By Donald Michael Schwartz

Starting a freelance writing business is a dream of many people. Part of the allure is the thought of working from home and choosing your own hours. There is one problem with that thinking – deadlines. Freelance writing, although, can be a rewarding business. But, be ready to be very patient in the building of such a business. You may not get paid that much when you first start out, but you can get better paying assignments as you establish your reputation. There are many specialties within the freelance writing business, you could work as a newspaper or magazine reporter, contribute content to blogs, write grant requests, work on speeches for special occasions, etc.

Job duties

When starting a freelance writing business your most important duty will be prospecting for writing jobs. Once you find jobs you are interested in, you will need to bid on them. When you win a bid, you need to make sure you understand all the needs and requirements of the job. You will need to make sure the jobs are done in a timely manor. You will also need to edit for grammar, spelling and style. If you are doing academic writing, you will need to prepare the papers according to the MLA handbook or whatever style book the customer is using.

Where will you work?

When starting a freelance writing business much of the work is on the Internet, so you can work anywhere there is a good Internet connection. It is good, though, to work in an area with a lot of up-and-coming small businesses and organizations. They will need press releases, and other types of letters written. Non-profits need grant writers. A resort area could also be a good source for writing assignments.

Basic Costs

When starting a freelance writing business you will need to buy a good computer set up, and pay for an Internet connection. For local prospects you will need a gasoline budget. You will also need to set up an unlimited phone account so that you can communicate with clients and interview subjects. You should get a good laptop computer, so that you can write as you travel around. You should also have a printer and good quality paper made for that type of printer.

Starting a Freelance Writing Business Tips

• If you want to make money as a poet then think outside the stanza – you could solicit wedding planners to offer their customers custom vow writing services. Or, you could market custom eulogy services to funeral homes. It is difficult to make a living publishing poetry books, but there are many poetry contests available.
• Check out the job boards – many job boards charge you a commission and have too many people willing to work below minimum wage. But, it is a place to start, and as you build your reputation on the board you can start winning bids for better paying assignments.
• Keep an open mind and observant ear – think about different kinds of professionals who need to make speeches, and could use a good speech writer.
• Do volunteer work for people or organizations you want to write for – volunteering for college departments or non-profits is a good way to establish a reputation.

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By Donald Michael Schwartz

Have you done a lot of hair braiding for friends? Have you expanded your portfolio of styles and built up your hair braiding speed? If you answered yes to the above questions, then might want to consider starting a hair braiding business. If your state allows it, you could start in your home; or you could start by leasing space or a chair in a salon. The hair braiding business can be quite lucrative, once you have built up your reputation and clientele. You will need to take the proper course or courses and then pass your licensing exams.

Job duties

When starting a hair braiding business you will need to find a space to operate out of. If the state or local government does not let you operate out of your home, then you will need to find a chair or a section in a salon to lease. You will need to decide which braiding styles you will offer and how much to charge for each of them. When doing this consider what your competition is charging. You should keep a client database so that you remember braiding information and personal details of returning clients. You will also need to know how to unbraid hair without damaging it. When starting a hair braiding business you will need to promote it. If you expand, you will need to hire qualified employees. You will also need to be sure you have all the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance coverage.

Where will you work?

When starting a hair braiding business you will work in areas where hair braiding is popular (it could be an urban area). Check to see how long the hair braiding shops have been in business in a locale. Has there been a steady growth of hair braiding services over the years? Survey salons without hair braiding services to see if they think their clients would like to have that type of service added to the salon.

Basic Costs

When starting a hair braiding business you will need to pay for the necessary licenses and permits. You will also have the cost of your space lease if you are not working from home. You will have to start out with a collection of tools and combs for your business. You will need a phone for making appointments. You should also have an appointment book.

Starting hair braiding business tips

• Build your brand – you will need to promote your hair braiding business through social media, fliers and an ad campaign.
• Promote through education – go to interested groups and organizations to offer talks about the latest in hair braiding styles and caring for braided hair. You can also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of hair braiding over other hair styling techniques.
• Build up a portfolio of pictures of hair braiding styles – you could buy books with different hair braiding options pictured. You can also cut out pictures of celebrities in hair braids out of magazines and put them in a scrapbook.
• Look for other profit points – have a collection of beads and ribbons to sell to your customers for the purpose of adorning their braids.
• Consider specializing – you could specialize in your hair braiding services, i.e., opening up a hair braiding business for children.
• Trends – Keep up with the latest trends in hair braiding.

Advertising a Hair Braiding Business

When starting a hair braiding business you can advertise through the following methods. You can test various forms of advertising to see which are the most effective for your business in your location. Keep the advertising methods that are bringing you the highest return on investment.

• Hair Braiding Business Cards- Give out your business cards whenever an opportunity appears. Network as much as possible.
• Flyers- Determine if you can put up flyers in local grocery stores, parks, bakeries, beauty stores, daycares, community centers, and more. It is best to ask the owner of these businesses for permission first. Also hand out flyers to passer byes on the street.
• Website- You can decide to develop a website to provide clients with access to general information about your hair braiding services such as rates and styles.
• Social Media Sites- Take advantage of social media sites such as twitter and facebook to promote your services.
• Craigslist.com- You can use Craigslist.com to advertise your services.

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When starting a health club business you can decide to buy into a franchise or start on your own. As with other industries in this down economy, the health club industry has seen slow growth lately, but there are projections for slightly better growth for the health club industry in the near future. A fast growing number of clubs are using social media to keep their members engaged in their clubs with alerts of special events and promotions. There is also work being done using software to track members’ health progress in order to offer new approaches to prevent illness and injury. Today it takes more than a love and knowledge of fitness equipment to succeed; when starting a health club business you will need to be creative and find ways to keep making the health club experience relevant for its members.

Job duties

When starting a health club business you will need to first write up a detailed business plan. You will need to determine what the goals of your club will be for your members; i.e., primarily core strength training, preventive health programs, or primarily weight loss, etc. You will want to conduct market research to uncover if there will be enough demand for the services you are offering in your area. You will have to estimate costs out all the necessary equipment and supplies. You will have to find out about the licensing of the club and its instructors. When starting a health club business you will need to determine the square footage needed for the facility. It is often a good idea to train your employees in safe exercise techniques in order to lower injury rates in your club. When starting a health club business, to keep members coming back, you will need to employ creative social media solutions (such as using twitter and facebook). You will need to make sure you are well-covered by insurance.

Where will you work?

When choosing a location for starting a health club business, you first should figure out who is your target market. Conduct market research to help you uncover if indeed there is enough demand for this kind of service in your location. Also analyze the competition. Figure out if people go to health clubs either to or from work, and make sure your location is easily accessible.

Basic Costs

Starting a health club is no inexpensive venture. Even with a small club, there is still the cost of the space rental and the purchasing of the equipment. In addition to the equipment, there is the hiring and training of qualified staff. People also expect the clubs to have a nice atmosphere. When starting a health club business you should have all the necessary insurance, licenses, and permits. You should also have a safety audit done on your club before you open. Your insurance company and fire department can help you with this. Before spending a dime you should estimate all costs associated with starting your health club business, both fixed and variable costs. Determine how much you will charge the members, and your break even point. You need to determine if your profit expectations are attainable in your location.

Starting a health club business tips

Seek Assistance Starting a new venture on your own can make you feel like a fish out of water. Seek advice and help from experts in the field. You can find business experts at little to no cost at a small business development center near you. You can also consult with experts at a SCOREs Chapter near you.

Take good care of your customers – your clients are not going to your club for just the equipment. You need to provide a good balance between professionalism and friendliness. You can consider offering the option of health monitoring to keep your members motivated.

Be a part of the community – participate in community events. Look for opportunities to educate potential members. Keep your brand out in front of the community.

Pay attention to your R.O.I. – understanding return on investment is very important. You will need to work closely with an accountant to understand what it will take to get your return on various investments. The R.O.I will then need to be tracked to see if cost controls need to be employed, and how much more income needs to be generated to meet R.O.I. goals.

Advertising a Health Club Business

When advertising your health club business you can try out a variety of the following techniques to advertise your business. Be sure to keep track of their performance. Keep the methods of advertising that are working out the best for your business and dump the ones that are not :

• Health Club Business Cards- Create business cards and hand them whenever an opportunity appears.
• Word of Mouth- Word of Mouth can be a very effective way to spread the word about your health club business. Encourage word of mouth. Offer members discounts when they refer other members. Offer gift cards.
• Signage- Make sure people can tell what your business is from the outside. This way you can make the most of passby traffic.
• Website- You can decide to have a website to provide customers with general information about your health club business such as location and prices.
• Social Media- Take advantage of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Not sure about Starting a Health club Business? See a list of small business ideas

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Have you noticed that bees seem to love your garden? Maybe you have considered starting a beehive.

In the past the beehives were cone shaped. This was a problem because the colony of bees had to be destroyed in order to remove the honey. However the modern hive we use today is a closed box which contains frames which can be removed without disturbing the others. Before the beekeeper removes a frame from the beehive they must use a special smoker/ smoke box to calm the bees and make them less likely to sting. Be sure to research the procedure for this. A Honey Extractor is the machine used to extract the honey.

The bees will work in partnership with the plants; the plants will produce the nectar which will be gathered by the bees which they will use to create honey. In the process the bees will help pollinate the plants which is an essential role in agriculture and keeping natural environments sustained. You need to be careful, though, to learn as much as you can about starting a beehive which will be productive and safe for your bees. You should research and read as much as you can about how to care for bees properly. Once you become experienced in this field of beekeeping you can help others start or re-start their bee hives.

Job duties

When starting a beehive business you will first have to check your local ordinances regarding location and maintenance of beehives. Especially if you live in a residential area you will need to make sure beekeeping is allowed in your area. Also ask about necessary licenses and permits needed to start a beehive in your area. You will need to find a reputable beehive kit and accessory supplier. You will need to make sure you have the proper protective gear and seeds for the flowers your bees will draw nectar from. You will need to plant and tend the bee’s flower garden. You will need to research how the configuration of your garden will affect the flavor of the honey. You will also need to know how to keep your bees healthy and learn about the bee medicines available. Very importantly, you will need to make sure you and your helpers have the necessary equipment and knowledge to work with the bees safely.

Where will you work?

When starting a beehive business you will need to set up your beehive in a locality in which it is allowed by local ordinances. You will need to work in a climate and environment favorable to honey bees. Having a large yard is helpful so that you better contain the bees and avoid complaints from neighbors. The beehive should be placed in a remote section away from people and children. You will also need the land surrounding the hive to be favorable to the flowers you want them to pollinate. You also need to be in area with minimal toxins your bees would be sensitive to.

Basic Costs

If you already have the favorable property secured, the costs can be fairly moderate. There are websites like GreenBeeHives.Com which supply the materials needed to build a hive from scratch or kits to work from. You will need to purchase the bees, once the hive and bee garden is ready. You will also need to purchase the beekeeping ware, and the equipment and medicines to protect your bees. You will also have the usual cost of starting and maintaining a business, such as accounting, legal, promotional, and office supply costs. You can sell your honey to established beekeepers to avoid the costs of bottling and distributing the honey. If needed you can decide setting up a beetle trap.

Starting a Beehive Business Tips

Seek Guidance- Experts in the field can offer you useful advice on caring for bees and running a successful beehive business. The American Beekeeping Federation and the Back Yard Beekeepers Association may be able to help in your search. You can also look at forums for beekeepers.

Work with a “green” bee hive building supplier – you want to do everything you can to make sure you are not introducing anything toxic to the bees. A reputable supplier can also answer a lot of your questions.

Be the sought after flavor – be very mindful about the flowers you plant, because they will influence the flavor of the honey. If you have extra sites, you can experiment with new nectar combinations.

Keep you bees healthy– make sure you have all the necessary medicine on hand, and keep up on any diseases spreading in your area. Be mindful that pesticides can be harmful to bees. Be aware of Colony Collapse Disorder
which are affecting an increasing number of beehives.

Get an Allergy Test- Prior to the handling of bees it is a good idea to get an allergy test to make sure you are not allergic to them.

More Resources

Information on Bees
Information on Beehives

Advertising a Beehive Business

When advertising your beehive business try out a variety of the following techniques to advertise your business and keep track of their performance. Keep the methods that are working out the best for your business and dump the ones that are not:

• Beehive Business Cards- Create business cards and hand them whenever an opportunity appears.
• Farmers markets- You can decide to sell your honey at local farmers markets and flee markets. However if you decide to do so be sure you adhere to labeling requirements. You also need to call your local and state government offices in the area of your business to ask about what needs to be done so you can sell your honey directly to consumers. You will also need to purchase FDA approved containers
• Website:You can decide to have a website to provide customers with general information about your beehive business. You can even include website address on your jar label.

Not sure about Starting a Beehive Business? See a list of small business ideas

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Have you been on a few bike tours? Have you noticed what has worked and what has not on the tours? If you love riding your bicycle and promoting your favorite bike rides with others, than starting a bike tour may be your ticket. The great thing about starting a bike tour business is that you do not have to quit your job to start it. You could start by offering a few tours a year, or on the weekends or holidays. There are even short evening tours you could offer.

Job duties

When starting a bike tour business you will need to do competitive research on other bicycle tours. You will need to decide on what added services you want to provide. You will want to check for any required permits or licenses needed to operate a bike tour. You will also have to make sure you have adequate insurance. You may want to hire a lawyer to help you develop a waiver form for tour participants to sign. You will also need to develop an advertising and cross-promotional campaign. You may need to hire additional employees for big tours. You need to determine if most of your business can be done through your home office. You will need to find an approved staging area to begin and end your tours.

Where will you work?

Tourist areas would be ideal when starting a bike tour business, but also keep in mind the location’s competition and local rules. You should choose a location where people want to tour. A place with many sites and scenic views to see. You can decide to start with a tour off the beaten track. If you have a reputation for knowing the hidden secrets of an area, this can be a good place to start.

Basic Costs

The start up costs depend on how big you want to start. For instance, if you want to host long distance tours, you will need a chase vehicle. The basic costs for any bike tour company would include a good repair kit, a first aid kit, a cell phone with a good range, a promotional budget, insurance, and the basic costs of running a home office. You will need a bicycle and helmet for yourself if you don’t already have one.

Starting a Bike Tour Business Tips

Research what tours are available in your state– you can start with google search, e.g., +bicycle +tour +Michigan (the “+” symbol in front of a word makes it a required word in the search).

Do your competitive intelligence – you need to research other bike touring companies. You can start with the above search. Look to see what kind of tours they offer, their tour rules, tour prices, years in business, etc. Look at the comments about the tour. If you have gone on a tour with a company, they might be more willing to give you advice – especially if they are in a different area than you want to operate. Look up reviews of bicycle tours. Go on a couple different tours. Observe what customers like and don’t like about the tour. Casually mention to the owner or one of the guides, “Gee, this tour was great, I would like to start one at X place.” This may engender interest from the guides and guests.

Other places you can check for professional advice – bicycling organizations have a general interest in promoting biking and may need your services to help with a tour they are sponsoring. Bike shops who don’t offer tours may be your best bet in getting professional advice and referrals for more advice. You can also talk to the local tourist bureaus. They are going to have an interest in anything that promotes tourism in their community.

Come up with unique themes – even if there is a lot of competition in your area, you can come up with a unique theme for your ride. Some ideas might include a taco stand tour, a haunted house night ride, garden tour, etc. If you have a special knowledge of the area, you can use this to your advantage.

Package your deals – the money is in the packaging. Include a souvenir t-shirt. If you can get a commission from other businesses, you can package things such as accommodations, restaurant stops, entertainment, etc. Maybe you can even include a tune-up stop at a local bike shop. Have accessories you lend out for the higher priced packages.

Advertising a Bike Tour Business

When starting a bike tour business you can advertise through the following methods. You can test various forms of advertising to see which are the most effective for your business in your location. Keep the advertising methods that are paying off and dump the ones that are not. You should also look at places where your ads will likely be seen by your target market (the people likely to want to go on a bike tour).

• Bike Tour Business Cards-Create business cards and hand them whenever an opportunity appears. Network as much as possible.
• Flyers- Determine if you can put up flyers in local parks, bus stops, gyms, biking trails, community centers, and more. It is best to ask the owner of these businesses for permission first. Also hand out flyers to passer byes on the street.
• Yahoo Local Searches- If you include your business in the Yahoo Local Searches, when people search for your service in your local area your business will appear in the list. To add your business to Yahoo local search, enter the term “add business to yahoo local search” in Yahoo.com and click on the first link.
• Google Local Searches- Google has a local search as well. To add your business to Google local search, enter the term “add business to google search” in Google.com and click on the first link.
• Website- You can decide to develop a website to provide clients with access to general information about your bicycle rental business. Be sure to include information such as rates and directions on your website.
• Social Media- Create a twitter and facebook page for your bicycle tour business and encourage visitors to join. You can use social media to let customers know of discounts or special themed tours.
• Online- People are constantly looking online for fun things do in their city and local area. Search for “things to do in (your state or city)” in search engines such as google and check out the websites that appear. Contact the website owner and let them know of your bike tour business and if they can add your business to their website. You can also go on forums for bikers and let them know of your bike tour.
• Newspaper- You can consider advertising in your local newspaper.

Not sure about starting a bike tour business? See a list of small business ideas

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