List of Small Business Ideas

The following is a list of small business Ideas of all kinds, internet and conventional.

If you want specific Internet business guidance follow this link if you want to set up a successful business on a web site.

If you want to start making money on the web then this is the place for more information.

Some of the following ideas require some type of skill to perform well, but also many of these skills can be learned or require very little knowledge. There are also references to companys dealing in kits and help for the different skills, although a search on the internet should find your local supplier.

Whilst these ideas are not dependent on internet, usage it would of course make the transactions and operation much easier. Internet business are everywhere on the web so I do not include any here.

Although the articles below contain addresses mostly based in the UK, a search on the net will result in similar companies in any most countries. The information here is not extensive, it is simply a list of possible ideas. It is likely you can modify or change the idea to better fit your experience and circumstances.

Should you wish to have a web presence follow this link for the best way to start however experienced you are, I can thoroughly recommend this system.

It depends on your location which of these ideas applies, something that may work in India may not be feasible in Europe or the USA, but I include these items as they may strike a chord with you.

The list of Entrepreneur Ideas contains addresses and publications related to the UK and USA; whilst the contacts may be valid, the publications have equivalents in many countries.

The list is basically a brainstorm aid to cover as wider range of self employment opportunities as possible.

Please remember, some of the activities below are aimed at people living in some parts of Asia and areas where there is much less usage of the internet. In these places there are still very good opportunities for more manual systems and exploitation of your own P. C. and internet connection.

Animal Breeding

Animal Breeding - Pedigree dogs and other pets command high prices today. It is important to start with the right stock and keep to the instructions given in handbooks available at local public libraries and on the web. Two females mated at different times of the year could prove profitable.

People in all walks of life make a good income from breeding not only dogs but also cats, canaries, budgerigars, etc., but dog breeding is particularly profitable. Whatever type of animal you choose to breed, it pays to go in for unusual ones, such as Papillion dogs, Persian cats, Chinese hamsters, etc. Sell through classified advertisement in local newspapers and "Sunday Times".

At-Home Baby Sitting

Baby sitting is an increasing in-demand spare-time activity. Mothers bring their child to the sitter’s home, some taking seven or eight at once, charging by the hour, plus something extra if a meal is given.

Of course you can start with friends and neighbours, but do not underestimate the stress, particularly if you don't have children of your own.

It is possible that you will need to obtain some type of certification if you plan to make a regular business out of it. Of course the vast majority providing this business are women and preferably have children themselves. Your own children may be the best promotion for you business.

Baby Sitting Agency

A baby-sitting (and invalid sitting) agency is well worthwhile. Operators advertise for baby sitters in the local newspaper and check their suitability. The agency mails postcards to parents, women's groups and church groups making known its service. Fees to parents range from $3 to $5 per hour (more after midnight). The agency takes 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the sitter's fee. A one-woman or one-man agency can handle 35 to 40 sitters.

Bookkeeping Service

Local newspapers and Craigslist often contain part-time vacancies, or you can approach grocers, service stations, clubs, public houses and various retailers who may need a home bookkeeping service, rather than a more expensive firm of accountants, to help prepare and maintain tax forms and records. Training can be obtained at evening classes search for correspondence courses on the net.

Buying and Selling Old China and Glass

It is possible to make good profits by buying certain types of old china and glass from second-hand stores, auction sales, etc., and selling them privately and to antique dealers. It is necessary to get to know the subject and which items are in demand; this can be done by the internet or by studying books in the public library.

Buying and Selling On Commission

Buying and Selling - start with an outbuilding or store room until you can take a small shop. No knowledge of your goods is necessary.

Take a commission of 15% to 25% on everything you sell. Suppose a customer brings in a table, chair, or camera for which he asks a certain price.

When you have found a buyer, you notify your client, who collects the cash and pays your commission.

Your only expenses are for the space, and classified ads. Furniture, T.V. sets, cameras, typewriters, prams, sell well.

You may want to specialise in an area you know something about, this can be quite profitable. If you chooses small items then this opens up the possibility of dealing on the net.

Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning Is a growing business. In Europe and America especially, more and more people own and operate an 'on location' rug and furniture cleaning franchise, such as Service-master.

In England, similar firms advertise in "Exchange & Mart", "Sunday Times", and "The Observer".  A franchise is a ready made business, but you can go it alone, the main investment is an industrial type carpet/fabric cleaning system.

It may be worth talking to companies who produce the Shampoo or detergent, it is in their interests to provide you with the equipment if you will use their products.

Check on the net and newspapers to see if there is much competition in your area.

You can also add furniture cleaning once you become established.

Cartoonists

This is quite unusual but can be very lucrative. Cartoonists are always looking for ideas for cartoons, gags political comment etc.

Have a look in your local paper or magazines, contact them if you have a good idea that they may use. You do not have to be able to draw but write your idea down and send it.

Children's Playroom

Some women have developed a profitable second income by turning one of their rooms into children’s playroom, fixing it up with bright walls, games, puzzles, toys and books. They take in neighbours' children aged from four to 10, for an agreed rate per afternoon, leaving parents free for shopping etc.

Chinchilla Breeding

Is equally profitable. This can be undertaken at home since most people have a spare corner or cupboard under the stairs to keep the cages. Chinchillas are becoming extremely popular animals hence this can become a very profitable croft business.

Collect and Sell Coins

Coin collecting is booming. Supplying collectors is a profitable home business.

Get to know values by reading books and catalogues, looking at auctions on the net. Buy carefully from reputable dealers and from private sources through classified ads in local papers and eBay.

Sell through private contacts, Ebay, mail order advertisements in “Coins”, other collectors’, and hobby magazines.

There are many books around on coin valuation and catalogues referring to particular countries currency issues.

Condition is everything in the coin dealing business or Numismatics as it is known. Buy at local fairs in job lots and sell in sets on the net of course eBay has a large section on coins where you can learn.

Collect and Sell Autographs

These can be picked up, often cheaply, from estate sales and second-hand bookshops; also by writing to famous people telling them how much you appreciate something they have done or written, (such letters often bring a thank you note). Sell by mail order through classified ads in the literary magazines. There is a large section regarding autographs on Ebay.

Collection Service

Many people with the ability to write good letters have done well helping business firms with their overdue accounts.

Sample collection letters given in handbooks from public libraries can be adapted to suit various types of businesses. Charge customers from 10% on all money brought in.

Costume Jewellery

Homemade costume jewellery sells well to jewellery outlets, gift shops, hairdresser’s shops, clothes boutiques, and by direct mail. It is possible to start with limited capital. Read books borrowed from the local library, study trade journals, and literature issued by manufacturers of fittings and supplies. Search for Costume Jewelry on the net or eBay.

Craft Work

Craft Work, because good craftsmanship is scarce today home craftsmen can readily sell attractive work through gift shops, furniture stores, eBay and other retailers, also privately. Unusual bookshelves, bookracks, bookends, novelties, wireworks, marquetry, leatherwork, etc. Addresses of handicraft materials and hobby kit suppliers are usually obtainable on the net.

Making Lamps and Shades

Making Lamps and Shades at home pays well, as they often sell for many times the material costs. Lampshades can be made in home workshops from linen, plastics, silk, paper and parchment. Local public libraries have manuals on the subject. Outlets are eBay, gift shops and department stores. Co-operate with interior designers.

Basketry and Cane Work

This can be successful if you keep a good standard of workmanship. Use bright enamel paints for finishing and keep to standard designs and articles. Study the market and offer your products on sale or return to gift and novelty shops, stores, women's exchanges etc. Basketry and other wickerwork with raffia, needs, etc..., appeals to many people. Popular items are lampshades, baskets, mats, trays, footstools, hats, chair seats and backs.

Curios and Novelties

Made at home, these items can be sold directly to the public or through retail outlets such as gift shops, novelty and curio shops.

Dancing Lessons

Dancing Lessons need skill and a gift for teaching. Local classified ads bring pupils. Teach in your own home at first. Special classes for middle-aged people pay well. This activity increases greatly during the season of "Dance with the Stars" program being shown on Television.

Decorated Candles

These are good sellers to gift shops. Study craft magazines, visit gift shops, and try to turn out something different. There are many Kits on Ebay.

Demonstrations

Details of an attractive range of luxury skin care products for demonstrating from your own home at generous profits are obtainable from B & G Delaney, 18 Wellington Square, Chelsea, London SW3. Agents to sell beauty preparations are wanted by Avon Cosmetics Ltd., 84 Baker Street, London W.1.

Dog Training

If you have the gift for it, and the necessary expertise from books on dog training you can get this kind of profitable work with regular advertising in the local press. This can be combined with the sale of dog requisites.

Draw Cartoons for Magazines and Newspapers

Cartoonists are well paid today and there are some excellent handbooks and correspondence courses on the subject. Some cartoonists do well by specialising in supplying industrial magazines with cartoons. Markets are listed in "Writers and Artist Year Book".

Dressmaking

There is money in a home dressmaking service. It often pays to specialise. Some do well re-modeling old dresses, or making novelties or children's wear.

A sign in your window, a card on YWCA notice boards and local supermarkets can get local work. Also making to your own design and selling on eBay can be very profitable.

You can also supply direct to local dress and children's shops. Children's clothes do very well as they do not require large amounts of material and have a higher selling price.

A money-saving idea if you make children's dresses is to buy bulk remnants from large manufacturers or Ebay.

Dressmaking for Off-Sized People

Because so many people cannot wear the standard-sized costumes sold in shops, this is an excellent specialty.

Embroidering

Beautifully decorated cigarette cases, velvet compacts, pin cushions, baby dresses etc., is profitable. Sales are through gift shops. Get "Embroidery" magazine, which advertises opportunities and a correspondence course from Embroiderers Guild, 73 Wimpole Street, London W.1. or in your own country.

Entertaining

Entertaining in the form of singing, recitations, magic, dancing, doing a comedy act etc.

This activity calls for skill and probably talent in your particular line, and a "way" with an audience. To get bookings it is necessary to become well known in your area by giving benefit performances for charitable affairs, hospitals and orphanages.

These can lead to paid bookings at clubs, social gatherings, and nightclubs.

Felt Craft

It is quite easy and often highly lucrative. Home operators obtain low-priced kits from supply houses, scraps from department stores, milliners and mills, and make toy animals, table mats, handbags, holders, hot dish pads, slippers, hats, belts glass cases, felt flowers, purses. Sell to gift shops.

Furniture and Appliance Repairing

If you have the ability, there is good scope in this field because everywhere people like to be able to call in someone to salvage old furniture, remodel lamps, fix chairs and sofas, etc.

Hand Decorating

Hand Decorating, the decorating of ordinary objects pays well. Their value can be quadrupled.

Prepared stencils and designs are available from hobby shops and on eBay You can work in attic or basement and need invest very little in supplies. Saleable items are initialed tumblers, stools, trays, jugs, boxes, wastebaskets, greeting cards, toys. Sell your work to gift shops on a sale or return basis or on eBay

Yard sales, auction rooms and junk shops are good places to find old woodwork, cupboards, trunks etc. These, (providing they are not valuable antiques), can be given a new lease of life and be made into a thing of beauty with a cleanup and a few deft strokes of the brush.

Handbill Distribution

For business, firms and other advertisers this can be profitable. Door-to-door delivery can be arranged with senior schoolchildren.

Sales letters sent to department stores and other local advertisers can bring good results advertisements in "The Trader" or local give away periodicals.

For the companies its a cheap way of getting their message out into the community.

You can recruit friends and family to help you, distribute several flyers/Handbills at the same time cut down on costs and improve efficiency.

Supermarkets, Electronics Stores, Local repair services are good possibilities. approach them directly.

Handwriting Analysis

handwriting analysis is a service, which can be profitably advertised with classified ads in magazines and newspapers.

The skill can be acquired from manuals on graphology.

Handyman Service

Profitable odd jobs for local householders include furniture repairing, patching up cement, simple plumbing, washing cars, sharpening lawn mowers, garden tidying, fixing labour-saving devices, shelves, etc. With the help of the popular manuals available, anyone can give first aid for the metal fitting and utensils in the house. It is often possible to pick up commission through work obtained for paperhangers, plasterers, carpenters, etc.

Hat Renovating

A number of women in small and larger towns add to their income by giving 'new life' to hats, changing the style to make them look new and different. Classified local advertisements and personal recommendations bring customers.

Home Manufacturing

Home Manufacturing is a very wide remit, but perhaps some ideas may come if you look around your own house. We have all purchased craft items and hand made goods at times.

Things such as lamps, bookmarks, place mats, etc. etc. think about what your skills and interests are.

You may be able to start selling these items at a local shop, allow the shop owner to make a reasonable profit, say 30%.

Be carefull with items such as food products, these may require special authority from the local health department.

Home Repair Shop

For toys, dolls and household items is appreciated in most towns. Such a service can be made known with announcements on notice boards, a sign in your window and with classified advertisements in local newspapers.

Import-Export Business

This field bristles with opportunities and involves only very modest expenditure to start. A considerable Income can be made with very little capital. The necessary expertise is easily acquired; there are reliable manuals on world trade, showing how to start, how to get government help, how and where to buy, how to sell locally and by mail, etc. There is a good deal of useful information and a wealth of source addresses in "Export-Import without Capital" (from your authorised distributor).

Knitting

Knitting - this is a home activity that pays well. Women buy sweaters, dresses and two and three-piece suits; men need mufflers, gloves, socks, jackets, sweaters; and children's knitted wear is in demand at good prices.

Sell privately through local baby wear shops, gift shops and other suitable retail outlets; by mail order; also by approaching suitable firms. If your standard of work is high you may get homework from companies who supply wool such as

Sirdar, (Sirdar Wools), Africa House, Kingsway, London W.C.2, Emu Wools Ltd, 15 Woodstock Street, London, W.1.;

Lavender Mill Ltd, 21 Kingly Street, Regent Street London, W.1.; Laines du Pinguin Ltd., 7 Lexington Street, London W.1.

A sample of your work may be requested. Write or eMail for details.

List Broking Service

Can provide a good income, spare-time or full-time. List Broking is big business in America and is a fast growing field in the U.K. It is the use of one firm's mailing list by another non-competing firm. Operating such a Mailing List Exchange is easy and profits are high. Instruction manuals on the subject are advertised in the various mail order journals.

Mail Order

You can start and operate a profitable mail order business at home with limited capital if you go the right way about it. Starting with almost no capital it is possible to make $400 a week part-time and $1000 (and much more) full time.

"I've found mail order a wonderful, a proven way to make high profits in spare time, at home. I think it is the finest spare-time business of all", writes James Carr, author of a well-known Mail Order Course. "You can start anywhere", he writes, "using your kitchen table for an office.

You do no personal selling. You can start with a modest amount of savings and grow big. Possibilities are practically unlimited if you use these techniques (described in his course). A home mail order business changed my whole life".

Selling books, manuals, folios and correspondence courses have made fortunes by mail. Other sound lines are selling gifts, novelties, kitchen gadgets, stamps to collectors, running an envelope addressing service. Periodicals and the internet provide the means to get your customers,

Making Curtains and Rugs

This can be a pleasant home occupation. Many people are glad of such a money-saving service. Get business through telephone and personal calls, letters and classified advertisements in local newspaper; sell privately and through gift shops. Get supplies at trade rates through wholesalers listed in the telephone book and in craft journals.

Making and Selling Handmade Jewellery

For this home business, you need artistic ability, finger dexterity and knowledge of the market. Handbooks give full information. Sell through friends, neighbours, church groups, members of women's clubs, gift and novelty shops, dress shops and beauty salons.

Managing Blocks of Flats

Owners of apartment houses are often glad to pay 5% of the rent to someone who will collect monthly rents, place income in the bank, superintend maintenance and show people over vacant flats. Some people make a good income of this, managing several blocks of flats. Books on the subject are likely to be found in local libraries. A classified advertisement offering your services in the local paper could be tried.

Manufacturers Representative

This means calling in independent and chain retail stores of all kinds and soliciting volume orders. You handle no merchandise but send the orders to the factory, which then ships the order direct to the retailer. There is no selling door-to-door to consumers. You need no office, only a telephone and some stationery. Ask your reference librarian for books.

Mending Service

For single men, business girls, schoolteachers, professional people and over-worked homemakers can pay well. Advertise at weekends in the classified section of your local newspaper. This work can be combined with some other sewing.

Modeling

Photographers, art schools, advertising agencies, moving picture agencies, department stores, T.V. stations, want women, men and boys as models for advertising, illustrations for clothes and other products, magazine illustrations.

Mushroom Growing

This can be conducted in a shed or basement. A thorough knowledge of the subject is essential. Sales can be made through a sign in your window; through local newspaper advertisements or a roadside stand; and to local greengrocers, restaurants and hotels. A mushroom growing kit is available from BM1, 421 London Road, Mitcham, Surrey.

Novelty Toy and Bric-A-Brac Shop

Interesting if you can make articles in demand that also sell to wholesalers, mail order houses, stores, souvenir shops, gift shops. Typical items: paperweights, desk sets, bookends.

Nursery School

Many women with the necessary experience with children earn good money operating a nursery school simply by making their services known through local classified advertisements.

Operate an Agency

Details of various agencies from Wessex First Aid Co., 6a Royal Parade, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey; Progressive Insurance Brokers, 7 Judd Street, London W.C.1; Garden Estate Nurseries Ltd., 4 Station Road, Wytleaf, Surrey, UK.

Out-Of-Print Books

This pays well. You place two-line classified ads in literary periodicals such as "Books and Bookman"“, Times Literary Supplement", "Time and Tide", offering to find scarce books a "free search service". You insert other ads indicating specific titles wanted in "The Clique". As offers come in you fix the price to your customer (double or treble the price you are quoted) on a postcard. Contact several large second-hand book dealers, tell them that you are in the book finding business, and get their prices and terms. Useful manual: "Money from Old Books" (see page 12) from your authorised distributor.

Paper Hanging

If you can do it well, is a wanted service. Insert classified ads saying you will decorate houses at low rates (get the expertise from library books). Request a discount of 20% on wallpaper supplied by retailers.

Part-Time Secretary

Many women do secretarial work at home for dentists, doctors and lawyers who do not require a secretary all day. They call for the client's recordings from a dictation machine and perform the work at home, at a considerable saving for the client. Other likely customers; ministers, associations, mail order firms, stores, restaurants, gas and electric companies. Freelance secretarial vacancies are dealt with by Freelance Secretaries, 36 Cavendish Road, Chesham, Bucks. (Tel. Chesham 2620). Enclose a stamped addressed envelope when writing.

Pet Owner Service

Shampooing and boarding pets is a sought-after service in higher-income areas. Poodle clipping is also in demand. Your local public library probably has books on dogs and clipping. Cards displayed at newsagents and classified advertisements in local newspapers bring this kind of business.

Photocopying Service

Photocopying Service together with fax and Telex Services - Communication and fast copying are vital requirements of modern businesses and executive professionals.

Facsimile and photocopiers are cheaply available. You can charge 10p per photocopy, $1.00 per minute for fax transmission and $1.50 per min for telexing. Advertise your service in classified sections of local newspapers. This business can be dovetailed with an existing business or run from home.

As not everyone in every country has the internet this is particularly suitable for those countries where limited internet access is available.

The Photocopier should be a dedicated machine with automatic feeder, the cost of using most PC printers as copiers would be too high and too slow.

One very popular area for Photocopying is for students to copy class work and text books, this means many pages being copied, although still much cheaper than the original.

Photography - Money from Your Camera

Free-lance photographers are making sizeable incomes. Clubs often want group shots of the membership. Home portraiture pays well. Local business firms buy pictures of their products. Retail stores want photographic show cards. Picture postcards of your town may sell well through local newsagents, stationers and gift shops. Many find it profitable to contact business firms offering to photograph merchandise for illustration in their sales literature.

"The Writers' and Artist' Year Book" contains a detailed list of firms wishing to buy all types of photographs. Correspondence courses are advertised in "Amateur Photographer". Agencies that consider photographs for syndication at best prices are: Keystone Press Agency Ltd., Keystone House, Red Lion Court, London E.C.4. (Tel:353 9634), Associated Press Ltd., News Photo Dept., 83/86 Farringdon Street, London E.C.4. (tel:583 1691).

Plastic Craftwork

Can be carried out on a card table at home. Manuals are readily obtainable showing how to make jewel boxes, paperweights, candleholders, penholders, cigarette boxes, costume jewellery and ornamental plaques for gift shop outlets.

Plastic Laminating

There is a demand for this service because so many people have documents and papers they want to preserve from deterioration by having them covered with a layer of plastic that is airtight. Business firms want photos, cards, maps, charts, clippings, etc., protected. Firms that show you how to get started advertise in "Exchange & Mart".

Poultry Breeding

If you have the inclination and the space, plus some ability for buying and selling, you could look into this possibility, studying the journals and manuals on the subject at the local library.

Postage Stamp Dealing

Gives plenty of scope today with the ever-increasing interest in stamp collecting for pleasure and profit. There are over 3 million collectors of stamps in the British Isles and about 12 million throughout the world. Even if you confine yourself to supplying collectors in Great Britain, you can make a good income. Many people are earning £75 to £150 weekly (and much more) selling postage stamps by mail order from home. You can get started without investment as a number of suppliers "drop ship" direct to your customers, so that you do not have to carry a lot of stock. Some leading mail order stamp dealers, now making thousands of pounds a year, started on the kitchen table. Offer the right stamps in the right manner and you cannot fail to make this absorbing hobby profitable. Nor do you need experience and knowledge of stamps if you follow the simple method given in Stanley Green's "Profitable Stamp Dealing" (from your authorised distributor) which shows exactly how to start and reveals tested moneymaking and money-saving techniques.

Pottery Craft Products

Can now be made at home at low expenditure on kits and clays from craft supply houses. There is a good market for gaily-decorated tiles for hanging on walls, decoration of fireplaces, etc., small pitchers and mugs, vases and flower bowls.

Preparing Speeches

If you have the ability to prepare speeches there is well paid work to be obtained from persons active in trade associations, literary clubs, political groups and social clubs. A letter, with your business card, sent to the secretaries of such associations may well lead to interesting work. Payment can be quite high according to the type of speech and the amount of research needed.

Printing Service

Selling printed items (letterheads, envelopes, forms etc.,) through local solicitation involves no equipment, no stock, no financial investment, no figuring. You find a wholesaler printer who will supply a catalogue and samples; these do the main job. This idea can be extended to a mail order printing service, operated through classified advertisements in such periodicals as "Exchange & Mart", and "The Trader". Many people are getting 20% to 30% discount on jobs they feed to their printer - a quick and easy sideline income that combines well with a mimeographing service.

Publicity Work

You supply public relations help to small businesses in your area, arranging press parties, preparing news releases, arranging interviews, etc. Expertise can be obtained from handbooks on public relations at your public library.

Raising Canaries, Budgerigars and Parakeets

You need a sunny room, starting with one or two pairs of birds. Sell the offspring to friends, neighbours and local pet stores.

Raising Rabbits

Has the advantage of three markets: selling fur, breeding stock, and meat. This project can be started in a large backyard free from local restrictions against raising animals.

Get "know-how" from the internet or local library.

In effect you could be a small scale farmer.

Rental Business

The rental business and hiring has mushroomed into an attractive new business opportunity.

People like to borrow, do-it-yourself ers rent professional equipment. Many men are doing well these days by acting as rental agents for all manner of things - power tools, trucks, cars, electric generators, etc.

There is no capital investment because you act as intermediary between the person owning the equipment and the person renting it. Advertise in local newspapers.

Alternatively if you can invest in equipment to Hire or Rent starting small and gradually adding to your range. It does not need premises providing you have a van and can deliver in your local area .larger profits can be made by having your own equipment.

Research Service

Research Service - Writers, lecturers, business companies and others need free-lance specialists to look up information, which can be found on the web, in public and special libraries, museums and trade associations.

Get work through classified ads in literary and writers' magazines. Home operators can earn £2.50 to £3.00 per hour. Your local reference libraries will help or search on the net, particularly sites such as elance, there are many research jobs in this type of site, although due to competition the payment may not be as high as local working.

There are also great opportunities in genealogical research, family history, particularly if you live in a country that many people emigrated from in the past. Many second or third generation US people are trying to locate their roots.

Rugs (Hooks and Braided}

And novelties made at home sell well in local shops. Lamp and vase mats, handbags, hot dish mats, seat covers, toilet seat covers, backrests and slippers are in demand. Rug making kits are obtainable from Winwood Textiles, Kidderminster, Worcs.

Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal is profitable. If you have transport, you can start by collecting scrap in your locality. Your local library will have a book on metal identification that will tell you how to identify steel, lead, zinc, bronze, brass, iron, etc. Your librarian will help you to track down buyers.

Second Hand Book Service

Books can often be bought cheaply at private sales, from markets and side-street second-hand bookshops, and through classified advertisements in "Book Market" and "Exchange & Mart" (under books). They can be sold to specialist booksellers and through classified advertisement under "Books" in "Exchange & Mart". A list of books to look for worth œ6 to œ850 per volume, is given in the manual "Money from Old Books", available from the distributor of this manual.

Sell Magazines

Sell Magazines - this requires no office and it can be evening work.

Write to publishers requesting the right to get subscriptions.

Approach schools, hospitals, offices and private people in their home and at their business. Solicit orders by telephone and direct mail advertising.

Alternatively, concentrate on back numbers, which can be bought and sold through advertisements on Ebay also in "Exchange & Mart".

Old boys' weeklies such as "Magnet" and "Gem" sell well.

Also the Batman and Superman type comics are i9n demand, but very expensive.

Combine this with other selling activities such as books.

Sell Printed Stationary

There are many outlets, stationers, friends, and by mail order. Books giving the expertise are obtainable from your public library and new and second-hand printed machinery is advertised weekly in the "Exchange & Mart". Profits are good and reliable work much in demand. Start spare-time and develop into full-time.

Selling Books

Selling Books - this is the most satisfactory type of mail order business. Easy, pleasant and profitable, it is an ideal spare-time or full-time activity, especially suitable for the beginner in mail order.

We do not know of anything else that can be sold as easily and with as little capital as books. They bring continual repeat business for related books. No licence is needed to sell books.

Bookselling by post in the way we recommend provides the easiest, most inexpensive way to get mail order experience. Certain types of books are not easily available in local shops - such as self-help and 'how' books.

Your prospective customers run into millions. People buy more books of this type every year. We specialize in such books, which sell well by post: manuals on additional income, spare-time earning, practical reference books, popular psychology guides, health manuals and occult books.

Typical classified advertisements you can insert are "INCREASE YOUR INCOME! Free list of money-making manuals" (Your name and address). Manuals on Spare-time earning, Mail Order etc., List free""Moneymaking Opportunities for Home workers. Details free".

These advertisements costing under $15 each are suitable for the "Employment: Various' section of "Exchange & Mart" and classified sections of "Local Free Press", etc.,

You can start in this field on a shoe string - just the cost of your first few classified ads and a supply of circulars and manuals. Tested circulars such as "Money-Making Manuals" are prolific on the net.

Selling Insurance

This is growing enormously and the future market is very great. Most insurance companies have training facilities. Men and Women act as sole proprietor, operating their own business in their own time.

Selling Occult and Metaphysical Books by Mail

Is interesting and can be profitable. In England a reliable advertising medium for such books is "Prediction"; in America "Fate". Source of supply: New Knowledge Books, P.O. Box 9, Horsham, Sussex.

Selling Shirts

To friends and workmates at actual wholesale prices is a popular spare time activity. A free starting outfit of actual shirting samples, coloured illustration, etc., is offered by K.L.Shirts, 349 Edgware Road, London W2.

Sightseeing Guidance and Lecturing

Is usually seasonal work. It is necessary to be a fluent talker and know how to handle people. Become familiar with the points of interest you will talk about from handbooks at your public library. Apply to sightseeing companies in your area.

Silk Screen Printing

Can be excellent home business. The process is used for greeting cards, posters, show cards, personalised place cards, etc. This method of printing by stencils through tautly stretched silk in a frame is easy to learn and there is no scarcity of manuals.

T.V. Repair Service

Is a good spare-time business. There are useful manuals on the subject on the net.

Taxi Driving

It is necessary to be over 21 years of age and to possess a driver's licence. Apply to local taxicab companies.

Telephone Answering Service

Such services are used by lawyers, doctors, repair people, contractors and others who are not always able to have someone to answer 'phone calls'. Many homemakers, shut-ins, married couples and others find that a telephone answering service pays well. A monthly fee is charged.

Toy Making

Calls for a keen interest, market study and initiative; in demand are tricks, games, game boards, masks, educational toys, models, puppets and any other types. Felt for soft toy-making is obtainable at low prices from Griffiiths & Co., 6 Hanover Street, Merthyr Tydfil and from B.Brown(holborn) Ltd., 32 Grenville Street, London E.C.1 Kits are available from Cuddlycraft Supplies, Lewes Street, Brighton, Sussex, and from Hobbies Ltd., 78a New Oxford Street, London W.C.1. Eyes, squeaks and growls for soft toymakers are supplied by Swisscross Ltd., 202 Tulse Hill, London S.W.2. Get expertise from project books and popular hobby and science magazines and from toy making manual available from Christine Veasey Publications, Elm House, Elm Street, London, W.C.1. In this home-shop field, an original idea can make a fortune.

Training Video Making

Many small and medium sized companies place much emphasis on group training. This is very time consuming in terms of staff employed on training tasks. Offering a 'training video' service will attract such customers. A training session is 'video recorded' and the company use this to impart the required skills to groups of their employees

Used Cars

First in selling used or new cars, second in running a motor insurance agency. You can buy used cars cheaply at weekly auctions and sell for excellent profits from home. Advertise in your local paper under cars for sale. Details of a motor insurance agency are obtainable from Gambles and Childs Ltd., Quebec Street, Leeds.

Used Correspondence and Language Courses

Courses at reasonable prices are in demand and many people are running this type of internet or mail order business.

The courses include second-hand instruction manuals and self-improvement books, workshop manuals, language and business study courses.

In the UK used open university courses sell well as do the correspondence courses.

You can sell on eBay or in the local papers under the Educational section.

Upholstering and Furniture Remodeling

Once you have learned the "know-how" this can pay well. Public libraries and the internet have some good books on the subject and a lot can be learned from craft and hobby magazines

Some areas also run evening classes which can help you attain the skills and knowledge required.

. Many start with just a box of hand tools and some special equipment. They call in a specialist for extra difficult jobs and get discount prices on their work. Advertise in local papers.

Wedding Video Service

Offering a personal video of this special occasion is a profitable usage of a "camcorder". Many young brides want a living memento of their wedding-day. $40 to $100 per copy can be realised for 1-2 hours work. Up to a dozen copies can be sold from each ceremony. Advertise in your local paper. A "camcorder" can be purchased as cheaply as $450.

Window Dressing

Window Dressing calls for artistic ability and skill with tools, plus imagination.

It is advisable to get tuition in the subject at evening classes.

Sketych out a few ideas based on your local department store, see if you have some type of leaning toward this combination ofr artistic skills and craft knowledge.

Wooden Novelties

Make Wooden Novelties using plywood or other composite woods and sell through gift shops. eBay, Markets etc.

Popular items: weather vanes, ships, squirrels, dogs, birds, rowboats, name and address backgrounds, picture puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, jewel boxes, comic plaques, doll furniture.

House names and numbers are also very salable using polished sections of tree trunks.

Contact your local Lumber/Forestry department they should be able to supply the blanks.

Plans for such items are available at libraries, on the net, and eBay.

Woodworking

Using 3/8" or 1/2" plywood is profitable if you can make such items as attractive bedside cabinets and kitchen fixtures, and charge not more than 100% above the cost of the materials. Consult your local library for books.

Writing for Money

Thousands of magazines pay well for articles and stories that suit their public. Many beginners get into print with the help of manuals such as "Write for Money" (from your authorised distributor). Markets are listed in "Writers and Artists Year Book".