Send press releases with a full color photograph announcing your products to new products editors of targeted publications. You can produce the catalogue yourself on a laser printer and there are now hundreds of software programs on the market that will help you design a web site. You will also need brochures, letterhead and business cards. Your earnings will depend on your product line and your marketing abilities. It will be important that you price your merchandise correctly in order to enjoy sufficient profits.
Most business owners price the products by multiplying the base price times three.
Once you have decided on what type of products that you would like to sell, you will need to find a wholesale company that handles that product line and set up an account with them. There are also hundreds of companies and organizations that can help you get started in the mail order business, like drop shippers that will provide you with catalogues of there products and you then distribute them to customers. It will be almost impossible to operate a mail order business without a merchant account, so you will need to set one up with your local bank. For more information regarding merchant accounts, please see our Home Business Tips.