A ""HOME BUSINESS"" BUSINESS

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YOU CAN DO IT, TOO!

According to the Small Business Administration, the number of home-operated U.S. enterprises is on the rise. Ten years ago, there were only 2.5 million such businesses . . . today there are nearly 5 million . . . and estimates indicate that in another ten years there will be 10 million. With such a growing number of run-it-yourself operations springing up in this country, publishing home-based business directories can provide you with an excellent part time-or eventually full-time income.

Exactly how much money are we talking about? Well, let's look at some conservative figures. If you live in an area with at least 35,000 people, draw 200 advertisers for your guide, and work 20 hours a week (over a period of four months), you should be able to make $2,500 profit from one directory. Cover larger areas, publish more directories, or attract more advertisers (while, of course, working more hours), and your income will rise from there!

And one of the biggest advantages of this income opportunity is the small initial investment. You can virtually start "on a shoestring", since any ads you sell are paid for as they are placed. Front money, then, is not a major requirement of this home business. Instead, it's much more important that you be a self-starter who likes people and is able to organize well.

POINTS TO PONDER

First of all, you must remember this: If you collect ad money for a directory, and said directory is never published-for any reason you'll have to repay every dime to your advertisers or else you'll be in deep trouble. (Angry advertisers and lawsuits are only some of the problems you'll have to deal with.) So be sure to finish what you start!

Second, it really does take a population of at least 35,000 to support a directory. But then, you don't need to limit yourself to just one town. Two of our publications covered whole counties!

Third-and I tell you this from experience's frightfully easy to spend all that ad revenue as it comes in without setting anything aside to cover the expenses of printing and distributing the directories. To avoid that calamity, deposit-from the very start-a minimum of 60% of all the money collected into a separate bank account. This should be enough to meet all your expenses . . . with any remainder earmarked as a bonus for a job well done.

My fourth bit of advice involves you, the law, and the IRS. You'll need to research and follow all local codes and ordinances regarding the setting up of a home business. (These restrictions will vary from place to place.) In addition, keep good records for income tax purposes.

And finally, you will-in all likelihood meet people who will tell you on Monday that they want to advertise . . . but why, when it comes to actually parting with the cash on Friday, will experience a change of heart. Don't be discouraged by those folk, They'll constitute a minority of your contacts. But likewise, try not to rely heavily on verbal agreements.

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