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If you’re the sort of person who enjoys regularly getting out of the office and doing interesting work, then learning how to become a house appraiser could be ideal for you.  Appraisers are professionals who work closely with other stakeholders across the real estate sector, including agents, buyers, banks, sellers, and investors to determine “fair value” for properties. With their help, sellers and banks can find out how much real estate is worth, allowing them to plan accordingly and know what to expect. There are currently more than two million real estate agents in the US, so being qualified to appraise houses is a valuable skill.  What Does a House Appraiser Do?  A house appraiser’s main task is to determine how much a particular property is worth. Because real estate prices change all the time, owners, estate agents, and buyers often need professional valuations.  An appraiser’s estimate doesn’t necessarily mean that the house will sell for that amount, but it does provide all stakeholders with a ballpark figure for what the property is worth. It also helps to prevent overpaying by buyers and underselling by sellers.  When determining the value of a property, appraisers will look at:  Property size Property location The type of property Damage to the property and required repairs The appraiser’s individual experience also contributes to their valuation. For some, a particular property may appear to offer tremendous value, while for others it may not. How Long Does it Take to Become a House Appraiser? To become a licensed residential appraiser, you’ll need around 150 hours of qualifying education and more than 1,000 hours of experience over a period of at least six months. For other types of appraisers, such as certified residential appraisers and certified general appraisers, you’ll need more education and hours of experience on the job.  How Much Do Appraisers Earn? The median real estate appraiser pay was $59,510 in 2021, with 95% of incomes ranging from $36,940 to $72,210. A trainee appraiser won’t earn a great salary, but as a qualified general appraiser you’ll find yourself at the higher end.  Becoming an Appraiser: What You Need to Know In this section, we show you how to become an appraiser, step by step: Step 1: Learn how to become an appraiser Unfortunately, real estate appraisal isn't a career that you can just walk into without any qualifications. The Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) is in charge of setting standards for anyone entering the industry. The steps to becoming an appraiser depend on the state. Some require you to take additional courses and exams beyond those the AQB requires.  If you want to learn more about how individual states treat real estate appraiser licenses, go to the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) website for a full list.  Step 2: Start out as a trainee To get a property appraiser license, you’ll need to begin as a trainee – an official ABQ classification.  To get to this stage, you’ll need to complete three short courses:  Basic Appraisal Principles: 30 hours Basic Appraisal Procedures: 30 hours National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice: 15 hours As an addition to these core requirements, you may also have to take extra courses set out in your state’s legislation.  Step 3: Get 1,000 hours of experience (minimum) Before you can get a residential appraiser license, you’ll need a minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience over at least six months.  The best way to do this is to find a supervisory appraiser – someone you can shadow as you learn your trade. Usually, you can find suitable professionals via a real estate appraiser organization. You can also reach out on job sites such as LinkedIn or Indeed.  Some states have different experience requirements. For instance, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Vermont all require 1,500 hours of experience. Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington require 2,000 hours. And Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, and Wyoming require 2,500 hours.  Step 4: Complete additional courses to become a licensed appraiser Formal training requirements to become a trainee appraiser are minimal. However, if you want a full real estate appraisal license, you’ll have to do some additional courses to fulfill AQB’s minimum requirements.  Home appraisal job requirements include:  Residential report writing and case studies: 15 hours Residential sales comparison and income approaches: 30 hours Residential appraiser site valuation and cost approaches: 15 hours Residential market analysis and highest and best use: 15 hours These requirements can vary across states, so look into your state board to ensure that you’re fulfilling all the necessary criteria. Step 5: Pass your state’s licensing exam Once you complete this part of your real estate appraiser education, you’ll need to pass your state’s licensing exam. Tests comprise 110 questions that you must answer in under four hours.  The questions will probe you on everything you need to know to become a residential real estate appraiser. This includes: Appraisal math and property value calculations Different valuations methods Real estate market analysis Investment analysis The different types of real estate and how they influence property valuations State advisory boards commission a range of private exam providers for examinations, such as Applied Measurement Professionals, Pearson VUE, and PSI. To book an exam, check these organizations’ schedules and then book your slot online.  Step 6: Put in your application Once you pass your exams, the last step is to officially hand your license application to the relevant state licensing board. Again, state application requirements vary, so you’ll need to visit the ACS website to check your state’s requirements first.  Once your license gets approved and you get home appraisal certification, you’re free to begin working. However, even with this license, you’re limited in terms of the properties that you can appraise. For instance, licensed residential appraisers (the most common career path), can only work on:  Non-complex properties with between one and four units worth under $1 million. Complex properties with between one and four units worth less than $250,000. Step 7: Get working To start working, you’ll need to search for job opportunities on popular sites, such as LinkedIn and Indeed. At first, you’ll usually work for a private appraisal business or banks. However, later you may be able to work independently or as a contractor, depending on how successful you become.  Your employer should give you access to a multiple listing service (MLS) when you join. This gives you information about current and past house prices in the area, plus a record of all recent sales. Access to these services is usually free, with the subscription paid for by the firm you join.  Step 8: Continue to upgrade your license To get to the top of the certified real estate appraiser pay scale, you’ll need to upgrade your license. When you do, you’ll be able to appraise more expensive and complex properties.  There are two ways you can upgrade your license:  Get qualified as a certified residential appraiser Become a certified general appraiser Certified residential property appraiser training allows appraisers to value all types of residential property, from small townhouses to giant apartment blocks.  Certified general appraiser training allows you to appraise any type of real estate, including commercial and industrial buildings.  Education and training hours for both certified residential appraisers and certified general appraisers are considerably higher than they are for licensed residential appraisers. As a certified residential appraiser, you need at least 200 hours of education, a bachelor’s degree focusing on your field of study, and 1,500 of acceptable appraisal experience in the past 12 months. To become a certified general appraiser, you need 300 hours of education, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, with 1,500 hours in non-residential work.  Conclusion Learning how to become a house appraiser is surprisingly simple once you understand it. Home appraiser training generally takes the same format: first you need to become a trainee appraiser, then you need to get the experience and education hours required for licensed residential appraiser status. Once you get to this stage, you’re free to start work and get your career up and running. If you’d like to go further, you can do additional training to become a certified residential appraiser or a certified general appraiser.

While it might not necessarily stand out as the most exciting business sector to get into, the shipping industry is easily one of the most important for domestic and international commerce. Quite frankly, there has never been a better time to start a shipping company either. Studies show that around 90% of international trade relies on the freight industry. When you know how to start a shipping business in style, the opportunities to generate significant financial returns while simultaneously helping companies and consumers around the globe are fantastic. This guide will help you learn the various steps for starting a shipping business in 2022 and beyond. Let’s get ready to deliver the goods. Why Start a Shipping Company? Before looking at how to start a shipping company, you need to be properly motivated to enter this arena. First off, you should know that the shipping industry was valued at $14 trillion in 2019 and continues to show a steady improvement year on year. For the companies that get it right, there is an opportunity to see very sizable ROIs. While the proposed financial gains are rightly the first item on the agenda, it’s worth considering some of the industry’s other attractive features. They include but are not limited to: Flexibility - whether you start an international or domestic shipping business, there are many different niches and clients that you may work with. Likewise, you can run the venture from various settings and consider multiple staffing arrangements.  Stability - it’s existed for generations, but the industry is now truly thriving. For example, stats from 2013-19 show that the volume of goods carried by ships rose by almost 35%. Unlike many business sectors, this industry runs 365 days per year without any dead periods. Importance - the shipping industry isn’t only one of the world’s longest-existing sectors; it’s also a vital cog in the engine of society. From cars to food and consumer goods to raw materials, global trade is dependent on freight companies like the one you plan to launch. Responsibility - the chance to make a difference in the world is something many entrepreneurs aspire to do. Carbon emissions from the shipping industry have been reduced, and industry leaders aim to reach a 50% reduction by 2050. You can play a significant role in this development. Engagement - every business owner enjoys a challenge, and starting a shipping company will present new ones daily. From building your business strategy to overcoming financial and logistical obstacles, this is an industry that offers a chance to dive deep. Furthermore, studies have shown that the volume of shipments for B2B, B2C, and C2B parcel delivery across 13 major countries has grown from 43 billion units in 2014 to 131 billion in 2020. Given the way our consumer habits have changed during the pandemic, the figures are only climbing. Starting a container shipping business isn’t for everyone. For the right candidates, though, it delivers an unparalleled opportunity to achieve great results and upscale over the years to come. A Word of Warning About Shipping Freight Business Concepts Telling yourself that you want to start a shipping business is a good starting point, but it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with the issues that could potentially hold you back. As with any business venture, you’ll need to be disciplined, capable of managing a workforce, and competent in handling financial matters. After all, one in five startups fail within the first year, with capital being the main source of problems. There are several unique challenges you’ll face when starting a freight company. Some of the key issues that you must consider include: The need to calculate the CBM and freight tonnage to work out the costs (and, therefore, the profit margins) of all shipments. Learning how to determine whether a House Bill of Lading (HBL) or Master Bill of Lading (MBL) is required. The need to research when cargo can be shipped without insurance and which kind of insurance is needed when it can’t. A deep understanding of the HS Code or Tariff and how it’ll impact your domestic or international shipments. An ongoing demand to manage logistical factors that could impact shipping containers in multiple countries.  If you don’t have all the relevant experience and information at the start of your journey, you can educate yourself on the state of the shipping industry before officially launching your business. However, you must be honest with yourself regarding your ability to commit to the work even during stressful times.  How to Start a Shipping Business It will require a lot of hard work to force your way into this crowded industry, but it is possible. However, the versatility and self-control inherent in the industry will offer you many options. As such, your research can even extend to ideas like how to start a shipping business from home - a concept that will help reduce some of your financial exposure. In some ways, the shipping industry is no different to any other, not least in the sense that you must find your own path. Nonetheless, the following steps should point you in the right direction. #1. Research the Market Knowing that you want to start a freight company is one thing, but knowing the exact type of venture you wish to operate is another. There are several niches within the industry that you may wish to pursue, such as: Cargo shipping Container shipping  Dropshipping With 90% of goods being transported by sea, there are so many categories of shipping you can get into. You may also find that your future lies with a niche like hazardous goods, in which case you’ll also need to consider your clients. They could fall under the category of B2B, B2C, or C2B, ranging from small contractors to major organizations. Getting into a niche that you feel passionately about is advisable, but you must also check out the relevant regulations, ranging from international laws and customs regulations to insurance coverage. The findings should influence your subsequent decisions. #2. Build a Business Plan A strong business plan is one of the most valuable documents that you can have during the early stages of planning and launching your shipping business. Aside from being a tool that can help you gain funding from banks or guide your team, it’s also something you can always look to for a better understanding of your company and where it’s headed. It’s technically possible to write a one-page business plan, but when looking at a shipping business international venture, you’ll probably benefit from a more comprehensive business plan and proposal. It should set out: The objectives of the business, its challenges, and strategies The resources you require and whether or not you’ll still be able to profit The value of your proposition and potential exit strategies All information should link back to the industry, which is another reason to know your competition and the state of the market, along with any anticipated developments and how they might influence your freight venture. #3. Register Your Shipping Business Conducting the necessary research and planning how to start a cargo business will build a solid foundation. However, you can’t truly begin following your dreams until the company has been registered. This means formally registering its name and checking trademarks. In addition to registering the business, you’ll need your tax identification number and will also benefit from having a: Certificate in Shipping Business Certificate in Marine Transportation Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) status The legal requirements for this industry are more stringent than for many small retail businesses. But whether you open a sole proprietorship or - more likely - an LLC, getting this paperwork under control is essential. #4. Access Funding Knowing how to start a shipping container home business counts for very little if you don’t have the capital, especially as you’ll be dealing with large sums of money. Buying a cargo ship can cost over $10 million, and even the alternative methods like setting up a UPS franchise will require significant funding.  Large operations will need an office, furniture, and office equipment. Even when looking at how to start a shipping business from home, there will be staffing costs, vehicle rentals, containers, and shipping equipment that can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some options for funding the business include: Business bank loans and personal funding Private investors who can also offer mentorship and contacts Crowdfunding or loans from people you know Your state may also offer business grants for startups, which is another route that’s always worth pursuing. #5. Get Insured and Organized There are many administrative tasks that must be completed before you start trading, such as getting a bank checking account and applying for your Employer Identification Number so that you can pay your employees. Having already completed your Certificate of Incorporation, you’ll also need Operating Agreements and Insurance Policies. Joining the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) is another key responsibility, while you’ll also need to protect intellectual properties with copyrights and patents. You must also: Organize your freight, maritime, and shipping supply chain management Handle your employment agreements and non-disclosure agreements Seek the right insurances, such as general, risk, health, and workers’ compensation You must also need to establish policies and contingency plans to overcome any problems that may occur while running the company. Maintaining compliance while also serving employees and clients in the right way is essential at all times. #6. Decide on Your Location The location of your business will be important for many reasons, not least your convenience. Even if running a home-based company, you’ll want to know that your cargo and shipments come in or out from a nearby port. You’ll also want to consider where your warehouses are stationed, while also looking into trucking logistics. Knowing that your warehouses, your parking lot for fleet vehicles, and your containers are kept on one site can be beneficial, not least for managing costs. Be sure to consider: Accessibility to the site and getting to shipment locations The strength of competition from other freight companies in the area Any local regulations or laws that could affect your cargo business Location is particularly vital when you want to start a domestic shipping business. That’s because 44% of customers will wait two days for fast delivery, but under 25% will wait for four days. Given the demand for fast solutions, this is one of your most important decisions. #7. Assemble Your Team You cannot expect to run a shipping container company alone, even if it’s a small one. While nearly two-thirds of companies state that retention is harder than hiring, finding candidates with the knowledge and experience to drive the business forward is key.  Many hands make light work, especially when their talents can fill the skills you might be lacking personally. Your workforce will inevitably include:  Office, administration, and HR staff Truck drivers, shipment packers, and warehouse teams Engineers and cargo ship workers If you don’t need to hire all of those people right away, delay it until you do. This will free up more capital while also allowing you to invest more time in the employees you have. Still, you must keep one eye on this to promote smooth long-term growth. #8. Build Business Relations While managing your in-house teams is important, you must also establish strong relations with partners. As a startup, it’s almost impossible to handle every aspect of the freight shipment journey without other companies. You’ll need to have strong connections with: Sellers, who will essentially be your clients Freight forwarder companies once shipments arrive at the destination country Buyers, who may sometimes come directly to you rather than a seller You may also find that you need the help of various tech and software companies to maintain safe, trackable operations at all times.  The necessary business relations will depend on whether you ship by land or sea, as well as the nations you export to. Nonetheless, strong connections with the companies whose items you’ll ship should reduce delays and errors. #9. Establish Your Brand Branding might not feel like that important a step for a shipping business, but the right company image is as important as understanding the features of the NVOCC, like bills of landing or securing the right certifications. Having a solid brand inspires trust from clients and provides peace of mind for workers. Many of your branding issues will be solved instantly if you take on a franchise. However, when starting from scratch, some of the key responsibilities to consider are: Ensuring that the brand personality aligns with your shipping niche Designing a website that engages your audience and inspires trust Getting placements in the right directories, publications, and online outlets Above all else, you need to know that your branding is consistent. Meanwhile, customer care can be incorporated into your branding. Once you’ve been operating for a while, testimonials from your biggest clients can be a key step to winning more contracts. #10. Start Operating With all your preparations now complete, you’ll finally be able to start trading as a shipping business. Whether you’re using maritime or freight shipments, securing leads will be vital. You’ll need to embark on a full and thorough marketing campaign to properly establish yourself.  Winning clients is one thing, but keeping them is another. Finding the best CRM software will be pivotal, as you can use this program to manage all your communications and identify consumers’ behaviors. To provide a tailored service, you should focus on: Updates and tracking information on all shipments Quick invoicing and easy payment facilities Automated orders to streamline client operations Of course, there’s nothing like experience to help improve your company over time, but the aforementioned steps should ensure that your venture gets off on the right foot. If all goes well, your shipping business will be set for years of success. Further Reading The Best Ecommerce Website Builder - Our Top Picks The Best Ecommerce Platform - Find Customers Globally The Best Wholesale Websites  The Final Word The freight industry is one of the longest-standing and most stable business sectors, and it can certainly accommodate new startups. As long as you know how to start a shipping business with compliance, convenience, and cost-efficiency in mind, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t discover a smooth road to success.

If you’re wondering how to start a meal prep business, this post is for you. In it, we’ll discuss the step-by-step process that you need to follow to create quick, easy, and delicious meals for your customers.  Starting a meal prep business has become increasingly popular in recent years. Now more than ever, customers are demanding instant and healthy food that they can make quickly, without the hassle of coming up with their own recipes or shopping for ingredients. It’s become so popular that some food prep companies have sold for millions of dollars.  Starting a food business, though, isn’t always easy. Not only do you have to think about the logistics, but the marketing, food quality, and recipes too.  Read on to learn more about what’s involved in creating a successful venture in this thriving industry.  Why Starting a Meal Prep Business From Home Is a Great Idea Before we get into the step-by-step process of actually setting up a meal assembly business, it’s worthwhile asking why you might want to do that. So, what are the benefits?  The obvious one is that starting a meal planning business allows you to be your own boss. If you can create a sustainable business model, you’ll be able to leave your regular 9 to 5 behind and pursue something that you really care about.  What’s more, meal prep businesses are a form of public service. Yes, profit is still important, but you’re also helping people eat healthier at the same time. By offering meal preparation services, you’re getting your customers out of the habit of ordering take-outs and helping them eat a balanced diet.  Lastly, the financial rewards of setting up meal prep companies and later selling them can be extraordinary. Many entrepreneurs scale their businesses and then sell them to large conglomerates for millions of dollars. How To Start a Meal Prep Delivery Business So what do you need to do to start a meal preparation business? Let’s take a look:  Step 1: Find Your Niche There are already several big players in the meal prep market, each with loyal followings. Therefore, like any other industry, you'll need to find a niche – a specific area in which you can excel.  When it comes to niches, you have multiple options. One place you can start is with uncooked meals. Companies that follow setups like this include Green Chef, Mindful Chef, and Hello Fresh. The value for consumers is that meal kits supply all of the ingredients they need in the proportions they need them. While nothing is cooked beforehand and some chopping is required, they dramatically reduce the amount of mental energy (and often cost) involved in preparing daily meals.  The other option is to prepare ready-to-eat meals. From a logistics perspective, this is slightly more challenging since it is harder to keep pre-cooked food both fresh and healthy. However, there are businesses experimenting with this model, such as Allplants. Meal prep programs go beyond traditional microwaveable ready meals but keep preparation required by the customer minimal.  Then there are companies that host meal prep workshops. Here customers learn how to make tasty meals quickly from simple ingredients. They can then go home and practice what they’ve learned in the kitchen.  Here are some more meal prep niches that you might want to explore:  Vegan and plant-based: With the rising popularity of plant-based living, there’s increasing consumer demand for meals that eschew meat and other animal products entirely. They do exist right now, but the space is growing rapidly. In fact, this could be the perfect niche to get into: most consumers want to eat more vegan meals at home, but they’re not quite sure how to do it. Your business can show them the way. Kids meal prep: Parents have to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for their children, which is incredibly time-consuming. Therefore, a meal prep business that provides kids’ meals could be the solution they’re looking for. It would cut down on planning, save time, ensure that kids have a balanced diet, and meet their nutritional requirements.  Work meal prep: Busy professionals often don’t have the time or energy to make lunches for themselves in the morning or the night before. Therefore, your meal prep service could take care of the meals on weekdays, freeing up their time. Step 2: Create a Business Plan Once you have a rough idea of what your niche will be, the next step is to create a business plan.  Your plan should include the following elements:  Business name – what you will call your business and why its name will appeal to your customers. Business entity – the legal structure of your business. This is usually a limited liability corporation (LLC) and potentially a limited liability partnership (LLP) if you want to create a joint venture with a partner. Products and services – including information on the types of meal prep kits that you will offer, whether delivery will be part of your service, the cost of supplies, the cost of labor and production, and the amount of money you’ll need to invest upfront How to charge for meal prepping – including information on prices, margins, and so on. If you get stuck, use an online meal prep business plan template to guide you.  Step 3: Get the Necessary Licenses and Permits For your meal prep services business to function legally, it requires various licenses and permits.  The type of licenses and permits you require depends on the business entity you choose and your location. Entrepreneurs starting up at home have different permit requirements from those setting up in commercial premises. Furthermore, federal, state, and local governments may also require different types of permits. Since this step often takes the most time, it’s worth beginning it as soon as possible.  Here we list some of the food prep licenses and permits that you might need. Check the following:  Business license: This license is necessary to open and operate a company in the US. You can apply for these on your state government’s website. Employer Identification Number (EIN): The EIN is another requirement for setting up a business in the US. It’s a code assigned by the IRS and is equivalent to a tax identification number. Certificate of Occupancy: Certificates of Occupancy may be necessary if you plan on occupying physical premises. Foodservice licenses. These are obtainable for city or county health departments, either online or in person. Sign permit: Depending on your area, you may have to ask for permission to put up a sign outside your business. Fees depend on the size of your sign and start from $20-$50, depending on the state and location. Seller’s permit: If you collect sales tax, you’ll need this permit. In some states, it is called a “sales tax permit.” Dumpster placement permit: If your business produces commercial waste, you’ll need a dumpster placement permit. These typically cost between $10 and £100. Building health permit: This permit confirms that the building you operate in is suitable for food preparation and service. Step 4: Get Insurance Learning how to start a meal prep business also requires finding out more about insurance. You’ll need the following:  General liability insurance will protect you if you cause a bodily inquiry to someone else, property damage to another person’s belongings, or there is a  libel/slander lawsuit against you. Commercial property insurance, which covers any rented buildings or equipment you have. Professional liability insurance, which protects you against lawsuits arguing that you made a mistake with the services you provide. If you have employees, you will also need to take out workers’ compensation insurance. This cover protects you if employees get sick or hurt on the job. It pays for things like medical bills, lost wages, ongoing care, such as physical therapy, and funeral costs.  Step 5: Get Funding You can fund your meal prep startup out of pocket, but most entrepreneurs seek external sources to get them off the ground.  Small business funding options include:  Venture capital or angel investments: Here, you’ll need to convince an individual or company with the required capital that your business idea will succeed and generate profit long-term. Equipment financing: This allows you to rent equipment for a low monthly fee instead of buying it outright. Business credit cards: Most banks offer business credit cards to business owners with strong credit ratings. Credit cards give you access to short-term cash to tide you over, but they are not appropriate for longer-term projects. Business lines of credit: A business line of credit is a facility you can use to borrow money when you need extra cash to cover your expenses. It is more flexible than a conventional business loan.  Step 6: Find Your Suppliers The average meal kit delivery service works with dozens of suppliers. Not only do they have to source all the food for their boxes, but also the packaging as well. Many have an outer bag or box that they transport meal kits in, and then smaller pots and containers for ingredients with special requirements, such as yogurt, sauces, spices, oils, etc. They also need ice packs to keep certain ingredients cool during transit to prevent spoiling. Start researching who your suppliers will be as early as you can, and then ask them if they are able to distribute units of food to you in quantities your customers need for a single meal. In some cases, you may find that preparation is necessary on your end since many wholesale food suppliers lack flexibility.  You’ll also want to work with a packaging provider that complements your niche. For instance, if you market yourself as a sustainable alternative to conventional meal prep businesses, it doesn’t make sense to put food in polystyrene containers. Recycled paper is a better option.  Step 7: Market Your New Business Getting your food prep marketing strategy right is perhaps the hardest part of the process. If you can inspire consumers to use your brand, you can often set up a highly profitable business. Here are some marketing ideas to help you along: Make Customer Service Your Top Priority Customers who have a great experience with you are much more likely to come back for more in the future. To achieve this, you’ll need to:  Ensure that food is still fresh when it arrives at your customers’ homes. Create an easy-to-use and fast website that allows customers to select meal options without fuss. Deliver all your meals on time so that customers don’t wind up having to rush out to the store at the last minute. Offer helplines so that people can call you if something with your service goes wrong. Tell People In Your Community About Your Project Word-of-mouth is a powerful vehicle for getting more people to try your brand. Offer your core customers an impeccable service, and they will market your business to their friends on your behalf.  Make Your Packaging Bold Like other products on the market, you’ll also want to ensure that your packaging is bold and stands out. Today’s consumers want sustainable, attractive packaging that they can recycle. Many also want to feel like they are treating themselves, not just going with whatever represents the best value. Talk About Your Company in Social Media Many Instagrammers prepare meals to go and share them on the popular social network. You can do the same. By posting images of your meal prep service, you can show your audience your processes to build trust and prove to them just how easy it is to prepare a meal using your service. Social media is free to use and allows you to connect with a lot of people. You can post whenever you add a new recipe to your collection or come up with a new idea. Just make sure that whatever content you create is relevant to your audience. Listen to community feedback, and respond appropriately.  Prioritize Photography When it comes to selling food, photography is critical. Brands that take great images of their recipes whet their audiences’ appetite and get them in the mood for spending.  Taking and editing great food photos is very challenging, though. Therefore, don’t try to do it yourself. Instead, hire a professional food photographer to do it for you. Prices for this can be quite high, but the investment is worth it. Just make sure that you finalize all your recipes and products before getting a photographer so you won’t have to hire them multiple times. Sell at a Festival Festivals are a great place for getting your brand message out to the public. The large audience combined with the spirit of the event creates positive associations with your brand with minimal effort. If possible, look for suitable events in your niche. For instance, if you want to build a kids' food prep company, go to children’s events. Print Out Leaflets Physical leaflets or menus are another powerful way to spread the word about your business. You can hand these out to prospective customers directly, bypassing the need to raise awareness online, which can be challenging.  Conclusion In summary, learning how to start a meal prep business is surprisingly easy. Mostly, you are following the same steps as you would for any other enterprise.  The biggest difference comes from how you market your business. The meal prep industry relies heavily on quality photography and marketing that explains the economic value of these services.  Customers can sometimes experience sticker shock when it comes to meal prep prices. Therefore, businesses in this sector need to educate their audiences on all of the benefits of the service. For instance, saving time on shopping and thinking about recipes or the cost of actually getting to the store.  Meal prep business profits can be high, but you’ll need to scale. The faster you can get to 10,000 subscribed customers, the better.  Further Reading Bad Credit Business Loans: Our Top Picks Small Business Banking: Top Banks Best Website Builder: Our Top Picks