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The lists come from Adams Businesses You Can Start Almanac

81 Businesses You Can Start With Under $1,000

• Airbrush Artist
  Animal Registration/ID Services
  Apartment Preparation Service
  Arts Festival Promoter
  Athletic Recruiter/Scout
  Auction House
  Auto Paint Touch-Up Professional
  Automotive Loan Broker
  Band Manager
  Bankruptcy Services
  Bar tending Services
  Barter Systems
  Blade-Sharpening Service
  Boardinghouse Operator
  Book Indexer
  Bounty Hunter
  Cake Decorator
  Calligrapher
  Candle Maker
  Caning Specialist
  Cartoonist
  Child Care Referral Service
  Childbirth Instructor
  College Application Consultant
  Comedy Writer
  Commercial Plant Watering Service
  Coupon Distributor
  Doll Repair Service
  Etiquette Adviser
  First Aid/CPR Instructor
  Garage Sale Coordinator
  Genealogical Service (Family History Writer)
  Gerontology Consultant
  Graphologist
  Handbill Distribution
  Handyman Network
  Home Schooling Consultant
  Horse Trainer
  Hospitality Service
  Ice Sculpting
  Incorporation Service for Businesses
  Jewelry Designer
  Knitting/Crocheting Lessons
  In-Home Mail Service
  Lactation Consultant
  Laundry/Ironing Service Law Library Management
  Lawn Care Service
  Literary Agent
  Magician
  Makeup Artist
  Mall Promotion
  Merchandise Demonstrator
  Mobile Book/Magazine Distributor
  Mortgage Loan Broker
  Motor Vehicle Transportation
  Movie Site Scout
  Multilevel Marketing (careful with this!)
  Mystery Shopper
  Notary Public
  Nutrition Consultant
  Packing/Unpacking Service
  Parapsychologist
  Party Planner
  Personal Instructor/Fitness Trainer
  Personal Menu Service
  Personal Shopper
  Pet Psychologist
  Private Tutor
  Professional Organizer
  Real Estate Agent/Home Researcher
  Reminder Service
  Roommate Referral Service
  Scanning Service
  Silk Flower Arranger
  Storyteller
  Stress Management Counselor
  Taste Tester for Food Companies
  Toy Cleaning Service
  Vacation Rentals Broker
  Wellness Instructor

136 businesses you can start with $1,000-$5,000

• Abstracting Service
  Accountant
  Adoption Search Service
  Advertising Sales Representative
  Alterations/Seamstress Business
  Arbitration Service
  Art Broker/Corporate Art Consultant
  Association Management Services
  Audio Recording for Trade Show and Seminars
  Auto Maintenance
  Background Music Leasing
  Boat Maintenance/Cleaning Service
  Book Binder
  Book Packager
  Bookkeeping Service
  Bridal Consultant
  Broadcast Sales/Advertising Broker
  Bulletin Board Services
  Business Broker
  Buyer’s Information Service
  Calendar Service
  Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning
  Chimney Sweep
  City Planner
  Clip Art Service
  Clipping Service
  College Internship Placement
  Color Consultant
  Commercial Actor
  Commercial Photographer
  Conference Call Facilitator
  Construction Management Services
  Consumer Researcher
  Cooking Class Instructor
  Counselor/Psychologist
  Credit Cardholders’ Service
  Credit Card Merchant Broker
  Credit Consultant
  Dance Instructor
  Data Retrieval Service
  Day Care Service
  Desktop Publisher: Community-Based Coupon Books
  Direct Marketing/Sales
  Disability Consultant
  Dog Trainer
  Economic Development Consultant
  Emergency Response Service
  Employee Harmony Consultant
  Environmental Consultant/Contractor
  Factory Locating Consultant
  Fan Club Management
  Farm-Sitting
  Farmer of Fruits or Vegetables
  Feed Consultant/Broker
  Financial Aid Consultant
  Flea Market Organizer
  Food Delivery Service
  Food Item Manufacturer
  Food Manufacturing Consultant
  Forensic Consultant
  Freelance Writer/Editor/Illustrator
  Fund-Raising Firm
  Government Contract Consulting
  Grants/Proposal Writer
  Herb/Flowers Farming
  Image Consultant
  Interior Designer
  Internet Marketing Specialist
  Interviewer
  Invention Consultant/Broker
  Investment Broker/Club
  Jewelry/Clock/Watch Repair
  Labor Relations Consultant
  Licensing Agent
  Liquidator
  Lobbyist
  Manufacturer’s Representative
  Massage Therapist
  Medical Management Consultant
  Meeting Planner
  Meteorological Consultant
  Mobile Hair Salon
  Money Broker
  Motivational Speaker
  Mover
  Murder Mystery Producer
  Newspaper Delivery Service
  Oil and Gas Field Services
  On-Line Job Search
  On-Line Services Consultant
  Paralegal
  Parenting Specialist
  Payroll Administrative Services
  Personality Analysis/Testing Service
  Personalized Check Service
  Personnel Safety Consultant
  Pharmaceutical Returns Consulting
  Political Campaign Management
  Pollster
  Printing Broker
  Product Developer
  Profit Sharing Plan Consultant
  Property Management Service
  Recreation Activities Consultant
  Recycling
  Referral Service
  Relocation Consultant
  Respiratory Equipment Repair
  Resume Service
  Retail Bakery/Specialty Food Store
  Retirement Planner
  Reunion Organizer
  Sales of Novelty and Promotional Products
  Seamstress/Alterations Business
  Secretarial Service
  Software Conversion Service
  Speechwriter
  Standardized Test Preparatory Services
  Stenciling
  Stenography Service
  Systems Integrator
  Taxidermist
  Time-Management Specialist
  Trademark Agent
  Translation Services
  Travel Agent
  Tree Service
  Tropical Fish Servicing
  Upholsterer
  Vending Machine Owner
  Venture Capitalist
  Water Pumping Service
  Window Treatment Specialist
  Window Washing Service
  Wood Splitter
  World Wide Web Home Page Creator

149 businesses you can start with $5,000-$15,000

• Accident Reconstruction Service
  Acoustical Services
  Advertising Agency
  Agricultural Marketing
  Ambulatory Services
  Animal Broker/Dealer
  Archaeological Services
  Art Restoration Services
  Art/Photo Representative
  Auditing Specialist
  Auto Swap Meet Promotion
  Automobile Window Stickers
  Automotive Detailing
  Automotive Marketing and Training Services
  Balloon Delivery Service
  Bicycle Rental
  Boudoir Photography
  Bridal Show Promotions
  Business Plan Writer/Packager
  Career Counselor
  Carpet Installation
  Casting Director
  Classified Advertising Newspaper
  Coffee Bar/Tea Salon
  Collectibles/Memorabilia
  Collection Agency
  Computer Consultant
  Computer Maintenance Service
  Computer Software Sales
  Computer Trainer
  Construction Services
  Corporate Insurance Broker
  Corporate Trainer
  Cost Reduction Consultant
  Database Consultant
  Dating Service
  Decks/Outdoor Furniture
  Designer/Retail Items
  Doula/Midwife
  Draftsman/Blueprinting Service
  Drive-by Broadcasting
  Efficiency Expert
  Electrical Contractor/Electrician
  Employee Benefits Consultant
  Executive Search Firm
  Expert Witness
  Fabric Coverings
  Fax-on-Demand Service
  Financial Planner
  Firewood Service
  Fisherman
  Franchise Idea Center
  Furniture Refinisher
  Gardening Consultant
  Gift Basket Business
  Graffiti Removal
  Graphic Designer
  Greeting Card Sender
  Hauling Service
  Herbal Products Distributor
  Home Entertainment System Service
  Home Office Consultant
  Human Resource Services
  Incentive Programs/Promotional Material
  Information Consultant
  Insurance Agent
  Inventory Control
  Invisible Fencing Sales/Installation
  Irrigation Services
  Job Hot Line
  Lead Exchange/Business Networking Service
  Legal Cost Control/Litigation Management Services
  Lie Detection Service
  Lock Box Service
  Locksmith
  Maid Service
  Mailing List Service
  Management Consultant
  Manicurist
  Market Mapping Service
  Marketing Consultant
  Mediator
  Medical Claims Processing
  Medical Products Manufacturer
  Medical Transcriptionist
  Middleman
  Mini-Blind Cleaning Service
  Mobile Disc Jockey Service
  Modeling School/Agency
  Money Order Service
  Monogramming Service
  Motion Picture Research Consultant
  Networking Services
  New Product Researcher
  Newspaper Features Syndicate
  Noise Control Consultant
  Office Equipment Leasing
  On-Line Internet Researcher
  Outdoor Adventures
  Packaging Consultant
  Paging Services
  Patient Gift Packager
  Personalized Children’s Books
  Pet Breeder
  Pet Grooming/Care
  Photocopying Service
  Political Marketing Consultant
  Portrait Photographer/Artist
  Private Detective/Intelligence Specialist
  Public Pay Phone Services
  Public Relations
  Public Speaking Consultant
  Rare Book Dealer/Search Service
  Real Estate Appraiser
  Recreational Coupon Distributor
  Remanufacturing: Laser Printer Cartridges
  Rental Business
  Residence for the Elderly
  Restoration Services
  Rubber Stamp Business
  Sales Trainer
  Security Systems Consultant
  Seminar (Speakers) Service
  Shipping/Customs Consultant
  Short-Term Auto Rental Service
  Sightseeing Excursions
  Small Business Consultant
  Snow Plow Service
  Software Development/CD-ROM Packaging
  Software Engineer/Programmer
  Surveyor
  Talent Agency
  Tax Preparation Service
  Technical Writer (Documentation and On-Screen Text)
  Telecommunications Consultant
  Telemarketing Service
  Television Program Distributor
  Textile Broker
  Theatrical Lighting Service
  Traffic Control Consultant
  Used Boat Sales
  Used Computer Sales
  Used Industrial Equipment Sales
  Vacuum Cleaner Repair
  Video Transfer Service
  Water Quality Services
  Wilderness-Based Therapeutic Programs
  Word-Processing Service
  Workers’ Compensation Consultant

58 businesses you can start with $15,000-$40,000

• Aerial Applicator
  Antiques Dealer
  Architect
  Art Gallery
  Automotive Parts Rebuilder
  Banquet Facility
  Biofeedback Therapist
  Boat Operation Instructor
  Building Maintenance Service
  Bungee Jumping Instructor
  Business Form Sales and Service
  Catalog Retailer
  Caterer
  Child ID Products
  Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Service
  Computer Composer
  Computerized Special Effects Designer
  Concert Promoter
  Consulting Engineer
  Damage Restoration Service
  Desktop Publisher
  Digital Imaging Service
  Educational Product Development
  Employee Leasing
  Entertainment Directory Publisher
  Fish Restocking
  Floral Shop
  Health Centers for Corporations
  Home Inspector
  Horse/Cargo Trailer Service
  Hot Air Balloon Rides
  Importing/Exporting
  International Business Consultant
  Landscape Designer
  Lawyer
  Mail-Order Computer and Component Sales
  Message Retrieval Service (Answering Service)
  Mobile Car Inspection/Repair
  Mobile Paper-Shredding Service
  Motor Vehicle License Bureau
  Multimedia Service
  Nanny Service
  Occupational Health Care Services
  Outplacement Services
  Overnight Delivery Service
  Paramedical Services
  Pest Control Service
  Pet Taxi Service
  Pool Maintenance
  Power Wash Service
  Recording Studio Rental
  Television Repair
  Ticket Broker
  Transportation Provider (Limousine/Van)
  Videotext Service
  Voice Messages Service Center
  Voice-Activated Home Automation
  Winery

77 businesses you can start with $40,000+

• Air Charter Service
  Arcade/Party Rentals
  Assembly Work
  Audiobook Producer/Distributor
  Automotive Testing Equipment
  Bed & Breakfast
  Beer Brewery
  Boat Tours
  Canoe Livery
  Car Wash
  Child Development Center
  Coin-Operated Laundry
  Color Separation and Film Assembly Services
  Commodities Broker
  Creative Arts Day Camp
  Custom Embroidery
  Day Spa
  Demolition/Wrecking Contractor
  Diaper Service
  Distributor
  Drug Testing Service
  Dry Cleaning Service
  Earthquake Products/Services
  Fiber Optic Transmission Systems
  Fitness Rental Equipment.
  Framing Service
  Franchisee
  Freelance TVProducer
  Funeral Home
  Geologic Drilling Service
  Ground Water Assessing
  Health Club
  Home Health Care Service
  Indoor Playspace
  Instant Signs
  Key Control Systems Manufacturer/ Distributor
  Leak Detection Service
  Long-Distance Phone Services
  Machinery Rebuilding/Repair
  Mailbox Rental Service
  Manufacturer of Licensed Products
  Manufacturer of Self-Adhesive Printed Labels
  Manufacturer/Retail Item
  Map Publisher/Distributor
  Messenger Service
  Miniature Golf Course
  Musical Instrument Leasing
  900-Number Service
  Pilot/Flying Lessons
  Pinball/Electronic Game Arcade
  Prefab Home Sales/Construction
  Professional Diver
  Real Estate Investor
  Repair Service
  Resale Shop
  Restaurant
  Restaurant Equipment and Supplies
  Retailer
  Satellite Equipment/Systems (Wholesale)
  Shipping/Freight Forwarding Service
  Specialty Paper Producer/Distributor
  Sports Equipment Sales/Service
  Stock Photo Service
  Storage Service
  Tanning Booth Operation
  Taxi Service
  Temporary Employment Agency
  Tow Boat Operator
  Trophy/Engraving service
  Trucking Broker
  Uniform Service
  Used Car Leasing
  Video Production Company
  Video-on-Demand
  Weight Loss Center
  Wholesaler
  X-Ray Inspection Service

Teaching a classroom full of people has it’s way of giving back to you on the spot.  It builds you up, gives you confidence, and makes you feel like you’re doing the right thing with your life.  But showing up to an event you are promoting which falls below your turnout expectations can be disheartening.  I thought she was feeling disheartened as she was telling this story.

But then she told me that one of the people who showed up to the class had become a regular customer continually purchasing some of the products that she sells, signing up for additional classes, and referring friends.  She told me how that one customer made that long trip to teach a class of two worth as much some of her best events.

I don’t know where these things come from sometimes, but I said back to her, “Everywhere Johnny Appleseed went there we no apples when he got there.  You should always plant seeds everywhere you go.”

I just looked him up.  Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed was an American pioneer and agriculturalist who introduced apple trees to large parts of the Midwest.  He became an American legend because of his kind and generous ways and his great leadership in conservation.

When you’re building your own business, there are times to plant seeds and times to eat apples.  If you plant seeds everywhere you go, eventually you will enjoy apples each time you return.  And if you are kind and generous and give your all to the people you meet along the way, others who are enjoying your apples will hold you in high esteem, seek you out, and tell others about you, and perhaps even make you their hero.

So next time you’re looking at what might seem like an empty field, don’t be discouraged.  Envision an orchard full of goodness growing out of it because of your efforts, nourishing you and multitudes of others – and plant some seeds for your future.

Look back at your life and you’ll see that your fears have a much smaller bite-to-bark ratio than you thought they did. How many times have you worried about not paying a bill that got paid or having some disease you didn’t or making a change that went off without any real hitches?

Sometimes things do spin out of control. Focus on the path you want to take and not the obstacles you are afraid of crashing into. Your path will follow your focus.

Sometimes you really are caught in the headlights. That’s the time for quick action. Don’t let yourself be paralyzed by fear.

Sometimes our fears are focused far in the future. Tackle the potential monsters in your life before they get big and hairy, while they are still weak and helpless.

And be the person whose love you deserve and you’ll have far less rejection.

The moment you feel fear arise, replace that fear with gratitude and a vision of what you really want – then go out and get it!

“Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?” ”That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the cat. ”I don’t much care where…” Said Alice. ”Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the cat. – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Going through life without specific goals in mind is like setting off on a sailing cruise to Hawaii without charts and without plotting a course and without a rudder to keep you in a straight line. You really don’t know where you’ll end up, but most likely it will not be Hawaii.

Take some time to write a list of the things that you want out of life, the experiences that you would like to have, the places you would like to see, the events you would like to attend, etc. This will be your chart. Spend time working on plans to make them happen. This will be your course. Keep them always on the top of your to-do list. This will be your rudder.

And each time you find yourself living your dreams, connect them back to the process of envisioning them, planning them, and setting out on the adventure. This will add power to your process and make you better and better at making them come true.

Read more here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217768

In the video, a little girl dressed in a bumble bee costume begins the video by doing a talent contest dance and getting laughed off the stage. As the video progresses she wanders the land doing her little dance for the strangers that she meets but she continues to get no love.

Later in the video she comes across a big iron gate leading to a field, while the singer repeats the word, “escape… escape… escape…” All of a sudden she gets this look of surprise on her face that’s priceless. Pause the video at this point and stare at that face. Drill it into your consciousness.

Cut to a flower filled field of grass where a swarm of soul mates dressed as bumble bees are dancing to their hearts’ content. Of course she runs off in slow motion to join them and presumably lives happily ever after.

The point is this: Bee true to yourself. Don’t worry if along the way people don’t “get” you or your dreams. Stay on course. One day you’ll find your “Bee People” and rejoice. That is all. Bee well.

When we get to the bottom of it we realize that the reason time management is so important is that time is a non-renewable resource, we only live once, and we should be able to spend as much of our lives as we can doing the things we enjoy most with the people we love the most in a stress-free environment without a million business details running around in our heads. The reduction in stress and benefits of happiness and joy can add years of enjoyment to your life and the lives of those you love.

The alternative – not managing your time – produces stress, anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia, hypertension, indigestion, headaches, relationship problems, and just plain lack of fun in your life.

So with that in mind here are my Ten Commandments of Time Management for the self-employed:

1. You must have no other priority before time management.

Time is the god of productivity. It’s the basic underlying fabric of the work universe. It’s eternal, unchangeable. Be grateful for it! Give it due piety. Make it the first and last thing you think about during your work day and commune with it between each task throughout the day.

2. You must use a systematic time management tool.

If you’re not keeping a calendar then you have your entire to-do list running around in your mind. There are great pen and paper time management tools, but I highly suggest that you get used to using an online calendar, such as the free one provided by Google, and a smart phone. The ability to color code blocks of time, move them around on your calendar, and add related information is invaluable. There are plenty of how-to videos on YouTube for whatever application that you choose.

3. You must keep a “to-do” list.

Every time you commit to doing something – anything at all – it should go on your list. Did you just tell someone you would call them back? Put it on the list. Did you just get a bill that you need to pay? Put it on the list. Then translate your task list into your calendar system by adding a block of time for each task so you can prioritize and move tasks around as needed. If there are related tasks like paying bills, or returning phone calls, list them all in one time block.

4. You must make estimates and set time limits for all tasks.

Schedule your time in hourly and half hour blocks to keep things simple. If you need to spend two hours working on a sales letter, then put a two hour block on your calendar. If you need to move it as your priorities shift, you can move it just by dragging into a different day or timeslot. When you schedule your to-do list in this way you can see all those blocks of time that you have committed to and thereby not over commit yourself – a very important stress saver.

5. You must make routine those things which lend themselves to routines.

There are a lot of mundane chores that any business owner needs to do such as bill paying, file backups, cleaning, etc. If you have to do something every day or every week or once a month make a routine out of it. Schedule it as a repeating event. Even things like returning phone calls and emails can be confined to routines to greatly improve your efficiency.

6. You must always prioritize before doing – and always schedule top priorities first.

You should always be aware of which items on your to-do list are the most important to you. Don’t let the squeaky tasks get the grease, YOU decide which tasks are most important. Schedule those mission critical tasks first then all your other priorities can be fit into your schedule. You will find that after you get all your priorities for the week onto your calendar that you have a much better idea of what you can really commit to and accomplish. Again, it helps ease stress when you don’t over commit yourself all the time.

7. You must not multi-task (unless your work requires it).

Doing too many things at once means none of them get done efficiently. Interruptions such as answering an email here and phone call there can add up to a lot of wasted time as you try to get re-focused on the task at hand. Check your email and messages first thing each morning. Then schedule a couple hours of work, and then another communications check. You can help the person on the other end of the phone or email much better when they are the task and not the distraction.

8. You must know and stay within your limits and learn to say “no.”

Everyone you come in contact with wants something from you. Even things demand your time. Don’t try to help everyone that needs your help, and don’t take on too much responsibility which requires your time. Learning to say “no” to people and things is one of the most important time management skills. It’s not fun to disappoint people that would like your help, but it’s even less fun to over commit your time and have none left over for yourself.

9. You must practice the art of delegation.

Remember, time is the god of productivity, you only have so much of it. The more you can leverage other people’s time, the more you get done. Delegating simpler tasks or tasks in areas in which you’re not an expert leaves you free to generate more business. The size of a small business is generally determined by how many people the owner is comfortable in managing. Don’t go past your comfort level.

10. You must make a consistent, ongoing effort to get more organized and more efficient.

Those who make time management a habit will get better results from the use of their time. It’s as simple as that. Most people are not very organized. Some people believe they are not even capable of being organized. All it takes is a little practice! Start by simply keeping a to-do list and checking things off. Then make it a habit to try to get a little more organized each month. There’s always room for improvements that could make your life simpler, more efficient, and less stressful.

To summarize, the most important reason to mange your time is that the less time you waste, and the more organized and efficient you are, the less stressful and more joyful your life will be.

Until next time, may all your self-employment dreams come true!

A freelancer sells time for money and has a very limited inventory. You can only sell so much of your time. I use the word loosely to include anyone who provides a service such as a landscaper or a graphic artist. In order to truly be successful, freelancers need to build a steady customer base, continually improve their craft, eventually become an expert in a niche until they get the big bucks.

Let’s say that a really good freelancer, after some number of years of honing their craft earns $60 per hour. He spends half his time getting new business, staying educated, etc. so he can bill 20 hours per week. That’s the $60,000 per year happy income level. Then it’s just a matter of raising rates over time and putting some of that away.

The Power of Consulting

Consultants sell time for money too, and, like freelancers, they must also continually improve, raise rates over time, build a client base, etc. But consultants can also earn money through educational services and products like lectures, seminars, and books which can produce residual income for years to come. Consultants are often involved in developing companies as board members or advisers, which can also provide additional income. Consultants also sometimes leverage other people’s time such as freelancers, and many even have a staff of their own.

A good consultant can earn $75 to $300 an hour and more, and bill 10 to 20 hours a week. Add to that sales of books, lectures, seminars, investments, etc., minus expenses, that adds up to a potential six figure income. Most people would find it easy to live a nice lifestyle and retire comfortably at that income level.

Small Business, Big Leverage

A small business leverages employees’ time and adds value to a marketplace. A small business can be expanded, replicated, franchised, etc. A small business requires organized operational systems and the ability to delegate important aspects of your business to people you trust. People you can trust who are great at what they do are your most important asset.

Successful small businesses invest in brand identity through product or service development and marketing. They use profits to expand operations, expand locations, expand product lines, franchise, and so on. They sometimes invest in real estate. And some successful small business owners reinvest their profits into starting more businesses.

Assuming 5-10% profit, a small business which generates somewhere in the neighborhood of $1-2 Million dollars per year (not a lot of money) would earn you $100,000 yearly, which isn’t bad at all.

But something magical happens if you build your small business properly – the business itself becomes your nest egg and you can sell it when you retire!

A profitable business can sell for anywhere from 1 to 10 times the annual revenue of the company, sometimes more! A $2 million company will usually sell for $2 million to $20 million dollars depending on profit margin and good will. The average is around 2.5 times the annual revenue or $5 million in the above example. That adds up to a pretty okay retirement.

As you progress in your career you can move up from a freelance service provider to a consultant and maybe eventually build and expand you own business.

If done right, it generally takes a mere 3 to 10 years of hard work to build a million dollar business. For that reason alone, if you’re nearing middle age, going right for the small business might be your best option.

Best of luck in your ventures and may all your self-employment dreams come true!

Repetition is King

Biggest mistake in advertising, bar none, is running an ad campaign once or twice and thinking it’s not working and giving up on it. Growing a business is like growing lumber. You can’t expect to plant a seed today and have it turn into lumber tomorrow. Over time, the impressions accumulate, your message get honed, you gain more credibility, your sale closing ratio increases, and it pays off more and more. Always plan advertising campaigns as part of a long-term strategy.

• Long-term strategies eventually work.
• One-off campaigns rarely work.

Location, Location, Location

As with real estate the three most important aspects of successful advertising are location, location, and location. Become a landmark! Choose a place and time to run your ads and be consistent. Sponsor a particular column or show, or sponsor the weather report, or the sports page. Then when someone needs your services, they’ll know where to find you. “Where’s that coupon for a free birthday sundae that I keep seeing. Oh, yeah, it’s in the local sports section!”

• Consistent, targeted advertising location usually works.
• Inconsistent ad location rarely works.

As Seen On TV

Radio and TV advertising are tricky but the same principals apply. Think long-term. Choose your place and time and stick with it. Be consistent with how you deliver your message but alter the message over time. For example many furniture store owners or car dealers will be their own spokes person but change the offering every week. Keep adjusting your message until it hits a home run.

• One messenger, many offers, works.
• Inconsistent delivery doesn’t work.

Track It Or Lose It

If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. If you don’t measure the effectiveness of each individual ad campaign you can’t learn which portions of your budget are draining cash and which are creating cash. If nothing else keep a clipboard list of the ads you are running and add a check mark every time you get a lead. At least you’ll get a visual of what’s working and what’s not.

• Lead tracking works.
• Blind advertising  – who knows?

A few more pieces of advice:

• Advertising money isn’t fun money. Don’t gamble with it. Never run ads just to see if they will work.
• Determine what percentage of your sales you can reinvest in advertising and create a budget and a long-term plan.
• Don’t just say “we deserve your business,” always include a tempting offer in your ads.
• Ask the publisher what works for long-term advertisers. See who’s been around for a long time and emulate them.
• Finally, find a consultant who knows advertising and run your ideas by them once a week or once a month. A little professional advice goes a long way towards putting your money in the right place.

Good luck and may all your self-employment dreams come true!