So Frustrated
 

No self promotion. There is nowhere in the Villages where someone trying to provide services can get the word out. You can't post it here, you can't post it on Nextdoor neighborhood sites, you can't put anything up at the postal stations, you can't go door to door( no soliciting). What can one do to promote a new side job?

You can post it on several Villages groups on Facebook including Word of Mouth. You can become a sponsor of Talk of the Villages and post your advertisement. You can buy ad space on any newspaper, as long as your service is legal.

You can get a magnetized sign and put it on the door of your vehicle. You can have a bumper sticker made and put it on your bumper.

You can look up groups and clubs that have your service as an interest, and join those clubs. You can join the Chamber of Commerce and network.

The POA Bulletin has ads, the Daily Sun likely has ads, the online news that shall not be named has ads, and even this site has ads. All those are primarily for Villagers but there is a whole world of advertising for those outside the Villages. Free advertising is going to be harder to find.

If you want to provide a service at no charge then you might look for a club that matches your interests. You could also try contacting the admins for this site; they might not object to a post about offering free help.

You can create a business page on Nextdoor.

The BEST advertising is word of mouth. I was self employed for more than 40 years, and the best jobs always came from, referrals. When ever you do whatever it is you do, simply ask your customer if they could leave a review for you on here or Nextdoor or on Google. Ask you current customer if they know anyone that might be able to use you and get a telephone number, followup with a call letting them know "their friend" referred you to them.

Lots of free (no money required) advertising is always available, be creative.

Oh, I DO NOT put signs along the sides of roads or at corners or street pole. It annoys as more people than you will get. And it's illegal to post signage on public property.

I like to help out folks with irrigation issues so whenever an issue like this comes up on Talk of The Villages I'll reply or send them a private message. Works well.

This is NOT meant to be a smarta_s answer, but...

How about hiring a pilot to fly a banner advertising your business around and over TV? I've seen a couple of them. Something along the lines of "for _____, call ____. 000-000-0000.

Probably be a one-time only thing because of the cost but it would be a pretty powerful and memorable way to get the word out.

I would definitely advertise on my vehicle. I often see a vehicle with a business name and phone number, and take a photo of it so I can add it to my phone contacts.

I do the same but also ask my neighbor their thoughts on the service provided

Good advice. It is the way I recruited a provider to service my A/C. Saw the name and number on the van, did some online clicking which was quite positive, called them and established a relationship with them. Quite satisfied.

Some folks give Retirement a bad rap..

All great ideas!!

Good ideas - and CraigsList?

Maybe you should have dropped a subtle hint on what services you provide in your post.

Starting a business is hard. The question, no need to answer here. Are you looking to start a business, for money, or is a hobby? Everywhere, perhaps more so here, there is hey you do........... would you do mine for FREE.

A business structure. TAXES and RISK OF BEING SUED are MONSTERS waiting to eat you alive. Employees? Increased TAXES, RISK OF BEING SUED and PAPERWORK.

Ads and free articles. Typical, based on past experience, not here, but, likely here as well. You discuss placing an ad. Either the person you are talking to or you should say how about an article. Everybody wins.

Oh, I was self employed. You are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The BOSS, the boss is NUTS and people wonder if you scream at the boss why you seem to be talking to yourself. Benefit package. If your work for someone else typically 40-50% possibly more of your income is untaxed benefit package.
Self employed-benefit package is ZERO unless YOU pay for it. Social security,
the largest tax many pay is 7%. Your employer matches what you pay-tax free to you, by the way. Self employed you pay 13%