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REFERENCE CHANNELS
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Dear ABCs I have been hearing so much about errand services lately. My husband and I have considered trying this ourselves. We have the basics to start as far as equipment, computer, printer, transp. etc. We also have good people skills and feel we could handle most any situation that a customer would request. But knowing how to build a website cheaply, and how to advertise on-line is a mystery to us. Also, I do not know how profitable this business is at its best, and any insight would be helpful. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Ready for More, First, keep in mind that errand services are local. Profit potential depends on how you approach it -- running errands for people locally can be priced at $15 - $25 per hour. The big deal is to get into "concierge" services...where you are in charge of errands for a major job site or office park. Another way to consolidate is by apartment complex or neighborhood. When you're providing service to only one residential customer at a time you can't get the economies of scale that are possible if you've got a number of orders that can be done (more or less) at the same time. When it comes to websites, ask yourself if you really need a website presence. What will it do for you? Will an email address with your business name suffice? Because errand services are local and very physical in nature, the best your website could do (in the beginning) would be to behave as an online brochure. You would be able to market to businesses in office buildings and homeowners easily with an attractive and descriptive printed brochure that you can leave with them. Your presence physically and professionally, for your type of business, leaves a much bigger impact than a website can. As your business succeeds and expands you may eventually find a website beneficial. A website can be used for people to pre-pay for services (they can then have the added benefit of being on your "priority list"), pay invoices from you with their credit card (or Paypal), get updates on schedules you have developed, services you have added, areas you have expanded to, etc. There are a huge number of companies that will design and host a website for you. Support your local economy by finding out who your local website designers are and take a look at their work. Online advertising could currently be used in two ways -- an expanded "Yellow Pages" type of listing to really let people know what your services are and/or as a means of communicating with current customers to save them AND the business time/money. Use a search engine to help you locate business listing opportunities in your area. There are also an assortment of clubs that are intended for networking and obtaining business leads. One such club is called "The Leads Club" and has many chapters nationally and internationally. You can find information on them at www.leadsclub.com. Find out if there's a chapter near you. These clubs are a terrific marketing tool, especially for "Business to Consumer" (B2C) businesses. Your best marketing tool is going to be word-of-mouth with the raves of people pleased with your service. Give referral rewards - you'll be happy you did. Now, go make money! ABCs of Small Business ~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear ABCs, Thanks for your very valuable information. I think it's the first time I stepped "out of my box" and saw my approach differently. Your advice and wisdom makes much more sense. For the first time in months I will not stress over the web site!! I felt this was the ticket to the desired customers, and now realize just the opposite. Thanks again, gotta go....there's money to be made!! -Ready for More
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