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Getting into the errand business is quite easy and shouldn’t take you long. It’s a profitable and fun career where you help others and make good money doing it. Still you might have some questions before you’re ready to get started. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions:

1. What does an errand runner do?

An errand runner does just that – they run errands for people who are unable to – typically seniors. Most of their jobs are normal everyday tasks, such as getting groceries, stopping at the post office, running to the bank, and more.

2. What hours do you have to work?

As an errand runner, you set your schedule. Generally most of your jobs will be in the daytime, but there might be some nighttime work if you’d like. Remember, you’re in charge, so you can work when you want to work, whether it’s between 8:00 and 6:00, or just a few hours in the afternoon.

3. How much can you get paid?

Errand runners typically make between $25 and $40 an hour, depending on what part of the country they live in. The national average is currently $30 an hour.

4. Do you need insurance?

You will need some insurance. You’ll need auto insurance in particular. Some states will require you to have commercial auto insurance, because you’ll be using your car to run errands. Some might also require you to have special insurance if you transport seniors or pets or drive a customer’s car. Check with your state or insurance agent to find out more.

5. Can you work part-time?

You can work as much or as little as you’d like. You don’t have to be a full-time errand runner to make good money or get jobs. Running errands can be a second job, a way to make extra cash, or whatever you’d like. You decide.

6. Is it expensive to get started?

Not at all. The two main items necessary for a successful business are a car and cell phone. Chances are you already have those. You’ll also need insurance. After that, your expenses are fairly minimal.

7. What supplies do you need?

You’ll need a car and cell phone. A computer will help you as another way to contact customers. You should also have a day planner or other way to keep track of your schedule. An organized errand runner is a successful errand runner. If you prefer to use your computer, you could try Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar. For promotional purposes, business cards are something you should consider buying, as well as magnetic signs. These can be great, inexpensive promotion.

8. Are there free ways to advertise?

There sure is. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to advertise. Do a good job and one of your customers might mention you to their friend. Also, consider writing up a press release and sending it in to your local newspaper. There’s a good chance they’ll be eager to write an article about your exciting new business, especially because it’s one that does good things for the community. Also, don’t forget about the many possibilities online, such as a  website or blog, and web sites such as Craigslist.org that allow you to advertise for free.

9. Do you need any training or certifications?

None. Are you a compassionate person who loves to help others? Good, you have what it takes to be an errand runner.

10. Is there really a lot of work in this field?

There are currently 50 millions senior citizens and according to the U.S. Administration on Aging, that number is expected to double by 2030. Recession or not, people will continue to age, and many will become unable to complete errands. So what does that mean for you? A lot of potential work as an errand runner.

Becoming a successful errand runner shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg or be too difficult. With a little hard work and some compassion for others, you’ll be on your way to being an all-star errand runner.

To learn more, read Start Your Own Senior Concierge Service.

Errand services for seniors is one of the fastest grown service businesses, as more and more baby-boomers turn 65. Errand runners may also help busy working professionals and small businesses with their errand needs, but more and more are finding most of their daily errands are for seniors because seniors need help with errands on a regular basis – at least once a week and often every day. They can be a very dependable source of income for any errand service business.

There are over 50 million seniors over 65 in the United States and that figure is expected to climb to over 80 million in less than 20 years. That means lots of new customers for a senior errand service.

Why seniors? As people age, they may be less able to run their own errands. Many seniors would rather stay at home instead of doing routine errands such as going to the supermarket or drug store. Some simply can’t get about as easily as they used to. They may be home-bound due to an disability, illness or injury, and need help with even the simplest of errands most of us take for granted, so they call on an errand running service to help.

Starting an errand service is easy and quick compared to many other service businesses. There’s no need for a fancy office, no inventory to buy and training is “on the job.” Successful errand runners confirm that good people skills, the ability to stay organized and multi-task are the skills that make the difference. Most errand services start with just a few hundred dollars and a serviceable vehicle, and charge an average of $30 an hour for errand running. An eight hour day can produce $216, or $1080 a week. That’s over $54,000 a year for a simple service business.

In addition to running errands, most errand services offer several related services, such as home checks while a customer is on vacation or “waiting services.” Let’s say your customer has scheduled someone to repair a washing machine or install cable TV and can’t be there when the service call is scheduled. They call you to wait at the house for the service person, and you get paid your regular hourly wait. For many people, the alternative – missing a day of work – is much more expensive.

Most errand runners charge an hourly rate instead of by the job. Rates vary by area, from lower in rural areas and small towns to higher in big cities. According to a recent survey, rates range from $25 to $40 an hour, with a national average of $30 per hour. With the price of fuel steadily climbing, many errand runners add a small per-mile fuel surcharge as well, just like UPS and Fedex.

Service packages are popular with seniors customers, with fixed prices for a month, such as a five hour package or a ten hour package. Offering packages can give you a better idea of how much work you’ll have in the coming month, as well as money upfront for the service package.

Most errand runners charge extra for holiday or after-hours errands or for rush deliveries that need to be handled immediately. Just like any other professionals, a cancellation fee is customary if an errand is cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled time. Without ample notice, it can be difficult to fill a hole in your schedule.

Seniors spread the word quickly among friends when they find a great new business or service – it could be yours. By helping seniors run their errands, you can make a tidy profit and help others.

To learn more about starting your own senior errand service, read: Start Your Own Senior Concierge Service.

With almost 50 million seniors aged 65 and older in America, the market for senior service businesses is booming. One of the fastest growing is helping homebound seniors with their everyday errands and grocery shopping service. It’s a great way for anyone who loves helping people to make a full or part-time income without a lot of start-up costs. All that’s really needed is a reliable vehicle, a cellphone and knowledge of the area where you plan to work.

First Step: Assess your local market. Find out if any other errand runners are offering a specialized errand service just for seniors. Call them or check out their web site to find out how much they charge. This can help you determine what hourly rate to charge. If you charge too much, you will have trouble finding new clients. If you charge too little, you’re cheating yourself of income.

Second Step: Get any required business licenses from your city or state and check with your insurance agent to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage for your new business. Be sure to tell the insurance agent if you plan to transport clients to appointments in addition to simply running errands for them.

Third Step: This is not a must-have, but a simple web site is a great tool for any errand running service. A WordPress site is one of the easiest to set up and modify, and the only cost is a few dollars a month for web hosting. To find affordable web hosting, just do a search for “web hosting.” My favorite is SiteGround.com A web site allows you to list all your services, run seasonal specials and display testimonials from satisfied customers.

Fourth Step: Advertise your new errand service business in local publications catering to seniors and at local senior centers. Print business cards with a 30% off coupon on the reverse side. This will help draw in new clients, but still allow you to make some money on those new jobs, at 70% of your regular rate. In addition to inexpensive classified ads in local senior newsletters, do a simple flyer to post at senior centers or care facilities.

Fifth Step: Introduce yourself to everyone in your area who works with seniors – senior center staff, care center staff, home health care businesses, and senior care managers. They can help you find new clients for your senior personal errand service. Although many of your new clients will come from recommendations by satisfied clients, these professionals are in touch with potential new clients every day and can be a big help to you when you’re getting started.

Starting a senior errand service can be a wonderful way to help others while making a nice income. If you’re well-organized and like people, this could be the perfect business for you. To learn more, read Start Your Own Senior Concierge Service.