You don’t have to be especially "creative." And you can forget about writer’s block. Because now, even if you’ve never written advertising before, there’s a simple proven way to Write *ADS* Great copywriters aren’t born. They’re made! That’s because writing...  more

You don’t have to be especially "creative." And you can forget about writer’s block. Because now, even if you’ve never written advertising before, there’s a simple proven way to Write *ADS* Great copywriters aren’t born. They’re made! That’s because writing isn’t a talent you’re born with—it’s a skill as learnable as driving a car or typing. Write Great Ads takes the mystery out of copywriting and shows how to write effective advertising copy for print ads, direct mail packages, radio spots, and television commercials. Write Great Ads takes you, step-by-step, through every aspect of the process. You’ll learn:How to zero in on the key features and benefits of your adHow to write a headline that really sellsHow to come up with an original, effective selling conceptHow to put all the facts together and craft an irresistible call to action—guaranteed to pull in sales!This one-of-a-kind workbook breaks advertising down into simple steps that anyone—no matter what your level of experience—can master and enjoy. Write Great Ads is also packed with fill-in exercises and self-tests so you can practice each step immediately. "This is a practical, straightforward, and instructive book with heavy emphasis on fundamentals—all in good, clear, no-nonsense English—and an overall good reference for anyone interested in better communications."

A thorough, accessible, and results-oriented guidebook intended for today’s business environment, Business Writing: What Works, What Won’t offers the first and last word on writing memos, business letters, reports, and all other kinds of business documents. Wilma Davidson, a veteran...  more

A thorough, accessible, and results-oriented guidebook intended for today’s business environment, Business Writing: What Works, What Won’t offers the first and last word on writing memos, business letters, reports, and all other kinds of business documents. Wilma Davidson, a veteran corporate writing coach whose clients have included M&M Mars, Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch, and several other, Fortune 500 companies, uses clear and memorable examples, charts, cartoons, and anecdotes to convey exactly what succeeds—and what fails—in written business communication. This new edition of Business Writing has been fully revised and updated to cover e-mail, Palm Pilots, and the latest in word processor technology. It will be an indispensable reference for all students of business and management—a book that answers questions about style, provides guidance in matters of grammar, and reveals countless insights about writing with precision, confidence, humor, and eye-catching effectiveness.

The downsizing of America -- once thought to be a temporary cost-cutting measure to boost profit margins -- has brought a swift end to the era of "lifetime employment." Given the fact that these terminations are nationwide, affect every industry, and are usually neither fault-based nor...  more

The downsizing of America -- once thought to be a temporary cost-cutting measure to boost profit margins -- has brought a swift end to the era of "lifetime employment." Given the fact that these terminations are nationwide, affect every industry, and are usually neither fault-based nor predictable, no executive is immune.Based on interviews with over 100 now-portable executives who were among the first casualties of downsizing, The Portable Executive explores the unlimited opportunities available to those who are independent, self-directed, and willing to work on a contract basis. It explains:How to make a smooth transition to becoming "portable"How to identify, continually update, and market your skillsWhy companies that downsize full-time employees are willing to hire executives on an as-needed basisHow and why the relationship between employers and executives has changed from boss/worker to peer/peerAnd much more -- including how to invent a business, what to charge clients, how to network, market, and sell yourself as a "personal service business entity," and, most important, how to enjoy a greater sense of creativity, satisfaction, and long-term job security than ever before.

What key words will help you sell a product or settle a negotiation? What are the best strategies for overcoming writer's block? Which cliches will make your readers yawn? What are the defamatory or negative words that could land you in hot water? From the basics of spelling and grammar, to...  more

What key words will help you sell a product or settle a negotiation? What are the best strategies for overcoming writer's block? Which cliches will make your readers yawn? What are the defamatory or negative words that could land you in hot water? From the basics of spelling and grammar, to subtle techniques for arousing readers' interest, to tips on editing and designing documents, to e-mail do's and don'ts, this comprehensive reference tool is a must for anyone who writes at work.

This cost-effective textbook/workbook/handbook presents a streamlined, no-nonsense approach to business communication that includes comprehensive Web resources and unparalleled author support for instructors and students. ESSENTIALS provides a three-in-one learning package: (1) authoritative...  more

This cost-effective textbook/workbook/handbook presents a streamlined, no-nonsense approach to business communication that includes comprehensive Web resources and unparalleled author support for instructors and students. ESSENTIALS provides a three-in-one learning package: (1) authoritative text, (2) practical workbook, and (3) self-teaching grammar/mechanics handbook. Especially effective for students with outdated or inadequate language skills, ESSENTIALS offers extraordinary digital and printed exercises to help students build confidence as they review grammar, punctuation, and writing guidelines. Textbook chapters teach basic writing skills and then apply these skills to a variety of e-mails, memos, letters, reports, and resumes. Realistic model documents and structured writing assignments build lasting workplace skills. The Seventh Edition of this award-winning favorite features increased coverage of employment communication, communication technology, and professionalism in the workplace.

Send-the classic guide to email for office and home and an instant success upon its original publication-has become indispensable for readers navigating the impersonal, and often overwhelming, world of electronic communication. Filled with real-life email success (and horror) stories and a...  more

Send-the classic guide to email for office and home and an instant success upon its original publication-has become indispensable for readers navigating the impersonal, and often overwhelming, world of electronic communication. Filled with real-life email success (and horror) stories and a wealth of entertaining examples, Send reveals the hidden minefields and pitfalls of email. It provides clear rules for handling all of today's thorniest email issues, from salutations and subject lines to bcc's and emoticons. It explains when you absolutely shouldn't send an email and what to do when you've sent (in anger or in error) a potentially career-ending electronic bombshell. And it offers invaluable strategies to help you both better manage the ever-increasing number of emails you receive and improve the ones you send. In this revised edition, David Shipley and Will Schwalbe have added fresh tales from the digital realm and a new afterword-"How to Keep Email from Taking Over Your Life," which includes sage advice on handheld etiquette. Send is now more essential than ever, a wise and witty book that every businessperson and professional should read and read again.

The difference between a winning proposal and one that comes in second is only two to five points on a 100-point scale. Designed to narrow that gap, this book supplies all the tools needed to generate consistently successful proposals that elicit new clients and contracts and win over peers and...  more

The difference between a winning proposal and one that comes in second is only two to five points on a 100-point scale. Designed to narrow that gap, this book supplies all the tools needed to generate consistently successful proposals that elicit new clients and contracts and win over peers and senior management on a new project. The secret is in the authors' systematic, easy-to-understand method currently used to train hundreds of consultants at A.T. Kearney and KPMG Peat Marwick. It shows how to crystallize and develop key proposal messages and themes. And it uses an extensive selection of worksheets to help organize and sequence the key psychological decisions necessary to move the buyer-of the proposed service, product, or idea-from the current situation to the desired outcome.

With this latest addition to his popular Index series, Jim Krause covers all the basics--everything from typography and color to layout and business issues. Design Basics Index is packed with timeless content graphic designers will turn to again and again, including: * A wealth of samples and...  more

With this latest addition to his popular Index series, Jim Krause covers all the basics--everything from typography and color to layout and business issues. Design Basics Index is packed with timeless content graphic designers will turn to again and again, including: * A wealth of samples and exercises in a fun, flippable format * Tools and techniques for creating dynamic layouts * Inspiring ideas for successful idea brainstorming and concepting * Tips and tricks for navigating the industry with ease This book starts readers out with a look at the basic building blocks of design and takes them through the process of putting those elements together to create head-turning work. It's a desk reference no designer should be without!

"This beautifully illustrated book includes instructions for painting, stamping, tie-dying, batik, marbling, and screen-painting T-shirts. Over 70 unique T-shirts illustrated in full color....Offers a wide variety of appealing design possibilities....This sumptuous book would be fun to read and...  more

"This beautifully illustrated book includes instructions for painting, stamping, tie-dying, batik, marbling, and screen-painting T-shirts. Over 70 unique T-shirts illustrated in full color....Offers a wide variety of appealing design possibilities....This sumptuous book would be fun to read and look at even for the novice...[a] treasure trove."--Kliatt. 112 pages (all in color), 8 x 9.

So you have a great concept and all the fancy digital tools you could possibly require—what's stopping you from creating beautiful pages? Namely the training to pull all of these elements together into a cohesive design that effectively communicates your message. Not to worry: This...  more

So you have a great concept and all the fancy digital tools you could possibly require—what's stopping you from creating beautiful pages? Namely the training to pull all of these elements together into a cohesive design that effectively communicates your message. Not to worry: This book is the one place you can turn to find quick, non-intimidating, excellent design help. In The Non-Designer's Design Book, 1st Edition, best-selling author Robin Williams turns her attention to the basic principles of good design and typography. All you have to do is follow her clearly explained concepts, and you'll begin producing more sophisticated, professional, and interesting pages immediately. Humor-infused, jargon-free prose interspersed with design exercises, quizzes, illustrations, and dozens of examples make learning a snap—which is just what audiences have come to expect from this best-selling author.

The best-selling author of Idea Index and Layout Index returns with an all-new title! Color Index provides more than one thousand color combinations and formulas--guaranteed to help graphic artists solve design dilemmas and create effective images for both print and the Web. From progressive...  more

The best-selling author of Idea Index and Layout Index returns with an all-new title! Color Index provides more than one thousand color combinations and formulas--guaranteed to help graphic artists solve design dilemmas and create effective images for both print and the Web. From progressive colors to natural tones, Color Index makes choosing hues for any job easier! Designers will start working with color in exciting new ways and create original, eye-catching designs that pop off the page. It's all the inspiration they need to explore and experiment with color as never before! Just like the other clever little design books in this series, Color Index is portable, packed with inspiration, and neatly packaged in a colorful, sturdy vinyl jacket.

Aspiring authors and illustrators can find out how to get started; the best way to develop an idea; and how to present work to a publisher.

Technology has sent shockwaves of change through the world of commercial art. Digital illustration and design, online portfolio sites, and the proliferation of stock art have radically changed the way that illustrators and graphic designers work. What has not changed, however, is the wealth of...  more

Technology has sent shockwaves of change through the world of commercial art. Digital illustration and design, online portfolio sites, and the proliferation of stock art have radically changed the way that illustrators and graphic designers work. What has not changed, however, is the wealth of illustrators and graphic designers hoping to turn their talent into freelance success. More than ever, artists face questions such as how to get started, how to sell their work, how to promote themselves, and what to do once they are working. For those embarking on freelance careers in illustration or graphic design, the answers have arrived. A twenty-five year veteran in the field, Michael Fleishman, has detailed every business aspect of commercial art in Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer.

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th Edition is the industry bible, containing information all graphic artists and their clients need to buy and sell work in a totally professional manner. This edition has been revised and updated to provide all the information...  more

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th Edition is the industry bible, containing information all graphic artists and their clients need to buy and sell work in a totally professional manner. This edition has been revised and updated to provide all the information you need to compete in an industry moving at lightning speed.

There are two things that make Design It Yourself: Newsletters unique among design books: First, it is specific not general. Designer and author Chuck Green steps you through the process of producing a newsletter—from creating a plan and choosing a style to illustrating your message and...  more

There are two things that make Design It Yourself: Newsletters unique among design books: First, it is specific not general. Designer and author Chuck Green steps you through the process of producing a newsletter—from creating a plan and choosing a style to illustrating your message and finding a printer. He not only tells you exactly how to do it, he steps you through the process with a series of in-depth checklists to ensure you won’t miss a single detail. The second distinction is that it provides layout recipes you are free to copy. While most design books present other people’s work as inspiration with the understanding you won’t copy designs outright—this book include professional-quality newsletters designed specifically for you to use in any way you choose. You are free to, in fact encouraged to, borrow any idea you find in whole or in part. Chuck’s highly detailed, idea-rich layouts include the type of information designers need to know: Comprehensive page layouts and dimensions, the names and sizes of typefaces, specific color palettes, sources for graphics and photographs, and lots of insightful production tips and design inspiration. The combination of easy-to-understand instructions, extensive design and production guidance, and detailed recipes makes Design It Yourself: Newsletters an essential new type of hands-on reference for anyone eager to create a compelling, information-rich news and marketing publication.

Back Copy: Here is the complete guide to today's graphic design careers -- a clear and concise survey of the many types of opportunities available in the field. Filled with interviews and advice from leading designers, it covers graphic design media, work types and settings, educational...  more

Back Copy: Here is the complete guide to today's graphic design careers -- a clear and concise survey of the many types of opportunities available in the field. Filled with interviews and advice from leading designers, it covers graphic design media, work types and settings, educational training, portfolio preparation, getting a job, and much more. Flap Copy: The world of graphic design now boasts more opportunities in more industries using a broader range of media than ever before. Becoming a Graphic Designer gives you the information you need to start taking advantage of them -- with a clear and comprehensive survey of today's graphic design careers filled with thoughts and advice from top working designers. Drawing on years of experience in the business, veteran designers Steven Heller and Teresa Fernandes cover everything from education and training, design specialties, and work settings to preparing an effective portfolio and finding a job. They profile the major industries employing graphic designers and explore advertising, corporate, editorial, and other key design disciplines. Both traditional and electronic media are examined in detail -- including print, film titles, TV graphics, Web design, motion graphics, and more. Dozens of up-front interviews with leading graphic designers let you see how companies such as Wired magazine, Martha Stewart Living magazine, and MTV hire and work with employees. These inside perspectives offer invaluable real-world insights on what different industries and positions are really like. And a resource guide to design publications and organizations points the way to further information and guidance. Complete with easy-to-use, compact sections, useful sidebars, and sample design pieces, this outstanding guide is invaluable for anyone interested in launching or developing a career in graphic design. STEVEN HELLER is Art Director of the New York Times Book Review, Editor of the AIGA Journal of Graphic Design, and Chairman of the School of Visual Arts MFA/design program. Teresa Fernandes is a publications designer and art director. Cover Design: Teresa Fernandes

For the fastest-growing segment of our population, here is a comprehensive guide to starting and running a home-based business in midlife and retirement. A baby boomer turns fifty every seven seconds, creating what will soon be the largest and most influential senior generation in history....  more

For the fastest-growing segment of our population, here is a comprehensive guide to starting and running a home-based business in midlife and retirement. A baby boomer turns fifty every seven seconds, creating what will soon be the largest and most influential senior generation in history. These dynamic seniors have both a desire and a need to continue their working lives past the age when their parents retired. Boomers have been the primary buyers of more than one million self-employment guides by Paul and Sarah Edwards-and they now have the perfect handbook to take them into the second half of life. The Best Home Businesses for People 50+ features seventy comprehensive profiles that show how to select, start, run, and build a home-based business suited to the needs, talents, and ideals of the over-fifty generation. Each business listing-for careers ranging in diversity from Makeup Artist to Tax Preparer to Information Broker-addresses the concerns of boomers and seniors, including: - Businesses that people 50+ can continue working in for 10-15 years. - Businesses that supplement your retirement income. - Businesses adaptable to a wide variety of locations. - Businesses with flexible hours to allow for family, travel, and other priorities. - Businesses suited to a broad range of health and wellness needs. Profiles of successful business owners and a treasury of online and easy-to-access resources round out The Best Home Businesses for People 50+ to create an indispensable resource for this new generation of career-oriented seniors.

Fully revised and updated, the essential handbook for all writers, editors, students, and public relations specialists. More people write for the Associated Press than for any newspaper in the world, and writers have bought more copies of The AP Stylebook than of any other journalism...  more

Fully revised and updated, the essential handbook for all writers, editors, students, and public relations specialists. More people write for the Associated Press than for any newspaper in the world, and writers have bought more copies of The AP Stylebook than of any other journalism reference. With this essential guide in hand, any writer can learn to communicate with the clarity and professionalism for which the Associated Press is famous. Fully revised and updated, this edition contains over 5,000 A to Z entries--including more than 50 new ones--laying out the AP's rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation, and word and numeral usage. Comprehensive and easy to use, The AP Stylebook provides the facts and references necessary to write accurately about the world today: correct names of countries and organizations, Internet language and search techniques, language to avoid, common trademarks, and the unique guidelines for business and sports reporting. The final word on media law, The AP Stylebook also includes an invaluable section dedicated to crucial advice on how writers can guard against libel and copyright infringement. The veritable "journalist's bible," this is the one reference that working writers cannot afford to be without. With more than 50 new entries plus updates of more than 100 others, The AP Stylebook includes such features as: * An A to Z listing of guides to capitalization, abbreviation, spelling, numerals, and usage * Internet guidelines * Sports guidelines and style * Business guidelines and style * A guide to punctuation * Supreme Court decisions regarding libel law * Summary of First Amendment rules * The right of privacy * Copyright guidelines * Proofreaders' marks

Dewey. Bellow. Strauss. Friedman. The University of Chicago has been the home of some of the most important thinkers of the modern age. But perhaps no name has been spoken with more respect than Turabian. The dissertation secretary at Chicago for decades, Kate Turabian literally wrote the book...  more

Dewey. Bellow. Strauss. Friedman. The University of Chicago has been the home of some of the most important thinkers of the modern age. But perhaps no name has been spoken with more respect than Turabian. The dissertation secretary at Chicago for decades, Kate Turabian literally wrote the book on the successful completion and submission of the student paper. Her Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, created from her years of experience with research projects across all fields, has sold more than seven million copies since it was first published in 1937. Now, with this seventh edition, Turabian’s Manual has undergone its most extensive revision, ensuring that it will remain the most valuable handbook for writers at every level—from first-year undergraduates, to dissertation writers apprehensively submitting final manuscripts, to senior scholars who may be old hands at research and writing but less familiar with new media citation styles. Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and the late Wayne C. Booth—the gifted team behind The Craft of Research—and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff combined their wide-ranging expertise to remake this classic resource. They preserve Turabian’s clear and practical advice while fully embracing the new modes of research, writing, and source citation brought about by the age of the Internet.Booth, Colomb, and Williams significantly expand the scope of previous editions by creating a guide, generous in length and tone, to the art of research and writing. Growing out of the authors’ best-selling Craft of Research, this new section provides students with an overview of every step of the research and writing process, from formulating the right questions to reading critically to building arguments and revising drafts. This leads naturally to the second part of the Manual for Writers, which offers an authoritative overview of citation practices in scholarly writing, as well as detailed information on the two main citation styles (“notes-bibliography” and “author-date”). This section has been fully revised to reflect the recommendations of the fifteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style and to present an expanded array of source types and updated examples, including guidance on citing electronic sources.The final section of the book treats issues of style—the details that go into making a strong paper. Here writers will find advice on a wide range of topics, including punctuation, table formatting, and use of quotations. The appendix draws together everything writers need to know about formatting research papers, theses, and dissertations and preparing them for submission. This material has been thoroughly vetted by dissertation officials at colleges and universities across the country.This seventh edition of Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is a classic reference revised for a new age. It is tailored to a new generation of writers using tools its original author could not have imagined—while retaining the clarity and authority that generations of scholars have come to associate with the name Turabian.

Write Your Own CheckConsidering a career in freelance writing? Already a freelancer but seeking practical, solid advice on the basics of the business? Get a Freelance Life is the complete guide to all aspects of a freelance writing career, straight from the creators of mediabistro.com—the...  more

Write Your Own CheckConsidering a career in freelance writing? Already a freelancer but seeking practical, solid advice on the basics of the business? Get a Freelance Life is the complete guide to all aspects of a freelance writing career, straight from the creators of mediabistro.com—the nation’s most connected, authoritative source for media professionals. Learn how to:• Write compelling pitch letters • Network with the best in the magazine and newspaper industry• Understand the freelance market and detect its changes• Self-edit and rewrite your work• Manage tight deadlines• Negotiate contracts• Survive the financial ups and downs of the freelance lifeWith plenty of insider advice and tips from the most successful freelance writers and editors in the country, Get a Freelance Life is a must-have resource for turning your freelance gigs into a full-fledged writing career.