How to Start a Small Delivery Business

A delivery business is a great choice in terms of starting a small business. You can run it from home, and there are franchise opportunities. Businesses and even everyday people need delivery services at some time. At first, you will not need to register your business as you will be a sole proprietor. Starting a delivery business can be low-cost operation since the venture itself usually requires very little upfront investment. The upshot is that more than likely you own much of the equipment needed to start a delivery business.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone All-in-one printer Computer Broadband Internet access Business cards, flyers, envelopes Office supplies such as paper, staplers and index cards Delivery truck or van Website Mailing List of businesses and residences Local Yellow Pages

Instructions

1. Start off by coming up with a name for your business and a design for your business logo if you haven't done this already. Once you have a final draft of your logo, take your concept to a local printer, and have them print up envelopes, letterheads and business cards. The next task is to set up your home office. Make sure to put things in order where you can find them easily. Organization is a key factor when owning a business and can help you save money and time.

2. Start by putting those mailing lists to work for you. You can build a list by using the Yellow Pages and online databases to find businesses and residences in your area. This can be a time-consuming task, but if someone is willing to volunteer his or her help, it will make the job go faster. Add these addresses to a database, as this too will save you some time later on. List services have already done this work for you, but you'll have to pay for the information.

3. After you have compiled or purchased your mailing list, you can begin to make your flyers and brochures to market your services. You could hire a professional marketer, but with a little creativity and a solid understanding of Microsoft Word or a comparable word processing program you can make up advertising materials yourself. Be as professional as possible with your design and pitch and make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Head over to a copy center and run off a few thousand copies. Save the master copies for later printings.

4. Now is a good time to draft an introduction letter to let other local businesses and area residents know who you are and what you do. Be clear and concise in your letter and be sure to ask for their patronage and support. Print out a copy of this letter on your company's letterhead. This is a master copy for future printings.

5. The next step is to use those mailing lists. You will print out envelopes and use the database to automate the task of addressing the labels. Another way to address the envelopes is to use Microsoft Word's mail merge feature. You can print the addresses directly on the envelopes and save yourself a step. Afterwards, stuff the envelopes and apply the labels.

6. Set up a website that advertises your services and gives your prospective customers another way to contact you.

7. Leaving brochures and small stacks of business cards in places like restaurants and stores in the area is a great opportunity to interact with owners of these businesses. Head over to grocery stores and shopping centers in your area as well. Check with manager firsts before hanging up flyers on their property, and don't forget to drop off some cards and brochures at the local chamber of commerce office.

Tips & Warnings

• One final word, remember look into any legalities in your area particularly those concerning Department of Transportation guidelines, or the operation of a delivery service.