Product Description

In this how-to guide for information brokers, Bates (a business researcher) offers advice for those interested in starting and running an independent research firm. She explains every aspect of the project, from starting the business and attracting clients, to conducting research. Annotation (c) Boo

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #233996 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 472 pages

About the Author
Mary Ellen Bates is the owner of Bates Information Services, an Internet research consulting firm. She is a contributing editor of The Information Advisor and a columnist for online topics for EContent and ONLINE magazines. She is the coauthor of Researching Online for Dummies and the author of Mining for Gold on the Internet and The Online Deskbook. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Customer Reviews

Not Very Encouraging
Although this book contains a lot of interesting information, Mary Ellen Bates makes it clear that if you don't have a degree in library science or an extensive background in research you are pretty much wasting your time. I can appreciate her experience but she doesn't give much encouragement to those of us who don't have her background and/or connections. This is not a book for those looking to build a business from the ground up.

Very Comprehensive, Well-Written Guide
Mary Ellen Bates has created a very well-written, informative work that covers all of the salient aspects of starting one's own information services business - including those that someone looking into the field would never even think to ask about. Ms. Bates' writing style has a personal feel that is at the same time very professional. Her personality as a no-nonsense, savvy, and yet friendly information services professional comes across on every page.

The book really covers two important but somewhat distinct skill sets: how to start and run a successful business and how to be a successful information services professional. Ms. Bates' apt writing style weaves these two elements together quite seamlessly.

I suggest reading "Building & Running a Successful Research Business" cover to cover before spending your time reading any one of the more generic books available on the topics of how to find information online or how to conduct research. Once you have covered all of the bases with Ms. Bates' work, it would then be prudent to pick up some of these other works to dive more deeply into the areas where you need additional support.

An outstanding resource
Mary Ellen Bates is an internationally-known presenter on business information and research topics, however in this book she talks not about where to find information, but about how to build a business doing just that. The book is practical, inspiration, and actionable, but also makes it clear that the life of an information entrepreneur is not for everyone. A great resource for those considering this career path, or those already in it who need a bit of professional, albeit friendly, coaching.