In a reply, TOM TALBOTT wrote to MICHAEL BOWEN:
 TT> Michael,
 TT>   I have no idea whether the approaches work, but I see small space 
 TT> ads in my weekly "shopper" newspaper and "flyers" posted in local 
 TT> "copy shops."
 TT> So far as college placement offices are concerned, I see flyers & 
 TT> "business cards" posted on the boards where they post job news - 
 TT> both for resumes and for typing term papers, etc.
  Hi Tom! Hi Michael!
  Sorry to jump in the middle of this thread, but I only recently got my link 
back to this echo and so I missed the first part.
  My wife operates a home based word processing business.  For resume 
writing, we generally avoid the shopper newspapers.  The clients it attracts 
are not our preferred type of client.  The shopper newses are read by people 
who are looking for bargains (as in cheapskates) and they pick us to death on 
our price list.  The clients from that source also tend to be flakier and 
will have a higher percentage of "no-shows" for appointments.
  Colleges are one source of resume business, although we get more academic 
word processing jobs than resumes from the colleges here in the Sacramento 
area.  Fliers and an ad in the college newspaper work well.
  
 TT>   Maybe someone is making a buck dealing only with resumes, but I'd 
 TT> think it would  be a hard way to go -- most recruiting and placement 
 TT> firms, as well as firms handling "outplacement" when a company 
 TT> downsizes, do a pretty fair job for free.  "Do-it-Yourselfers" can 
 TT> always pick up inexpensive software to guide them through the 
 TT> process and of course gin out personalized copies as you need them.
  The Professional Association of Resume Writers has a directory full of 
people who specialize in resume writing only.  Many of the associates we work 
with offer resumes as one part of their business.  Those who specialize in 
resumes will aim for the top of the market, top dollar executives and 
specialists who can afford $200 and up for resume packages.
  A "do-it-yourself" resume package has the same value as a "do-it-yourself" 
divorce or a "do-it-yourself" haircut.  It's only as good as the person doing 
it.  For a professional job, you need a professional.
 TT>  Nontheless, good luck.  Maybe someone who actually makes money at 
 TT> this can give you better pointers - I just think you need a wider 
 TT> base (like brochures, restaurant menus, etc.) or doing more for the 
 TT> resume client than typing (guidance, writing, mailing the resumes to 
 TT> target companies, etc.)
  
  Resume writing is a specialty, like graphic arts, or publication layout, or 
academic research writing is a specialty.  With study and practice, a resume 
writer can sit down with a client in an interview and write a resume that 
will showcase the client's skills, talents, and qualifications in the best 
possible presentation to get the client the interview for a job.
  We recommend Yana Parker's "Damn Good Resume" series of resume writing 
books.  They are comprehensive and thought provoking.
  If you have any other questions about resume writing or homebased word 
processing businesses, I'll be around.  Beside this echo for home office 
ideas, the INK echo on FIDOnet focuses word processing/desktop publishing 
support, all platforms, all software.
  But now that my access to this echo is open again, I'll be around.
  Be seeing ya!
  - Franco Rios
    Co-Moderator, INK Echo on Fidonet
  
 -Mindreader: 10,000 years can give you such a crick in the neck! - Genie
--- FLAME v1.1
---------------