An authoritative guide to homebased businesses provides detailed explanations of thirty key principles to success, accompanied by checklists to readers accomplish their goals. Original. While no one knows exactly how many Americans operate a home-based business, just about everyone agrees their numbers are legion and growing every day. Unfortunately, most books directed their way are either too elementary or too wide-ranging to be really useful--at least without stacks of supplementary resources. Bringing Home the Business , on the other hand, is both refreshing and valuable because it focuses on just one aspect: getting and keeping customers. Significantly, it also lays everything out in a format busy entrepreneurs can easily peruse and absorb. Kim T. Gordon, a small-office/home-office specialist, divides the advice into 30 essential areas like Manage Lists and Callbacks. Each begins with a succinct "truth," such as "You don't need a staff for contact management; you need the right system." What follows are plenty of relevant details: why contact-management software is helpful and how to select an appropriate program (or develop an effective paper-based tracking system). There's no extraneous information on creating corporate structures or choosing office furniture, just solid recommendations on this critical aspect of establishing and growing a commercial enterprise that happens to be headquartered in the home. -- Howard Rothman When I was writing this new book, I understood that time constraints are an ongoing problem for many readers, though you clearly want an in-depth and detailed guide that covers hard to find information (like how many pieces should go into a successful direct mail package). So the "30 Truths" make the book an interesting and easy read, yet it's extremely comprehensive and shows you how to: > Position your business and create a high-quality image. > Select a unique niche market. > Develop prospect lists, build leads, and write terrific sales letters. > Find time-saving tools and software to streamline your work. > Choose the right strategies and budget for your marketing program. > Create sales and marketing tools that motivate prospects. > Uncover objections and close more sales. > Safely buy advertising and select direct mail lists. > Win referrals and adopt PR tactics that get you noticed. > Use the Internet to market your business. > Positively involve family in your business. > Establish strong personal boundaries and work habits. > Live and work successfully under the same roof. Kim T. Gordon is the author of Growing Your Home-Based Business . One of the country's foremost experts on the small office/home office market, her national appearances have helped thousands increase their business success. In addition to her columns for Entrepreneur's Business Start-Ups, she has appeared on the television and radio shows "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings," and The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, and in Newsweek magazine. She has been a spokesperson for Sprint, Office Depot, and Canon Computers. She lives in Silver Springs, Maryland.