Home-Based ad studio for local businesses

Local business owners such as restaurants, dentists, contractors, gyms and retailers who want more customers but lack time or know-how.

A monthly management fee per client, one-off fees for creative work like ad design or copy, and sometimes a agreed percentage or fee for handling the ad spend.

• Writing clear, persuasive copy
• Basic design or working with a freelance designer
• Understanding social and search advertising tools
• Explaining results simply to non-marketers

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Commercial general liability insurance and possibly professional liability (errors and omissions) cover are worth checking
• Use only images, fonts and music you have the licence to use in client ads
• Check advertising rules for sensitive sectors (for example health, cannabis, alcohol, financial services) with Ad Standards and your provincial regulator
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for ads aimed at Quebec customers
• Check GST/HST registration once your revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Be clear in contracts about who pays the ad platforms, since unpaid ad spend can become your risk

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your software, equipment, insurance and any freelance design help. Check whether professional liability cover is worth adding to commercial general liability.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many clients you serve and the services you offer. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week.

Check ad rules for sensitive sectors such as health, cannabis, alcohol and financial services with Ad Standards and your provincial regulator. Also check French-language requirements in Quebec, licences for images, fonts and music, and GST/HST registration.