Business At A Glance
Startup Costs: $2,000 – $10,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Online Operation? Yes
Business Overview
Every year Americans suffer billions of dollars in losses due to theft,fire and natural disaster, yet most people have no record of theirpossessions.
When damages occur from theft or natural disaster and theinsurance company asks for descriptions, serial numbers and otherdetails, victims are at yet another loss.
But if you have a camera andare willing to travel around town, you can save the day with a photoinventory service. You’ll take pictures of clients’ possessions andmark them with serial numbers and the purchase price or replacementvalue so that if a burglary or disaster occurs your clients areprepared.
The advantages to this business are that you can startpart-time on a shoestring, you meet lots of people, and you provideboth a valuable service and peace of mind for your clients.
Althoughyou don’t have to be an Ansel Adams, you do need to know the basics ofgood photography. You’ll also need to know the sorts of detailsinsurance companies are interested in–when you snap a photo of thatcomputer, for instance, you’ll want to make sure the model number isvisible.
The Market
Your clients will be individuals and businesses of all types. Anexcellent way to solicit trade is by establishing relationships withinsurance agents who can refer you to their customers–be sure to leaveplenty of business cards for agents to hand out.
Introduce yourself tothe detectives in charge of property thefts in your police or sheriff’sdepartments and give them your cards as well. You can also send outbrochures in direct-mail campaigns–a good time to do this is when arash of burglaries makes the morning papers.
And don’t forgetnetworking and giving talks to professional and civic organizations.
Needed Equipment
The biggest tool of your trade will be your camera. You can go withwhatever model you already have on hand, but you may want to invest ina digital camera, a computer, photo software, and a high-quality colorprinter.
Digital models can store hundreds of pictures at a time, whichsaves on film costs and time spent changing and labeling rolls–andthere’s no developing involved.
Or you may choose to go with a videocamera. You should also have a notebook to record the details to gowith your pictures and, of course, a supply of pens and pencils.