From Scraps to Success: Make Money as a Scrapper for Hire

Do you enjoy making scrapbooks as gifts for your friends and relatives? What if you could earn money creating lasting memories for others? Professional scrapbook designers (commissioned scrapbookers or scrappers for hire as they are sometimes called) were a natural outgrowth from the booming scrapbook market. After all, there are many people who love the concept and look of a scrapbook but don’t have the time to devote to the hobby.

Job Description
Creating a scrapbook for a client is different than creating one for yourself. People will hire you because they like your scrapbooking style, but you can’t just collect the photos and do your own thing.

You’ll need to develop a system for completing projects, meet with clients and practice good customer service. Organization is essential; you don’t want to misplace anyone’s photos or put a shot of Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter in Mrs. Jones’s album.

You’ll also have to deal with the issues that any other business owner does, including bookkeeping, taxes, contracts, marketing and deadlines.

On the other hand, you’ll have a great reason to spend more time scrapbooking, try new products, perfect your techniques, and get paid for it.

Getting Started
One great thing about starting a scrapper-for-hire business compared to other home-based businesses is the low start-up cost. If you’re already an avid scrapbooker, you probably already have all of the tools you’ll need as well as a suitable workspace.

There’s no need to begin buying project materials until you land your first client and know specifically what you will need. Even then you can use the client’s deposit (typically 50 percent of the total fee) to cover supplies.

Since you’ll need to get the word out about your new business, you will want to at least invest in business cards. You may also want to create a logo, fliers, a brochure and a website.

Other expenses, which are typically nominal, include fees for registering your business name and getting a business license.

There may be other legal requirements to start a home-based business in your neighborhood, county or state, so be sure to thoroughly investigate before you open your doors. Also, consult with a tax advisor on income and sales tax issues.

Finding Customers
You may be wondering who will hire you. Following is a list of just a few potential clients:

• Friends and family who have their photos stored in old shoe boxes or magnetic albums
• Members of your church whose families are celebrating milestones like baptisms, first communions or weddings
• Local businesses looking for a unique way to showcase their services
• New moms
• Brides-to-be or newlyweds
• Proud pet owners
• Senior citizens who are downsizing from their houses to retirement communities

Decide who your target audience(s) will be and come up with a plan to reach them. For example, if you would like to focus on senior citizens, contact the upscale retirement communities in your area and see if you can post flyers, host an informational seminar or set up a booth at the annual holiday bazaar.

What to Charge
You can get a good idea of what other scrapbook designers are charging by looking at their websites. (Google “custom scrapbooks.”)

There are several different pricing structures including:

• A flat rate per page with the cost of labor and materials (except the album itself) included
• An hourly fee plus materials
• A flat project fee including labor and materials for the entire scrapbook with an agreed upon number of pages

To decide which fee structure works best for you and what you should charge, take some notes the next few times you scrapbook. How long on average does it take you to complete a page? How much in supplies do you spend per page?

Remember, your customers aren’t likely to be experienced scrapbookers and will usually be pleased with fairly simple pages. You don’t need to go overboard on embellishments or use the trendiest new techniques on every layout.

Other Services
Many scrappers for hire offer other services to boost marketing and generate additional revenue. Here are some ideas:

• Organize photos
• Scan photos and put them on CD
• Create pre-made scrapbooks for sale at craft shows or online auctions
• Teach scrapbook classes at home, your local scrapbook store or community college
• Open an online scrapbook store
• Become a direct sales consultant (Be sure the company you choose allows you to use its products in a scrapper-for-hire business.)

Some Final Tips
If you think a scrapper-for-hire business might be for you, consider a trial run making a few albums for friends before diving head first into the business. Also, using resources like your local Small Business Administration, create a business plan, which will serve as a blueprint for your success.

Becoming a scrapper for hire is a great way to turn your passion into a dream job, if you are willing to put the work into it!