House Numbers - The "Instant Profits"
Business
Anyone who lives in a=
city
has ready access to an old standby that's always good for a daily income. I=
n
There are almost neve=
r any
rules for house numbers in residential areas -- some have large numbers on =
the
door, others small numbers or names on their mail boxes, on the side of the
house (under the ivy or behind the rosebush) and still others with no marki=
ngs
whatsoever.
If you have even trie=
d to
find an address in a strange neighborhood, you have undoubtedly experienced=
the
frustration of looking for a house number where there are none displayed. M=
ost people
understand this frustration, which is why it is not difficult to make money
solving the problem.
To get into the curb =
painting
business, all you need a set of number stencils and a couple cans of fast
drying spray paint. Then find a neighborhood that needs house numbers on the
curbs and go to work!
The procedure is to p=
aint on
the numbers first, then go up to the house, expl=
ain
what you have done and ask if they would care to contribute a dollar or two
towards your expenses and labor (leave the actual amount up to them). Since=
you
are not charging for your service (only accepting donations), you will seld=
om
if ever, need a license or permit (if in doubt, check with city hall or the
county clerk's office). That is all there is to it!
Although there are ma=
ny
variations, the system described here is recommended for beginners. You can
always alter your procedure after you have a little experience under your b=
elt.
If you ask the people first you may do fewer numbers for nothing but you wi=
ll
also get fewer contributions.
Technically you also =
will be
contracting for service and therefore fall under many laws that don't apply=
to
"volunteer" work and contributions. Asking the occupants first gi=
ves
them the opportunity to say no.
Many people that woul=
d not
otherwise pay (renters, visitors, people in a bad mood, or those with somet=
hing
else on their minds for example) will feel obligated to contribute when you
tell them you have already done something for them and would appreciate a d=
onation
if they think it was a good job.
A psychologist would =
tell you
that you have just switched the question from whether or not they want to p=
ay
to have their curb painted to whether or not you did a good job! It's very
tempting to get into various styles and color combinations, but resist that
temptation.
One well-meaning but
unsuccessful curb painter started out with a can of white latex (background)
and dark green enamel for the letters and proceeded to ASK PEOPLE if they w=
ould
like him to paint their number on their curb. He didn't do very well!
Color options might b=
e OK for
those rare people who ASK for a custom job -- but the easiest, fastest,
cheapest and smartest ways is to use black fast drying paint and metal or h=
ard
paper standard style stencils.
After getting started=
, you
can design your stencil holder so to hold 4 or 5 numbers that can be slippe=
d in
and out rapidly. Your holder should also be engineered to place all the num=
bers
about the same height from the street (and the top of the curb).
Other extras may incl=
ude a
can of fast-dry cement colored paint (you might have to mix the color yours=
elf)
to correct mistakes or cover a curb blemish.
Also, some making tap= e, edging paper and fast-dry white in case someone asks for a white background= (in this case, you simply white over the already painted numbers, re-do them).<= o:p>
Note that the fast-dry
requirement is to allow you to move fast-- to be able to change the numbers
rapidly and make any necessary corrections without making a mess.
Of course, it always =
helps to
look presentable. Dress for the area you are working in so you won't fright=
en
or alienate the residents that you want to contribute. You want them to see=
you
as a nice guy who has just done them a favor and is performing honest work =
in
exchange for volunteered payment.
All of the number you=
paint
should be the same size, style and color, and should be placed as close as
possible to directly in front of the main entrance to the house. Most curb
painters use 3 or 4 inch numbers (depending on curb sizes), plain block sty=
le, and
a dull, fast dry black (or dark green) paint.
For special orders, y=
ou can
use fancier stencils, reverse image (white numbers on a black background) o=
ther
colors, or even florescent paint. You can use paper or metal stencils that
slide into a holder (you can make yourself), or get a set of brass stencils
that interlock. Either can be put together fast and easily cleaned.
The technical procedu=
re is to
first determine which numbers go where, something you can usually find out =
by
looking around a little.
Most numbers advance =
by two's
on each side of the street; odd numbers on one side; even on the other. When
you are satisfied that you know the correct numbers, set up your stencils,
"shoot" the street number, then go up to the house and ask if they
would like to donate. Most will, but some won't -- or will not be home.
You can do nothing ab=
out the
ones who do not care to donate without causing more problems for yourself, =
so
just smile and let them enjoy their freebie. They may be financially
embarrassed, just visiting, or planning to move out the next day.
For the ones that are=
n't
home, have some small notices printed that explain what you did and tell th=
em
where to send their donation. You can type out several of these on a single
sheet of paper, then have copies made and cut th=
em
into say 6 per sheet.
You will soon find th=
at
painting X number of curbs will generally yield so many dollars in donation=
s,
so few "not homers" and a couple of refusals aren't going to ruin=
you.
They correspond to the hot checks and bad debts other businesses have and a=
re considered
"part of the cost of doing business" -- except that at least yours
don't cost you anything perhaps a penny's worth of paint!
If you do this very m=
uch, it
might be a good idea to have some inexpensive business cards printed (see
WALTER DRAKE, Sources), and place inexpensive ads in community papers.
Some operators hire
neighborhood kids to go up and down the streets the day before they plan to
work, distributing "flyers" that say you will be there the next d=
ay
or so paint on their number, that the service is free, but they are welcome=
to contribute
-- and what to do if they prefer.
If you use this syste=
m be
sure and include what to do if they do not want their house number painted =
on
the curb. This action seems to stimulate donations, and also lets people kn=
ow
what that guy out there is doing to their curb. These flyers can also inclu=
de
an offer to do custom work.
One other alternative=
is to
provide those who donate with a "receipt" that just happens to ha=
ve
your name and other services you offer.
In this business, as =
with
most others, your image is very important. You want to appear as an honest,
hard working, but commercial individual (so do any people you hire), who is
trying to earn extra money by providing a needed service. This is why a rub=
ber
stamped or inexpensive business card and home-made (and copied) flyers are
fine.
BUSINESS SOURCES
D=
ICK BLICK,
L=
arge, reliable
supplier of art and related suppliers. Has
b=
rushes, stencils, etc. at good prices.
THE KELSEY CO.,
a=
nd printing supplies, all kinds (including brass a=
nd
paper
s=
tencils suitable for curb painting). Old,
reliable co.
DOVER PUBLICATIONS, I=
NC.,
Discount books, clip =
art. stencils, etc.
QUILL CORPORATION,
312/634-4800. Office supplies.
NEBS,
s=
upplies.
I=
VEY
PRINTING,
p=
lus 200 envelopes - $18.
S=
WEDCO
Business cards - $13 =
per
thousand.
Z=
PS,
p=
rint - $11.50 per K) and letterhead stationery. Will=
print
your
c=
opy ready logo or design, even whole card.
WALTER DRAKE, 4119 Dr=
ake Bldg.,
r=
un business cards, stationery, etc. Good quality, =
but no
choice
o=
f style or color.