By Ramona Clay
Whether you're starting a business on the side while still employed, a student, or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time businesses. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20.
1. Web Master
It is what everyone who is ever surfed the Web dreams of-just stick a web site up there and watch the cash roll in! Well, that just does not happen overnight, but the fact of the matter is it is really not very hard to do. To do it right, start by picking a subject matter you know a lot about.
Then get a domain and create a web site. It does not matter what technology you use-just be totally anal-retentive about it looking good and provide plenty of original content. Now find some appropriate affiliate programs-that's where your revenues are going to come from. Next, learn everything you can about search engine marketing and promote the heck out of your site. Last of all, set aside time every week to put new content on the site, delete dead links, and other maintenance. You might actually make some decent income from it.
Spend the $20 on: $9 for a domain at GoDaddy and $10 for a year of hosting at Discount Hosting or Cheaps.net.
2. Consultant
Getting into consulting is relatively simple. All you have to do is know how to do something better than most people do, and be able to either teach people how to do it or be willing to do it for them. Networking is the key to success in this business, so start by making a list of everyone you know and giving them all a call.
Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 buying your first prospect a cup of coffee one morning.
3. Housesitter/Petsitter
Around the holidays people are looking for housesitters or petsitters to watch their homes and/or monitor their pets. Particularly since 9/11, people feel an increased need for security, and housesitting gives them some reassurance while they're out of town. This one's great because it basically requires no particular skills, just trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure to have personal references available, and you'll also need reliable transportation. If you're an animal lover, petsitting is an easy add-on.
Spend the $20 on: $2 on flyers to put up on bulletin boards, and the rest on classified ads in your local neighborhood paper (not a big city-wide one).
4. Professional Organizer
People these days are simply overwhelmed by their "stuff." While there is an ever-growing trend of people wanting to simplify their lives, most of us have not done it yet. It's not that people really have no clue how to get organized, it just keeps moving to the bottom of the stack, both figuratively and literally. There's a prime opportunity for people to come in at a reasonable rate and get houses organized. And while there is a National Association of Professional Organizers that you can join where you're ready, mostly it takes common sense, organizational skills, and a familiarity with what can be had at your local office supply and The Container Store.
Spend the $20 on: Classified ads
5. Avon Independent Sales Representative
Cosmetics is a virtually recession -proof business, because it's an inexpensive way for people to feel good about themselves. Avon is the largest consumer direct sales company in the world, with annual sales of nearly $6billion. In business for well over 100 years, they have both a highly reputable product line and one of the few highly reputable multi-level marketing structures (in fact, they invented it). They also offer fashion and wellness products in addition to their beauty products. And while they bill themselves as "The Company for Women", a fairly substantial number of men have actually been very successful as Avon reps. The secret to making a living at it rather than just a little extra spending money is to build your downline-just like with any other network marketing or direct selling business.
Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples
6. Personal Services - Shopping & Errands
This is a great one going into the holiday season. Believe it or not, there are people who would not be caught dead going anywhere near a mall, but they're not comfortable with buying certain items online, either. Again, trustworthiness and dependability are the key traits for this. If your car's not reliable, pick something else. Also, you won't need cash, but you'll available credit on your credit cards, since you really can not use theirs. Consider an American Express or a Diner's Club that do not have preset spending limits. Or use a card that gives cash back reward or frequent flyer miles, and you can make a nice little bonus.
Spend the $20 on: $1 on flyers and the rest on classified ads.
7. Desktop Publishing
It's amazing how many people have a computer and still don't know how to make a decent flyer! If you've got a good design sense, are extremely familiar with your word processor, and already have a laser or high-quality inkjet printer, you can get into desktop publishing. Create a really great-looking portfolio for yourself and go door-to-door.
Spend the $20 on: Some high-quality paper to create your samples on.
8. Tutoring
With the growing dissatisfaction with our education system and the huge growth in homeschooling, there's an unprecedented need for tutors these days for kids of all ages-even adults! If you've got a topic you can tutor in, contact the local schools, particularly private ones, and local homeschool groups, and offer your services. Don't be concerned if your topic is highly specialized-even those are in demand.
Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.
9. eBay Seller
Yes, there really are people who make a decent living buying things at garage sales and flea markets and selling them on eBay. The big secrets - Stick to products you know (or learn before you start) extremely well, package your goods carefully, and provide impeccable customer service. It helps to have a digital camera or a scanner, but it's not required.
Spend the $20 on: Your first inventory at a garage sale.
10. Secretarial Service - Typing/Transcription/Proofreading
Many small businesses and individuals have a need for these services, but not enough need to hire a temp through an agency. Assuming you've got a computer, a printer, and e-mail (and the necessary skills), you're all set. Be prepared to charge by the job, not by the hour.
Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.
One last thing -beware of home-based business scams that require a substantial buy-in, such as envelope-stuffing or craft item assembly. You may not lose money on it if you stick with it long enough to get ready fast at it, but you'll probably never make the kind of money you've expecting to. Better to do something on your own.
For further information in regards to resources, ideas, and/or coaching for starting your small business send me an email: Livin4joy@yahoo.com
Ramona Clay, author of Living with Joy and The Art of Starting a Business wi that features over 50 EZ business opportunities to start in as little as 7 days. Ms. Clay has written for numerous publications on business and careers.
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