I have worked in publishing most of my life in one form or another, from books to magazines to catalogues, and the benefits to the home business are clear - publishing is a means of amplifying your voice way beyond the bounds of your home's four walls, and gives you an expert profile in the wide world.

This in turn will not only help you sell more products, but may actually become the form one or more of your products takes. So what sort of publishing should you consider as a home business? Here are the top four.

1. eBooks
These are powerful sales tools as well as being products in their own rights, and a way of creating an affiliate product to boot. For more on how to write a successful ebook, see our article in this section.

2. Printed books
Producing a printed book used to be the preserve of large publishing houses and the rich and famous. No longer. These days it can be so horribly difficult to get your manuscript looked at by an agent, let alone a publishing house, that increasing numbers of people are turning to small niche publishers or simply doing themselves.For more on this subject see our companion articles in this section.

3. Catalogues
Regular printed communications can be an essential part of selling your products if you are running a solely, or mainly, internet-based business. They have the advantage of becoming an extra dimension to your website, and can serve as a reminder to your customers. For further information, see our companion article on tips for a creating a successful sales catalogue in this section.

4. Magazines
Many niche magazines are available these days, many run as franchises, and they tend to be recession proof as people will spend a little bit on some glossy escapism when they won't on an expensive treat. Getting coverage in any of the magazines, either niche or national, is a great way to reach a huge number of potential customers in one hit. At the other end of the scale, producing your own glossy magazine is something many people think about, and it can be profitable and add much kudos to your business.

In addition, you can publish a magazine and turn it in to a franchise, as many successful companies have already done. However, publishing a magazine can also be expensive and time demanding, is certainly not something to attempt without expert guidance, so get as much support and advice as you can before you go down that route.

© Claire Burdett. No content to be reproduced without written approval of the author.

Claire Burdett is the Founder and Director of Funky Angel. She is a Writer, Journalist, and Editor, Integrated Marketing Expert, and Home Business Mentor.

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