Work at Home Ideas - Desktop Publishing

by  Angella Kay, The Light Keeper.com

Small business newsletters, brochures, sales flyers, promotional mailings - what do these
things have in common? All of them are made by desktop publishers! Desktop Publishing is
a great field for someone with computer skills and an eye for good design.
Tools you'll need:
 Computer with Desktop Publishing software (such as MSPublisher or Adobe
Pagemaker)
 Graphics software, such as PhotoImpact, Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop
 Design skills
 Grasp of the English language
 Good grammar
 Ability to meet deadlines
The first step to creating good newsletters is to find out what a good newsletter looks
like. Go to your library or our favorite bookstore, Amazon.com, and look for books about
newsletters and desktop publishing (you'll find some recommendations on the left of this
article). Pick out designs that appeal to you. What do you like best about the design? What
attracts your eye? If you want to practice, try recreating the design in your desktop
publishing program, or use some of the pre-installed templates that come with the program.
When you're comfortable with your skills, you'll need to build your portfolio to show
potential customers. One good way to do this is to contact churches or non-profit
organizations (such as your child's preschool or a local women's shelter) and offer to do a
newsletter for them. Don't take on too much, though - a monthly newsletter of two to four
pages is a good place to start. Family and Christmas newsletters, brochures and business
cards are all good ways to help build your portfolio. Don't forget to do your own brochures
and business cards!