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Naturally, in order for your map to be successful, your information will have to be accurate. If you want to do a historical map, check all facts with the local historical society or do an extensive and thorough research job in the local library. A historical map is the most difficult to do well, but it can often be the most interesting.

Once your map is ready, it's time to go back to your printer and put in an order for your first batch. In the meantime, you should be checking markets. Possible selling places include local stationery stores and bookstores, the Chamber of Commerce, any points of interest mentioned on the map (like the best ice cream cone store), hotels and motels in your area, travel agencies, libraries, or special interest groups such as historical or cultural societies. Get the maps to places where local people as well as people passing through can come across them. If your town has no such map available, it could become a popular item for groups like boy and girl scouts, who could use them for field trips, as well as tourists.

You can charge from 50¢ to $5 per map, depending on how extensive and complete it is and how it looks. You'll want to charge less to stores who will need to make a profit. If you sell them for $1 apiece, you could charge the store 80¢ per map. You'll have to work out these details with each of your outlets. In addition to selling in local stores, you can sell maps from your home by putting up signs on bulletin boards, or distributing flyers. You can advertise that anyone interested in buying a map can send you' $1 (or 50¢, or whatever you charge), plus a small amount to cover postage, and a map will be sent by mail.

Local map making will not bring in large sums of money, but it is fun and the idea can be translated for different interests (local spots for bird-watching, local sporting events, facilities, and sporting goods stores, local restaurants) and different markets. If you develop a variety of maps, you can enjoy a good, if sporadic, income from this part-time occupation, and you might even reawaken some civic pride in your town.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

General Cartography by Erwin Raisz
McGraw-Hill Book Company
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y.10020

This is a textbook and reference guide to the principles of map making, with more than 300 helpful illustrations. It's a technical book but is very helpful.

School Bus Driver

If you can maintain your equanimity behind the wheel while to your rear a pack of youngsters in full throat battle for their favorite seats and press cookies into one another 's ears, you could be a school bus driver. This kind of work can be an excellent part-time occupation for mothers, for they can manage to be home when their children are there, including holidays and summer vacations. It's good for anybody who needs to make some part-time money and doesn't mind being somewhat tied down by a twice-a-day responsibility.

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