HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR OWN ERRAND SERVICE BUSINESS
People are busier than ever and the world around them hasn't changed.
Grocerys still need to be bought, deliveries still need to be made, gifts
still need to be bought, etc. You can take advantage of the needs of these
hyper-busy people by running an ERRAND SERVICE.
In essence, what you do is run errands for people and get paid for it.
Think it sounds like a kid's business? Well, you won't make kid money!
If you are in a good sized metropolitan area with steady clients, you can
make $15, even $20, an hour!
You won't need much to start off with. You'll, of course, need a reliable
car or, better yet, a van. The only real expenses at the start are:
business cards and business stationery; a pager; and postage. Make a
list of large businesses in your area, ones with large numbers of well-paid
executives, such as banks, headquarters of large manufacturers, etc. You
should then compose a letter detailing your services. List as many
timesaving services as you can think of: grocery pickup, dry-cleaning
delivery and pickup, post office errands, gift-shopping services, food
pickup and delivery, etc.
Note: Don't transport people or children unless you have the proper
licenses. Also, if you delivery messages, there may be state utility
regulations you'll need to check into. Emphasize to these people how
they will BENEFIT from your service: more time, less worries, less stress.
Be competitive with your pricing. Call other delivery services in the
area and find out what they charge, whether hourly or by the job. Make
your prices competitive and your services personal, and you'll get the edge.
Four other good ideas for publicizing your services: advertise in charity
event publications that are read by executives; get permission to post
your business card at dry cleaners, grocery stores, bakeries, upscale food
stores and delis, etc.; produce press releases about your services
showcasing a unique aspect of your business, i.e. you specialize in
delivering wedding cakes, for example, and get them to all the newspapers
and local magazines in the area; and notify senior citizen organizations
about the services you offer.
Hints: Know your way around your area extremely well so you can plan the
quickest route to efficiently accomplish all your errands. Be assertive,
both with potential clients and with places you are visiting for a client.
Be friendly, and you'll get more return business. Also, be confidential in
respect for your clients.
If you're willing to hustle, you can make it in the errand business. Once
you get that first steady client, if you're good, you can count on word-of-
mouth business. Then you'll really be rolling!
