An Internet business classic
While many of the references in this book are certainly somewhat dated (originally published in '97 - a lot has happened on the Internet since then), The Geek's Guide is still a bulls eye, on-target business guide for web designers, especially those just getting started. If you're a new web designer or web programmer you'll quickly learn what you need to know to succeed.The fact that it was written before the dotbomb era means that you're getting solid advice free of the bubble hype that crashed the stock market and put almost every dot com company out of business - and left many self employed web designers scrambling to find paying clients.
I wouldn't worry too much about the fact that you won't even find the phrase "business model" in the book (at least I couldn't find it.) Most internet business models (except of course, good old Amazon!) turned out to be either illegal stock frauds run by con artists or the same as legitimate old fashioned bricks and mortar business models. And we all know that today, it is the bricks and mortar companies that have the most work and the most money for web designers.
So I say, grab this book now, even if you can only get a used copy.
Doctored reviews.
Most of these reviews are frankly doctored. This book is not nearly a 5-star book...its tenets are largely rehashed and repackaged "standard" business wisdom, much of which becomes heavily diluted (at best) when dealing with e-business models. It also does not offer any true insights on the uniqueness of Internet-oriented business (and which most of us have found out the hard way, if not at least partially by common sense), let alone any "definitive blueprint" for succeeeding in designing and running one. It's all just fluff.Do yourself a favor and pass this book by; there's a plethora of consulting, design, and internet development-oriented books that will fill the bill several times better than this one purports to. Review doctoring is nothing new to most experienced Internet consumers now; and this listing falls so obviously in that category that it's frankly embarrassing (and disgusting). But you don't have to believe me...if nothing else, buying this book will at least get you a "funny cover" with a t-shirt-worthy geek icon (ahem), if not the info you seek.
Pass.
Very comprehensive, very thorough
With the Geek's Guide, Schmidt proves to the world that he has the'write' stuff. Schmidt has a knack for focusing on the most important aspects of any topic. In terms of content, this book is jam packed with highly tailored and specific information crucial to sustaining a successful and profitable web development business. Although the book's focus is on web development business start-ups, anyone who is looking to strike out on their own in any field would find this book useful. Furthermore, potential clients of web development firms may find much of the information in the book useful when dealing with internet businesses and negotiating the creation of their own site.
The writing style of the book is very clear and concise and Schmidt leaves no room for misunderstanding in his prose. There is absolutely no internet hype or marketing spin in this book, nor are you treated to a dry, textbook or computer manual treatment of how to run a business. Personally, I found Schmidt's geek humor (there is one remark at the end of each chapter) to be well, in a word, geeky.
From an organizational standpoint, Schmidt gets you in the right frame of mind to run your own business by the end of the first chapter. Whereas most home-business books would devote all of their chapters to Freudian self-analysis (ridiculous intropspective and self-assessment questions), finding a good location for a business, and choosing the best form of business, Schmidt takes you through all of that in one balanced chapter. You will also get some very good ideas on how to build a good, winning, effective, and professional team.
His second chapter tells you in brutal realism just how your customers will look at you, and how you should carry yourself around them (still another chapter tells you exactly how to deal with your client's misconceptions and false expectations of the internet to your advantage). Four more chapters are devoted to making that all important, life-sustaining sale- from finding customers, planning and making the sales pitch, closing the sale and ultimately to writing up a contract. He wraps up the book with a chapter on growing the business and attaches a modest business plan in an appendix.
Schmidt earns my respect because he tells you upfront to obtain good legal and accounting help long before you launch your venture. Yet, the real value in this book is the way Schmidt lays out setting your rates and making certain that you get paid in two understandable chapters. If you are looking to get on the web with your own business in a big way, forget all of those other books and start reading this one today!
A MUST HAVE for the entrepreneur!!
This book is very comprehensive and touches on points of business that the creative artist ignores.....The tips on marketing/advertising are invaluable!! The 'cold-call' concept is elevated to reality in this book. Many designers/web developers do not have a clue to expand business beyond the ol' word-of mouth....This book makes networking an attainable goal! Another asset is the readability of this book. I read it cover-to-cover in about 2 days. You do not have to have a degree in marketing or accounting to grasp the concepts. It is about time that someone came up with a 'Business' book from a marketing perspective! I am so glad that I found this book.....before it was too late!!!
The best work I have read on the subject to date.
Remarkable Work: Insightful- Practical- Focused- It took me to a new level of understanding. I recommend it to anyone doing business on the internet...
(13 reviews)