So, paying for a start-up kit will most likely provide a sure road to riches for the kit promoters only. But don't despair. Three Steps to Starting a Mail-Order Business 1. Pick a business that's attractive to you. Figure out the financials.
Direct mail is surprisingly expensive.
Depending upon the industry, you can sink hundreds of thousands of dollars into solicitations before you break even. Order the free kit from the United States Postal Service on direct mail marketing, which includes software that figures out mailing costs. Link with professionals. Network with other people in the field to find out as much as you can about the mail-order business. Use their vision, passion and expertise to clarify your own.