Home Based Business on a Shoestring

A Home Business Article Contributed by Sharon Hill

The Best Home Based Business to Start If You Have Little Money

There are several types of business that you can start out of your home if you don't have much money. These are occupations that require little upfront capital and equipment to start and that you can grow part time, home based, without your having to "quit your day job."

Direct Mail - the Home Based Business That Can be Done Part Time Anywhere, Anytime

Direct mail has now evolved to include not only using snail mail to solicit sales and deliver goods but also using e-mail and Internet. It's still incredibly flexible. You can do it as much or as little as you want, any place you want, any hour you want.

Some great home based direct mail businesses: writing newsletters, selling books (especially how-to and self-improvement books), magazines, videos or CDs; distributing food or recipes; providing yours or another's expertise and information; finding loans or college financial aid for folks; selling unusual gifts - trinkets, gadgets; selling 900 numbers or 900 number access; selling advertising; selling or renting e-mail or direct mail lists; many many others.

I bet this list has you thinking, right? Sit down and start a list of your own. Try to come up with 100 things you might be able to offer by direct mail in your home based business. Keep in mind that this should be able to be done after work hours.

How Much Money do You Need?

There's no one time answer for this - of course, it depends on the home based business you choose. While working at home you won't need to pay additional rent for an office, obviously, but you may have to install broadband where dial up has worked for you up to now. You may have to pay someone to create a web site. You may need to buy or rent an e-mail or direct mail list. When choosing your business keep in mind what each will require in additional equipment or supplies.

Will one, for instance, require that you spend time and money on training, while another just requires that you rent a list, buy some printer paper and envelopes and get to producing? These are questions you need to ask yourself and note each. Set up a spreadsheet that compares your five top choices for home based business. Note what each needs. That may bring you to your decision.

Getting the Word out about Your Home Based Business

Whatever direct mail item or service you decide to provide, you cannot do it without advertising. Skip this part and your business will fail. Word of mouth is great, of course, Then start with your local papers. They love to talk about residents who are starting their own business. Join associations, clubs and organizations of entrepreneurs - folks who will understand what you're going through, will gladly tell you what's worked for them, and keep you motivated.

Head to your nearest Small Business Administration - peruse their lending library, set up an appointment with a staff member who will help you get started. Ask for help from SCORE. Their volunteers have been there, done that - retired executives who will give you their time free of charge. If and when you start advertising in a print or online product ask to be assigned to one particular sales rep who will be your only contact. Make her or him your friend - your "partner."

Get online and find groups, such as Yahoo, for example - that allow you to talk back and forth by email with other entrepreneurs. Get all the help and free advertising you can, as often as you can.

Growing your home based business on a shoestring is not impossible - it's probable. You just have to plan ahead, and ask for help. It's definitely out there.