Friday, August 20, 2010
How to Run a Computer Repair Business Out of a House
11:54 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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As more people depend on high technology and computers, the need for computer repair services has grown. Few consumers are concerned with whether a computer repair technician operates from a rented building or his own home, as long as he is knowledgeable about the work and can get the customer's systems operating again. Running a computer repair business out of your house can be a good way to bring in additional income, but there are several things you should consider.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Contact your local zoning board to ensure you are allowed to run a business from home. Though many areas are zoned for home businesses, some have restrictions or laws against it.
Clear a space in your home just for your computer repair work. This may be a living room, dining room or spare bedroom, but the area should be clean and used exclusively for running your business.
Keep current on the latest computer repair techniques, viruses and programs by subscribing to industry magazines or regularly taking computer repair courses. This will ensure you are able to deal with any problems your customers have with their computers.
Join a network such as the Association of Computer Repair Business Owners to connect with peers, learn new industry trends and repair techniques and gain client referrals.
Promote your home-based computer repair business. Post ads on sites such as Craigslist and Service Magic, place fliers in local electronics stores (with the owner's permission), launch a promotional blog or website to reach potential customers and list your service in print and online business directories
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Earning Good Money As A Mobile Food Vendor Daily
4:31 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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Mobile catering business is a good business idea especially if you are an entrepreneur with a love for food and cooking. If you can come up with some delicious food then people will never hesitate to drop at your door to taste it.
The best thing about selling food from a mobile catering truck is that you are not limited to selling in only one area. Mobile kitchens will allow you to reach more customers because you can serve customers from different locations using your mobile catering truck or mobile catering trailer.
selling food products you create in your home can be a profitable business, especially for someone who loves to cook. If you have an unforgettable recipe for spaghetti sauce, salsa or jam,fried rice or even eba and soup,hambugers,and cakes is no a bad idea you may also have the beginning of a new business. Selling food products from home requires little investment and the potential for success is limitless.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
* Ingredients
* Kitchen equipment
* Packaging materials
Create recipes that you believe will sell. Try a variety of recipes and have your friends and family taste them. Then select the recipes that work best and perfect them so that the result is the same every time you make it.
.
Purchase or grow your ingredients. Homemade tomato sauce with tomatoes from your own garden will not only save you money on ingredients but give you an extra selling point. If you can't grow your items, purchase them wholesale through a local farmer or restaurant supply.
Purchase your jars, bags or other packaging supplies. Decide what kind of packaging your food items will require and look online for a bulk supplier of those items. This will save you money and help you create a consistent, professional look. Create your own labels on your computer and print them, or hire a designer and order labels in bulk.
Choose the best foods that you can serve from your mobile kitchen
Choosing the right food is essential if you want to serve food from a catering mobile vehicle. This is because there are some foods that sell best in a mobile catering truck and there are those that people will not buy from a mobile catering unit. Among the most popular foods that are served from mobile catering trailers are breakfast items which include egg sandwiches, bagels, bacon sandwiches, donuts and coffees. Many mobile catering units also service hotdogs, sausages and frozen treats like ice cream.
Make it easier for people to buy and eat the food that they have bought from your mobile catering business
While people cannot expect to be really comfortable when eating foods that they have bought from a mobile catering truck, you will find it a good idea if you provide your clients with a good and clean place to stay while waiting for their orders to be cooked and served. Many mobile catering trucks also provide an option for people to eat their food from inside the mobile catering van by providing an area complete with tables and chairs where people can eat their food. Providing this area is a good idea especially if you are serving breakfast like coffee, eggs and sandwiches.
If you want to start a mobile catering business, it is best if you choose the most appropriate foods that you can serve from your mobile kitchen to ensure that you serve the kind of food that people will look for in a mobile catering van. It is also a good idea to provide an area where people can wait for and eat the food that they have bought from your mobile catering business. This area is most useful especially if you are serving breakfast items from your mobile catering truck.
Market your food products. Create a brochure, catalog or price list and offer your products to local grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail outlets that offer local products.
Mobile Food Vendor
4:31 AM | Posted by
daprof |
Edit Post

Mobile catering business is a good business idea especially if you are an entrepreneur with a love for food and cooking. If you can come up with some delicious food then people will never hesitate to drop at your door to taste it.
The best thing about selling food from a mobile catering truck is that you are not limited to selling in only one area. Mobile kitchens will allow you to reach more customers because you can serve customers from different locations using your mobile catering truck or mobile catering trailer.
selling food products you create in your home can be a profitable business, especially for someone who loves to cook. If you have an unforgettable recipe for spaghetti sauce, salsa or jam,fried rice or even eba and soup,hambugers,and cakes is no a bad idea you may also have the beginning of a new business. Selling food products from home requires little investment and the potential for success is limitless.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
* Ingredients
* Kitchen equipment
* Packaging materials
Create recipes that you believe will sell. Try a variety of recipes and have your friends and family taste them. Then select the recipes that work best and perfect them so that the result is the same every time you make it.
.
Purchase or grow your ingredients. Homemade tomato sauce with tomatoes from your own garden will not only save you money on ingredients but give you an extra selling point. If you can't grow your items, purchase them wholesale through a local farmer or restaurant supply.
Purchase your jars, bags or other packaging supplies. Decide what kind of packaging your food items will require and look online for a bulk supplier of those items. This will save you money and help you create a consistent, professional look. Create your own labels on your computer and print them, or hire a designer and order labels in bulk.
Choose the best foods that you can serve from your mobile kitchen
Choosing the right food is essential if you want to serve food from a catering mobile vehicle. This is because there are some foods that sell best in a mobile catering truck and there are those that people will not buy from a mobile catering unit. Among the most popular foods that are served from mobile catering trailers are breakfast items which include egg sandwiches, bagels, bacon sandwiches, donuts and coffees. Many mobile catering units also service hotdogs, sausages and frozen treats like ice cream.
Make it easier for people to buy and eat the food that they have bought from your mobile catering business
While people cannot expect to be really comfortable when eating foods that they have bought from a mobile catering truck, you will find it a good idea if you provide your clients with a good and clean place to stay while waiting for their orders to be cooked and served. Many mobile catering trucks also provide an option for people to eat their food from inside the mobile catering van by providing an area complete with tables and chairs where people can eat their food. Providing this area is a good idea especially if you are serving breakfast like coffee, eggs and sandwiches.
If you want to start a mobile catering business, it is best if you choose the most appropriate foods that you can serve from your mobile kitchen to ensure that you serve the kind of food that people will look for in a mobile catering van. It is also a good idea to provide an area where people can wait for and eat the food that they have bought from your mobile catering business. This area is most useful especially if you are serving breakfast items from your mobile catering truck.
Market your food products. Create a brochure, catalog or price list and offer your products to local grocery stores, convenience stores and other retail outlets that offer local products.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Make Money As A Make Up Artist In Nigeria
4:30 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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Makeup Artist services are required in almost every sector of the economy. Thats enough to tell you that if you do your math well, there would be jobs for you to do everyday, by being your own boss of a makeup/makeover business.
It is as easy as A B C. All you need are the right creative skills, proper training from an experienced professional, a good eye for color and a sense for business.

Sure, being a makeup artist is fun, but wouldn't you like to be your own boss? Freelance makeup artists are their own bosses and are 100% in charge of their income potential. If you want to earn a lucrative amount this month, you can do so, if you can generate enough business. Becoming a successful freelance makeup artist takes hard work, long hours and a ton of advertising. If you are up for the challenge of creating a successful career in freelance makeup artistry, but don't quite know how to become a successful freelance makeup artist, help is on the way.
Things You'll Need:
* Portfolio
* Website
* Business Cards
* Brochures
* Flyers
Build A Portfolio.

As a freelance makeup artist, your portfolio will be your resume. You don't need years of experience to develop an impressive makeup artist portfolio; all you need is talent and models. Where will you find your models? You can find your makeup models by volunteering and local fashion shows and photo shoots. Since fashion shows typically employ the services of 12 models, you will have added 12 new makeup looks to your makeup artist portfolio in just one night.
Freelance Makeup Artist Website

All makeup artists need a website. A website can serve as your online portfolio, your rate sheet and your business presence on the web. You can hire a graphic designer to create a chic website for you for just about N25,000. All you need to supply is the domain name, your portfolio and your text. Heck, you can even have the graphic artist create a logo for your makeup artist services (for an extra fee of course)(call me on +2348063408726 for a website).
Blank Makeup Artist Business Card

Create a business card. Most people say that flashy business cards aren't necessary, but quite the opposite holds true for you. You, my friend, are a professional makeup artist. Your career is in the beauty/fashion industry, so a flashy business card is a necessity. Hire a graphic designer to create a makeup artist business card that is right for you and that has the proper amount of glitz and glamour. After all, do you want to hand out ho-hum business cards to your prospective clients? I didn't think so.
Market Your Services.

You're not just a makeup artist; you're a freelance makeup artist. As a freelancer, your business relies directly upon your marketing efforts; if you don't get clients on a regular basis, you won't have food on the table. Start marketing your freelance makeup artistry services aggressively by hiring a graphic designer to create attractive and professional caliber brochures of your services. Be sure to include your logo, rate sheet, service menu, whether or not you travel to the client's location, your website and your contact information. Include at least two images of your work in your makeup artist brochure (just so people can see what you can do). After your brochures are delivered, hand them out to local wedding boutiques, hair salons, spas and any other location that seems appropriate.
Makeup Artist Discount
Once you start getting clients on a regular basis, you want to give them incentives to keep you as their go-to makeup artist. Give your clients rebates on your services for each client they bring your way. For example, if a client refers you as a makeup artist for her sister's wedding, offer your client a makeup application for 50% off next time. Additionally, you can create a more advanced and aggressive rebate plan. An example of an aggressive rebate plan would be, "refer 10 clients to me and you get 1 free makeup application and a makeup artist goodie bag."
In Nigeria today, creative artists are beginning to understand their importance in the economy as there are more visual
-advertisements
-Movies
-Videos
-photography
-weddings
-outings/events
-fashion shows
-beauty makeovers
and lots more to keep a makeup artist busy for a long time!
There are so many people needing your services and all you need is to perfect your artistic skills, buy and stock up a professional makeup artist bag, create the best avenues for business (advertisements,websites,complimentary cards etc) and begin making money!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Starting Your Own Candle Business
3:23 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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There are a few different ways that you can start a candle business. There are many Direct sales companies which give you the freedom of running your own business while they supply the candles. If you prefer you can always make your own and start your own business from scratch.
What skills are helpful?
If you're doing it from scratch, you'll probably want to learn the process of heating, scenting and pouring wax from someone with some experience.
If you opt for the direct sales approach more than likely you will be doing home parties as a selling technique so you will need to be comfortable with a room full of people and being the center of attention.
What tools are needed?
If you are beginning your candle business through a direct sales company you will probably be required to purchase one of their kits. Your kit will provide you with enough merchandise to get you started.
If you are making your own candles, you will need wax (there is bees wax or paraffin), molds, scents, wicks, dyes and something to melt the wax down in such as a pan.
How do you get started?
A good first step is setting up your website so that you can begin to build an online presence. Once your website is up and running you can start marketing yourself. Candles can easily be marketed offline by giving them out as gifts or renting a booth at a local craft fair and showing them there.
Online it can be a little trickier especially if you have joined a direct sales business where the competition is stiff but if you begin networking with people (join some message boards or forums) and building up personal relationships soon you will find that people are coming to you to purchase candles.
It’s also a good idea to have some business cards printed up so that you have them available to hand out; you never know when they can come in handy. Flyers can also be used to market yourself offline. Post them at local grocery stores, the library, etc.
Building a candle business is going to take time especially if you have chosen to make the candles yourself. Just remember that a good business isn’t born overnight, it takes time. Set daily and weekly goals for your business and celebrate the small triumphs. Don’t let a setback or an unmet goal keep you from reaching your full potential.
Supplies:
MAKING A SUCCESSFUL CANDLE

1. Gel
2. Pan
3. Colour
4. Scent
5. Wicks
6. Wick holder
7. Glue gun
8. Glass bowl
9. Tiny stars, hearts etc.
10. Packaging material like net and ribbon ties
Method:

Step 1: Put the wick through the wick holder and knot it at the bottom.
Step 2: Glue the wick holder to the bottom of the glass bowl
Step 3: Heat the gel in the pan on low flame till it melts completely.
Step 4: Add the color and scent and stir well.
Step 5: Pour the gel into the bowl while holding the wick staight. You can use a stick or clip to keep it in position while it cools.
Step 6: Once it has cooled a bit sprinkle the tiny stars, hearts etc.
Step 7: Allow to solidify completely
Step 8: Use the packaging material to wrap/ pack it for a professional look.
Start your own candle business or make these as favors for weddings and other special occasions. They add a personal touch to the event and is something useful and beautiful at the same time. Enjoy :)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A PARTY PLANNER
1:57 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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Let's Plan A Party! "MAGIC" is the buzz word that usually describes what this business offers. No - the Party Planning business we're talking about has very little to do with Goof-Doop The Clown or serving cake and ice cream to 6-year old kids.
CORPORATE SCENE
For a Party Planner, this is where the money is. And if you have the knack for organizing fun things for grown ups, you're in for a big - N1,000000 - surprise. And it's a business worth celebrating.
BROKER MENTALITY
This is a business you can virtually start with little or no capital. All you need is a great idea and a client who wants to have fun. The best way to implement this business is to act as the broker for all services entailed in any given event.
You do not prepare the food, you hire a caterer. You do not sing or dance, you hire entertainers. In fact, in some real big parties, you can negotiate with talent agencies to have celebrities attend your party.
For example, you can have named stars "drop by" your party for around N500,000
or better. If your budget cannot afford the real celebs at that price a piece,
then you can hire look-alikes for N26000 a night. Do not introduce them in the
party, just let them roam around and mingle with the guests.
THEME PARTIES
You can also plan an event around a theme, depending on the reason for the
party and the number of people attending.
You can build festivals around parties. If the party is an extension of a
convention, work around ideas that are conducive to people in that trade or
industry.
START-UP
To get started, line up businesses that are involved in parties: florists,
videographers, caterers, hotel managers, equipment rental companies, and
others.
Set your rates based on the price lists of these related businesses. These
tie-in companies will dictate the way you structure your prices.
Once ready, compile a mailing list of potential corporate accounts in your
area. If you live in a city with a convention center, it would be ideal to
do some networking and get referral business.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
HOW TO MAKE MONEY VIDEOTAPING WEDDINGS
1:44 AM | Posted by
daprof |
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There is a huge potential market for wedding videos. Just look in your local paper any summer week and see how many weddings there were. Since almost every household in the country has a VCR, you can bet that almost every wedding has a video. Keep in mind, though, that there is also big competi-tion in this field. If you want to make it, you'll have be sure of two things: you have the skills necessary, and that you can offer more in your area.
There's more to taping a wedding than just setting up a camera and turning it on. If you're married and had a video taken at your wedding, I'm sure you'll agree. You, the photographer, can expect to be dropped into an environment of potential conflict. Last minute spats between the bride and groom, conflicts between family members, still photographers, all can be a source of headaches for you.
The best way to prevent problems is to set up a meeting with the bride, groom, close family members, and, if possible, any other photographers that will be at the service/reception. This way, you can find out exactly what the family wants, any special shots they will want, any unusual parts to the ceremony that they may want on tape, how many people will be involved, and other issues. Keep in mind, the family will be paying you, so they will probably want to TELL you what you can or can't do. If what they want is reasonable, don't fight it. That makes your job easier. But, if what they want is unreasonable, be honest with them, but, by all means, be tactful.
If you can meet with the other photographer(s), discuss where they need to be to get their best shots, so you and your camera won't be in the way. Also, this will help you with your planning so they won't be in your video, and you won't show up in the photos. This brings up the subject of planning.
Planning is all important when it comes to wedding videos. You will be producing something that the couple will want to view over and over, that their family and friends will be seeing. It's your best advertisement. So, you will want it to be the best it can be.
If you know what the ceremony will be like ahead of time, and what special shots the couple and family will want, you've got the ball in your court.Be sure to attend the rehearsal, so you can set your equipment up and plan your camera angles. Since you've planned your work, all you have to do is work your plan.
Here's an idea of the equipment a well-stocked wedding videographer should
have or have access to:
- At least two VHS camcorders with high-quality low-light
functions
- At least one VHS VCR for editing and dubbing
- At least one free-standing light for each camera
- A tripod for each camera, preferably ones with a large range
of heights
- At least two twelve hours of batteries for the camera
- The best quality wireless microphone you can afford
(one for each camera)
- All necessary cables, with spares
- Extra tapes, the best quality available.
Don't let this list scare you off. If you don't own all this, you don't have to rush out and empty your bank account.You can either rent what you need, or barter your services with someone who has the equipment. Then, pick up the stuff you need piece by piece. Also, keep your eyes open for good quality used equipment.
Other equipment you may want to consider would include a good video editor deck, for putting your finished product together; a film-to-tape camera attachment (can be used to create a montage of scenes from old home movies of the couple when they were kids - a great service to offer and a unique marketing point to offer!); and a graphics/title generator.
So, you may have wondered, why would you need more than one camera? If you
have two cameras set up, you:
- can have different angles of the action, instead of the
standard wedding video, which has a half-hour of a still camera;
and
- you're covered if one of the cameras messes up or lighting
is bad.
Make sure your videos are special, different from the run-of-the-mill wedding videos. Try to get a camera aimed toward the faces of the couple, so you can capture them during the vows, and at other points. This will also provide close-up footage to edit in at slow points. Try to have a camera at the end of the aisle, so you can catch the exit of the bride and groom. This camera could also be used to show the bride from the back, entering the ceremony, an angle that you rarely see in a wedding video. If possible, get or draw up a floor plan of the location of the ceremony. It will help you plan your camera placement and shots.
Position your microphones where they'll do the most good. If possible, get either the bride or the groom to wear one, and get the minister or celebrant to wear one. This way, you'll have crisp, clear sound. Just remember to warn the bride and groom not to whisper anything they wouldn't want the microphone to pick up! (You can always edit out any unwanted sound.)
Other places you may want a camera would be (with the couple in the 12 o'clock position): 10:00 or 2:00. Use the camera to get views of the crowd, the parents of the couple (edit a shot of them in during the vows - catch the emotion of the ceremony), and the entrance of the attendants.
If the ceremony is a specialized ethnic ceremony (becoming more popular, especially traditional marriage) or unusual, you should look for points of interest to capture on tape which will show the special meanings and emotions of the ceremony. If the couple and family can watch your tape and feel the same emotions they had during the actual ceremony, your tape is a winner!
Technical skills are important, but they can be learned. The most crucial skills are smooth panning and zooming. Before you ever do your first PAID wedding, practice with another event - for free. Practice makes for fluency.
The worst wedding video is the most common: one stationary camera, no zooms, never moving. People look around when they're at a wedding, and so should the camera, within reason. Practice a slow, smooth pan that keep the subject in the frame of the camera. Practice smooth zooms that aren't jerky, and aren't too close or too far from the subject.
You've probably figured that you'll need a helper for the actual taping. Unless the only camera that will pan and zoom is the one you're operating, and the others are stationary, you'll need someone. Be sure your helper is well-trained, with skills up to par with yourself. Ideas: a friend who also has a videocamera (here's a way to save on equipment costs); a college or high-school kid with video experience (they're becoming more common, as more and more schools add video classes to their curriculum); or a free-lancer (possibly a crew member from the public access channel at your cable station).
At the reception, it's important to get the "traditional" events: the garter/ bouquet toss, cutting the cake, toasts, etc. Use the same guidelines as before: keep in mind what's important to have in the frame, and try to tape it smoothly. A good idea may be to talk to the relatives of the couple and see if some of them would want to say a few words about the couple on tape (try to do this early in the reception, before a lot of drinks have been served!).
If your videos are special and well-produced, you should be able to charge
fees that are toward the top range in your area. Premium wedding videographers in large areas should be able to get N90000 to N120000 for a wedding. Discretely call other videographers in your area to get an idea of what the range is. Marketing ideas:
(1) Scan your newspaper for engagement announcements. Then, use your computer's word processor to print out personalized letters detailing your services. Use your library's city directory to find the addresses you need. Send the letters and a brochure to the lucky couples.
(2) Set up a referral network with florists,formalwear shops, printers, and other wedding-related retailers in your area. You could offer them a set commission fee each time a referral leads to a taping job.
(3)Find a wedding photographer in your area who doesn't currently offer video. Set up a deal where your photo and video services could be offered as a package.
(4)Participate in local bridal shows. These are attended by people who will be marrying soon, qualified prospects for your services. Have plenty of your brochures and marketing materials handy, so you don't run out. A
good idea is to have one of your best videos playing on a monitor at the
show (get permission from the couple on tape first, maybe offer them a
discount in exchange for letting you use their tape for marketing purposes).
(5) Advertise in your newspaper's wedding supplement. Most newspapers publish at least one a year.
If your taping was simple, with only one camera, you may be able to deliver the tape to the couple at the end of the wedding. If more extensive editing needs to be done, make sure you give the couple a realistic date when they can expect the tape. Don't give them a time that will leave you rushed. If you don't have your own editing equipment, check ahead with your local cable station. Many times, they have facilities for their public access station which can be rented. Many also offer short courses in video editing which are worth checking into.
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