

A bike will limit your ability to deliver certain kinds of packages, but may

be quicker for smaller documents in cities, since you won’t have to ever

find parking spaces.

Undercut the major carriers on both price and provide faster service and

you’ll do well. Guarantee delivery within an hour for packages within 30

miles (in a medium-sized city), and watch their eyes light up. Be sure to

charge extra for long distance service, or even service out of your town or

city. Have those price lists written up ahead of time. Consider a uniform of

some sort, even if it’s a blue dress shirt, blue pants with a logo-embossed

hat. You’ll also need a set of order forms printed professionally and carry

them with a clipboard for recipients to sign.

Market: Law firms, accountants, doctors, architects and other professional

offices use these kinds of services all the time. Think of all the places the

“Big Guys” go and then go there. Think out of the box. Can you deliver

auto parts to local garages?

Ideas for promotion: Differentiate yourself from the major delivery services

by offering super fast service, better knowledge of the community, and

more personal service (since you live locally and are likely a sole

proprietor.) Offer an insurance program for just a 5% fee.

Watch out for: If you have only one car, and it breaks down, you’re out of

business. Check local laws governing delivery services, if any. If

documents or products are damaged, you may end up paying for them.

Consider a small amount of insurance and perhaps refuse to carry

priceless antiques until you are well insured.

11. Disc Jockey

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-1,000 for equipment and a music collection


Potential earnings: $100-400 per event

Special skills needed: Ability to listen to the client, understand their needs,

and deliver the music they want to hear at their event.

Description: A disc jockey provides music for events. That’s not as simple

as it sounds. It requires a good ear, not just for music, but for listening to

clients’ needs and wants and being able to respond to them. Unlike

DJ’ing in a club (which is a separate thing entirely) what YOU like isn’t that

important, unless you plan to specialize in a certain style of music, and it’s

best to be a generalist here.

A wedding of a couple in their twenties will require different music than a

couple’s second wedding in their 50s, and even if you target the couple’s

favorite music, remember a lot of younger and older people will be there.

And at corporate events, groups of older adults and other venues, the

style and content of music (say, Gangsta Rap) may be offensive, so care

is required in building a play list. During events, you’ll be watching to see

how your music is received, and you have to be able to “read” the

crowd. An empty dance floor means it may be too early in the night to

boogie.

Variety in your music library is essential - and you will have to build up

quite a library, too, as well as some good equipment, mainly speakers and

a CD/mp3 player or, today, even a laptop with mp3s and (burned) CD

playing capabilities and excellent speakers might work just as well. Some

venues may provide their own speakers. This is a customer service-driven

business, and if you do well, you will get a lot of referrals and build up the

business rather quickly. And for crying out loud, please play 80s music for

an 80s class reunion.

Market: Weddings, parties, fundraisers, bridal showers, pool parties,

outdoor picnics and events, birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties,

school reunions, graduation parties, company parties, birthdays.

Ideas for promotion: There are some great Websites out there advertising

DJ’s by state, get on their list. Check local papers for engagement

announcements and send the bride’s parents a brochure outlining your

skills and prices (since, as you must know, they are the ones paying for the

wedding!) Check with local high schools or scan local papers for reunion

dates and names of organizers.

Watch out for: Overpricing may seem like a good idea, but don’t fall prey

to your ego and do this. Start low and ask for referrals, in writing, so you

can build up your reputation. Create a contract specifying how much

you’ll be paid, and be paid in advance for all gigs. In a $25,000 wedding,

a $200 DJ may be seen as someone easy to stiff, or to pay at their leisure.

12. Dog walker

Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 or less, for advertising


Potential earnings: up to $60/week per pet.

Special skills needed: You must be good with animals in general, and oh,

yes, enjoy walking dogs and cleaning up after them.

Description: You walk dogs, giving exercise and the time (and proper

place) for them to “use the bathroom” as it were. You then clean up after

them, and return them safely home. This is an enormously simple job that

can turn a profit nearly instantly.

Market: Apartment dwellers, people who go to work and leave their pets

alone at home, pet stores, the elderly and other shut-ins who cannot get

out as much as they used to do.

Ideas for promotion: Make contact with pet shops, dog groomers,

“doggie daycare” businesses and dog breeders. Hand fliers to dog

owners you see walking dogs.

Watch out for: Make sure that the dogs have proper ID on them each time

before you leave for a walk, and make sure that the owners provide the

proper leashes for the dog’s breed and size. You don’t want to be

blamed for providing a weak leash for a big dog if they break free of it

and run into traffic. When pricing, watch out for hidden costs, such as

driving 10-20 miles and back just to walk a dog. This works best in city or

town centers and immediate surrounding suburbs.

13. eBook author

Estimated Start-up Costs: 0, if you have a word processor and email.

Simplicity Rating: 1-5, depending on the complexity of your subject and

your skills as a writer.

Potential earnings: from $200 to $2000 per book annually, through up-front

fees or commissions based on sales.

Special skills needed: The ability to convey in writing, and in a compelling

way, your subject - the same skills required for writing for printed books.

Description: You will write fiction and non-fiction works for electronic

media, emailing it to an e-book publisher for editing and distribution. E-

writers usually receive either an up-front fee or a percentage of sales.

eBooks are exploding in popularity. (You’re reading one now, actually!)

E-readers are becoming cheaper and more popular every day. The

Amazon Kindle (now in its second version) and the Barnes & Noble Nook

means that the “big” players in the book industry are getting on board

eBooks in a big way. eBooks may be read on laptops and desktops as

well as handheld devices.

Writing for eBooks is similar to writing for printed books. You must know your

subject well and have a command of the language in which you’re

writing. How compelling and interesting your e-book is, as well as how

many words it contains, will determine how much you get paid.

One general difference is that electronic books are, for the most part,

shorter than standard print volumes, and are more “to the point.” But this

isn’t always the case, and more and more books in print format are being

transferred to e-books (though most are still slightly abridged.)

Market: Check out e-publishers online, including Abbott ePublishing, the

publisher of this and other fine eBooks, or go it alone. Target travelers on

planes, busses and cruises; seek out friends, family and neighbors, and

create eBook clubs.

Ideas for promotion: Get signed as an author with an ePublishing

company, sell your work on Amazon.com - which has increasing

opportunities for e-writers, and take out ads in major newspapers.

Watch out for: Be sure to declare your copyright rights on each eBook,

and consider getting an ISBN for them (although this is an expensive

process, and not all eBooks have them - such as the one you’re reading -

for various reasons, including price.) Note that some companies like

Amazon.com take 60% or more of the sales price of an eBook for

themselves, forcing prices higher for everyone.

14. Elder care provider

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-$500


Potential earnings: $50/day, per customer.

Special skills needed: Knowledge of the elderly and their needs, and a

fondness for being with the elderly. Taking a course on elder care may be

a good idea, as well.

Description: An elder care provider gives personalized assistance to

elderly and shut-in people who need help with their daily lives. A provider

gives companionship, helps monitor the taking of medication, supervises

and advises on health and safety needs, including incontinence

management and other personal hygiene issues, assists with home

exercises and rehabilitation, and also engages in some specialized

cooking needs. Some light cleaning may also be a good additional

service to offer.

Market: The elderly currently living on their own, but also nursing homes

and rehab centers. The market for these services is growing quickly with

the aging Baby Boomer population expanding rapidly in the coming

years.

Ideas for promotion: Seek out elderly living in their own homes using public

records, and send fliers to them. Target their children with newspaper and

online ads.

Watch out for: Make sure you don’t require licensing in your state. Also, be

aware that laws in your state probably do not allow you to hand clients

their medicine or feed it to them, you can only prompt them to take it.

15. Errand service

Estimated Start-up Costs: as low as $50, for advertising; must have

transportation


Potential earnings: $50-$100 a day, at $10 per hour or $20 per task.

Special skills needed: Ability to quickly and safely run errands.

Transportation is required.

Description: The job consists of running errands - going shopping, taking

trips to the bank, post office or video store, veterinarian, drug store or dry

cleaners - on behalf of those who either do not have the time or the

ability to do these errands on their own. You will need transportation and

a good telephone (cell phone is preferable) to make this service work. Be

ready to jump onto an errand immediately at all times, or set very long

working hours (7 a.m. - 8 p.m., for example) during which you can work.

Charge an extra “after hours” fee for very early or late errands. Be sure to

figure gas and car maintenance into the fee structure, especially if you

live in a big city in which your car will be idling a lot in traffic, or in the

country where you’ll encounter long stretches of road, sometimes

unpaved. There’s a reason why YOU are running the errand - and it’s

because the client doesn’t want to be bothered. Sometimes, it’s more

than time they’re avoiding. They are frequently willing to pay for that time.

Set fees based upon distance and/or complexity of the delivery.

Market: The elderly and those who are “shut-ins” and cannot run errands

for themselves are target markets that should be the first ones tapped,

since they have the most need for this service. Working mothers and

female (and male) executives are also great secondary markets.

Ideas for promotion: Use classified ads in the local paper, post fliers at

nursing homes on bulletin boards (ask permission first) and online at

resources such as Craigslist. Low cost and creative advertising is crucial to

making a profit here, since you want to be as competitive as possible.

Watch out for: As always, be aware of any laws or regulations governing

errand services in your community. If you ever transport anyone in your

vehicle, you could be considered a taxi service under the law, requiring a

lot of red tape, so make sure it’s clear that you cannot do this.

16. Exterior house painter

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-300 for equipment and minimal advertising.


Potential earnings: depending on aggressiveness of advertising and the

market in your area, eager novice painters can make up to $2,000 per

month.

Special skills needed: You need to have well-developed painting skills,

and of course the ability to climb a ladder without fear of heights.

Description: Exterior house painters paint the exterior of homes and

businesses. They oversee the mixing of paints and matching colors,

painters must choose the correct paint or finish for the surface being

covered. They determine a surface’s durability, the method of application

and the clients’ wishes.

Painters prepare surfaces to be covered so the paint will adhere properly.

They must remove old coats of paint by stripping, sanding, wire brushing,

burning, washing or abrasive blasting. You should be aware of such

factors as community standards and neighborhood rules in historic districts

and zoning regulations when painting a home to prevent clients from

disastrous and expensive re-painting jobs - for which the painter may be

liable.

Market: The market will vary depending on the part of the nation in which

you live. In warmer climates, you likely may be able to work year round

work.

Ideas for promotion: Work with realtors and banks to paint abandoned

and foreclosed properties.

Watch out for: Investigate local and state regulations governing the

painting profession. This profession is often unionized, and some businesses,

or individuals, may not work with non-union painters. Of course, you can

always join a union to negate this concern, or work as an apprentice for a

while with an established, unionized firm.

17. Fundraiser

Estimated Start-up Costs: $500 for pitch letters.


Potential earnings: Varies widely, usually 5% of whatever is raised or a flat

fee per grant or funding obtained.

Special skills needed: The ability to be patiently work leads, the ability to

boldly (and sometimes persistently) ask for money, and to face rejection

with grace. Knowledge of how to write a successful direct mail piece and

other advertising is helpful.

Description: Professional fundraisers raise funds for small or large

organizations, usually non-profits. It’s easier to break into dealing with

smaller non-profits than the larger ones. Funding can be raised through

charity and other forms of events. Direct mail, in which the fundraiser

appeals for funds in writing, is another piece of the fund-raising puzzle.

Grant-writing (which has its own unique skill set) is another great side

business that is intimately related to this job. Pricing varies, and you should

learn what other fundraisers are earning in your area. For the most part, a

percentage of what is earned is paid, but an up-front fee may make

more sense, especially for amounts under $10,000.

Market: Non-profit corporations; clubs and other groups; companies

seeking funding; political campaigns. Political candidates and elected

officials are always seeking professional fundraisers to fill their campaign

coffers.

Ideas for promotion: Send letters of introduction to all clubs and non-profit

organizations in your area. Take out ads online and in your region’s

newspapers advertising your services.

Watch out for: Check laws in your state for any covering this profession,

especially regarding fundraising for political purposes, either for

candidates or for groups that lobby elected officials.

18. Genealogy researcher

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200 for advertising, up to $200 for computer

software and other equipment, like MS Word. Envelopes, letterhead and

other office materials used to contact government resources will also be

required, which could amount to another $100.


Potential earnings: $50-$100 per family tree (up to 5 generations) with

expenses reimbursed, or paid up front.

Special skills needed: Tenaciousness in seeking genealogical materials,

an inquisitive mind, and a love of history would all be great skills to bring to

bear in this career. An Internet connection and/or transportation are also

musts. A college or university degree isn’t required but shows that you

have some exposure to researching and studying. You don’t have to be a

professionally trained genealogist to research family history, but classes

and/or coursework in the field is helpful.

Description: A Genealogy/Family History Researcher seeks out information

about the ancestry of individuals, documenting vital statistics about each

generation in a person’s family tree (birth, baptism, marriage, death) as

well as information on each ancestor’s employment, education and

personality, if known. This information is found in research libraries, through

documentation from city and town clerks and from interviews with

individuals who might have known the subjects you’re researching. This

requires the ability to “play detective” to hunt down particularly difficult

family genealogical lines, and if you enjoy that, then you’ll love this job!

Market: Older people who wish to leave a legacy to their children and

grandchildren are great targets to which one can advertise this service.

Ideas for promotion: Seek out clients on family history chat boards on the

Internet, and through ads in family history magazines and local

newspapers that are targeted at senior citizens. Search for family history

associations online and advertise your services in their newsletters (often

cheaply or for free.)

Watch out for: Some states and municipalities are picky about who may

obtain vital statistic information, out of a fear that the information will be

used to steal an identity (an odd concern when seeking birth certificates

for those born 150+ years ago, but that happens!)

Be sure to receive written consent from the client to pass along to city and

town clerks. Expenses related to research, especially travel expenses, can

cut into or destroy profits. Be sure to get expenses paid for, preferably in

advance, by the client, or at least get an understanding, in writing, about

what, exactly, will be reimbursed.

19. Gutter cleaner

Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 or less for advertising. $100 for a ladder,

equipment for cleaning.


Potential earnings: $30-50 per house, variable, based on the size of the

home or business and whether it’s a one-story or two-story structure.

Special skills needed: The ability to climb a ladder.

Description: This is an extremely straightforward business: Climb ladders,

reach into gutters, clean out the dirt, leaves, grime, bugs, twigs and

stagnant water, and collect your fee. No one likes overflowing gutters.

Market: Homeowners, apartment building owners, business owners.

Ideas for promotion: Drive around in the summer and fall - especially

during rainstorms - and see which gutters are flowing over the top, rather

than pushing the water through the gutters to the downspouts. Jot down

that address and mail them a flier.

Watch out for: Liability insurance? Good idea, in case you fall from the

ladder.

20. Handyman

Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 for advertising, letters and other

promotions; up to $400 for basic tools (may be more depending on what

specialties you’re offering.)


Potential earnings: $80-100 per visit, depending on your skill and the crafts

you’re offering.

Special skills needed: The ability to do numerous small tasks with

efficiency and professionalism, customer service skills (see below.)

Description: The old saying that goes, “A jack of all trades, master of

none,” is only partially true, and contains some misleading information. A

handyman needs to be a Jack or Jill of several trades, and master of all of

those they choose. Handymen (or, of course, women) advertise

themselves as being skilled workers in various fields. These may be

electrical, plumbing, woodworking, installation of windows and doors,

painting, carpeting, carpentry, or masonry, among others. Obviously, as

many trade skills the handyman brings to the client, the better, and that

means you must be adept in all the skills you’re offering. Being able to

work at a moment’s notice is critical, since repairs rarely notify a property

owner well in advance, they sneak up on them.

Other great skills you should have are being able to promote yourself well

and have a bit of customer-relations skills. An unfriendly, grumpy

handyman who reeks of cigarette smoke or liquor, however skilled, won’t

be invited back. Tracking mud through a client’s home, without regard for

their new white carpet won’t ingratiate yourself with them, either. A job

site should be considered as sacred as your home when it comes to how

you treat it.

Market: Homeowners are the prime target, since they will have no

landlord to turn to, as renters do. But don’t neglect owners of rental

complexes. They, too, are in need of fast, dependable handymen who

can get a job done on a dime.

Ideas for promotion: Run classified ads in a local paper and online, send

letters to prospects, or ask for referrals from previous customers. Good

referrals are the best bets for handymen, since they carry a lot of weight

and are honest.

Watch out for: Check local laws regarding licensure of electricians,

plumbers and other professionals before starting your business, as well as

laws governing these professions. Generally, the laws are the same or

similar from state to state, but sometimes, you’ll come across one state

that requires “double ___” or some kind of second step that isn’t required

elsewhere. Bone up on the law, seek certification, when necessary, and

be bonded to protect your work.

21. House cleaner (interior)

Estimated Start-up Costs: $50-100 for cleaning supplies


Potential earnings: up to $450/week with 15 cleanings/week at $30 per

cleaning.

Special skills needed: It’s important to have an eye for details, good

cleaning skills and a great work ethic.

Description: You clean home interiors, as directed by the owner/renter of

the home. This is a near recession-proof business. Everyone hates to clean,

and if you can do it efficiently, and charge the appropriate amount, you

can do very well in a very short period of time.

Be sure to be punctual, efficient and neat as you clean. Pricing can be

hourly, by the job, by the size of the area to be cleaned or by the difficulty

of cleaning. An example would be to charge $50 per cleaning for an

average ranch-style home. Hourly rates, especially if you’re just starting

out and the client doesn’t know you yet, can spook a client who might

think you’re going to “drag it out” in order to get more money. If you offer

to do windows, and many don’t, that could either be an “add-on”

charge or included it in your fee.

Market: Those with larger home are typically (maybe stereotypically) the

market for cleaning people, but less grand homes are certainly great

markets for occasional (or seasonal) cleanings.

Ideas for promotion: Consider billing yourself as a “Green” house cleaner,

using only environmentally safe, ecologically sound cleaning materials.

These materials may cost a bit more, but that can be reflected in your

pricing. Advertise a “Spring Cleaning” or “Fall Cleaning” sale.

Watch out for: Use color-safe cleaning chemicals to avoid disasters, and

consider getting insurance for cleaning mistakes that ruin fabrics - or for

when you accidentally tip over a vase. Be sure to make clear exactly

what you’ll be doing and for what rate. Consider having a pre-printed

sheet you can use as an “quote” for services you can present to the client

after chatting with them about the scope and size of the work to be

done, and give it to them before work begins. That way, any questions

about services and prices are clear.

22. House sitter

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200 for advertising


Potential earnings: $200 per week, more with pets.

Special skills needed: Reliability, the ability to do light housecleaning.

Description: When people go away, but want to give the appearance of

someone actually remaining in the house, they can call a house sitter.

Sitters do more than just occupies the home - although that’s their primary

task. They also may be called upon to do light housecleaning, watch and

feed pets, do light shopping, clean the swimming pool, and ensure that

the property is protected and safe.

The income for this job is generally low, since traditionally, house sitters

have done this task for free, just for the fun of living in a (usually) large and

expensive house. But you can pitch the need for a fee by being

professional, offering a list of services you will provide during your time in

the property. Charge more for watching, and feeding, small pets - but be

sure to charge just under the cost the owners would have to pay to put

them in kennels. You may also want to guarantee that you will be on-site

for most if not all of the time the owners are away. That means a 24/7

commitment. As an alternative, you can offer a “House Watching” service

for a lesser fee in which you show up one or two times a day, spending 15-

30 minutes each visit, to ensure the house looks “lived-in.”

Market: This is a great service for people who are going away on vacation

for a week, or for those who are taking the entire summer off and going

out of the country. The wealthy are an obvious market.

Ideas for promotion: Send fliers to the homes of the wealthy. Put classified

ads in local papers around popular vacation dates. Sell yourself as a

reliable, local person who is trustworthy.

Watch out for: Put your contract in writing, so it can be shown to the

police when they knock on the door after neighbors dutifully call them

about a strange car in the yard (yours.) In fact, have your clients tell your

neighbors about you before they leave. Offer references - both former

clients and personal references - to put people’s minds at ease.

23. Indoor house painter

Estimated Start-up Costs: $200-300 for equipment and minimal advertising.


Potential earnings: Depending on the aggressiveness of advertising and

the market in your area, eager novice painters can make up to $2,000 per

month.

Special skills needed: You need to have well-developed painting skills,

and of course the ability to paint high walls and ceilings without fear of

heights.

Description: Interior house painters paint the walls and ceilings of homes

and businesses. They oversee the mixing of paints and matching colors,

painters must choose the correct paint or finish for the surface being

covered. They determine a surface’s durability, the method of application

and the clients’ wishes. Painters prepare surfaces to be covered so the

paint will adhere properly. They must remove old coats of paint by

stripping, sanding or wire brushing.

Market: The market will vary depending on the part of the nation in which

you live. Unlike exterior painting, working with interiors means you can

work almost all year round, including during the winter season.

Apartments in some states must be repainted each time a tenant leaves

and before a new tenant comes in. Even where it’s not required by law,

it’s often just a good idea.

Ideas for promotion: Work with realtors and banks to paint abandoned

and foreclosed properties in preparation for resale or auctions, and with

apartment management companies who see a lot of turnover (check

classified ads in the paper for company names you see month after

month.)

Watch out for: Investigate local and state regulations governing the

painting profession. This profession is often unionized, and some businesses,

or individuals, may not work with non-union painters. Of course, you can

always join a union to negate this concern, or work as an apprentice for a

while with an established, unionized firm. Be sure to obtain all insurance

required, including health insurance. You may also need to be bonded.

24. Internet/Computer tutor

Estimated Start-up Costs: $100 or less for fliers and online postings


Potential earnings: $30-$60 per session, depending on your experience

and the subject material

Special skills needed: Knowledge of the Internet, how it works and how to

maximize its resources. Knowledge of computer software and how to get

the best out of it. And patience. Lots of patience.

Description: Teach clients how to use the Internet and computer software

effectively through one-on-one tutoring or in small groups. Payment is by

the hour or by the session, and several can be offered throughout the

day. Most clients will want to have weekly or twice weekly sessions.

As for pricing, consider offer packages for multi-day sessions over a few

weeks to generate business. Some clients will require extra help and

longer sessions, while others will adapt and learn quickly, needing only

one or two. Don’t over-price your services. Some may simply not be able

to afford it. Also, be sure not to over-promise results. As noted, some will

learn fast, others slow. Guaranteeing up front that clients will learn “in one

session” is not possible.

Market: There is a huge market for this service among the elderly, who did

not grow up with computers or the Internet but would like to stay in touch

with their children and grandchildren. Shut-ins and the disabled are also

potential clients. Offering classes to them would be a good chance for

local publicity.

Ideas for promotion: fliers and online postings

Watch out for: Some clients may become impatient at not learning fast

enough. Assure them that you’re not simply trying to drag out the sessions

to make more money, but that more instruction may be required. Females

tutoring in men’s homes should make sure that they are safe at all times. A

pre-session meeting at their home or elsewhere- perhaps with their spouse

present, would be prudent but take it on a case-by-case basis.

25. Laundry and Ironing service

Estimated Start-up Costs: $50 for equipment, $100 for advertising


Potential earnings: $30-$100/day, depending on number of clients.

Special skills needed: The ability to care for others’ clothing as if it was

your own. The ability to determine proper care of many different fabrics.

Description: You simply take in others’ laundry and ironing and return it in

a timely way, safely, to the owner. For some, it’s not simple at all, and

many people HATE to do laundry and ironing - men, especially. If you

know how to wash and iron loads of laundry, and don’t mind doing it a lot

- perhaps two-to-five times a day, then this may be your dream job. You

must be able to determine whether a certain fabric should NOT be

washed or ironed, and recommend alternative care to the client or

provide it, if possible. Suits, for example, should be dry cleaned, not

laundered. Set a specific drop-off period for clothing each day, to avoid

all-day drop-offs and ensure that you can handle the work. (Don’t be

afraid to say “I can’t do anymore today and drop them off on time.”)

Pricing can be by the load and (for ironing) by the piece.

Market: Men, for the most part, but also busy professional women who

cannot take time out of their busy day to do laundry and ironing.

Ideas for promotion: Bulletin boards at churches, bars, restaurants, online,

and in local papers. Word of mouth will take care the rest.

Watch out for: Some clients may have allergies to certain detergents. Ask

in advance. Make sure that you have a clear drop-off time in hand

before the client leaves any clothes. Make sure that no zoning laws

prevent you from running a virtual laundry in your own home, especially if

clients drop off clothes to be washed and ironed.

Thanks for reading this EXCITING eBook sampler!

For the full FORTY Microbusiness, check out Abbott ePublishing and the special LINK below that will give you 15 more exciting and potentially LUCRATIVE businesses – a 59-page manual – for just ONE DOLLAR!

http://www.abbottepub.com/makeafortune.html

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