Re: Step by Step

>>>>About all you can do is rely on word of mouth and pound the pavement,
looking for clients. It will be a major act of trust to sign up a designer
with no resources and no record so you need to compensate with excellent
salesmanship and excellent follow through. You are looking to do the hardest
(and least likely to succeed) form of bootstrapping.<<<<

It can work, which is what I meant with my somewhat hurried ealier response.
Judy and others have stressed the need for professionalism, and this is not
to be under-rated from a business standpoint.  From a programming/coding
standpoint, however, I content that the most important things needed are a)
talent and b) motivation.

"c)" is, of course, a computer with an Internet connection...:).

For a beginner who is initially taking on charity and low-budget sites,
perhaps the most vital focus (technically...don't want the marketers on me!)
might be learning the code.  Using Notepad, HTML-Kit, 1stpage or any of the
other excellent no-cost editors on the market, and HTML Tidy or the online
validator to check code, one *could* bootstrap a business with almost no
startup fees:

1) Set up a production environment with a computer, and editor and one of
the free graphics manipulation programs.  Visit Webmonkey and other
easily-located sources of informaiton and tutorials to build knowledge.

2) Use some free ISP or community web space to locate a starter site.

3) Get an affiliate or reseller relationship going with a hosting company if
possible.

4) Put some demo work online at the starter site.

5) Solicit some work from charity or low-budget prospects.  This begins a
portfolio and will hopefully bring in references and testimonials regarding
the sterling character and solid work ethic of the new designer.  At this
point, you are trying to establish *proof* that you are worth money.

6) Using the knowledge and references gained through the starting period,
try to land a "bread and butter" account that will provide a steady income
in between new contracts.

7) Expand (bootstrap) as possible, getting a domain name, a bigger site, a
more profitable hosting arrangments, etc.

8) Once momentum has been achieved (within 2-7 years), begin scheduling a
day off every week to rest.  You'll need it.

D

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