As an experienced desktop publisher, yet a fledgling desktop publishing business owner, I found Kursmark's book to be absolutely indespensible to me.
Who knows how to start doing business? What do you do first? What next? Kursmark outlines every step of the process with her folksy "been there" writing style. I have read and re-read the book so many times, the cover has gotten frayed. This book hops, skips and jumps over just about everything I have found in the library on the subject.
She covers the DTP world from top to bottom without delving into the seemy technical world that would have turned many readers off. The genius of Kursmark's book is that it is based in sound business practices and could theoretically be applied to any business. Who needs Harvard Business School when we've got Kursmark?
I have already recommended this book to several professional acquaintances, and I will continue to do so. If this book isn't next to your Pagemaker guide on your bookshelf, you might want to put a phone book there instead -- to call your unemployment office. How to Start a Home-Based Desktop Publishing Business, 3rd
As a pro DTP & graphic artist, I didn't think there would be much more to learn to eliminate my employer and sell the services I did already directly to customers. In fact, thinking I was an expert of graphic design & all of the software made me mistakenly believe I was ready to pass out biz cards and start selling my services and wondered how this book could possibly be 200 pages for something so simple. I was quite wrong, however, and I'm so glad I read this book and got aware of how much more successful I could be by following the author's plan. There is a lot of lessons learned the hard way the author shared which would save anyone a lot of money and a lot of trouble, not to mention lost business. There is a lot of planning that needs to happen before one passes out there first bizcard and I would not have had a clue were it not for this book.
The author of this book has done an excellent job in providing the 'would-be desktop publisher' with lots of great information on how to get started in this business. The book is very clear and concise, with a sense of humor. It provides information step-by-step so it's very easy to follow.
As the previous reviewers have written, this book covers day-to-day information you need to run a DTP (or graphic design) business.
Have you thought about creating a policies & guidelines sheet for your customers? If you don't, you'll be sorry after a client blames you because they didn't proofread their job before it went to the printer. If you had the P&G to review with them, you would be able to bring it up BEFORE it becomes a crisis.
This book is loaded with examples like this; not just the ancedotes, but the forms that help your business run smoothly. As I mentioned, this book was lacking in only one area--financial recordkeeping was a mere two pages in this book. That subject could be a 200 page book in and of itself. Kursmark is so clever at writing about this subject in a friendly and conversational manner, I found myself disappointed not to get her help on recordkeeping.
That said, this book is highly recommended based on what it does cover, and I'm off to find a book to explain how to track expenses and the like.
Well written and packed full of information! Very helpful, I wish I would have bought this before leaving my full time job to start my own business. So many things that I wish I would have had set up before hand. I am implementing much of it now. I have bought several books regarding running a design business from home, I recommend this one over all the others!
I have only had time to read about 15 pages of this book, but so far it is fantastic! When I read more pages I will rate again, but like I said, this book is great. From what I have read so far, I would highly recommend this book. The author is very straightforward and her writing style is wonderful - easy to understand and down to earth. - Book Design - Print On Demand - Book Publishing - Business Startup'
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