HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

To protect your rights against anyone else using what you've published, you copyright the material. Both printed and recorded materials can be copyrighted.

Don't worry about unpublished manuscripts - they are protected against unauthorized copying. But as soon as you send information out to the public, it is in public domain unless it carries a copyright notice.

The notice may appear in one of three forms: the word "copyright"; "copr." or the symbol ©. It must appear on the title page or the page immediately following the title page and must include the name of the owner and the year date it was published.

Once you publish your work, send two copies with the proper applications and fees to the U.S. Government Library of Congress. This will insure the copyright.

For information, write to the Register of Copyrights, The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20559.

Running The Business

The best thing about the information selling business is that it requires so little to start and maintain. You need only a small portion of your home to work in - with a work surface and a few common stationery supplies.

Do you want to use your own name or create a company name Both have advantages that can work for you, but it's essentially what feels right. If you choose a company name, check the state laws to be sure you comply with any registration necessary.

If you are thinking about using a post office box number instead of your own address, don't. Because of the number of mail order frauds and the buyersÕ general skepticism, a street address offers a real place with a real person living there rather than a fly-by-night post box operation.

You'll need sharp looking letterhead stationery, envelopes and mailing labels. And, you don't have to spend a fortune for elaborate printing on high quality paper. If you have any artistic ability, you can create your own logo and type with press-on type available at art stores.

You don't need to have a drawing for your logo - simply the first letter of your last name or the initials of the company will do. A local printer can advise you about the different type styles available for letterhead.

Be cautious when you order the letterhead and check the price differences before you go ahead. There is a large difference among grades of paper and added copies for using a color rather than black or for using two colors. Embossing costs more, as do special sizes of envelopes.

Stick with standard sizes and clear, standard type styles. Using a paper with a slight tint to it with black type gives the illusion of two color printing and looks smart. Photo offset printers can produce five hundred to a thousand sheets of clean printing for little cost if you supply the finished prototype.

As you get rolling in the business, you will find a high quality postal scale and meter can save you postage costs and the extra trips to the post office.

Books and printed matter can be mailed at a special postal rate. Each order should be marked: Special 4th Class Book Rate. However, for light materials, a few cents more for extra postage for first class may be worth it to fulfill a prompt response.

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