If you make money at writing

I’m doing a workshop for my local writers group titled

The Business of Writing: What to Do if You Ever Make Money with Your Writing.

I’ll be discussing the difference between writing as a hobby, as a ministry to help others or as a business. I’ll also talk about taxes, special deductions for authors and what business structure a writer should have for  a writing business.

Here’s a handout that I prepared for the workshop.

The Business Of Writing

If you live in the Cincinnati area, come attend the workshop live!

Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Church in Milford

Eggcellent business idea!

This teenager runs a micro business selling eggs. He even created his own logo and packaging.

Teen is a business high-flier

A WORCESTER teenager who runs his own business enterprise has received county-wide

EGGS-TRA SPECIAL: 17-year-old Daniel Lloyd runs his business selling eggs from his grandparents’ house in Kempsey. Picture by John Anyon.

recognition for his achievements.

Daniel Lloyd, aged 17, of Warndon Villages, who suffers from cerebral palsy and uses a mobility scooter to get around, has been recognised for his personal achievement in Worcestershire County Council’s Tryangle Awards.

He found his business niche selling eggs and he runs the business from his grandparents’ house in Green Street, Kempsey, near Worcester, where he keeps his own chickens.

The Tryangle Awards reward young “tryers” in categories such as personal development and sports.

A council spokesman said: “He has been recognized for taking the initiative to start this business, from keeping the chickens and making contacts with people to make the business successful.”

Daniel, a pupil at Regency High School in Warndon, sells his eggs at school and has designed his own business logo and boxes.

His mum Kate said: “He was so chuffed when he got the certificate .

“He’s got it all sussed out, it’s his own little enterprise.”

Mrs. Kate, we like to call them “micro business!” not “little enterprises,” but we know you’re proud of your son.

PBS wants your story!

I was contacted by a TV producer from PBS’s Biz Kid$.  She is looking for teenage entrepreneurs to showcase on the show. If you are reading this blog, she wants your story!

Here’s what she wrote:

Hi Carol,

I came across your website while researching stories about young entrepreneurs. I am a TV producer currently producing Biz Kid$ – an award-winning PBS series where kids teach kids about money and business. The series helps young people understand the basics of making and managing money, and how to start their own business.

Biz Kid$ is produced by the creators of Bill Nye the Science Guy and has aired on over 90% of PBS stations, reaching over 115 million US households.

Biz Kid$ includes short profiles of young entrepreneurs from across the country. We are always looking for interesting business stories about young business owners. I would love to enlist your help in reaching out to teen entrepreneurs, and possibly showcase their business stories on Biz Kid$.

Please visit our website for more information: www.bizkids.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards
–
Shilpa Singru
Associate Producer
Biz Kid$, Seattle, WA
www.bizkids.com
425-286-3567

So can you help Ms. Singru?  Are you a teenager with a business?  PBS might put you on their show.

Contact her directly or email me and I’ll forward your story to her. Be sure to tell me if you get picked for the show!

Go check out an episode (or several) now.  You’ll learn a lot and maybe get encouraged by what other teenagers have done.

Biz Kid$ shows

10 Reasons to Start a Business (While You’re Still a Teenager)

On the Road to $1 mil blog has a post on 10 reasons to Start a Business While You’re Still a Teenager

While there are good reasons to start a business at any point in life (no age is too young, none is too old), these are the main ones why it pays to start a business while you’re a teenager:

1. You can afford to take more risks. You don’t have to worry about whether investing in the business puts your children’s financial wellbeing at risk. Plus, in the face of any setback, you’ve got many years in front of you to recover -or try again.
2. You have drive. You’re in the age of thinking big. Your dreams have no ceiling and you’re passionate beyond reason. Tap into that energy -and apply it to an idea you believe in.
3. You have energy -certainly more than most people 20 years older than you.
4. You want to annoy your parents. Don’t they give you a hard time with their never-ending speeches about becoming a lawyer? Show them there’s more to life than Law School!
5. You want to make your parents proud, too. They’ve told you a hundred times you should grow up. What a better way to show you’re able to take responsibility for your own life?
6. The experience will serve you later in life, whether you continue with the business, start another one, go to college, or get a job.
7. You hate feeling bored. Once you start working on your idea, you won’t have time for boredom. Actually, you won’t have much free time at all. But as long as you’re working in your passion, you won’t miss it, either.
8. You have plenty of friends. I bet that many of them are also looking for something to do. They can become a source of cheap labor to tap into, they can help you brainstorm ideas, or even become your business partners.
9. You want to be popular. How many people your age own their own company? Your friends will admire this, and you may even inspire some of them to start a businesses of their own -and they’ll queue to get your expert opinion.
10. You want to find your purpose. A business will expose you to activities you’ve never performed before. Do you hate keeping business books? Do you enjoy developing ideas to help others? Do you love the contact with other people? Everything you discover about your likes and dislikes will help you find a direction for your adult life.

So if you’re young and have a passion, give a thought to the possibility of turning it into a business. Don’t let the hurdles -lack of money the most obvious one- deter you from trying: be creative and you’ll come up with ways around them.

How to Make Money on Craigslist

Here is a  great site to help teenagers use Craigslist to start a micro business.

How teens can make money on Craig’s List

Find “Services” and put an add under “Small Biz” or “Household services” and you can soon be another teen making money thanks to Craig at Craigslist.

For example…You could put an ad for “carpet cleaning” on Craigslist, get people emailing or calling you about carpet cleaning, go to the “rental center” nearest you and rent a carpet cleaning machine, do the job and get paid right away. (Be sure to know what the rental and supplies costs before you place the ad so you cover your expenses!)

You can also check the section on “Gigs” for fast jobs.

But please beware not to give out personal information online.

Young women especially need to be cautious in answering ads for potential marketing and promotion ads seeking attractive girls.

Respond with a friend and cell phone. Let your parents know exactly where you’re going. Drive by where you’re supposed to meet your “employers” and if the least suspicious, drive off! Better safe than sorry!

I logged onto Craigslist for my local city and discovered that my local public school needs tutors to work with students for 2-9 hours a week.  The ad says “great pay and flexible schedule.”  They want a resume and a background check.

Try Craigslist for your city, but be sure to follow the guidelines above and on Craigslist to avoid scammers.  Keep your parents informed about what you are doing. They can see suspicious activity that you may not see. Let them help you!

Vital Customer Service Tips

Customer service is vital to your micro business success.  Here are some tips to better serve your customers.

• Apologize when something goes wrong even if it is not your fault. Apologize that you couldn’t cut the grass on Tuesday because it snowed 4 inches!  The customer will appreciate your concern and maturity. Never make excuses. No one wants to hear you blame someone else. Just apologize.

• Answer calls or e-mails within less than 12 hours. Sometimes your competitor will get a job because they called back first.

• Fill orders quickly. No one likes to wait so don’t let orders sit for more than 24 hours.

• Show appreciation through cards, saying thank you and remembering special events like birthdays.

• Stay in touch: Consider a newsletter or an e-mail note to your customers. Tell them about new services or offer a coupon.