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How to Start a Profitable
Senior Errand Service
Copyright  2009
Headstart Publishing LLC
Post Office Box 464
Anacortes, WA 98221
www.extraincomebulletin.com
Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. This guide may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form
without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to make this guide as
complete and accurate as possible. Although the author and publisher have prepared this guide with
the greatest of care to insure the accuracy, we assume no responsibility or liability for errors,
inaccuracies or omissions. The advice of a capable legal, tax, accounting or other professional should
be sought if questions arise, or before using the forms in this guide. Before you begin, check with the
appropriate authorities to insure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4
LEGAL STRUCTURE................................................................................................................................ 6
SOLO OR EMPLOYEES? ......................................................................................................................... 8
NAMING YOUR NEW BUSINESS ........................................................................................................ 9
INSURANCE ............................................................................................................................................ 11
ERRAND BUSINESS SUPPLIES ........................................................................................................ 13
SERVICES TO OFFER........................................................................................................................... 15
PRICING YOUR SERVICES ................................................................................................................. 19
How much can you make? ........................................................................................................... 20
Package pricing ................................................................................................................................ 20
Surcharges ......................................................................................................................................... 21
GETTING PAID ...................................................................................................................................... 23
ERRAND RUNNING TIPS ................................................................................................................... 26
HOME CHECKS ...................................................................................................................................... 29
FINDING CUSTOMERS........................................................................................................................ 31
RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................ 35
FORMS ...................................................................................................................................................... 36
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INTRODUCTION
The senior population in America is close to 40
million people today, and expected to double in
just over two decades. As seniors age, they
need more help with daily activities that
younger folks take for granted, such as running
errands. If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a
profitable home-based business that improves
people’s lives, a senior errand service could be
the perfect choice for you.
The demand for senior errand services will
only grow in the coming years, as the 80
million baby boomers become seniors and need help as well. According to
the U.S. Administration on Aging, (www.aoa.gov), the senior population is
expected to approach 80 million people by 2030, growing at a rate twice
that of the rest of the population – that’s one out of every four Americans!
As folks age, their needs and abilities change. Most seniors prefer to stay in
their own homes as long as possible, but become less mobile. This creates
a opportunity for those who can assist seniors by handling the everyday
errands that are an essential part of their lives. Grocery shopping, picking
up prescriptions or dry cleaning, a trip to the post office or taking a pet to
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the vet and many other errands for seniors will keep you as busy as you
wish.
A senior errand service requires no formal
training,
just
common
sense,
organization,
honesty and compassion. Patience helps too, as
age has slowed down many seniors, and it takes
them a bit longer to do everything than younger
folks. It can be started on a shoestring, with just a
car and a cell phone. The rewards can be great – not just in dollars and
cents – but in helping seniors live better lives by helping them retain their
independence as long as possible. You’ll have a flexible schedule – an
advantage for many who need to balance family needs with the need to
earn an income.
Page |5
LEGAL STRUCTURE
Before you can offer your senior errand services, you’ll need to set up your
business, decide on a legal structure, pick a name, get a business license
and get a tax identification number from the IRS. First, let’s take a look at
the three most common legal structures for an errand service business:
sole proprietorship, partnership and limited liability company (LLC).
A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business that is owned by an
individual. You are the sole owner of the business, and the liabilities and
risks of the business are yours as well. The income and expense of the
business are included on your personal tax return (schedule C). As a sole
proprietor, you are responsible for paying income tax on your earnings.
If you plan to start an errand service business with a partner, you can form
a partnership, a legal structure that allows the business to “pass through”
profits or losses to the individual partners, who then include their share
on a personal tax return.
A limited liability company, also referred to as an LLC, is a newer business
structure that has become quite popular, as it gives it’s owners limited
liability from debts and actions of the business, just like a corporation, yet
allows the benefit of pass-through taxation, just like a sole proprietorship.
Most states provide a downloadable form you can use to set up an LLC
without using a legal advisor.
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For more information on choosing the best legal structure for your
personal situation, go to www.nolo.com, where you’ll find lots of free
helpful information, as well as the best books on the subject.
Whatever your choice of a legal structure for you new business, you’ll need
to obtain a federal tax identification number, or EIN. You can apply online
at: www.irs.gov by clicking first on businesses, then on employer i.d.
numbers.
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SOLO OR EMPLOYEES?
Most errand runners are “lone eagles”, and prefer
to keep their business small and simple. A few,
lured by the higher income potential, hire
employees to do most of the errands and focus on
managing the business. While it’s true a larger
errand service business can generate a substantial
income, it’s a lot of work. You need to hire and
manage employees, handle lots of administrative tasks, and spend less
time out and about, running errands. It’s up to you to decide which
direction to take. The majority of the errand services companies are one or
two person enterprises.
The main reason given by most errand runners for staying small was that
they started an errand business for extra income and flexible hours, and
wanted to stay small, rather than become a manager, with the added
responsibilities and stresses that can bring.
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NAMING YOUR NEW BUSINESS
Start by making a list of possible names for your errand business. For
ideas, do an internet search for “errand service”. This should produce a
long list of names used by other errand service businesses. Whittle it
down to a dozen or less that you like, then ask others what they think of
the names on your list.
Next, ask yourself the following questions about the names on your list of
possibilities:
1. Is the name easy to remember?
2. Does the name have a positive image, for example: Dependable
Errand Service?
3. Could the name connect your business to your community, as in:
Lynden Errand Service or Grass Valley Senior Errand Service?
4. Does using your own name appeal to you, as in: Angie’s Senior
Errands?
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Another option that can convey a warm first impression is to use a “tag
line” or slogan in your ads, business cards and other marketing material.
Possible slogans include:
1. An Extra Hand for Seniors
2. There When You Can’t Be
3. On the Run for You
4. Leisure for You
5. You’ve Worked Hard, Now Let Us Help
6. Mission Accomplished
7. At Your Service
After you’ve chosen a name, check with your county or the Secretary of
State for your state to make sure no one else has registered a business
with the same name. It’s also a good idea to check with the U.S. Patent &
Trademark office to make sure the name isn’t trademarked by another
firm or individual. To do a free search, go to: www.uspto.gov.
After you’ve found a name that’s available, you can “claim” it by registering
it as a business name. The laws vary from state to state, so check with your
state’s secretary of state to find out the procedure in your area.
Registering your new name prevents anyone else from using the same
name.
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INSURANCE
Insurance is essential for an errand business. It can protect you and your
assets in the event of a lawsuit or other claim. As the number of errand
service providers has grown, insurance companies have created specific
policies that reflect the needs and risks of the profession.
Auto Insurance. Check with an insurance agent to find out what’s
required in your state. Some states require commercial auto insurance if
you use your car or truck for an errand service, others do not.
If you plan to offer transportation services as well, such as taking seniors
to a doctor’s appointment, for example, you may need a special license
from your state, as well as commercial insurance coverage. So before
offering transportation as part of your services, look into your state
regulations. It’s also a good idea to carry what’s called a “non-owner
endorsement policy” that insures you while you are driving someone
else’s car.
Many seniors will ask you to drop off and pick up their car at the repair
shop, and it’s important to have insurance coverage for those occasions.
Two companies offer coverage that’s tailored to errand service companies,
Burlington Insurance Group www.burlingtoninsurance.com and Canal
Insurance Company www.canalinsurance.com.
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Many seniors love to travel, and need a reliable person to care for their
pets and home while they are gone. As a result, most errand service
providers offer petsitting and housesitting as part of their “menu” of
services. There are several insurance companies that provide insurance
coverage for this as well – specifically what is called “care, custody and
control” (CCC) coverage. Many broad liability insurance policies do not
offer this coverage, or only cover pets you are boarding in your own home,
not pets staying in their own homes. For an online list of insurance
companies
that
specialize
in
this
specific
coverage,
go
to:
www.petsits.com/insurance. To learn more about the business of
petsitting, go to www.extraincomebulletin.com.
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ERRAND BUSINESS SUPPLIES
Car, truck or van. Seniors will count on you to be reliable and
dependable, so you need a vehicle that will do the same for you. A minivan
is a good choice, as it gets good mileage, and has plenty of room for hauling
everything from dry cleaning to the occasional piece of furniture.
Computer. Most seniors now use a computer for email and internet
access, so it’s a good idea to have a dedicated email account for your
business, so your customers can easily reach you with requests, grocery
lists and schedule questions. You can get a free email account at Gmail,
Hotmail and Yahoo.
Look into the “netbooks”, which are lightweight (2 pounds or so),
inexpensive (under $300) computers which are much more portable than
the traditional laptops, and can be carried along on your daily errands, and
used anywhere there is wifi access.
Cell phone. This is an essential tool for your errand service business. It’s
best to have a separate phone number for your business, both for practical
reasons as well as tax reasons. To keep costs low, sign up for an extra
number with one of the low cost services, such as ringcentral.com and
accessline. My favorite, Accessline Smart Message www.accessline.biz,
provides a new phone number in your local area code, plus faxing, for
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under $10 a month. You can forward calls to your home phone, your cell
phone or have them emailed to your computer.
Business cards. Once you’ve picked a name for your business, it’s time to
order
business
cards.
You
can
get
free
business
cards
at
www.vistaprint.com. You just pay shipping. Most of the big box office
supply stores, such as Staple, Office Depot and Office Max can design and
print cards as well. You can order them with a magnetic backing, so
customers can stick them on the refrigerator for easy access.
Day planner. A carry along day planner is useful for keeping up with your
day’s errands and noting future errands when talking to customers. Some
errand runners prefer to use their computer’s calendar program, such as
Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar, to keep track of their schedule, and
print out each day’s errands one day at a time. The netbook computers are
handy for this, as you can easily take it with you, and use the Microsoft
Works Calendar that’s pre-installed.
Magnetic signs. You’ll be amazed at how much business you will get from
customers who saw the sign on your car. Unlike a yellow pages ad, there is
just a one-time cost of around $50-$60. Vistaprint can also create a custom
magnetic sign for you, as can www.magneticsigns.com. If you’re looking
for a vinyl sign for the rear of your vehicle, try: www.fastsigns.com.
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SERVICES TO OFFER
Providing a list of services you offer to seniors will
help generate calls and assignments. Don’t worry
about being too specific with your list. Just cover the
general services you plan to offer, and add a line at the
end, such as: “Don’t see what you’re looking for? Call us
to discuss your needs.”
Here are the most common services requested by seniors:
1. Banking errands. Homebound seniors often need help with their
banking needs, such as making deposits or getting cash.
2. Car errands. When it’s time for an oil change, repairs, or just a trip
to the car wash, you can help.
3. Dog walking. Seniors are often unable to give
their pets the daily exercise they need, which can
be anything from a walk around the block to a
two mile walk. If you enjoy a paid walk, consider
adding dog walking to your list of services.
4. Dry cleaning. Many dry cleaners don’t offer a
pick up and delivery service, but you can.
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5. Computer help. Seniors, who did not grow up using computers,
often find them confusing and difficult to use. If you’re computer
savvy, you can help seniors with their computer challenges.
6. Garage sale help. Seniors often need to dispose of all the “stuff”
that accumulates over several decades. Often, it’s necessary to scale
back in order to move to a smaller home or apartment.
7. General errands. Prepare to be surprised by some of the errand
requests you’ll get. Most will be routine, such as dropping off books
at the library, or picking up and returning movie rentals, or
purchasing stamps at the post office.
8. Grocery shopping. This is one of
the most popular services, as many
seniors are homebound, and
unable to get to the grocery store.
You’ll find a helpful form to cover
grocery shopping in the resource
section.
9. House sitting. Seniors love to travel, and many are constantly on
the go. Regular house checks can insure that their home is safe and
secure. Most involve checking windows and doors, watering plants,
checking mail and giving a home that “lived in” look while the
owners are gone.
10. Personal shopping. You may be asked to shop for anything, from
auto parts to pet toys.
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11. Pet sitting. Seniors may need to leave a pet behind when they
travel, and you can help them by caring for their pets while they are
away. Our Ebook, Profitable Pet Sitting, provides in-depth
information about this specialized field. Learn more at:
www.extraincomebulletin.com
12. Pet taxi. Seniors are often unable to take their pets to the groomer
or vet, but you can provide this service for them.
13. Prescriptions. Most pharmacies do not deliver, so you can help
seniors get their medications.
14. Senior checks. Many seniors living alone have families far away
who are unable to check on them to make sure they are okay. That’s
where you can help. A regular visit can help insure that seniors are
doing well, and after each visit, a call or email to distant family
members will assure them that their special senior is being cared
for. To learn more about this area of senior care, go to:
www.agelesscheckers.com
15. Shuttle service. Many seniors have frequent medical appointments,
and are unable to drive themselves. You can help, but make sure you
have any required licenses and insurance to cover this.
16. Waiting service. When a senior cannot be there to wait for an
appliance repairman, the cable guy, wait in line for mail, tickets or
the DMV, you can.
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In addition to the areas covered above, many
senior errand service providers offer related
services, such as lawn care and light
housekeeping. It’s up to you to decide what
services you are willing and able to do. You
can also work with other service providers,
such as house cleaners, to help your senior customers. A 10 to 20 percent
commission is customary.
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PRICING YOUR SERVICES
Most errand services charge by the hour rather than by the errand or with
a flat rate. Rates vary by region, with cities on the East and West coast
higher, and the South, Midwest and rural areas lower. Based on a recent
survey, hourly rates run from $18 to $35 an hour, with $25 an hour the
most common.
If your errand service customers ask you to run errands outside your
normal range, consider charging an additional mileage fee. The IRS is
currently allowing 55 cents per mile as a deduction for business-related
travel, so many errand runners use the IRS rate in setting their own
charge.
Pet sitting or house sitting charges are usually billed on a flat fee basis,
which also varies by region. Typical rates are $15 to $25 per half-hour
visit, with an average rate of $20.
When you first start your senior errand service, you probably won’t be
busy all day every day. But if you provide dependable, quality service and
treat your senior customers fairly, you can expect to be booked solid in no
time. Most seniors have an extensive personal network of friends, and they
will spread the word about your service.
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How much can you make?
Using the $25 per hour rate, here’s how the earnings potential looks: $25 x
8 hours = $200 daily / $1,000 weekly / $50,000 yearly. If business is good,
you may want to add an employee. If you pay them $12 an hour, and bill
their time out at $25 an hour, you should net about $8 an hour after taxes.
That’s an additional $16,000 a year per employee.
Package pricing
Many senior errand services offer a “package” to their regular customers.
It’s a win-win, as you get paid up front and know in advance how many
hours you’ll be booked. Your customers save a bit (10 percent is the
standard “package” discount) as well.
One service offers a “gold” package for $100 a month that covers two
grocery shopping trips, two pharmacy trips and two general errands. The
“diamond” package, for $180, adds four more hours per month.
You can also offer a basic discount package, priced by the total number of
hours. For example:
1. $110 – Up to 5 hours per month.
2. $175 – Up to 8 hours per month.
3. $220 – Up to 10 hours per month.
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Another option is offering your regular customers a ten percent discount if
they exceed a certain number of hours each month.
Surcharges
The normal hours for a senior errand service are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with 24
hour notice to allow you to schedule each day in advance. If a customer
needs an errand after hours or during a holiday, a surcharge is customary.
Typical surcharges are:
1. After hours during the work week or anytime on weekends - $6 per
hour additional.
2. Holiday service - $10 per hour additional.
3. Rush service (within 2-4 hours) $10 per hour additional.
Be sure to mention the additional charges when your customer calls or
include it in your handout (see the sample policy sheet in the resource
section). If you don’t charge extra, expect frequent requests for errands
late in the day, on holidays or on short notice.
It’s customary to request that your customers schedule an errand 24 hours
ahead. This gives you the ability to organize your errand schedule for
efficiency, as well as the possibility of combining errands to save your
customers some money. For example, if customer A & B both need
prescription pickups at the same pharmacy, make one stop, not two.
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Most senior errand services request 24 hour notice to cancel an errand,
with a cancellation fee if notice is not given. If you plan to do this, be sure
to mention it is your policy sheet. Some charge a flat fee, others simply use
the rate for one hour of service as a cancellation fee.
You should start charging for an errand run when you leave your home or
office through the end of the errand. This is a fair way to calculate your
time charges. If you start another errand after completing one, start your
charges when you complete the first one. Some errand runners start the
meter when they arrive at the customer’s home. You’ll need to determine
which method is best for you and your customers.
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GETTING PAID
Most of your customers will be regulars, who use your senior errand
service over and over again. If they are occasional or first time users, it’s
best to get paid at the completion of each errand.
Frequent customers – those who use your service often – should have the
option of paying weekly or monthly. To do this, you’ll need to keep an
accurate log of your daily errands, with customer names, start and end
times and mileage for each errand and a list of any items purchased or outof-pocket expenses. This can be transferred to a written receipt or invoice
for your customers.
A simple receipt or invoice book and a rubber stamp with your business
information (available at any office supply store) will work while you’re
getting started. After a while, you may find doing invoices on your
computer, using Quickbooks or other software, is more efficient.
If you’re dealing with a new customer (grocery shopping, for example),
you may want to get a deposit. Seniors are generally honest folks, so you
won’t have many problems with payments. The only issue that may
occasionally come up is forgetfulness – the well-known “senior moment.”
As a few of your customers, due to their advanced age, get a bit absent
minded, you may need to remind them if a bill goes unpaid too long.
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If you set up discount packages for your regular customers, collect the full
amount in advance of the month of use. Keep track of your hours, and if
they go over the number of hours in the package, add the extra time to the
next month’s bill.
If you provide grocery shopping services, you’ll want to get paid on
delivery. Be sure to inform your grocery shopping customers what form of
payment you expect (cash or check is typical). The grocery shopping form,
in the resource section, will help prevent any misunderstanding.
If you want to accept credit cards, look into Paypal or Propay. Paypal was
originally set up to process payments for Ebay purchases, but has grown
to over 100 million customers. There is no charge to set up a Paypal
account, and once you have it, your customers can use Paypal to pay for
your services. To learn more, go to: www.paypal.com.
Propay is a popular resource for mobile businesses such as errand service
providers, as you can accept and process credit card payments using just a
touch-tone phone. It also works on the internet, and even allows you to
send an invoice by email to a customer and get paid directly to your
Propay account. Propay is a part of Wells Fargo bank, and offers lower
annual fees than most other banks and no monthly fees. To learn more, go
to: www.propay.com.
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Another option often used with regular customers is to set up a purchase
account for any amount you and your customer agree on. If it’s just used
for occasional purchases, $100 might be fine, while groceries will require
more. When the balance gets low, have your customer add to the account
when you run the next errand for them. This method requires more
bookkeeping, but could save you time in collecting payments for shopping
if your customer happens to be away when you deliver the items.
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ERRAND RUNNING TIPS
Whether you choose to computerize your errand service or use a
simple card system, the first step should be to create a customer
information card for use when a customer calls. To keep things
simple, use two boxes for your cards. One box contains all the
customer cards that are unpaid, the second box has all the cards
that have no balance due. This make is easy to see at a glance who
has yet to pay their bill. Here’s a sample to copy:
Customer name: ___________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
City, State, Zip code: _______________________________________
Home phone: ____________________ Cell phone: ______________
Services requested: ________________________________________
________________________________________ Price: ______________
Extra services: _____________________________________________
Date of service: _____________________________________________
Favorite grocery store: ____________ Pharmacy: ____________
Total cost: ___________________ Date paid: ___________________
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1. If you have several customers in the same area, a retirement
community for example, think about setting aside specific days for
certain errands. Grocery shopping on Mondays and Thursdays, pill
pickups on Wednesdays, and so on. This can allow you to combine
errands for seniors and help keep charges lower.
2. Ask your grocery shopping customers to phone in their shopping list a
day in advance so you can better organize your shopping stops. Most
seniors prefer the telephone over fax or email, and it gives you an
opportunity to ask any questions you may have about brands, sizes, etc.
3. Pay for each customer’s order separately. Many seniors will want to
go over their individual receipts when you drop off the groceries,
and a combined bill will make that difficult.
4. You’ll need to have someone at home when you arrive with the
groceries. Either let your customers know when to expect you – 3 to
5 p.m., for example, or get a key for your regular customers who
cannot always be at home. A key release form is included in the
resource section.
5. Set up a file folder for each regular customer, and put the customer
service cards in each customer’s folder after they are paid.
P a g e | 27
6. Keep several nesting plastic totes in your car or van so you can keep
each customer’s grocery order separate. Put the receipt for each
customer’s purchases with the items so it will be easy to find when
you deliver each order.
7. Keep a felt tip pen handy so you can write the customer’s name on
each bag as the grocery store clerk is bagging the groceries. This will
help prevent order mix ups.
8. Always keep your cell phone handy and turned on so your
customers can reach you with requests for last-minute items or
emergency prescription pickups.
9. If you’re caring for kids and running errands, consider asking a friend
or relative to care for them or arrange for daycare. If they are in school,
run your errands while they are at school. If they are old enough, they
may enjoy “working” with you as you make your rounds.
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HOME CHECKS
Every fall, millions of seniors migrate to a
warmer sunny climate, and back again in the
spring. They are called “snowbirds”, and the
empty houses they leave behind, in both cold and
warmer climates, can mean more profits for you.
One of the best sources of steady, dependable income for senior errand
service providers can come from your existing customers. You’ve helped
them with their day-to-day errands, and you can also help them with their
empty house. Best of all, they know and trust you, so it’s not difficult to
persuade them to trust you with the care of their home while they are away.
If you live in the snowbelt, you can provide home check services for your
customers who have gone South for the winter. If you’re in the sunbelt,
you can do the same when they head North in the spring.
These home check inspections are usually done weekly, for a flat fee ($20
is a typical charge). Here is a list of the most common checks included in a
“safe & secure” home check:
1. Check exterior and interior for plumbing leaks and insect or rodent
damage.
2. Dispose of newspapers and door hangars.
P a g e | 29
3. Flush toilets and run faucets.
4. Check light bulbs on timers.
5. Security check on all doors and windows.
6. Check security system, if needed.
7. Water plants if needed.
8. Send “all okay” email to customer !
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FINDING CUSTOMERS
For many, finding customers is the most
challenging part of starting a new business.
Don’t worry, there are many low-cost and free
ways to spread the word about your new senior
errand business, and we’ll explore a few of the
best here.
Newspaper ads. Most newspapers have a
“service directory” or something similar where
you can run a regular display or classified ad for
your business at a reduced rate. It’s best to keep
the ad small, but repeat it regularly – once a week is just about right.
Repetition is the secret to successful advertising. After a few months,
readers will remember your ad, and look for it when they need your
services.
Senior publications. Every community has specialized publications
devoted just to seniors. They may be just for the visitors at the local senior
center, or an “Over 55” community, or for all seniors in your community.
Ask around to find out what seniors are reading – online as well – and run
small classified or display ads in as many as possible.
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Free classifieds. You can place a free classified ad at www.craigslist.com
or www.backpage.com. Both have region and city-specific sections, so you
can get the word out to just those in your area. Try a general “errand
service” ad, as you may attract others in need of your services, such as
busy professionals or businesses, in addition to seniors.
Business cards and rack cards. Business cards are an essential sales tool
to pass out to everyone who’s a prospect for your services, and to those in
the senior care community who can refer customers to you.
For the best selection and pricing for business cards, go to
www.vistaprint.com. They have over 180 “stock” designs to choose from
(hint: search for designs in the “health care & social assistance” category)
Use both sides of the card. On the front, include your business name &
slogan, address & phone number, email address and a web site address, if
you plan to have one. On the back, list the services you offer, and if you
have room, “don’t see a service – call and ask!”
Rack cards, if you’re not familiar with them, are a 3 ½ x 8 inch glossy
color card designed to fit standard display racks. They are widely used
because they are effective, and the compact size means prospects are more
likely to save them than a flyer. By using both sides and keeping your sales
message “short & sweet”, you can tell your sales story well with a rack
card. Leave them anywhere seniors gather. Vistaprint has the same stock
designs available for rack cards as well.
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Networking is an easy way to gain exposure for your business in the
community. Groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis, as
well as senior organizations can provide an opportunity to meet, greet and
become better known. In addition to groups, spread the word among
related businesses, such as dry cleaners and pharmacies that don’t offer
delivery services.
Press release. Your local newspaper is a good source of free publicity
when you are getting started, or adding new services. A new business
startup is newsworthy, and a simple news release, or call to the paper will
often generate a story in the business section.
If you have an interesting “hook” to your story, such as a unique or special
service you provide, or your volunteer work with seniors, for example, the
paper may even do a feature story about you. To learn how to put together
a basic press release, do an online search for “sample press release.”
Referrals. Seniors love to share their favorite resources with their friends,
so you’ll find many of your new customers find out about you from your
existing customers. It’s also a good idea to visit the administrator of local
senior communities, local attorneys that specialize in elder care, hospital
care managers and others in the senior care community. Tell them about
your senior errand service, and how it can help seniors stay in their own
homes longer or assist anyone recuperating at home from surgery or other
medical condition.
P a g e | 33
Web site or Blog. A web site is another useful tool in your marketing
toolkit, and need not be expensive or complicated to set up and maintain.
You’ll want to include at least these basic items on your web site:
1. Services offered & prices
2. “about” page with a your picture and your story or mission
statement
3. Customer testimonials
4. FAQ – post the most common questions here
5. Policies and downloadable forms
6. Contact information
Here are three sources for free web sites:
1. www.homestead.com
2. www.sites.google.com
3. www.weebly.com
Another option, perhaps even easier than setting up a basic web site, is to
set up a free blog. Blogging software makes it easy to add new content,
such as testimonials and photos. The two best sources for free blogs are:
1. www.blogger.com
2. www.wordpress.com
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RESOURCES
Trade associations & forums. The International Concierge & Errand
Association is a non-profit organization that provides business support,
networking opportunities and other benefits to member businesses.
Members can use the Association logo on their promotional materials,
such as business cards and brochures to add credibility. To learn more, go
to: www.iceaweb.org.
The Yahoo Errand Services Group is an online resource for sharing
information and support about the errand service business. You’ll find
both industry veterans with years of experience and those just getting
started. Browse the thousands of messages in the archives to find an
answer about a specific topic or to learn more about errand runners.
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/errand_services.
P a g e | 35
FORMS
You’ll find three ready-to-print forms on the following pages, a
Grocery Shopping Agreement, Key Release Form and a Service
Agreement. They have not been reviewed by an attorney, and
are meant as a guide only. We encourage you to have an
attorney review the forms to insure they are appropriate for
your specific needs and state laws before you use them.
GROCERY SHOPPING AGREEMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Our rate is $_____ per hour. Additional time billed in 15 minute increments +
cost of groceries.
Payment is due at time of delivery – cash or check.
Rate includes travel time to and from grocery store.
Please order 24 hours in advance.
Call or Email your shopping list to: Phone
Our Email address:
SHOPPING LIST INSTRUCTIONS
7.
8.
9.
Your name:
Your address:
Your Phone:
10. Best delivery date & time for you:
11. Preferred grocery store:
12. Special instructions:
13. List the items you want. Please include: size or weight, quantity, brand name
and description (example: 3 cans 15oz. Kroger garbanzo beans)
14. If any item is not available at your preferred grocery store, I authorize
__________________ to buy the item at another store, and agree to pay for the extra
time at the specified rate. Customer initial: ________________
If groceries are delivered to your home while you are away, you agree to provide a
key for delivery, and we can (check your choice):
 Leave the key in a secure place.
 Retain the key for future deliveries.
We agree to deliver and put away groceries in the kitchen or designated area, exit
and secure the residence. We will not be responsible or liable for any items missing
from residence.
I have read, and agree to this Grocery Shopping Agreement.
Customer: ______________________________________ Date: _____________________________________
Errand Service: ________________________________ Date: _____________________________________
KEY RELEASE FORM
Customer ________________________________agrees to give _______________________________ a
key to their home located at: ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________will safeguard customer’s keys, including tagging and
coding keys so, in case of loss or theft of keys, no personal information is shown on
keys.
Please choose one of the following return options:
1.
I would like you to keep my keys for future services. Initial here: _______________
2.
I would like you to return my keys no later than _____ days after my return
3.
I would like you to leave my keys with the authorized person listed below.
home. Initial here: ______________________
Initial here; ______________
Name: _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Important: We will not leave your house key unattended in your home for security
reasons. Because of the possibility of return delays or accidents, your home or pet
could be exposed to risk. For your safety and security, we will only return your keys to
you or the person you’ve authorized. We are not liable for any loss or damage to
home if others also have access to your home.
Key pickup:
Customer: __________________________ Date: __________________
Key return:
Customer: ____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________
Service: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________________________
SERVICES – RATES – POLICIES
We can help you with:
Errand Services. We’ll run your errands,
such as picking up prescriptions, mail at
the post office, dry cleaning, personal
shopping and more.
Grocery Shopping. Just make a list, tell
us your favorite store, and we’ll do the
rest.
House Sitting. No more worries when
you leave town, whether it’s for a week or
six months. We’ll perform a security
check, water your plants, pick up your
mail, and open and close the blinds to give
your house a lived-in look while you’re
gone.
Personal Shopping. Need a special gift
for a friend or just something from the
hardware store? Call us and it’s done.
Pet Sitting. We’ll care for your pets in the
familiar surroundings of their own home,
where they’re safe and secure. One or two
visits a day to take care of feeding,
watering, medications if required,
exercise and tidy up any “accidents.” We
love animals, so your pet will get lots of
TLC.
Senior Checks. If you have a friend or
relative that could use a regular visit to
make sure all is well, we can help. We also
follow up with a call or email to let you
know how your special senior is doing.
Waiting Service. Are you expecting a
home delivery or a service/repair person,
but can’t be there? We’ll be there for you.
Other Services. If you don’t see a service
on this list, just ask!
Rates. $25 per hour, with a one hour minimum, including the first 10 miles. Hourly charge
begins from the time we leave to your location and ends after the errand or service is
completed. After 10 miles, the mileage fee is 50 cents per mile. Additional time is billed in
15 minute increments.
Hours. Our normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. 24 hour notice is
requested for all services. There is a surcharge for rush service, last minute requests,
overtime outside our normal business hours and holidays. Please contact us for exact
pricing.
Cancellations. 24 hour notice is required for a cancellation. If no notice is given, a $25
cancellation fee is due.
Liability. We are not responsible or liable for any damage caused by a third party, or a pet.
Payment method. Payment (cash or check) is due when service is completed. There is a
$25 fee for any returned checks.
Privacy. All customer information is strictly confidential, and we never share this with
anyone else.
Safety. We will not perform any service that is illegal or may be a safety risk.
I have read and understand these rates and policies.
Customer: _________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________
Published by Headstart Publishing
Copyright 2009
HeadStart Publishing, LLC
Post Office Box 464
Anacortes, WA 98221
www.extraincomebulletin.com