People often ask us to suggest a freelance business that can be done from home. Desktop publishing — using your computer and design software such as Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher to create brochures, newsletters, flyers, books, etc., for small businesses and independent professionals — is one such niche.
 
For some pointers on getting started in “DTP,” we turned to expert Evy Williams, of Brochures by Design (http://www.brochuresbydesign.com).
 
Evy, who has been in business for nearly five years (you’ll find samples of her work here), first cautions that “running a successful business requires a lot of hard work, tenacity and initiative and starting a desktop publishing business is no exception.”  
 
Here are her 10 tips for starting a home-based desktop publishing business, followed by books she recommends for further reading:
 
1. Be a lifelong learner. Always continue to learn new things. The more skills you can offer a client, the more important you are to them.
 
2. Network with anyone and everyone. Join local and virtual organizations to meet the people in the industry. If you’re known in the industry for a specialty like desktop publishing, when someone has a client that needs your services, they’ll think of you.
 
3. Keep your skills updated. Technology is changing all the time; keep up with it. For example, if you’re an expert in Quark Xpress you should not only learn the latest version of that program but you should also know that Adobe’s InDesign is now the industry standard layout program.
 
4. Market yourself, market your business, just keep marketing. Keep current on the latest marketing trends so that you will be on par with your competition. Marketing is one of the most important factors in a successful business and especially one that is “virtual.” Because we don’t have a sign outside our home advertising our business for us, we need to get the word out as much as possible.
 
5. If you don’t already have superior customer service skills, develop them. This is critical for a business, especially a service-oriented business. You can’t keep a client without it. I would recommend periodically surveying your clients to see how you’re doing. You could ask them for a recommendation/testimonial, and this feedback will be enlightening. You also benefit by posting those testimonials on your website for potential clients to see.
 
6. Volunteer your time and your skills. Volunteering isn’t completely altruistic; you get a sense of satisfaction but you can also acquire new skills, build a network, etc.
 
7. Develop a strong work ethic. Starting a business from scratch requires a lot of hours to build a network of clients, partners, referrals, etc. Most of the hours you put in at the beginning will be unpaid; they’ll be for marketing and getting your name out there. The money will come later.
 
8. Be creative. Not only will you want to be creative in your desktop publishing design work, but also in your marketing efforts and other aspects of your business. Look for opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, when leaders in the industry ask for your input, provide it. You’ll get noticed by them and by others and possibly end up being considered an expert in that area.
 
9. Acquire good communication skills. Good communication means listening well as much as it means speaking well. This will be an invaluable skill along the way when clients know that you heard and understood what they wanted. Be sure to clarify with the client that you understand what they are asking for.
 
10. Get organized. Organization will be extremely important in order for you to deliver a quality service in a timely manner.

Reference Books for DTP:
• The Desktop Publisher’s Idea Book  — Chuck Green
• Graphic Design Solutions, Third Edition  — Robin Landa
• Desktop Publishing BASICS  — Suzanne Weixel
• Start and Run a Desktop Publishing Business  — Barbara A. Fanson
• Teach Yourself Desktop Publishing  —  Christopher Lumgair

For freelance job leads and more ideas in the writing, editing and proofreading arena, see our screened list at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/jobs-writing.htm.