Ideas For Your Home Business
Yesterday, we looked at the basics of building a home business that can earn you some extra money. Today we’re going to look a little deeper into the ‘need’ aspect of your home business with a massive list of ideas to get you started. Some of these ideas will need specific knowledge or expertise whilst others businesses can be kicked off with little to know know-how.
Manual Labour Jobs
Old fashioned manual labour is still in demand. Moving someone elses junk for cash makes sense if you have the time and the resources but here are a few more ideas for you.
Man with a van
Or even a woman with a van. This type of business isn’t confined to helping people move home which is fortunate as you’d be at the mercy of the housing market. A good starting point for both work and referrals is to help out friends and family.
Points to Consider
Time: How much time do you have spare during the day? Don’t over-commit if you can’t fit in the hours.
Transport: You’re going to need reliable transport that can hold all that stuff you’re going to shift.
Health: Do you have any medical conditions that will prevent you from lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs, etc?
Decorating/h3>
Are you a bad hand with a paint brush? Maybe you’re wallpapering skills are second to none. If so, you’ve probably just found your new home based business. Getting your customers might be a little trickier considering all the local traders vying in this area of business but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Points to consider
Quality: If you fail on the quality test you’ll fail to build a business. Make sure your decorating skills are second to none and watch the customers roll in.
Pricing: Don’t charge too little for your time. There are plenty of traders engaging in a price war just to get customers. If you’re good, and I mean really good, then don’t be afraid to charge a decent price for your work
Customers: The customer is always right! Be prepared to do the extra work to deliver what your customers expect. Always get a precise list of the work that needs to be done.
Costs: Good quality decorating equipment costs money. For the best results you’ll need the best equipment. Be prepared to have some money to use as an initial investment.
Cleaner
Cleaning other people houses is a very effective way of kicking off a business. You need next to no skills (apart from an eye for what constitutes ‘tidy’ – something my kids don’t have!). Most of us may be tightening our belts right now but there’s still a demand for household cleaners. In fact, you could even tie this in with a man with van business.
Points To Consider
Tidy: For many children and teenagers it’s a subjective word. Likewise, adults have differing opinions on what makes a house presentable. Go the extra mile and wow your customers.
Pay: It’s a very basic job that just about anyone can do so don’t expect to turning over millions in your first year.
Travel: How far do you need to travel to get clients? Can you make enough profit to cover these costs?
Delivery Services
You can earn extra money from a delivery service can be done as your own business venture of by working for other companies. are one of the biggest companies in the UK and they pay a decent rate for your time. But we’re not interested in working for somebody else; you want all the glory for yourself.
Points To Consider
Carriage: If you’re going to be travelling by car then you need to factor in both the running costs and wear and tear.
Competition: How much competition do you have? Can you undercut them and still make a profit? If not, what quality can you add that will make you a more attractive option for customers? Think about things like guaranteeing delivery times or scheduling round the customers work day.
Size: How big can you go? If you’re building a business round a cycle delivery service then it’s unlikely you can deliver a piano to a third floor town apartment. Let customers know exactly who you cater to.
Power Washing
How many of you have a power washer of steam cleaner sat in the garage? When was the last time it was used? If it’s covered in cobwebs then it’s time to dust it off. How much graffiti do you see on the sides of houses and garden walls? Get the idea?
Points To Consider
Effort: its hard work. A power washer or steam cleaner will go a long way to shifting most of the dirt but you’ll need some elbow grease as well.
Gear: You’ll need reliable equipment. Creaky, rusty old washers won’t cut it so be prepared to invest.
Environment: Don’t go pumping bleach and other chemicals down the drain. You’ll hurt the environment and, in all likelihood, end with a hefty fine from Environmental Health
Home Jobs
Whilst not quite on the same level as manual labour, these jobs also require little in the way of skills or investment.
Babysitting Services
People are still spending money and they’re going out to the cinema, to the restaurant and theatre. If they have children there’s a good chance they’ll want some of that fabled ‘time away from the kids’. Offer your services as a babysitter.
Points To Consider
Background: Would you trust someone you don’t know with your children? Probably not. Pay for a background check and give your potential peace of mind and one more reason to pick you and not somebody else.
Temperament: If you have children you already know how much of a handful they can but other people’s children might not be your cup of tea. Only consider this type of work if you’re good with ALL children.
Timings: If you agree to babysit for 3 hours make sure you get an agreement for any overtime. An evening out can quickly descend into a long night for you if you clients lose track of time.
Leafleting
There are quite literally thousands of small businesses trying to get our attention. The cost of advertising on the web or radio is out of reach of many. Time for you to don your cape and deliver their marketing leaflets.
Points To Consider
Rates: agree a fixed for the leaflets you’re going to deliver. £1 per hundred leaflets isn’t unreasonable.
Signs: If a house has a sign up saying ‘no leaflets’ then don’t deliver there. If the home owner complains to the business you represent you’ll lose your job and reputation.
Non-Delivery: Don’t be tempted to just dump the leaflets in the bin or a hedge. You will be found out. If you can’t be bothered delivering them then this isn’t’ the job for you.
Clothes Repair
Frugal times demand frugal measures. Every little money saving idea you can think of is be used to cut the cost of living. More and more, we’re turning to good old fashioned repair jobs to make our clothes last a little longer. If you’re a dab hand with a needle and cotton there’s plenty of opportunity to make some easy money.
Points To Consider
Quality: Your work needs to stand up to the quality mark set by your customers. If the arse quite literally falls out of those modified jeans then your business just landed on the scrap heap.
Style: Be prepared to catch up with the latest in clothing fashions and trends. Some customers may want you to mimic that catwalk look by modifying their little black dress.
Speed: A needle and cotton may have been fine for our great grandmothers but your clients may want the work done yesterday. If you don’t have one, consider buying a sewing machine.
Education and Work
You don’t need to have formal qualifications but it helps. There are alternatives which could earn you a very nice crust but you’ll need to read on…
Coaching For Exams
There are still a lot of schools in the UK that require potential students to pass an entry exam. Grammar schools use the 11+ as a form of selecting students. Did you go to grammar school? Do you understand how the exam system works? If so, you’ve just found your new sideline business.
Points To Consider
Facilities: Where will you teach? At your home? In a rented office or at your customers house. You may need to flexible in your times and travel arrangements.
Insurance: Along with a background check you may need to have insurance. This should only be applicable if you coaching in your own office or home.
Contract: Make your customers understand that you don’t guarantee a pass. By all means, show them referrals from other satisfied parents but you need to ensure your next client doesn’t try to claim money back in the event their little genius doesn’t make the grade.
CV Writing
If you’ve ever seen some of the resume’s job seekers hand you probably already know there’s a demand in this area. Use your finely honed writing skills to produce CV’s that will impress the pants off a potential employer.
Points To Consider
Grammar: You may have a way with words but can you spell and punctuate correctly? If not, you need to bring yourself up to speed. You’re not going to get paid for shoddy work.
Knowledge: Knowledge of a specific industry will serve you well. If you’ve in IT then you have a fair knowledge of what recruiters are looking for. Likewise, manufacturing, customer services, etc. Use your knowledge, target a smaller market and earn more money.
Timeframes: Most people looking for a resume writing service want the work done NOW!. If you commit to tight timeframes then make sure you deliver.
Sports Coaching and Training
If you love any kind of sports there’s a job waiting for you. All you need to do is find your niche.
Fitness Coaching
If you have a background in fitness then this is the one for you. As our jobs become more and more office there will be an ever greater need for fitness coaches who can deliver on the promise of 6 pack abs tight glutes. This sideline is perfect for former athletes of gym staff seeking some extra cash.
Points To Consider
Image: It’s everything. Unless you’re teaching clients how to get into Sumo wrestling you’re going to need to at least look the part. Would you take fitness advice from an overweight instructor?
Insurance: You may well need some kind of insurance. Accidents happen. Could you afford to pay the costs if you are sued?
Limits: Clients are coming to you to get fit and toned not dead! Push them too hard from the word go and they’ll desert you or depart this earthly realm. Remember: they’re starting out just like you did once upon a time.
Sports Coaching
Anyone former athlete, professional or otherwise, with a good track record in the arena can make some serious money. Coaching future stars and amateurs alike pays well.
Points To Consider
Skills: To earn a good wage you need to have the skill to back you up. You might have played semi-pro tennis many years ago but if you never won a match…
Age: Want to coach the local football team? Yes, a lot of the work can be done from the bench but sometimes you’ll need to muck in and show them how it is done.
Cost: Like any other home based business this aspect is critical. If you’re coaching the local Sunday football league you’re not going to earn as much as you would teaching budding pro-tennis players.
Games Referee
Do you have a passion for any particular sport? Do you know the rules inside out? If so, there are plenty of jobs for referees in both amateur and semi-pro sports. The obvious sport that springs to mind is football but every competitive sport needs a ref. Are you up to the job?
Points To Consider
Timings: Most sports activities take place on the weekends or evenings. Make sure you have to time to commit.
Threats: Pushy parents and enraged fans are all out to get you. As far as they’re concerned you’re blind! Ask yourself if you have the chops to stand by your decision making.
Fitness: Some sports, like football, require refs with a decent level of fitness. Whilst you don’t necessarily need the speed and stamina of an athlete you need to be able to keep up with the game.
Services For Pets
Britain is a nation of pet lovers. There’s a huge choice of skills you can market. From dog walking services right up to grooming pooches. All you need to do is pick the option that’s right for you.
Dog Walking
You need no skills whatsoever for this business idea. Start local. Find people who have pets and a busy then offer to doing the walking for them. This job doesn’t have to be confined to only dogs.
Points To Consider
Weather
: If a pet needs to go out then it needs to go out no matter what the weather is like. Can you handle the cold, wet weather? Control: Some pets can be handful. Let them take control and they’ll walk all over you. Be the dominant not dominated. Poo: A few hours after and animal has eaten the waste product is going to come out of the far end. Clean up after your clients pets. This type of business is perfect for the home-based entrepreneur but you’ll need more than a clever pitch to win and keep your customers. Pet grooming is big business even in these hard times and you can earn some good money keeping pets looking hip! Skill: If you don’t have the necessary skills you need to either get trained now or forget this business. Reputation: This point goes hand in hand with your skills. Leaving your clients pooch looking a dogs dinner and you’ll have no reputation to defend. Allergies: You might have to find alternative premises to work from if any member of your family has allergies to animals. That’s all for today. I hope these small business ideas have given you food for thought. I’ll be back tomorrow with the next post where we’ll look at some ways to keep down the costs of running your own business. Pet Grooming Services
Points To Consider