Start and Run a Profitable Business Using Your Computer (Self-Counsel Business Series) - Softcover

Gray, Douglas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1551800675 ISBN 13: 9781551800677

Publisher: UNKNO, 1998

Synopsis

-101 money-making business ideas - From beginner to pro - Street-smart strategies for success

About this title

About the Author

Douglas Gray is a lawyer, lecturer, and consultant to government, business, professionals, and educational and financial institutions. He has designed and taught numerous seminars and workshops on successful entrepreneurship, starting a successful computer-based business, how to use computer technology for business profitability and a competitive edge, starting a successful consulting business, marketing your product, and marketing professional services.

Douglas Gray is a popular speaker at trade shows, conventions, and conferences throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally. He is the author of 16 bestselling books, including 3 successful books in the Self-Counsel Series.

From the Back Cover

Cash in on your computer!

The recent technology explosion has made "computer" a household word and has created myriad business opportunities. Now, with the increasing affordability of computers, the business playing field has been leveled. Small businesses, whether home-based or operating from a downtown office, are able to compete head-on with big business. With some basic computer skills and an entrepreneurial flare, you too can join the multibillion-dollar computer industry.

Discussing more than 100 computer-related businesses you can start from your own home, Start and Run a Profitable Business Using Your Computer is sure to get you started down the path to success. Showing you step by step how to start a business, this book includes topics such as:

101 profit-making computer-business plans Choosing a suitable business structure Preparing a business plan Obtaining financing Setting up your office Minimizing taxes Determining market opportunities Identifying computer services Marketing your service

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Part I COMPUTER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

101 MONEY-MAKING COMPUTER BUSINESSES

For suggestions on how to benefit from the following discussion of business opportunities, please refer to the Introduction. If you are not familiar with some of the technical terms in this chapter, please see the Definitions of Abbreviations on page 77, as well as chapter 14.

A. DESKTOP PUBLISHING

1. Newsletter design and layout

Description: Many businesses and organizations publish newsletters for employees, customers, or members.

As a desktop publisher, you are provided with the copy (articles and headlines, images and company logos) and are responsible for laying it out in a readable format. This service can also involve creation of graphics or charts to illustrate the text.

Skills: Good layout and design skills. Knowledge of industry formats and experience working with service bureaus and printers.

Equipment: Desktop publishing software and a computer with enough processing power, RAM, and storage capacity to run it; a flatbed and/or slide scanner for inputting images and graphics; a large-screen monitor; and a high-quality inkjet printer for producing drafts or proofs of the newsletter. For output, have the final version printed on a high-quality laser printer at a service bureau. The better the quality of the original, the better the quality of the copies. Photocopying, collating, and stapling can also be done at a service bureau. If the output involves a number of pages, or a high volume of copies, consider using a printing plant.

For delivering electronic files to service bureaus or printers, you will also need some form of high-capacity media drive, such as MO, Zip, CD-R, or CDRW. Make sure your choice is compatible with that of the service bureau and printer you are using.

Potential customers: Medium- to large-sized businesses or organizations that publish newsletters but do not have staff qualified to do this type of work. Promotion: Contact your potential clients directly to find out if they publish a newsletter and ask how it is currently handled by staff or contracted out. Ask if you may submit a bid on publishing the newsletter along with a portfolio containing samples of your work. Advertise your services in a publication that targets business, marketing, and human resources professionals. Contact the executives of organizations, such as alumni or professional societies, and ask what newsletter production arrangements they currently have.

Associated businesses: Magazine and catalogue design and layout, Booklet and vanity publication design and layout.

2. Magazine and catalogue design and layout

Description: This design and layout service can target the same types of businesses as the newsletter service, since internal corporate or organization magazines are usually just a high-end newsletter on glossy paper, with a better quality of writing and images, and possibly advertising. You could expand this service by producing catalogues of products or services sold by a company or organization.

Skills: Good design and layout skills. Knowledge of industry formats and experience working with service bureaus and printers. Knowledge of conventions of magazine design.

Equipment: Desktop publishing software and image-editing software and a computer with enough processing power, RAM, and storage capacity to run it; a flatbed and/or slide scanner for inputting images and graphics; a high-resolution, large-screen monitor; and a high-quality color inkjet printer for producing drafts of the magazine.

For delivering electronic files to service bureaus or printers, you will also need a high-capacity media drive, such as MO, Zip, CD-R, or CDRW. Make sure your choice is compatible with that of the service bureau and printer you are using. Potential customers: Medium- to large-sized businesses or organizations that publish newsletters but do not have staff qualified to design and lay out the publication.

Promotion: Contact your potential clients businesses or organizations such as alumni or professional societies and clubs directly to find out if they produce or are planning to produce a magazine or catalogue. If the answer is yes, ask if you may submit a bid on producing the publication along with a portfolio containing samples of your work. Advertise your services in a publication that targets business, marketing, and human resources professionals. Contact the executives and board members of large organizations and societies and ask what magazine or catalogue production arrangements they currently have.

Associated businesses: Newsletter design and layout, Business form and stationery design and layout.

3. Business form and stationery design and layout

Description: Desktop publishing software can be used to design a range of customized items for businesses, service providers, and organizations, including applications, order forms, message pads, schedules, calendars, stationery, and even checks. This type of service is a good adjunct to other graphic design and layout services.

Skills: Good design and layout skills. Knowledge of industry formats and experience working with service bureaus and printers.

Equipment: Desktop publishing software and a computer with enough processing power, RAM, and storage capacity to run it. A high-quality inkjet printer for producing drafts or proofs of the forms.

If you have the forms or stationery output by a printing service, you will need a high-capacity media drive, such as MO, Zip, CD-R, or CDRW. Make sure your choice is compatible with that of the service bureau and printer you are using. Potential customers: Any business, organization, or institution that does not have an in-house design department.

Promotion: Create a brochure with samples of your work and describing your services, and distribute copies to potential clients. Advertise your services in a publication that targets business professionals, small business owners, or executives of organizations and institutions.

Associated businesses: Graphic design, Newsletter design and layout, Magazine and catalogue design and layout.

4. Booklet and vanity publication design and layout

Description: This type of service targets individuals or organizations that are producing small-run, commemorative family histories or vanity booklets and publications.

You are provided with the copy or text as well as any images or graphics. This service involves the design and layout of the interior and cover of the publication and can also involve arranging prepress and printing services.

Edition details

• Publisher: UNKNO
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1551800675
• ISBN 13: 9781551800677
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 202