Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional [Paperback]

Mary Ellen Bates (Author), Reva Basch (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0910965625 | ISBN-13: 978-0910965620 | Publication Date: May 2003 | Edition: 1st

Online research is one of the hottest work-from-home business opportunities of the decade, and this handbook provides the information necessary to launch, manage, and build a successful research business. Explained is every step of the process including getting started, running the business, marketing, and researching. The important question of "is this business right for you?" is addressed in detail, as are how to close the sale, managing clients, promoting services on the web, and tapping into powerful information sources beyond the web. Also provided are a description of the types of research independent information professionals are expected to provide and surveys of the online and offline tools necessary to build expertise and ensure a satisfied clientele.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Ellen Bates is the owner of Bates Information Services, an Internet research consulting firm. She is a contributing editor of The Information Advisor and a columnist for online topics for EContent and ONLINE magazines. She is the coauthor of Researching Online for Dummies and the author of Mining for Gold on the Internet and The Online Deskbook. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Paperback: 463 pages
• Publisher: Information Today, Inc.; 1st edition (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910965625
• ISBN-13: 978-0910965620
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #745,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book., February 2, 2004

By 

Tim McMahon (Lincoln, RI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional (Paperback)

These days, newspapers and magazines are full of "work-from-home" business opportunities. Most of these advertisements claim to provide the gullible consumer with a way to make thousands of dollars each month in their pajamas. The truth is there are no easy ways to make a living as a small business owner. Owning your own small business means constant hard work in promotion, administration, client meetings and endless planning for the future. It also means doing due diligence in an effort to discover exactly what transitioning into a new line of business fully entails. For those interested in developing their own business dedicated to the discovery, packaging and sale of information, Mary Ellen Bates, with the assistance of Reva Basch (Editor), has put together a comprehensive how-to manual devoted to the burgeoning profession of the Independent Information Professional. Any effort at discovering what this field is about should include a study of this book.

Readers will note from the very first sentence that this is not a get-rich quick business scheme, nor is this a business for the faint of heart. Through the work's thirty-five chapters and four appendices (443 pages total), Mary Ellen Bates deftly guides her readers through the myriad intricacies of starting and growing an information brokerage. This book contains many of the things that one would expect from a book that directs the reader in the business of running a business: Finances, accounting, rates and fees are all addressed. What sets this work aside from others though is the depth of the information Bates gives her readers. For instance, most people starting a one or two person business might think about the most obvious things like desks, bank accounts and the like. However, what about errors and omissions insurance, confidentiality, networking and professional development? These are but a few of the critical issues that the small business owner would be remiss to overlook. All are covered in depth in Building & Running a Successful Research Business.

In the first three chapters, Bates provides her readers with a detailed job description, if you will, of the "Independent Info Pro", a glimpse into what might be a typical day in her business life and some insight into the joys and frustrations of the profession. This is exceptionally useful information that covers finding clients, real-life experiences and a section of frequently asked questions. This is exactly the type of information that potential info pros need to help them make decisions about the viability of joining this profession.

This book truly begins to soar when Bates launches into details about the research process and the resources available for use in the field. I have to admit an almost guilty pleasure in reading this section of the book. Like many who have taken advanced degrees in Library and Information Science, I learned long ago that it's all about the information and our ability to communicate that information to our clients and patrons. While many of us lean toward the joys of interacting with clients, there are others who enjoy interacting with the information resources maybe a bit more than interacting with humans. I count myself in that latter group. For this reason, I felt a palpable chill in my spine as I went through Bates' description of online resources, public records, special collections and the like. For the information junkie, this is simply outstanding material.

As a detailed reference tool and guide to the profession, Mary Ellen Bates has constructed an impressive work that will leave readers well informed about the career. Those contemplating a career change into the field of Independent Information Professionals, as well as those who are just starting out, will be well served by this outstanding work. I highly recommend Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional.

--- Reviewed by
Timothy E. McMahon, M.S.
Executive Editor
Northeast Book Reviews
[e-mail]

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must buy" for independent information professionals, May 21, 2003

By 

Randolph Hock (Vienna, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional (Paperback)

Absolutely anyone who is thinking of becoming (or already is) an independent information professional will find this book the best investment they can make. Even if you aren't planning on being an information broker, but are interested in independently marketing your information professional skills in any way, this book provides both the perspectives and the nitty-gritty detail to get off to a healthy start. For those who aren't already familiar with Mary Ellen's reputation as a leading authority on this topic, a few minutes with this book will make clear why she has such a reputation. Her practical insights and extensive experience are conveyed in a clear and readable way and from the early planning of a venture to the actual delivery of quality services, no important topic is left unaddressed. You will be glad you bought this book.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Outstanding Guide for Information Professionals!, May 13, 2003

By 

Jerry Fitzgibbon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional (Paperback)

Mary Ellen Bates has compiled a thorough handbook that gives readers a comprehensive understanding of the Information Business. If you are interested in starting such a business this book offers a great insight into the necessary steps you need to take to assure success in this field. Packed with information in 35 chapters, this book is also a must read for those who already consider themselves Information Professionals. The tips on marketing, setting fees, strategic planning, and professional development can be appreciated by anyone who knows the industry but needs help with developing their own business.

The information profession has always been a highly investigated self employment career, and it has been one of the most popular home business ideas for many years. But, as Mary Ellen explains, this industry is for those who want to take the time to do their homework, lay the groundwork, plan carefully, and be willing to make a candid self-assessment of your own personality, preferences, skills and experience before starting out on your own.

If you're serious about exploring the idea of working from home as an independent information professional then you want to read this book!