Start a local mailshot service for small businesses

Local tradespeople, estate agents, restaurants, gyms, dentists and other small businesses wanting new customers in a set area.

A campaign fee covering design, plus a margin on printing and postage or delivery. Repeat campaigns for regular clients bring steady work.

• Basic graphic design
• Clear, persuasive writing
• Organising print and postage jobs
• Explaining results to clients

• Data protection (UK GDPR): check the rules before buying or using any mailing lists, and register with the ICO if required
• Royal Mail rules and prices for bulk or unaddressed mail, check current terms and minimum volumes
• Advertising rules: check the ASA/CAP code for claims made in your mailshots
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows you to run a business from home, and consider professional indemnity insurance

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your design software, equipment and how much work you outsource to a trade printer. These are estimates, so get supplier quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many clients you win and the size of each campaign. These are estimates, not guarantees, and printing and postage costs come out of that.

Check UK GDPR rules before buying or using any mailing lists, and whether you need to register with the ICO. Also check Royal Mail's current terms for bulk or unaddressed mail, and the ASA/CAP code for claims in your mailshots.