How to Start a Home-based Graphic Design Business

by Jim Smith, Lisa Polce (Contribution by)

Overview

This book will include all the information you need to get started at home with your own graphic design business. To expand the focus of this subject matter, we plan on including information on designing blogs, apps, and the like to take this book a step ahead of the competition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493006847
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/17/2013
Series:	Home-Based Business Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Lisa Polce is an accomplished graphic designer with over twenty years’ experience. She has worked for public and privately owned companies as well as starting her own graphic design firm in 2009. Throughout her career, she has worked with small to mid-size companies and is very involved with the Advertising Club of Connecticut, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and Business Network International, in which she has served in leadership roles. Lisa lives in Connecticut with her son, Hunter. Her website is www.hjgraphicdesigns.com

Jim Smith is an accomplished Web designer and trainer who owns a home-based business specializing in website design and hosting. Jim speaks frequently to groups on Internet-related subjects. His presentations range from introductory training sessions at local libraries to Internet seminars and workshops for Fortune 500 companies. Jim’s company is Blarneystone, LLC, and his company website is www.blarneystone.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

01 So You Want to Start a Home-based Graphic Design Business? 1

My Advice 2

What Is Your Personality? 3

Can You Handle Being on Your Own? 9

What Skills Do You Need to Be Successful? 10

How Will You Know If You Have What It Takes? 12

How to Handle Friendly Competition 13

How to Strengthen Any Weaknesses 14

02 Envisioning the Business 16

How Big You Visualize Your Business Becoming 16

The Components That Will Make Up Your Business 17

The Long-Term Future You See for Your Business 20

The "What If" Scenario 21

03 What Do You Need in Your Home Office? 23

Location 25

Furniture 27

Equipment and Tools 28

04 Writing a Business Plan 37

Why You Need a Business Plan 37

How to Write the Business Plan 39

Structure of a Typical Business Plan 39

What to Do with Your Business Plan 51

05 Getting Started 53

Planning Stages to Open for Business 53

Naming Your Business 56

Brand Identity 57

Business Identity 58

Designing Your Logo 59

Business Goals and Objectives 61

Website 64

Steps to Opening Your Business 64

06 Show Me the Money 67

Pricing Goods and Services 69

Determining Your Rate 72

Working Within Your Client's Budget 73

Stock Photos, Professional Photography, or Client-Supplied Photos 80

Communication 81

What Is Your Break-Even Point? 81

Quotes 83

Contracts 85

Invoices 88

Accounting Services 91

07 Taxes and Record Keeping 93

Keeping Track of the Money 93

What Are You Required to Keep Track Of? 94

What Else Should You Keep Track Of? 96

Who's Responsible for Your Record Keeping? 97

08 Legal and Ethical Issues 99

When Do You Need an Attorney? 99

Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation? 100

Legalities of Contracts 102

Copyright Issues 105

09 Marketing Your Business 111

Public Relations 112

Networking to Market Your Business 114

Networking Organizations 118

Introducing Your Business 120

Thank-You Notes 122

Your Website 123

Social Media Marketing 128

10 The Internet 133

As a Graphic Designer, Should You Be a Web Designer, Too? 133

Hooking Up with a Web Designer 133

The Future of the Internet 135

Should a Graphic Designer Offer Social Media? 135

Appendix A Website Resources 137

Appendix B Organizations 139

Appendix C Educational Resources and Training Programs 141

Appendix D A Sample Job 143

Index 148

About the Authors 154