You've made an important decision. You're ready to start your own agency. What else is there to know? Starting your own ad agency is just like starting any other business. There's red tape, planning aspects and more you have to break through before proceeding. Thousands of books are available but you would spend more time reading than actually getting your business off the ground. These top picks will help put you on the path to success:
1. Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business
The basics of business are clearly explained in this guide. Everything from why you should start a business to the framework you should follow, renting office space to production plans, is included for start-up success. You should only use this book if you're just beginning a new agency, though. Long-term solutions, such as marketing help and other vital business tools, are not covered.
2. What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business
Starting a business may seem like a trivial task but there are lots of mistakes just waiting to be made. Over 100 interviews with veteran entrepreneurs are featured in this book. Each one speaks candidly about the mistakes they made in business along the way. Categories include knowing your strengths, growth opportunities, hobbies vs. businesses and bad vibes.3. Starting and Operating a Business in the U.S.
There's a lot more to opening a business than just putting a sign out on the door. Tax laws, legal restrictions and other roadblocks can get in your way. Starting and Operating a Business in the U.S. spells out the tax and legal documents but also provides resources such as federal and state agencies that can help you get started, incorporation advice and how to grow your business.4. Small Business Kit for Dummies
This book comes with a CD that contains 250 documents and forms you can use to start your agency. It also contains information on the legal aspects, contracts, taxes and putting your business on the Web.5. Start Your Own Business
Entrepreneur Magazine's publishing division produced this book and claims it's the only start-up book you'll ever need. E-commerce, market research, idea evaluation, business plans, financing, bookkeeping, taxes and home-based businesses are just some of the many sections within.