"Instant" businesses provide quick cash.

Starting an "instant business" - generating an immediate income on a shoestring - is a viable option for anyone facing a temporary or long term money crunch.

Any motivated and able bodied person (teenager or adult) can easily earn up to $100 a day by providing services to people in their community. All it really takes is a willingness to get out and sweat a little, and put in a full day's labor.

You really don't need to spend any money to get started, either. You probably already have the equipment you will need, or you could borrow it from a friend or neighbor.

There are certain types of services to individuals and businesses in your area which can be offered by anyone who is willing to do so, with almost zero investment - and these can give you an immediate cash income. Further, these services are usually not currently being offered in a community (or if they are, there is more demand than people to fill it). Thus, the field is wide open and you will find plenty of people eager to pay you to provide a service to them.

I'll give you an outline of one typical "instant business," along with some additional suggestions for other businesses that can be operated similarly.

Example: Sparkling Clean Window

Wash Service

What. Nobody likes to clean the windows on their house - especially on the outside. You provide a service cleaning windows on the outside of the house only. This makes the job 1) simple for you, 2) less expensive and 3) easier for the customer who can later do the insides of the windows himself. This also reassures your customers, since a stranger (you) won't be tromping through their house.

Equipment and supplies needed: window cleaner or ammonia, bucket, scrub brush, squeegee, ladder, rags, old newspapers, trash bag, receipt book.

When you can do this: Any day when the weather is fair. Best time of year: spring through fall. Daylight hours only.

How to get customers: Look for work in neighborhoods with one-family homes - don't go to duplexes and rental neighborhoods. Pick one-story houses only. The best method of approaching customers in this case is simply to go door-to-door down the block and then up the other side of the street.

Dress neatly: A clean shirt and jeans is fine as long as you are neat and well groomed. Look your customer in the eye, smile and be respectful at all times when dealing with your customers. Even when someone says no to your offer, smile and say "thank you."

What to say: "Hello. I am cleaning windows and frames on houses in the neighborhood. (In fact, I just finished a job over at Mr. _____'s home down the street.) I noticed that your windows here could use a little sprucing up. I can clean the outside of the windows and scrub the frames down for you and save you a lot of hard work, if I may. I only charge $_____per window after you've had a chance to inspect my work and it is satisfactory to you."

How much to charge: Depends on size and condition of windows. $3 minimum per small window, $5 per regular window. You may wish to ask to look around the house first to count windows and check their size, condition, etc., and then give your customer one flat price instead of a per window price. Very dirty windows should be priced higher.

How long each job will take: An average house with 10 windows will take you approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

How many jobs per day do you need to earn $100: Depending on number of windows cleaned, 2 or 3 houses maximum. Average working hours per day: 6.

Getting paid: When job is completed, knock on door and invite homeowner to inspect your work. If customer is satisfied, get out your receipt book. (This is a sign which people will realize means they need to go ahead and pay you.) Ask how to spell his name or what address this is. Hand customer the completed receipt and say "Thanks. That will be $_____, please."

After being paid, ask if he/she knows who lives in the next house which you noticed needs cleaning. When you go to that house, use your previous customer's name as a referral.

Additional "InstantBusiness" suggestions

Gutter cleaning service

An "at your door" car washing/waxing service

Curb address painting service

Garage/shed cleanup service

Yard mowing/maintenance.,

Some final tips

1) Even though they may need your services, not everybody will want you to do work for them. This should be taken as a matter of course. Don't take it personally. Just go on to the next house. Keep going, don't give up.

If, however, you feel you are getting too many rejections, examine yourself and your approach. Put yourself in your potential customers' shoes and imagine how they perceive you. Do you look respectable and trustworthy? Is your approach business-like professional? Is this neighborhood the right one for the service you are providing? Adjust your approach accordingly.

2) Always ask a satisfied customer if they have any other odd jobs which they need done around the house as long as you are there or which you can come back and do the next day. These would include painting, lawn work, repairs, cleaning garages or attics, hauling away junk, etc. (If any of these require special equipment or tools which you do not have, ask your customer to provide these or pay for these expenses in advance.) Chances are you'll find many extra opportunities to make extra income in this manner, especially if your customer has seen you are a good, reliable worker.

3) Be on the lookout for other ways to make money by providing services. Many tasks are seasonal in nature, giving you the chance to make money year 'round. Often, if you see something that needs doing, all you have to do is ask someone if they want the job done. If your price is reasonable, you will often get the job.

4) Again, let me emphasize: You don't have to love doing any of these things to go ahead and make good money by doing them. Nor do any of these ideas have to be permanent sources of income. Use these ideas whenever you need to supplement your income quickly - for a day, a week, a weekend, whatever.

I have prepared a full-length report outlining several "instant business" ideas, along with some additional tips and tricks that would be of interest to anyone considering this type of work. If you'd like a copy, send $2 to cover postage and copying to: Jim Erskine, 823 East 10th Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101.