A couple of days ago, we posted in our Small Business News section a press release from Liz Folger of Bizymoms.com about a potential home business for moms — a welcome service for new neighbors.

From how I understand it, you sign up as an associate, and your task is to assemble a kit of coupons, freebies or marketing materials that you solicit from businesses in your area. You will then give this packet for free to your new neighbors. Your income will come from the fee that businesses will give you in order to be in the packet. This welcome service basically extends the US Postal Office’s envelope of coupons and offers from businesses in the area that is sent to the new neighbor (if they made a change of address request).

Right off the bat, I think this business could give you a few hundred dollars a month, but maybe not enough to quit your day job. This type of business would potentially work in a large urban areas, but not in place where new residents move in once in a blue moon. It is a “go-out-of-your-house” home business that will work well for those who love social interaction and networking with business owners.

There are two aspects to this business: identifying new neighbors, and soliciting local businesses. You will need a system to determine whether new neighbors are moving in, maybe by keeping watch of all movers trucks that are coming in, keeping a close tab on all the For Rent signs that go up or get listed in the local papers, or by keeping in close contact with real estate agents to alert you when someone rents a property in the area.

At least initially, the main bulk of the work will be assembling the packet – and this means going from one business to another soliciting part of their advertising or marketing money. Of course, the more businesses that you win over, the greater your income. This aspect may be easy or hard, depending on how well you know business owners or store managers in your area. I would imagine that you will do a lot of “courting” to get the accounts of these businesses, even going door to door (and maybe seeing a lot of doors slammed in your face!). Networking is extremely important; otherwise the notice “No Solicitation” in many businesses and local stores may stop you in your tracks!

Liz’s website is still very new, and hardly any associates have signed up (at least there were none in Virginia, and only herself in California). But if you love baking cookies to welcome your new neighbors, you may want to change those cookies into coupons/freebies — and earn in the process!