Thursday, October 30, 2008

Start a Santa Letter Business

By Nicole Dean

With the uncertainty surrounding the economy these days, many women are trying to think of ideas to make money from home -- preferably on the internet. You don't want to fall for a scam but you do want something that is easy to do and still have time for your families. Starting a Santa letter business may be the answer.

So, what is a Santa Letter Business?

Each year thousands of children write letters to Santa Claus and never get a response, but your Santa letter business can change all that. By owning your own Santa letter business, you can give children something to cherish for years to come. A parent pays for a "letter from Santa" for their child and you write a personalized letter in response.

What Equipment will I Need? Is it Expensive?

There isn't a lot of equipment needed to start your Santa Letter Business. All you need is a computer, some Christmas stationery, a printer and some way to collect orders (a website or post office box).

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed at This Business?

You'll want to be comfortable on the computer, have good reading and typing skills, and have a good command of the English language. Beyond that, just love children.

What Rate Should I Charge Per Letter?

Research shows that you can easily charge $10/letter. However, you'll always find people charging less or more. The important thing is to offer great customer support and to add to the magic of the holidays. If you do, your customers will look for you again year after year.

Figure out how much you'd pay to give your child a personalized letter from Santa and use that figure as a base. Add on costs for your supplies and your time, and, then determine if you're in the ballpark. (Of course, adding in some extra magic will help you to raise your rates. Include an autographed photo of Santa for a few extra dollars.)

How to Market Your Santa Letter Business

Don't wait too long. The Santa Letter season wraps up in November. Sell letters from Santa on auction sites and classified sites. Create order forms and distribute them at daycares & preschools with parents. We highly recommend that you create a website or blog to advertise there, too. Why not bring your laptop to some of the big Holiday Craft Shows to make letters on the spot for Grandparents & parents who are shopping?

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