Home-Based Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

~ Paul Edwards (Author), Sarah Edwards (Author), (Author) "Congratulations! You've decided to start a home-based business..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...full of encouragement and information to help you through all the stages of setting up your own home-based business." (<i>www.sixtyplussurfers.co.uk</i>, June 2005)

Product Description

Thanks to the Internet, home-based businesses are booming. With a home computer and a good idea, you can market and sell almost anything in the world just from home. Whether you’re selling homemade jams or working as a business consultant, today’s entrepreneur doesn’t even have to leave home.

Home-Based Business For Dummies, 2^nd Edition will help you make your endeavor profitable and successful! Ideal for future entrepreneurs who have the urge and want the know-how, this updated guide includes new information on home business scams and how to avoid them, shows how to create an efficient, comfortable (but not too comfortable) work environment, explains how to put new technologies to work for you, and much more. There’s even a 10-question quiz to help you determine if you’re ready. You’ll learn all the basics, including:

• Selecting the right kind of business for you
• Setting up a home office
• Managing money, credit, and financing
• Marketing almost anything in the world
• Avoiding distractions at home

Home-Based Business For Dummies, 2^nd Edition was written by Paul and Sarah Edwards, award-winning authors who write a monthly column for Entrepreneur magazine, and Peter Economy, an author or coauthor For Dummies books on managing, consulting, and personal finance. In straightforward English, they show you how to:

• Stay connected to the business community, even when working from home
• Keep your work separate from your personal life
• Handle benefits, health insurance, and your retirement planning
• Make sure your bookkeeping is accurate and legal
• Use the Internet to bid for work, list your services in directories, network, and more
• Choose the technology and other resources you need
• Develop your own marketing and advertising strategies
• Navigate IRS rules for home-based businesses

Home-Based Business For Dummies is packed with ideas and information that will help you get started right and help established, successful home-based business owners stay ahead of the pack. Use it well and this handy guide will be the most important reference in your home office.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (February 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764577638
• ISBN-13: 978-0764577635
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #161,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for a beginner, July 25, 2001

By	Reds Fan (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home-Based Business for Dummies (Paperback)

If you're completely clueless to running your own home-based business, this is a great beginner (hence the title "for Dummies"). I found the book to work best when you already have an idea for your business. As with similar books, it's great to have a general idea of what type of business you'd like to pursue before reading the book; it will help you better shape your idea.

The book did spend a lot of time talking about how to deal with family problems, creating a quiet workspace, setting work hours and how to get through a project when you have no desire. While some people might find this beneficial, it read like "filler" to me.

All in all, though, it's worth checking out.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Your Own Boss!, December 31, 2005

By	Java Boo Boo "Java Boo Boo" (Decatur, AL United States) - See all my reviews

I would classify this book as more of a general overview of all the important things you need to consider before actually starting your business. For particulars you will definitely want to contact a good business attorney and a good accountant. Not to mention, you'll need to interface a lot initially with your local city/state governments to get tax forms and your business license.

This book seems to work best if you already have an idea for your business. Granted , they do throw out a few ideas for things like medical billing and place an emphasis on what could be described as services geared towards either elderly folks, or dual income families who are too busy to deal with traditional family type things. If you already kind of know what you think you want to try, this book will primarily help you fine tune your thoughts, and bring them to reality.

The section on Managing Money is probably one of the best things anyone can read. Obviously, if you're in business, the goal is to make money. By understanding the basic accounting principles presented in Part II of the book, you'll be well on your way to managing your business money wisely.

For general knowledge, my favorite part of the book was Part V. Here you will find Top 10 lists that describe common myths and pitfalls, and even success producing ideas to help you on your journey as a home based business owner. If you have a family, you'll want to take note on the section about what I would call, "The good way to set up your office." Which means, keeping distractions from the spouse and kids to a minimum while you are working at home.

There is a section on marketing, but in lieu of just that section alone, I would definitely recommend "Guerilla Marketing" by Jay Conrad Levinson. It's a very dry read, but there are a lot of interesting and unique ideas for getting word out about your business with out spending much (if any) money. And when you're in business for yourself, the more advertising you can get for free, the better!

I really like the way the authors describe how to get in to the home based business. Meaning, the idea of working at your full-time job (which you may or may not like) while you test the waters with your own venture on the side. That's excellent advice because if your business idea doesn't take off, you're not stuck without any income. Plus you can stay under your current employer's medical plan (A HUGE money saver!)

Overall there is so much information in here, it will be hard to take it in all at once. Likewise, as I stated earlier, the most important thing to remember is make sure and check with a professional accountant and lawyer in your area before/as you get started so they can help walk you through the particulars in your area. Every city and state is different in terms of setting up a business when it comes to taxes and getting your license.

Bottom line is, if you are semi-seriously considering starting a home based business, do yourself a favor and pick up this book and read it through. You'll get some good advice and knowledge on what it takes to be your own boss. Of course the other thing you can do is, talk to other small business owners in your area. Take them to lunch and learn as much as you can from those who are successful small business owners.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressed, January 16, 2005

By	Charlene Canova "Personal Concierge" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Home-Based Business for Dummies (Paperback)

I will launch my business in March 2005. I am very excited and nervous. Yet, believe it or not, this great book calmed me right down. It will be a wonderful reference that I go back to time and time again. I was one of the lucky ones that actually found this book BEFORE opening the business. It will save me from making some mistakes. Thanks!