One of the greatest forms of advertising is to create stationery that advertises your business. Just think, you would be exposing the Post Office and others in between to your business!

First let's create a folder to put your work in. Go to 'start' -- 'Documents' -- go all the way to the top and click on 'My Documents'. Right-click in any open space and choose 'New' -- 'Folder'. A folder with a box next to it will appear. The box will have 'New Folder' in blue, with a blinking cursor. Start typing in the name of the folder. In this instance, we will type in 'Business Stationery'. Click 'Enter' on your keyboard.

Go to 'start' -- 'Programs' --'Microsoft Word'. When the document opens, save it as a letterhead. To do this, go to the 'File Menu' and choose 'SaveAs'. Make sure the top box of this screen says 'Business Stationery'. If it doesn't, click on the drop-down box and go to 'My Documents'. Find the 'Business Stationery' folder and double-click on it. It will then appear in the top box. This means we will save it in this folder.

In the bottom box, where it says, 'File Name', give your document a name. Example -- 'Business Letterhead'. Click on 'Save'.

You will then get a blank screen. To insert a 'ClipArt' image, go to the 'Insert menu' -- 'Picture' -- 'ClipArt' . Click on the different categories, until you find a picture that would represent your business. Click on the image you have choosen. Click on the 'Insert' button. If you need to reposition or resize your image, click on the picture in your document. Go to the 'Format Menu' and click on 'Picture'. Click on the 'Size Tab' and go down to 'Scale'. Click on the 'height' % and change this to where you want it. This will make the picture smaller. Play with it until you achieve the size of the picture in ratio to the text. To move the image, click on it and drag it to where you want it. Then go to the 'File menu' and click 'Save'.

Type in your Company's information [ie- name, address........]

We will now 'Format' our information, by going to the 'Format Menu' and clicking on 'Font'. Choose a Font, Style, Size, Color and Effect from the lists and click 'ok'. Remember, you can change these until you get the right feel and look for you and your business. Style the remaining text in the same way.

To put in your email address, without the hyperlink, go to the 'Tools Menu', choose 'AutoCorrect'. Click on the 'Autoformat As You Type' tab. Uncheck the box beside 'Internet and network paths with hyperlinks' -- click 'ok'.

'Template', referrs to a pre-designed file. This is a handy tool to use when the basic look of the document will always be the same (invoices, letterheads....). We will need to save it as a template. To do this, go to the 'File Menu' and click on 'SaveAs'. Click on the Drop Down Box, where it says 'Save as type:' and choose 'Document Template'. You should already have a 'File Name' in the box for that. If you don't, type in a name for the document. I save mine as Business Letterhead. Click 'Save'.

You can also do this task with Microsoft Works. This program has a wizard to help you create your letterhead. When Microsoft Works is opened, the 'Works Task Launcher' dialogue box appears. In the 'Common Tasks Folder', double-click on 'Letterhead'. You will then follow the instructions.

You can take a look at my 'Business Letterhead' here: webmistress@janes-place.com