tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49179433117323580072024-03-13T22:49:38.648-07:00HomepreneurAn information hub for home-based entrepreneurs.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-75467417985859698352007-09-13T15:14:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:17:46.927-07:00Poor Man's P.R. - Press Release Part 1So, you’ve started up a home-based business and you have zero dollars in your publicity budget. What do you do now?<br /><br />Crank up the fax or find postage and photocopying money. You’ll be embarking on the poor man’s publicity campaign: sending out the press release.<br /><br />There are really only three categories of information you need to know to start your campaign: form, effective content and where to send it.<br /><br />Form:<br /><br />I’ve found journalists to be a cranky, overworked bunch. Assume the gal on the other end of the fax machine is some junior reporter-intern hopped up on a caffeine-speedball cappuccino, living on 2 hours of sleep and a dream. Assume she is just itching for a reason to throw your precious press release in the recycling bin. Ensure that it’s properly formatted and you’ll at least escape this fate - for now at least.<br /><br />1. It needs to be on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper with one inch margins all round. Use only one side of the paper if mailing it out.<br /> <br />2. In the upper left-hand corner type in capital letters FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. If you want your release held back until a certain date, then type for example: FOR RELEASE JUNE 6.<br /> <br />3. In the upper right-hand corner type the date you’re actually sending it out. Things get lost in offices or mixed in the wrong pile. When your reporter-intern finds it, your release date should tell her if it’s still current or not.<br /> <br />4. Try to keep it to one page. If you absolutely can’t, then subdivide large hunks of information into smaller ones under their own headings, i.e. your biography, how your project evolved, etc. It’s much easier to read and absorb this way.<br /> <br />5. Use action verbs to begin your paragraphs.<br /> <br />6. If you’re sending your release out to TV or radio stations phonetically spell out difficult names to ensure easy pronunciation.<br /> <br />7. Spell check thoroughly.<br /> <br />8. Use bullet points or numbering where you can.<br /> <br />9. If you go longer then one page put a sub-title or phrase at the upper left corner of the second page describing the next section of text, ie. NAKED HAMLET if you’re directing a bit of nude Shakespeare.<br /> <br />10. Always double-check to ensure that you’ve included a contact name, phone number (day and night) and an address. Place this information in the upper right hand corner under the date.<br /> <br />11. And lastly, at the bottom type three hash marks - # # # - to mark the end or your release.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-48923163596653674632007-09-13T15:06:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:13:54.706-07:00Poor Man's P.R. - Press Release Part 2<strong>Effective Content</strong><br /><br />There’s no point in sending out a press release that isn’t focused on your objective: convincing more people to check out your business and its offerings. You’re pitching for customers, so make sure your best arguments for why you do it better are included in your release.<br /><br />1. Be honest and straightforward. Don’t overhype. Don’t stretch the truth.<br /><br />2. In the first paragraph put answers to the five W’s: Who? What? Where? Why? When? The first paragraph contains the most important information. The rest of the release includes information in descending order of importance.<br /><br />3. Write in clear language. Keep it simple and easily understood, but at all costs do not patronize by spelling out basic information.<br /><br />4. Add a few quotes of you commenting on your project, for example, “I saw a need that wasn’t being met, so I decided to post my thoughts on the hurdles facing micro-business entrepreneurs. Plus, everybody loves a good rags-to-riches story - and a formula for their own success. That’s what my blog gives them,” said Arleigh Cee regarding her blog, http:\\homepreneur.blogspot.com<br /><br />The quotes are useful to journalists who may be scoping for a quick and easy filler piece. Basically, you’ve done all the work for them. If they’re facing a tight deadline and writer’s block, they don’t even have to call you.<br /> <br />See the example below of how I put my own press release together. (Note: the formatting's a big wonky here. Make sure you follow my instructions in Part 1.)<br /><br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2007<br /><br /> CONTACT: Arleigh Cee<br /> 604-XXX-XXXX<br /><br />BLOGGER ARLEIGH CEE CALLS FOR PEOPLE <br />TO GET FEET WET AND BECOME BUSINESS OWNERS<br /><br />Challenging the belief that you have to have buckets of money to start your own business, Vancouver writer, Arleigh Cee is blogging - http://homepreneur.blogspot.com - to encourage kitchen-table entrepreneurs to come forth and prosper. From business ideas to p.r. and marketing advice Homepreneur covers the gamut of everything a home-based business owner needs to know.<br /><br />Commenting on why she started her blog, Arleigh Cee said, “I’d noticed an increased interest in kitchen-table entrepreneurs on shows like Montel and Oprah. I think more and more people are wanting to escape the daily rat race and have more control over their time and finances. And most everybody I’ve spoken with has an idea for their own small-business. I consider it my job as a blogger to encourage people to get their toes wet, if only as a part-time hobby. And you never know, one of my readers could be the next rags-to-riches story I cover.”<br /><br />Stepping out from the crowd of business blogs out there, Homepreneur aims to help people with tens or hundreds of dollars to invest, not the big money most business blogs assume their readers have to throw around. “I want to offer useful information to the kitchen-table entrepreneur, the little guy or gal who isn’t being offered much of anything these days. I want to see them thrive and get rich,” added Ms. Cee.<br /><br /> - # # # -Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-39010465235494816262007-09-13T15:03:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:05:44.617-07:00Poor Man's P.R. - Press Release, Part 3<strong>Where to Send your Finely-Crafted Press Release?</strong><br />The next step, of course, is making up your fax or mail-out list. For most small business owners starting out, I’d suggest a local list is the first one you should put together. It’ll require a bit of phoning or Internet searching, but it’s not difficult at all. Look up the web-sites for local radio and TV stations, local cable access shows, community and city newspapers - whatever you can think of. Often they’ll post a fax number or address to which you can direct your press release. Phone to see if there’s a features or lifestyles editor that might be interested in your story and to whom you might direct your press release. Make sure you include a fax cover page that directs your release to the person you want. And most importantly double and triple check that your name and contact information are accurate.<br /><br />I hope this is useful and that you have a very successful public relations campaign.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-51985294029619006692007-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:42:05.096-07:00Business Idea - New World Candy OrderSeek out suppliers of different types of candies from all over the planet. The more countries you can source from the better. Then simply sell these candies at a farmer’s market stall, a mall kiosk or online. You’d be surprised how many expatriates yearn for that sweet treat from back home that they grew up on.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-50902508339533083702007-08-25T19:45:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:43:06.946-07:00Business Idea - Specialty Bread ShopsCobs bread bakery franchises are sprouting up everywhere. Frankly, I don’t see the point of shelling out a hefty franchise fee. Anyway, bake like crazy a few days in advance of a farmer’s market, making certain, of course, that your rustic breads will hold up. Come up with a great marketing angle. Hand out free samples. And sit back and count the mountain of dough you'll make from selling your loaves.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-44949201236801155402007-08-24T19:42:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:43:28.165-07:00Business Idea - Sandwich WagonIn Vancouver, the modern day gold rush took the form of catering firms feeding hungry film crews - that was until the Canadian dollar topped 95 cents, now things aren’t so gold rushy. But in any case for a while a collective fantasy fell over the city that anyone could start up their own sandwich wagon and make a bundle of dough. There are still plenty of other places besides film sets to market your wares. You can prepare your own sandwiches and soups in your own kitchen, buying your ingredients wholesale of course. Set up a steady, daily route at construction and factory sites, office buildings, and so on. And most important have a pleasant sounding horn or chow bell to announce your arrival.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-10005549338792219672007-08-23T19:22:00.000-07:002007-08-23T19:41:23.914-07:00Guerilla Marketing - Bribe the WeathermanIt's the way that my mind works, but I always think of <strong>Planet of the Apes </strong>when my mind turns to this topic. Gorilla - guerilla, I suppose...<br /><br />Anyway, I was watching a beautiful example of it the other night on <strong>Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares</strong>, a show on the Food Network where Chef Ramsey parachutes into failing restaurants, berates everybody in sight and saves the day or issues a restaurant autopsy of why it failed. In this latest episode, he was trying to save a quirky owner who favoured weird food combinations and powdered gravy mix. He cussed the owner out for a bit, told him to ditch the crap gravy mix and instituted a p.r. project which he called "The Campaign for Real Gravy". All staff were issued black t-shirts with the slogan emblazoned across the front, the owner was given a megaphone and told to sell his campaign to the people of the small village where his pub was located and free samples of Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy were freely handed out. There's even a website apparently at <a href="http://www.realgravy.co.uk">www.realgravy.co.uk</a> (I see that the website is stating that it was a phenomenal success and they're even looking for a new chef. It just goes to show how powerful guerilla p.r. can be.)<br /><br />If you aren't thinking a megaphone and town centre blitz is the way you want to go, think about bribing your local t.v. weather reporter. If, for example, you're selling homemade jams and jellies, why not send a basket to your local station, and ask for a plug for your website or next farmer's market date? It doesn't cost much to try and the potential benefits could be huge.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-42107518334561587152007-08-21T15:58:00.000-07:002007-08-21T16:31:13.925-07:00Blogging Guru - John ChowThe hardest part of blogging is getting noticed. (Like most things in life, I suppose.)<br /><br />If you want sound advice on promoting your own blog I heartily recommend visiting <a href="http://www.johnchow.com">www.johnchow.com </a>and reading John Chow's story. (He's created websites with over 200,000 page views per day, so the guy knows what he's talking about.) Type "promotion" into his search engine for ideas on how to increase your readership. Also, take advantage of his linkbaiting program as I am via this post. For your review of his website he offers a link back to yours. Find out more about it at <a href="http://www.johnchow.com/review-my-blog-get-a-free-linkback/">www.johnchow.com/review-my-blog-get-a-free-linkback/</a> and let me know if it works for you.<br /><br />You may be thinking that my review is tainted by this outright bribery. Yup, it is. But I would still recommend visiting his website even if he hadn't offered this bonus. He has lots of interesting information on monetizing your own blog, plus an amazing amount of interesting links derived from his linkback program. Also, I like that he's up front about his affiliate programs. If he sells it or advertises for it, he backs it as a worthwhile product or service.<br /><br />And lastly, I find his <strong>Fine Dining </strong>posts to be interesting. I note that Mr. Chow is eating a heck of a lot of lobsters. Could this be a more subtle side to his self-promotion as a successful blogger? This guy is one smart cookie.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-32059231342931870872007-08-21T14:40:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:43:52.544-07:00Business Idea - Homemade Cakes and PiesBefore Martha Stewart started her catering business, she sold homemade pies at a table at her local mall and look where that got her. An oven, some great recipes and a mailing list for your brochure are all you need to get you on the path to world domination, one cake and pie at a time. Cakes cost less than a few dollars to make and sell for $20 and more. Produce and sell 12 cakes per day and you’ll net around $200.00 or about $4000 per month.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-67719312567039659102007-08-21T14:38:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:44:31.188-07:00Business Idea - Xmas/Hanukkah Baking ServiceSweet Christmas sugar, Batman, I used to go crazy for my mother’s baked goods during the holidays. Shortbread, almond cookies, Nanaimo bars, brownies, sugar cookies with orange icing, and a peanut butter-and-marshmallow concoction that made me swoon. But who has time for all that work these days? Trade on maternal guilt and step into the breach. Sell your home-baked confections to overworked mothers everywhere. Wrap in colorful cellophane. Send price lists and samples to receptionists at large local offices and ask that they put the word out.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-48508461268412711262007-08-21T14:36:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:44:49.673-07:00Business Idea - Pickle and Relish MakerMy mother is a pickleholic and a relish lover to boot, so I can see the viability of this business. There are millions of great recipes out there, find one or two, make up a few batches, slap on a down-home label and watch the addicts line up for their pickle fix. When I was a kid my parents used to take me to Klondike Days in Edmonton and buy me an ice cold root beer and a giant pickle to snack on - I suspect my mother’s influence in this - but I used to look forward each year to my pickle and root beer stop. ‘Course, I don’t recommend the roller coaster after this type of snack... Anyway, make specialty pickles, out of zucchini, pumpkin, watermelon rinds... For your relishes, try cucumber, onion, red pepper, cauliflower - the possibilities are limitless. Give out free samples with crackers. Sell at farmer’s markets, or online.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-25443627788797482482007-08-20T14:35:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:45:08.794-07:00Business Idea - Roadside Fruit VendorBuy fresh fruit from farmers in season and then truck it into an area that can’t supply its own fruit. Sell it, either door-to-door or at a busy roadside rest area. Place signs well along the highway in both directions to alert customers to stop in time. Offer a good variety of tree-ripened fruit.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-83513687936771359922007-08-20T14:34:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:45:28.363-07:00Business Idea - Ethnic Food SellerEverybody wants the tastes of home. If you have even 100 families of one ethnic origin, find out if there is a store that caters to their needs. If not, consider setting up a small store. Polish, Greek, Turkish, Puerto Rican, Japanese are all cuisines that are expanding in popularity. Convert a room in your house into the store. Advertise to local cooking classes or offer your own cooking lessons and offer to sell your students the ingredients they need to recreate the dishesArleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-66412186623878111862007-08-19T14:31:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:45:48.630-07:00Business Idea - Gourmet DoughnutsDoughnuts are not that hard to make and their profit margin is astronomical - around 80% or so! Many tiny storefronts can gross over $150,000 each year. Seventy cent doughnuts only cost a few cents to make. One fellow featured on “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” on the Food Network sells his gourmet donuts for $3.00 each. Offer unique flavours with interesting fillings. Sell to coffee shops or offer to take office pool orders and have them delivered. Hire a part-time student during busy times to assist with deliveries and sales.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-12460934617312951832007-08-19T14:30:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:46:04.385-07:00Business Idea - Candy ShopThere are hundreds of success stories of candy makers that started out in a home kitchen and then grew into multi-million dollar operations. Every year North American consume over four billion pounds of candy, shelling out a collective $11 billion for their sugar fix. Use quality, gourmet ingredients and sell informally from home or at farmer’s markets and festivals. Sell non-perishable candy, i.e. caramels, and toffee by mail order or online.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-43187853935116919352007-08-17T14:28:00.000-07:002007-08-17T14:31:34.176-07:00Why do you want to go into business for yourself?One business coaching book I’ve been reading states that this question should be posed before going into any business. I’m not completely convinced. I’ve seen people plunge into projects and do okay with very little self-reflection. (I’ve also seen the opposite, lots of work, no results, so maybe this author has a point... but I’m still dubious.)<br /><br />In high school I had a teacher who liked to separate out the cynics on the first day of class, so he’d ask “What’s the first priority of every politician?” He’d sneer at the beauty-queen answers “world peace”, “save the environment”, “lower taxes” (well, the last may be more of a Republican beauty queen, God love ‘em) etc. And then the warm sunshine of his snaggle-toothed smile would fall upon the Chosen One, which for that year was me. My answer? “To get elected.” Because unelected politicians just aren’t worth very much.<br /><br />It seems to me the number one goal of every business is to make money. More importantly make a profit. Other goals are just gravy, secondary trail markers that tell you if you’re on track or not.<br /><br />The important thing is that at some point you have to give up the navel-gazing and just plunge in. Go make money.<br /><br />I’d love your comments and/or your stories.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-91950630793768353452007-08-16T14:33:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:46:46.749-07:00Business Idea - Classified Ads/Free PaperI helped edit our yearbook in high school, so this idea really appeals to me. Put together a paper of just classified ads in either broad sheet or booklet form. Sell ads by undercutting your competition. Leave stacks of your papers in corner stores, gas stations or coffee shops free for the taking. Or deliver door-to-door. You’ll need a small office to answer phones and sell ads. Compose the master layout on your home computer. Photocopy your paper or have it printed professionally. One Canadian company started out this way and added jokes and very short stories to their paper of classifieds. They focused on distributing their papers to coffee shops and casual restaurants - anywhere a customer might linger and look for something to read. And now their sales are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-21182869143413121032007-08-15T14:14:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:47:04.730-07:00Business Idea - Candle SculptureI remember a news story when Princess Diana died of an artist who had sculpted candles in her likeness and was selling them at the Place D’Alma, a site located above the tunnel. (They looked really neat, but I felt her timing was more than a little opportunistic.) Anyway, my point is you need only a small amount of creative talent to achieve some great results. I’m sure there are plenty of books on this particular type of craft. It’s an interesting and unique gift idea and your profits can be very large. Your raw materials for each candle cost you a buck or so and your finished products can retail for $20 or more. For about $200 bucks you can start up production in your own home and launch yourself on your way to becoming a sculpted-candle mogul.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-67215434900885037082007-08-14T14:39:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:47:23.389-07:00Business Idea - Charcoal PortraitsWho doesn’t love a charcoal portrait of themselves? - Assuming the artist is responsive to my requests for “editing” my hook nose and prominent chin, I’m a beauty in charcoal. And everyone definitely loves a portrait of a loved one. Charcoal softens and warms the features of a sitter. If you are average or better at drawing, you can easily master this type of portraiture. (And if you’re a struggling novice, consider reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, it’s a phenomenal book. Your inner artist will amaze you.) Set up where loads of people pass by - sidewalks, parks, farmer’s markets. Draw for ten minutes for a fee of $20. Display and sell other artwork at the same time.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-58811097670993360622007-08-13T14:41:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:47:47.376-07:00Business Idea - Hand-Painted JeansOh, to have a svelte jeans-wearing body... For those that do, hand-painted jeans are very popular. Purchase jeans in bulk at wholesale prices on eBay (look under “wholesale lots”). Hand-paint interesting designs using fabric paints. Reassure your customers that the design will hold with careful washing. And then resell at four to ten times what you originally paid, selling to boutiques, department stores or on eBay. Take special, customized orders for a higher price.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-84429465277416375852007-08-12T14:43:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:48:08.411-07:00Business Idea - Hand-Painted KitchenwareThis is truly turning trash to treasure. Any old pot or pan or other kitchenware can be dug out of the garage or bargain bin at your local thrift shop. Clean the item up, apply a base coat and then paint whatever grabs your fancy for an interesting motif. If nothing is grabbing your fancy, try checking out a Donna Dewberry book on “one-stroke painting” for inspiration.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-52904971099059935512007-08-11T14:44:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:48:36.424-07:00Business Idea - Papier-Mache Folk ArtNewspaper, wallpaper paste and your imagination. No craft exists that is cheaper to get into. Some ideas for salable objects d’art from your papier mache factory: nativity scenes for window and fireplace mantel displays, mannequins, trays, boxes, dolls, doll houses, toy furniture such as stoves, fridge magnets, decorative plates and bowls and so on into infinity. Practical or decorative or both. Check out instruction books in your local library or on the web. Sell at farmer’s markets, craft fairs or stores specializing in folk art.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-35669069425871256092007-08-10T14:46:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:49:06.647-07:00Business Idea - Become an AirbrushaholicMaybe if I’m reasonably good, Santa will bring me an airbrush this Christmas. I love the results in subtle shading I see other people coaxing out of these babies. Lifelike pictures, electric designs. People who get into customizing designs for cars and motorcycles can make a very good living with an airbrush.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-75027105885625498282007-08-09T14:48:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:49:28.268-07:00Business Idea - Car-DetailingI’m told it’s a sleeper business which can be very lucrative. Basically, you’ll be hand washing and polishing cars inside and out. You can prep new cars or recondition used ones for a local car dealer or just freelance, providing high-quality cosmetic maintenance to classic or quality car buffs. Build a regular clientele by offering a complete package for $150. Work almost anywhere with a hose, bucket, wax and lots of elbow grease - parking lots, garages, alleys or the car’s own home.Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4917943311732358007.post-32514401843832996912007-08-08T14:51:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:49:59.602-07:00Business Idea - Car Swap MeetTurn a vacant lot into a swap meet for cars only. You charge people who wish to display their car in your lot for a flat fee for a specific day or week - no selling or buying on your part - your only cost is your ad to attract sellers and buyers and whatever insurance costs to cover “trip insurance” - so that anybody that may injure him or herself by tripping on a crack is covered for their expenses. Offer a food concession for bigger profits. Who doesn’t want a hot dog or hamburger when shopping for a car?Arleigh Ceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498348461393003994noreply@blogger.com0