How to Start a Business in Editing

You need very little capital to start an editing business. An editor needs to provide quality service and connect with clients.

You need to understand the market and define your business strategy. Make sure you get paid for your work and meet deadlines.

Make sure you complete the job to your client’s satisfaction and learn how to give a sales pitch. Establish realistic revenue estimates, write a business plan and conduct basic research.

Select a business name, domain name and register the business as a sole proprietor. Make sure you do proper accounts, administrative work and track your finances.

Get Your First Client

The first step to lunching your freelance editing business is to find your first client. You can start by updating your Linkedin profile.

Then offer free editing services to friends and family. You need to build a portfolio and gain job experience.

Another way is to seek an employment position in an editing firm before setting out on your own. Good work would attract referrals including word of mouth recommendations.

You can also build a website, showcase your portfolio and get clients. Other ways to secure client is through advertisement in national newspaper or professional directories listing.

It is important you create a network of people in your industry. You can join a job site for leads and inform neighbors and family.

• updating your Linkedin profile
• update your Facebook profile
• offer free editing services to friends and family
• build a portfolio
• gain job experience
• seek an employment position
• use referrals
• word of mouth
• recommendations
• build a website
• use advertisement
• professional directories listing
• network
• join a job site
• get leads
• inform neighbors and family

Make a Pitch 

Once you have identified potential client you have to make a pitch. Makes sure you get introduced, send samples of your work and use recommendations.

To demonstrate your expertise share samples of your published work, testimonials and project listing. Other ways are through sample editing of manuscript not exceeding 800 words. This affords the client a first hand appraisal of your editing skill.

• identified potential client
• get introduced
• send samples of your work
• use recommendations
• demonstrate your expertise
• testimonials
• use project listing

Secure more Clients

If you want to do the job full time you need many clients. Sell your skill through effective marketing strategy and referrals.

Social media is a powerful tool to use spread the word. You can cold call potential clients, attend seminars, network and join an association. Contribute quality post to your website and use online advertisement platforms.

• marketing strategy
• referrals
• social media
• cold calls
• seminars
• networking
• join an association
• post to your website
• use online advertisement platforms.

Join a Freelance Job Website

There are hundreds of job sites that offer regular work for freelancers. All you need to do is signup for a few and offer your services. Job sites are highly competitive so you need to bring your A game.

Do the Paper Work

You need to create a standard contract, warranty and policies. Figure out standard rates and how much to bill clients. Ask for advance of 60% on each contract.

Market the Business

It is essential you market the business for success. Print business cards, flyers and posters. Advertise in newspapers, magazines and use Facebook ads or Adwords to reach clients.
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How to Start a Sublimation Printing Business

Sublimation printing involves creativity and printing technology. Anyone can learn the business within a month.

They can learn through books, seminars, job experience and apprentice programs. There are also video tutorials, eBooks and blogs that explain the process.

To succeed you need to buy quality equipment, find good a location and register the business. Sublimation technology involves digital printing of different objects.

They produce full customization and personalization when possible. The business is highly profitable and interesting. You need some technical support, basic business knowledge, sales and marketing channels.

Learn the Business

A good way to learn the business is to join an establishment. You could become an apprentice or hire coach. Other learning tools are webinars, webcasts, eBooks, articles and blogs. You can attend seminars, trade shows and learn how to use graphic design software.

• become an apprentice
• hire coach
• webinars
• webcasts
• eBooks
• articles
• blogs
• attend seminars
• trade shows
• Learn graphic design software.

How to Start the Business

To start the business you need to research and strategize. The strategy should focus on the product, and market. Narrow your target to specific areas and specialize.

Your research should cover customer demography, products they favor and market demand. Other considerations are pricing, competitors and product choice.

Finding out the products in demand gives you competitive edge. The product choice is huge because there are thousands of product choices.

• research
• focus on the product
• market
• target to specific areas
• specialize
• pricing
• checkout competitors

The applications of Sublimation Technology

The applications of sublimation technology are making of personalized gifts and garment decoration. You find such prints on furnishing, décor, hard surface goods, photography and fine arts. Other uses are found on promotional products, crafts, quilting and fabrics.

• personalized gifts
• garment decoration
• prints on furnishing
• décor
• hard surface goods
• photography
• fine arts
• promotional products
• crafts
• quilting
• fabrics

Products

The type of products you choose will impact on your capital. This is because items differ and the type of product dictates the pricing.

Make sure the products you develop are useful, exciting and creative. Focus on quality high definition outputs. You can create test products to assess the market response. Try to design an efficient production system for best quality products.

Write a Business Plan

It is important you write a business plan. The plan should focus on the business structure, products, customer demography and goals. It should fashion sales and marketing strategy. Other considerations are sales goals, cash flow and future projections.

• focus on the business structure
• products
• customer demography
• goals
• focus on sales and marketing strategy
• sales goals
• cash flow
• future projections

Finance

The next consideration is startup capital. You need to establish a competitive brand so you need sufficient capital.

Startup cost includes shop space, equipment, utility bills and product. You can get low interest loans from a commercial bank or target save. Another way is to borrow from friends, colleagues and family.

Logistics

The logistics involves establishing the business in an ideal location. The location should have heavy human and vehicular traffic. Top locations are shopping malls, markets, business areas.

Equipment

Apart from furniture you need some equipment to start the business. Equipment’s you need are substrates, print software, heat press, sublijet-HD inks and transfer paper.

Others include printer, computer, and HD product decorating system. Make sure the printer you choose delivers HD photo quality reproductions at amazing speed.

The sublijet HD inks should be uniquely formulated to deliver high definition images in vibrant colors.  A midrange printer of 8 1/2" X 14" is ideal for the job unless you want to produce large objects.

Larger printers are ideal for serious commercial ventures. Make sure the unit you buy delivers consistent images, is precise and high quality.

• Substrates
• print software
• heat press
• sublijet-HD inks
• transfer paper
• printer
• computer
• HD product decorating system

How to grow your Business

To grow your business you need an educational program and real time production learning. Others include good sales and marketing strategy including business management.

You need real-time support, proper color management and product warranty. Don’t forget adequate funding and good location.

• educational program
• real time production learning
• good sales
• marketing strategy
• business management
• you need real-time support
• proper color management
• product warranty
• funding and good location.
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How to Start Digital Textile Print Business

Digital textile print industry is valued at $8 billion globally in 20 17. The method involves printing of designs on fabric through digital method.

The print is applicable to different textile material or fabrics. It is possible to print either large or small designs depending on the designer.

The print method replaced the long screen printing method. This is due to the introduction of the dye sublimation printer in the early 1990s.

The introduction of high energy direct ink and low energy sublimation ink revolutionized textile media printing. The introduction of the heat press made it possible to transfer the ink to fabric. Prior printing technology made use of the print dye sublimation ink method to transfer dye on paper.

Stating Your Digital Print Company

Types of Printed Items

The digital prints are easily transferred through different colorants to various objects. Common objects are signs, retail graphics, flags, garments and t-shirts.

You have other promotional or advertisement material such as banners and polyester. The types of fabric used are natural yarns or synthetic fibers.  

You have silk, cotton, nylon and polyester material. Common textiles used include bed covers, curtains, room dividers and carpets. Top promotional material used for advertisement is polyester fabric because they are durable easy to use and attractive.

• Signs
• retail graphics
• flags
• garments
• t-shirts
• banners
• polyester
• bed covers
• curtains
• room dividers
• carpets

How to Choose Fabrics

The type of fabric used depends on your clients requirements. The structure of the fabric depends on the waving technology such s woven, knitted, synthetic or non woven fabric.

Sublimation ink technique is the most ideal method for printing on polyester. This affords more vibrant colors and easier application.

Fabric Types

• woven
• knitted
• synthetic
• non woven fabric

Types of Printing Methods

There are different types of print methods to consider. You have the discharge print method, resist print and direct print.

Others include senility print and pigment print. The digital print output depends on the type of printing technology deployed.

We have the low volume dye sublimation printer, mid volume format printer and high volume industrial printer. The min equipment is the digital printer or low volume inkjet printer.

There are different specifications of printers with different application. Some can handle low volume print while others are best for high volume industrial work.

Print Methods

• discharge print method
• resist print
• direct print
• senility print
• pigment print

Types of Printers

• low volume dye sublimation printer
• mid volume format printer
• high volume industrial printer
• Inkjet printer

Why use Digital Textile Printing Method

The method is very effective because it reduces waste. Other advantages are better color presentation, better quality print, longevity and speed. It has lower staining probability and no need for paper transfer.

• better color presentation
• high quality print
• longevity
• speed
• lower staining probability
• no need for paper transfer

How to Start the Business

Before you start write a business plan. Use the plan to identify customer demography, best location and type of printing service you want to offer.

Other considerations include funding, hiring qualified staff, sourcing fabric and registering the business. Choose good business name and register s a sole proprietor or Limited Liability Company.

• write a business plan
• identify customer demography
• good  location
• type of printing service you want to offer
• funding
• hiring qualified staff
• sourcing fabric
• registering the business

Marketing

The best marketing strategy is to locate the business in a busy area. Deploy a lager signboard and print flyers, banners or posters.

Use newspaper advertisement and radio. Build a website to highlight your services and showcase your designs. The website could target your geographical location or offer international buyers specialized products.
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How to Start a Printing Business as a Broker with Zero Investment

The print business is very lucrative and moderately challenging. Opening one would require huge startup capital. The funds are used to purchase equipment and rent a shop. Other expenditure includes staff wages and high utility bills.

Luckily there are ways to start the business with zero investment. If you are cash strapped then consider print brokerage.

Starting a print brokerage business is relatively easy and you don’t need any equipment. The broker relies on a laptop computer, internet access and a smartphone.

How to Start a Printing Brokerage Business

• Learn the trade
• Use a virtual office
• Build a portfolio
• Build a website
• Outsource printing
• Carry out extensive marketing

1. Learn the Trade

To provide excellent service and quality jobs you need to learn the trade. To learn the trade you can become an assistant or go for training. Learn through books, online courses, trade workshops and apprentice programs.

• Become an assistant
• go for training
• read books
• online courses
• trade workshops
• apprentice programs

2. Use a Virtual Office

To run a print brokerage business you need a virtual office. You can operate from home or rent a virtual office. There are such establishments with a single receptionist that accommodate different businesses. It provides a professional look while removing the huge cost of a large office.

3. Build a Portfolio

It is very important building a portfolio. The portfolio should showcase your expertise and jobs you have done. This is the only way to convince clients of your expertise and proficiency. You can also create a large job board for clients to see.

4. Outsource Printing

Since you can’t afford to buy expensive printing machines you need to outsource. A broker networks with other printers and printing presses.

The type of job would determine the company you use. There are companies that offer cord printing, cutting and trimming services. Others use only offset machines, typesetting and scanning.

5. Build a Website

A good way to reach customers is through your website. Build a website for the business and add images of completed jobs.

You could add description, prices and contact information. To build a website you need a good host plan, domain name and beautiful design. You could hire a web designer to build the site at a small fee.

6. Marketing

Marketing is very important if you want to reach potential customers. Use flyers, posters, banners and business cards. Take your advertisement online and use Adwords or Facebook ads.

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How to Start a Photocopy Business

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How to Start a Photocopy Business

The template for a photocopying business is simple. All that is required is a shop, electricity and photocopying machine.

To start this business you need to invest in a brand new machine. Starting out with a used one would eat into your profit and cause serious problems. Due to frequency of use the used machine would likely breakdown in a relatively short time.

To increase profit a copy and print establishment can offer different services. Single page photocopying is tough work and requires several hours of work and periodical maintenance.  It is possible to run a photocopy shop on your own or hire a single staff.

How to Start a Photocopy Business

• find startup funds
• write a simple business plan
• find a prime location
• purchase equipment
• register the business
• marketing

1. Funding

The amount you need depends on many factors such as location and type of equipment. Try target savings or borrow from friends and family. You could approach a micro finance bank or cooperative in your area.

• target savings
• borrow from friends and family
• approach a micro finance bank
• use a cooperative in your area

2. Register the Business

The first step is to register the business as a sole proprietorship. You need insurance and tax identification number. To prevent liability issues register the business as a Limited Liability Company. Choose a simple business name and place a signboard at the storefront of your establishment.

3. Find an Ideal Location

You need to find an ideal location for the business. The best locations should have heavy human and vehicular traffic. Make sure the shop is visible and easily found by customers. Locate the establishment near schools, administrative offices, government offices and companies.

4. Offer Additional Services

We hate to break it to you but relying only on photocopying would not put food on your table. You need to add services to cover utility bills, transportation, rent and maintenance.

Services to consider are bookbinding, document lamination and scanning. Others include typing services, logo designing and printing services. More include fax services, selling recharge cards and document cutting.

5. Marketing

The primary source of advertisement is your signboard. Make it large and visible to pedestrians and motorists.  Register the business in directories, yellow pages and use classified websites. Build a website targeted to your local community and use flyers to advertise to people around your vicinity.

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How to Start a Profitable Newspaper

Newspapers are published to deliver factual news and entertainment. They could be printed and distributed daily, weekly or monthly. The content is written by reporters to disseminate current affairs and issues in the society.

The serial publication is produced on inexpensive newsprint paper or low quality bond paper. To start a newspaper business you need serious funds and journalistic experience. The business is very profitable, tough and challenging. Here are a few ideas on how to start a profitable newspaper

How to Start a Profitable Newspaper

Why Start a Newspaper

Newspapers are very profitable business ventures. The publication can generate its own income and you provide a public service. You can use the publication to promote causes, build business relationships and build credibility.

Things to Consider

There are a few things to consider before starting your paper. You need to focus on a niche, name for the publication and size of print.

The next step is to determine the quantity you want to produce and distribution channels. You need to source funds, determine advertisement price and number of staff to engage.

And the type of equipment should be given serious consideration. To sustain the publication you need to find advertisers, use graphic artists and distributors.

The Newspaper Niche

The niche could be focused on a demography or topic. You could feature recurrent issues and aim at a select audience. Choose a niche with depth or try general news publications.

Determine the Distribution

You need to determine the size of your publication. The distribution size could rage from thousands of publications to millions. The size is also dependant on the population size, geographical location, national or local publication.

Your workforce

The size of the publication would determine your workforce. The paper needs journalists, editorial staff, management staff and printing machine operators.

Others include delivery staff, drivers, and front desk staff. Staffs include chief executive officer, editors, reporters, copy editors, proofreaders, graphic artists.

Types of Newspaper Publications

There are basically three types of newspapers based on the publication. We have the daily news and weekly newspapers.

Most are general topic news publications while some focus on specific niche. We have sports publications, health, politics, entertainment and local news.

Daily newspapers are large publications that offer specialized sections and sold daily. They cover general topics, international and national news.

Weekly newspapers are published once a weekly and offer similar content with daily publications. Local or regional newspapers are focused on a region and are smaller than weekly or daily newspapers.

Top daily papers are the Guardian, the Punch, the Observer and Times. The distribution process for all is usually through zoning.

Newspaper Content

The daily newspaper predominantly features current affairs. The publication could include politics, business, entertainment, sports and editorials. They also feature public opinion, health, fashion and cartoon.

More publication in newspapers is columns, reviews, editorial cartoons and weather forecast. Others are birth notices, obituaries and job search publications.

Funding

Large newspaper publications are usually public listed companies. They offer shares to public to be part owners of the business. Smaller publications could fund through partnership, angel investors, core investors or private equity.

Source of Income

There are two ways newspapers generate income. They make money through newspaper sales and advertisements.

The advertisement are either classified ads or display ads. Some generate income through subscriptions and classified advertisement. Online newspapers use direct advertising or third party adverts.

Common advertisement sizes are full page, half page, 85mm x 85mm, 50mm x 50mm and 85mm x 55mm. The advertisement are printed in black/white or colored. The prices charged advertiser range from $40(N14, 400) to $1000(N360, 000)

Design the Paper

It is very import your newspaper has a beautiful layout. Place the name of the publication at the top and include contact info, address and phone number.

Include issue number, volume number, advertisement slots, content pages and headings. Use the same front size throughout the publication. Work on the alignment and fill spaces with pictures and infographics.

Newspaper Format

Newspapers are printed in various sizes. Common sizes are tabloids 380mm x 300mm, broadsheet 600mm x 380mm or midi. The quality could rage from letterpress, offset printing or full color printing.

Editorial Process

The newspapers are printed on low quality newsprint paper. The type of machine could range from large automatic to semi automatic machines.

The entire process starts with the journalist submitting a report. The report is typed on a computer the edited and goes to the news desk.

The news edition makes final changes and submits to copydesk. A mockup or dummy is made with provisions for stories and advertisement. Once the placement is approved it goes to the composing room.

Printing

The manufacturing process starts with the typesetting and then the page layout. The next process is the image transference, plate making then printing. Common equipment used in the process are computer, stripper, light box, film, printing press, plate cylinders and folders.

Newspaper Production Process

• News gathering
• Pre-press
• Press
• Lithographic stage
• impression
• Post press

How to get Advertiser

Advertisers are the life’s blood of the newspaper business. You need lots of them to keep your publication on the newsstands.

You need to develop a price sheet for the various sizes of advertisement on offer. You can find advertiser by opening a dedicated desk or sales outlets. Other ways include referrals, contact information on the publication and direct contact with business owners.

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