Question

Topic: Other

Home/smal Businesses You Can Start On A Shoestring

Posted by Anonymous on 1/12/2009 at 7:14 PM ET 500 Points
If you're like me, I know most marketing people get tons of ideas of businesses someone could start with no money or on a shoestring.

I'm compiling some ideas. If you have one, please tell me it along with any explanation needed to clarify.

I'm putting this at 500 points to pry out as many ideas as possible.

Thanks.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by michael on 1/12/2009 at 10:38 PM Accepted
    dog walker
    house sitter
    telemarketer
    snow shoveler
    sales rep
    errand boy
    buddy ride (illegal taxi)
    take-out pick up service
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 1/13/2009 at 8:24 AM Accepted
    virtual assistant
    web site designer
    gardener
    mover / hauler
  • Posted by melissa on 1/13/2009 at 11:05 AM Accepted
    depends on your background and education, but here are a few that come to mind:
    - consultant
    - product/prototype reviewer
    - website analyzer
    - mail stuffer/sorter
    - gift bag or giveaway stuffer
    - PPC account setup, maintenance
  • Posted on 1/15/2009 at 7:08 PM Moderator
    Notice that all these businesses are personal service businesses. They don't require any product, storefront, equipment or inventory. That's why you can start the businesses with no money.

    The problem with your premise, however, is that somehow these businesses are expected to market themselves, and that's not realistic. Marketing doesn't just happen, and it rarely happens without some serious investment. And that keeps it from qualifying as a business you can start without any money.

    So you really have asked a Catch-22 question, unless the objective is to start a business that will most likely fail because there is no provision/funding for marketing. (That's the number one reason most new businesses fail: under-capitalization, discounting the importance of marketing.
  • Posted on 1/15/2009 at 7:27 PM Author
    Thanks all. My goal is simply creating a list of "ideas" of low cost businesses to start right now.

    All will need marketing, that's a fact. But that comes after the right "idea" has struck the right person into wanting to take action.

    If anyone has more, I'll keep the question open a few more days. I was hoping for more. But I can re-post.

    J
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