Start Your Own Graphic Design Business Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781599181639
• ISBN10: 1599181630
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Design Something For Yourself-A Successful Business!It's time to make your mark in the world of graphic design. There's no doubt you've imagined it-placing your name and logo on business cards, taking creative control and being your own boss. Why not turn your fantasy into reality?Whether you want to start a part-time graphic design business, a full-time operation or build a substantial company with a full staff of graphic designers, everything you need to get started is at your fingertips. Learn the basic requirements, startup costs, day-to-day operations and even what to do when things don't go as planned. Industry experts and successful graphic designers share what they've learned and give you the motivation and priceless tips and tricks to help you reach success. Learn how to: Discover your market and their needs Choose a business environment that works for you Create a business brand that gets noticed Write a marketing plan that captures clients and creates referrals Develop profitable client relationships Set your fees Boost profits by expanding your specialty or your businessCombine your creativity with Entrepreneur's expert advice-and design your own successful graphic design business today!

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
The Right Stuff	p. 1
What Is Graphic Design?	p. 2
Employment Outlook	p. 2
The Nature of the Work	p. 4
Computerization and Automation	p. 5
Other Considerations	p. 5
Working Conditions	p. 6
Training and Other Qualifications	p. 6
Other Skills	p. 7
Employment Opportunities	p. 8
Future Job Outlook	p. 8
Earnings	p. 9
Related Occupations	p. 10
Freelancing Graphic Designers: Running the Business	p. 11
Freelance Graphic Designers	p. 12
Freelance Graphic Designer Work	p. 12
Desktop Publishing	p. 13
Specialization versus Generalization	p. 14
The Pleasure of the Work	p. 15
Running the Freelance Business	p. 16
Where to Start	p. 17
The Market	p. 18
Designing Your Graphic Arts Business	p. 21
The Business Plan Format	p. 23
Choosing Your Business Forms	p. 25
Sole Proprietorships	p. 26
Partnerships	p. 27
Corporations	p. 28
Subchapter S Corporations	p. 29
Limited Liability Company (LLC)	p. 29
Government Help and Forms	p. 30
State and Local Regulations and Laws	p. 31
Employment Identification Numbers	p. 31
The Final Decision	p. 32
Learning from Other Graphic Designers	p. 32
Cash Flow	p. 33
Getting Set Up	p. 35
Designing Your Business Name	p. 36
Your Work Space	p. 37
The Home Office	p. 37
Commercial Space	p. 37
Meeting Space	p. 38
The Space Needed	p. 39
Your Equipment	p. 39
Must-Haves	p. 41
What You Can Get Later	p. 41
Communications	p. 44
Phone	p. 44
Fax	p. 45
Internet	p. 45
E-Mail	p. 45
Website	p. 46
Licenses for Your Office	p. 46
Legal Issues	p. 49
Understanding Copyright	p. 50
What Copyright Protects	p. 50
Understanding Visual Arts Works	p. 51
What Copyright Does Not Protect	p. 52
The Works Made for Hire Exception	p. 52
Length of Copyright Protection	p. 54
Other Copyright Issues	p. 54
Protecting Your Copyrighted Images	p. 56
Contacting the Copyright Office	p. 57
When Not to Protect Your Copyright	p. 57
Seeking Competent Legal Advice	p. 58
Launching Your Freelance Graphic Design Business	p. 59
So You're a Graphic Designer?	p. 60
Your First Client	p. 60
Your Portfolio	p. 60
Getting the Word Out	p. 61
Getting the Business Community's Attention	p. 61
Press Release	p. 61
Announcement Letters	p. 63
Finding Your First Customers	p. 65
Marketing Yourself	p. 67
Developing Your Marketing Plan	p. 68
Pressing the Flesh	p. 69
Designing Your Networking	p. 71
Half the Work Is Finding the Work	p. 73
Seeking Referrals	p. 73
Cold Calling Does Work	p. 73
Internet Marketing	p. 75
Blogging for Graphic Designers	p. 75
Who Needs You Now?	p. 76
Always Marketing	p. 76
Rules You Cannot Break	p. 77
Dealing with Clients	p. 78
Ethics	p. 78
Professional Conduct	p. 80
Insurance	p. 80
Liability Insurance Coverage	p. 81
Health Care	p. 82
Tax Liabilities	p. 82
Workers' Compensation	p. 83
Expanding Your Freelance Graphic Design Business	p. 85
Other Profitable Sidelines	p. 86
Offering Additional Services to Your Clients	p. 86
What Are You Selling Now?	p. 87
Selling to Publications	p. 88
Desktop Publishing Services	p. 88
Improving Your Designs	p. 88
Designing on Speculation	p. 89
Education and Training	p. 90
Expand Your Design Business with E-Mail	p. 90
Printing and Reprography Service	p. 93
Creating Products	p. 94
Finding Equipment	p. 95
Getting Training	p. 95
Wholesale Printing	p. 95
Locating Printers	p. 96
Marketing the Business	p. 97
The Secrets of Designing Success	p. 101
Setting Your Fees	p. 102
Formulas, Hourly Rates, or Flat Fees?	p. 103
Pricing Strategies	p. 104
Planning and Handling Downtime	p. 105
Outsourcing	p. 105
Managing the Marketing	p. 106
Keep Planning Your Business	p. 106
Not as Lonely as You Think	p. 108
Success and Design On, or Stop	p. 109
Sample Contracts and Agreements	p. 111
Sample Collaboration Contract	p. 112
Joint Nondisclosure Agreement	p. 118
Simple Letter for Nondisclosure	p. 122
Graphic Designer Resources	p. 123
Associations	p. 124
Books	p. 128
Magazines	p. 129
Mailing List Provider	p. 129
Useful Websites	p. 129
Glossary	p. 131
Index	p. 135
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