The odd, OBSCURE side hustles

[GordonJ]

My first hand experience with oddball, obscure little businesses included:
..
Singing telegrams, courier, on lot driver for auto auctions, a fleet recovery driver for auto auctions, a long distance car delivery guy...

mascots (which a family member also did) and costume characters, driving instructor specializing in seniors, mobile car detailing plus headlight cleaning, mobile golf instructor (have nets, will travel), simulated patient at medical school, art model, resumes writer (the obscure part was a detailed GUARANTEED job)...

Mobile jewelry/watch seller, custom golf fitter, flea market vendor.

All of these, hands on, DOING it experience which I review in FINAL report...

Today, I think pet photos and boudoir pics are selling well too. And many a hotsheet type product which two decades ago were unheard of, albeit for my reports...safe to say, millions of such ONE PAGE or short printed items are selling on etsy alone.

Report to be released on 27th Nov. The 25th is deadline for your 1/2 page ad (for 10 bux).

We're getting close.

Gordon

[GordonJ]

Most regulars know it is OK, even suggested, to send me email [email protected] with any questions, and if you want I will answer them on the forum so others with a similar question can benefit.

So, in many of these obscure side gig-hustles, I had to go to them to APPLY FOR a job...like with the driving. But where I operated as my own side gig-hustle, there was the problem of GETTING CUSTOMERS, so how did I do that?

That was the gist of the question I am responding to.

My wife and I started detailing cars accidentally, when a local Dr. asked if I would be interested in making some quick cash? Yes, of course.

He had an event, and needed his car washed and waxed, which we did at his office. From there, we got a couple of referrals. But the main PROMOTION was a postcard, typed, that was sent to Dr. and Dentist who were members of local country clubs...that list was somehow available. It was a simple card emphasizing we cater to busy professionals.

We promoted the OFF KEY singing telegram business by offering a FREE telegram to local radio/TV personalities spouses...for an ON AIR surprise. We also sold giant choc chip cookies at a big annual FLEA MARKET, where I had the "attraction" of the OFF KEY juke box.

For my golf mobile biz, I used bulletin boards at golf courses, driving ranges, with the HAVE NETS WILL TRAVEL, and my J's Golf logo on it, and also would do half days at fraternal clubs, vfw, elk, moose, etc.

For ResumesPlus, I again used bulletin boards, and had a referral program.

Honestly, REFERRALS are the best business promotion there is.

For HEADLIGHT cleaning, the BOZ used a big banner on his truck at car washes, I used a stick it note and put on windows that needed a headlight cleaned.

When you do obscure, you still need customers, if an at home gig, for the others, it involves getting out and seeing the people.

Gordon

Originally Posted by GordonJ

My first hand experience with oddball, obscure little businesses included:
..
Singing telegrams, courier, on lot driver for auto auctions, a fleet recovery driver for auto auctions, a long distance car delivery guy...

mascots (which a family member also did) and costume characters, driving instructor specializing in seniors, mobile car detailing plus headlight cleaning, mobile golf instructor (have nets, will travel), simulated patient at medical school, art model, resumes writer (the obscure part was a detailed GUARANTEED job)...

Mobile jewelry/watch seller, custom golf fitter, flea market vendor.

All of these, hands on, DOING it experience which I review in FINAL report...

Today, I think pet photos and boudoir pics are selling well too. And many a hotsheet type product which two decades ago were unheard of, albeit for my reports...safe to say, millions of such ONE PAGE or short printed items are selling on etsy alone.

Report to be released on 27th Nov. The 25th is deadline for your 1/2 page ad (for 10 bux).

We're getting close.

Gordon

[Dien Rice]

Hi Gordon,

As you know, I'm always interested in ODD businesses... And these ideas can also often double as ODD promotions too! (Anything different will stick out from the crowd!)

Here's a strange one I came across...

A sandwich shop located in St Andrews - which is a town on the coast of Scotland - started to offer "seagull insurance" !

Apparently, there is a danger that at some point after buying your sandwich, a seagull will swoop and try to grab it!

However, if you buy the extra "seagull insurance"... in the case of that happening, they'll replace the stolen sandwich for you...

("Seagull insurance" costs £1 British pound, about $1.25 in US money...)

I doubt if they're making big bucks on the seagull insurance...

But they're probably doing very well on the free publicity and word of mouth!

Sandwich shop to offer 'seagull insurance' to customers robbed of their toasties
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com...es-500968.aspx

Gordon, can't wait for your report! (The fact you've "lived" it gives it immeasurable value!)

Best wishes!

Dien

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Most regulars know it is OK, even suggested, to send me email [email protected] with any questions, and if you want I will answer them on the forum so others with a similar question can benefit.

So, in many of these obscure side gig-hustles, I had to go to them to APPLY FOR a job...like with the driving. But where I operated as my own side gig-hustle, there was the problem of GETTING CUSTOMERS, so how did I do that?

That was the gist of the question I am responding to.

My wife and I started detailing cars accidentally, when a local Dr. asked if I would be interested in making some quick cash? Yes, of course.

He had an event, and needed his car washed and waxed, which we did at his office. From there, we got a couple of referrals. But the main PROMOTION was a postcard, typed, that was sent to Dr. and Dentist who were members of local country clubs...that list was somehow available. It was a simple card emphasizing we cater to busy professionals.

We promoted the OFF KEY singing telegram business by offering a FREE telegram to local radio/TV personalities spouses...for an ON AIR surprise. We also sold giant choc chip cookies at a big annual FLEA MARKET, where I had the "attraction" of the OFF KEY juke box.

For my golf mobile biz, I used bulletin boards at golf courses, driving ranges, with the HAVE NETS WILL TRAVEL, and my J's Golf logo on it, and also would do half days at fraternal clubs, vfw, elk, moose, etc.

For ResumesPlus, I again used bulletin boards, and had a referral program.

Honestly, REFERRALS are the best business promotion there is.

For HEADLIGHT cleaning, the BOZ used a big banner on his truck at car washes, I used a stick it note and put on windows that needed a headlight cleaned.

When you do obscure, you still need customers, if an at home gig, for the others, it involves getting out and seeing the people.

Gordon