How to Make Money Doing Odd Jobs
Whether you're a student looking for a few extra dollars, a senior looking to remain active or you're just between stints of regular employment, odd jobs can be your solution. Think of odd jobs as short-term tasks for which you'll receive a set fee and sometimes an hourly rate. Odd jobs are an effective way to use your talents and to make money off of work you enjoy.
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Instructions
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Itemize your skill set. If you're handy, you might do simple construction jobs. If you're a people person, you can take elderly people grocery shopping or do their errands for them. Gardening and landscaping are ideal for people with green thumbs who enjoy working outdoors.
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List your materials and other resources. Before you offer to do odd handyman or gardening jobs, make sure you have the necessary tools. Taking people shopping or running errands might require that you have a vehicle. If you must purchase materials upfront, draw up a simple budget and cost out items so you're prepared for the start-up funds you need.
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Set your prices. Odd jobs are often jobs people could do themselves but do not want to devote the time or effort. Because people could do these jobs on their own, it's possible they won't be willing to pay high rates. To recover the cost of new materials, you might have to charge at least a certain amount to break even, but make sure your price is not so high as to alienate your potential customers.
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Market your services to the right people. Put up posters and advertisements with your details and contact information, and reach your target customers. If you want to assist seniors, ask the staff at an elder care center for permission to place an ad on a communal bulletin board. Advertise landscaping services on bulletin boards in neighborhoods where the residents have lawns; avoid advertising your services in an area glutted with apartments. Place ads in community newspapers and on telephone poles if local bylaws permit.
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Ask for referrals. Word-of-mouth advertising is the best way for you to expand your customer base and get more work. As you're starting up, talk to neighbors and friends and let them know you're available to help with odd jobs in exchange for pay. If you're a member of a faith community, you might get free advertising in the community's literature.
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Tips & Warnings
Look for inventory jobs, sometimes large city department stores need inventory people for just a few days bi-annually.
Check for jobs picking fruit and vegetables on local farms.
Use you're imagination
References
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