A 9x12 side business (also called a 9x12 side gig or postcard marketing side hustle) involves organizing and selling advertising space on shared 9x12 inch postcards that get mailed to local households.
As a 9x12 operator, you recruit 6-12 local businesses to advertise on a single oversized postcard. Each business pays you for their ad spot, you coordinate printing and mailing through USPS EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), and you pocket the profit margin.
It's the perfect side business because you can run it on your own schedule, from anywhere, and scale up or down based on your availability.
Here's what realistic income looks like at different commitment levels.
See how 9x12 stacks up against other popular side gigs.
| Factor | 9x12 Method | Rideshare | Freelancing | Dropshipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Cost | $300-500 | Car required | $0-100 | $500-2,000 |
| Income Ceiling | High (scalable) | Low (time-capped) | Medium | High (competitive) |
| Schedule Flexibility | Very High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Recurring Revenue | Yes | No | Sometimes | No |
| Work From Home | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Competition Level | Low (local) | High | Very High | Very High |
Join the 9x12 Method community to learn from experienced operators. Get templates, scripts, and proven strategies.
Choose neighborhoods to target. Research local businesses and identify EDDM routes with good demographics.
Reach out to local businesses. Present the value of shared mail advertising and fill your card spots.
Coordinate printing, mail your first campaign, then leverage happy advertisers for recurring business.
The fastest way to start your 9x12 side business is to learn from operators who are already doing it. Get access to training, templates, scripts, and a supportive community.
Yes, the 9x12 method is a legitimate local marketing business model. You're providing a real service to local businesses—affordable direct mail advertising. Thousands of operators run successful 9x12 campaigns across the US.
You can start with $300-500 for your first campaign. This covers printing and postage costs. Most operators collect payment from advertisers before ordering printing, so you can run campaigns with minimal out-of-pocket expense after your first one.
Absolutely. Most 9x12 operators start as a side gig. You can prospect businesses during lunch breaks, make calls in the evenings, and handle design/logistics on weekends. The business is very flexible.
While sales skills help, they're not required. The 9x12 Method community provides scripts, email templates, and training on how to approach businesses. Many successful operators started with zero sales background.
Yes! Many operators run campaigns remotely. You can prospect businesses via email and phone, use local virtual phone numbers, and coordinate printing/mailing from anywhere. Some operators run campaigns in multiple cities.
The 9x12 Method community on Skool is the best resource. You'll get step-by-step training, templates, scripts, and access to experienced operators who can answer your questions.