Articles & Press Releases

 Book Review
by Janice Byer

  WORDS FROM HOME 
How To Start and Operate a Home-Based Word Processing Business
By: Diana Ennen
The Word Processors Web Site
Self-Published
301 pages

For anyone that has the desire to operate a word processing business but is not sure where to start and what you will need, Words From Home – How to Start and Operate a Home-Based Word Processing Business is the perfect book!

Written by Diana Ennen, an experienced and successful home-based word processing entrepreneur, Words From Home is a complete reference guide that answers the day-to-day questions that arise during the start-up phase of this type of business. Actually, the extent of the information makes this book a ‘bible’ to even the most seasoned word processing business owner. An entire chapter is devoted to helping you revitalize your business. You are shown what it takes to grow your business and experience greater profits.

Words From Home includes a collection of ‘been there, done that’ type experiences…both good and bad. Ms. Ennen wrote this book with the objective of providing first-hand knowledge to those wanting to learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. Not only has she written from her own experiences, she has also included the experiences of over thirty successful home-based word processors. Her purpose was to encompass a multitude of helpful information from the pros that have been there and know what works and what doesn’t.

The book opens with a chapter on the basics of getting started, which guides you through the transition from being someone else’s assistant to being your own boss. It quotes statistics on the increase in the number of home-based businesses and outlines what it takes to become successful as a home-based word processing entrepreneur.

The chapters then continue with advice on everything from naming your business, marketing, promotional material, equipment required, networking, combining family and business, and everything in between.

Ms. Ennen, as with most experienced word processors, points out that you need to start your business by specializing in the tasks that you have experience with and then, when business starts to increase, you can add other services that you have knowledge of. If you have spent your administrative career specializing in producing spreadsheets for your employers, then concentrate on promoting this service to your potential clients. By offering an abundance of non-core tasks, you may be known as a ‘Jack of All Trades’ but perceived as a ‘Master of None’.

In our ever-changing business environment, what is the norm today may not necessarily be what is ‘in’ a few months or years down the road. To upgrade skills is highly recommended but attending courses may not be feasible, especially in the start-up phase. Ms. Ennen has taken this into account in Words From Home. Referred to throughout the book, she has dedicated a portion at the back to providing current examples of common correspondence in the business world. From different Resume formats to examples of the types of introduction letters to send out to your potential clients, this section is vital in helping new entrepreneurs get started. She even includes a disk with these samples so you can simply copy and paste and then adjust them to meet your needs.

All in all, Words From Home covers every aspect of running a successful home-based word processing business and leaves enough room to include your own creativity.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Words From Home – How to Start and Operate a Home-Based Word Processing Business, simply visit The Word Processors Web Site  or email Diana Ennen directly at DeeEnnen@aol.com and tell her Janice sent you :-)