Rewards for Participation
Hey, you should join this site. Active users are rewarded with points, badges and privileges. You'll see more and be able to do more the second you log in. Of course it's free.
Let's have a think tank here:
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 15:45
Our government hasn't seemed overly concerned with our wellbeing lately.(I hope they enjoyed their vacation) They have yet to extend any benefits, and obviously can't create enough jobs to employ all who just want to work. Let's pool our thoughts and see how many constructive ideas we can come up with to create an income.
For example, I've contacted multiple banks and property owners(landlords) in my area trying to secure a few jobs in cleaning homes/apartments after being vacated. I'm offering to remove any junk and trash left behind, clean the home and do minor repairs such as painting, caulking and such. All of this I'm presenting as a way for the owner to quickly get the property back in the market. So far I've had some positive response. A few have committed to keep my information and contact me when they have work for me. I seem to get a better response when I openly tell them, "look, I'm just trying to pay my rent and feed my kids". I let them know I've been unemployed for an extended period of time and due to the lack of job openings, I've decided to build this into my own business. If I can get this going, I would like to sub-contract others for the repairs I don't know how to do.
Some people leave behind things that can be resold or at least given to charity. I'm thinking like this: once I clean a few places, have a yard sale, or take them to a consignment shop. Or just save up items and eventually open a second-hand store or flea market.
Any feed back would be appreciated. I'd reaaly like to see more ideas form everyone. Maybe together we can generate some new spins on differnent ideas and come up with some ways to create some business for ourselves. Who knows? Maybe we can give up the exhaustively depressing and draining job hunts.
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 15:59
#2
Any suggestions on that?
Any suggetions on that one Chuck? I'm open for them. I've thought of running an ad in some of the local papers, or creating flyers or business cards to leave around, after that I'm lost.
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 16:06
#3
Don't spend money
Business cards are good, but paid ads are probably a waste.
Maybe reach out to groups of realtors or property managers in your area? Make a nice PowerPoint presentation. Contact the organizer of the group's meetings and offer to make a presentation. They'll ask what the presentation is about. Tell them. Make it a great presentation on a topic of interest to the group ("ROI of keeping your property up vs. that of letting it fall into ruin"), not a flagrant marketing message.
Offer to send the PowerPoint file so they can get a preview of the presentation. Better yet, put the PowerPoint file online as a web page and send them a link to that. If you want to do this, I'll host it for you here (they'd get the message downloading the file from "SurviveuUnemployment.com" or we could put it on EvolutionMedia.com if you'd rather position yourself that way.
Thu, 07/08/2010 - 00:18
#5
Come on guys and girls
I know this has been veiwed. The goal here is to have as many participate as possible. Throw out some ideas. Offer constructive criticism. Like Chuck said, we're here to help each other. The jobs aren't knocking on our doors, lets get creative and make something happen. You're already here, think of something and throw it in the "tank".
Mon, 07/26/2010 - 07:59
#6
Ideas
Linked In is a viable networking tool.
Then there is just the basics...email, phone employers, people you have affiliated with in the past and let them know you are available. Its also wise to let family and friends know. Headhunters can also work for you as some companies rely on them exclusively.
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 20:03
#7
Tuesday 8/31/10 9am EST
Just saw this thread, AWESOME, made me think (lol).
I was able to find my present temporary part-time job after being laid off for 2 years by emailing out "flyers" stating my contact info, qualifications and what I had to offer.
Looking forward to seeing more ideas.
Wed, 09/29/2010 - 16:07
#8
Suggestions?
I just started a "mobile hairdresser" business, made a little website, facebook page, business cards, and now I need brochures. Does anyone have a good inexpensive source?
I am going to go around to all the local sorority chapter meetings and let them know of my services. I am contacting local wedding planners, photographers, sending my info to local magazine editors, and organizations. I am feeling kind of overwhelmed at the moment!
Wed, 09/29/2010 - 16:37
#9
Good for you!
That's great! So glad to hear you're moving on something.
Printrunner and VistaPrint are both good budget printers. If you want to go really cheap in the short-run, you can always use a desktop publishing program to put something together and print it out on glossy paper at Staples or some place like that.
I happen to be an affiliate of PrintRunner so if you want to do biz with them, it helps me out a bit. They have a sale on brochures right now...
30% Off Custom Printed Brochures - use coupon code SEPT30BRO
Wed, 09/29/2010 - 19:18
#10
Good luck
That's great!!! Good luck to you in your new adventure. :-)
Wed, 09/29/2010 - 23:06
#11
Great idea!
I think you have a wonderful idea - it is different and it sets you apart from all the other hairdressers and beauty salons.
Another place you might look into contacting is your local convalescent hospital / rest homes. Also you could let the Shrinners or other children's hosptials know about your services as well. If you have a Ronald McDonald House (for ill children) in your area that might be another area you could market your business towards.
Do you also do massages? When times where better I loved to get a massage and my hair done the same day - a sort of pampering day....
You sound like a very creative person, and I want to wish you well in your business!
JaneJill...
Thu, 11/25/2010 - 11:27
#12
Any updates rachelrene?
Hi rachelrene:
Love your idea and how is business doing?
I am very impressed that you thought of this idea.
Have you always had an interest in haridressing?
You may want to check out the "rich" side of town, alot of them hate to go to salons and may be interested in contracting your services.
Way to go!
Tue, 01/11/2011 - 21:44
#13
Listings of Jobs and Free to Post Your Resume, and Free Stuff
There is a blog called JibJobs.blogspot.com that has a lot of job listing websites outside of what you hear every day (Monster, Careerbuilder, etc.). At the same time they have many websites where you can post your resume for employers for free. Employers are having to save money these days and they are not keen on spending a lot on ads (Monster, Careerbuilder, etc.) so these sites that allow everything for free (posting resumes for us, employers being able to place ads for free or cheap) might appeal to them more. This blog also tells you about something free everyday, like how to download movies and music (since you are unemployed and need free stuff to do). It is not my blog, I already have one that I have posted about before here. Just wanted to pass this info on. Make sure if you go it is JibJobs.blogspot.com there is a similiar sounding one but it is English - haha!
Tue, 01/11/2011 - 21:43
#14
Cheap Printing
I do not know about brochures, but Vistaprint has the cheapest print items anywhere that I have seen. To give you an example, it costs me over $20 to get business cards at Office Depot, and I got them from Vistaprint for free, just paid shipping. They always have some free items, but everything is cheap. Good luck to you!
Thu, 01/13/2011 - 10:16
#15
Vistaprint
Hi jh0816:
The only issue I have with Vistaprint is the customer service when stuff does not go as planned.
You get double talk - but hey, that is all over. It seems that they are all good when selling you their product, but go MIA when you need to change something or ask a question (lol).
Angela
Thu, 01/20/2011 - 06:10
#16
Great ideas here
I've been away for a while. I've been busy trying to make something happen. . .with a little luck. Great to see the ideas here.
I really like the mobile hairdresser idea. You might also consider retirement or assisted living centers. I know the elderly ladies around here really enjoy and look forward to their hair appointment each week. They need to be pampered too! And most of them go want their hair done weekly.
I've been busy wtih various things. Chasing the money. I think to some degree that's what we're all doing. I'm in a MLM business with deregulated energy. Not making a killing yet, but I really can see the potential in it. If anyone is interested my website is www.formyfamily.igniteinc.biz It gives me the opportunity to help my customers save on their gas/electric bill, and me the opportunity to go out and meet people and make a little money in the process.
I've also opened a booth in a local flea market. I cleaned out my closets, picked out things we don't need or use and put those in the booth. I also occasionally go to yardsales and pick up things cheap and put them in my booth. That gives me more variety to catch the eye of people walking by. Baby stuff and toys seem to be the ultimate eye catcher. I was pleasantly suprised to learn that people are willing to help (sell you a lot of stuff really cheap) when you explain that you've been out of work for a while and you're trying to buy some stuff to re-sell. I spent $30 and made $140. I considered that to be a pretty good profit.
I also met a plumber who had quit his regular job. He said he picks up plumbing jobs on the side, but he primarily goes to storage auctions and holds yardsales, goes to fleamarkets or swapmeets and sells everything he buys. I thought that was a good idea, he said he made more doing that than he did at his previous job.
So again, there are options. We just have to find the opportuntiy and tackle it.
Best of luck to all.
Becky
Great example of making lemonade.
When it comes to rustling up work, have you considered working more of a marketing angle and less of a sales approach? Rather than contacting individuals, find a way to reach out to groups of people and organizations that can use your services and let them come to you.
When life hands you sh*t, make fertilizer.