How to Become a Gofer

IsMs

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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A gofer is a person who does the little things for a business, like running errands. The title stems from the phrase "go for." While some businesses choose an entry-level employee to act as gofer, many also hire a professional errand service. You can become a professional gofer on a shoestring budget, and the business can be quite lucrative if you build a clientele.

Steps

Determine the types of errands you plan to do. This, in turn, will determine clientele you wish to serve. Consider large corporations that can depend on you to run errands outside of their offices and small business owners who may have to close their doors whenever they need to run an errand themselves. Think of clinics and medical buildings where there is no cafeteria. You can provide a service to them by making a lunch delivery every day. Remember that there are many elderly persons at home or in a retirement village who would cherish a dependable errand gofer.

Map out a route that covers prospective clients. Make the route small enough that you have plenty of time to cover it within a half or full day's time. Leave yourself enough time to take new clients in that area. Map out several routes if you plan to become a gofer in a large city, or if you plan to cover several small towns.

Make up some business cards from your computer to leave with prospective clients. Consider having magnetic cards made for those people who tend to misplace loose papers and business cards. Consider making some letterhead, as well.

Visit each prospective client in each area you mapped out. Introduce yourself and your gofer service. Try to speak to the highest-level person possible. Leave one or more business cards and perhaps a letter of introduction in case you don't get far up the ladder on the first visit. Promise to check back with those who are not sure whether the company needs your services. Keep the promise and check back in a few days.

Decide which days to run each route. Consider how much business you may have on any particular day. Check with promising clients to see if they would need your service every day, or just one or two days a week. Leave some time each day for emergency runs or unexpected problems.

Be dependable. Decide what to do if you become ill or are unable to do the job for one day or a longer period of time. Consider having a backup person or a partner, and make sure your clients meet this person ahead of time.