Digitize Family Photos

Posted by: Tracy M. in From Home Businesses, Home Based Businesses, Services

Start a business saving family photographs for consumers. Safeguard their precious memories for them. You might charge about 50 cents a photo, save them on a CD-R and sell them to your customers. Everyone loves photographs of the old days, but they are often ruined, damaged, faded, or even lost over time. This will ensure they are safe forever. You will need a scanner, plenty of CD-Rs, and a great marketing plan that will certainly sell itself.

Your customers can easily upload their photographs to your website or email them to you. Make sure that you offer the directions on how to do this, just in case they are not sure how. Other customers that are not computer people can send their photos to you by mail if they are more comfortable with that option. Offer these steps to follow in simple terms that are easy to follow.

You can charge shipping and handling or offer to pay for shipping if they order $50.00 or more. Then mail out as many CD-Rs as they order. Because some photographs can be precious, be sure to offer insurance and encourage your customers to send photos insured, registered, or such for safety reasons.

If your customer chooses to send the photos to you for processing, have a reliable secure file system in place for storage of them. Since these are precious to your customers, make sure that you handle them with care and return each one. This may also require a statement on your part, stating that you will handle their photos carefully and take all precautions with them. You may also need to have them sign a statement, or check a box acknowledging and agreeing with the fact that you cannot be held responsible if something happens to their photos during this process. Reassure them that every precaution will be followed and let them know how many successful transactions have taken place once you have quite a few to refer to.

This will take an initial investment at first: a reliable computer, scanner, CD burner, media packaging, and a web site. This could also be a great home business if you already own most of these items. Advertising is also a good investment. Invest in business cards, circulate pamphlets, and give coupons an idea for new customers or referrals. Placing advertisements in your local newspapers is also a good idea at the beginning. Posting your business cards on community boards can be helpful too. You might also leave your business cards with Bridal Boutiques, stores catering to children, and community centers.

Once you establish your work at home business, you may also be able to offer your customers other benefits to take advantage of like, photos printed on items like T-shirts, cups or key chains, or offer their pictures saved on CD-R’s accompanied by the music of their choice. There are many opportunities to expand your offers with this type of business as your business grows.

Building trust and encouraging return customers will be an important aspect for a successful business in this field. Handle your customers well and you are assured a successful and enjoyable business.

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