If you’re an author who wants to see their work in print or a reader who’s always dreamed of seeing their favorite book on the shelf, starting your own book publishing business may be the right move for you. It can be a lot of work but also a gratifying endeavor. In this article, we will discuss five ways that you can start your own book publishing business.
Why Start A Book Publishing Business?
Business visionary Ian Leaf says the first question you may ask is, why start a book publishing business? For some, it’s the dream of holding their book in their hands. For others, it’s the challenge of taking on the role of publisher and shepherding books through the production process from manuscript to printed product.
What Are The Steps To Starting A Book Publishing Business?
You must take a few key steps to start your own book publishing business. Below are five ways to get started.
The Business Model
You must take a few key steps to start your own book publishing business. First, you need to figure out what business model you want to use. There are a variety of models, including print-on-demand, offset printing and subsidy publishing.
Print-on-demand
This is the most common model for new publishers. This model allows you to print books only as ordered, so there is no need to keep inventory on hand.
Offset Printing
Offset printing is a bulk printing method that generally requires a more significant upfront investment but can be cheaper per unit for large print runs.
Subsidy Publishing
Subsidy publishing is where the author pays all or part of the production costs, and the publisher provides services such as editing, design, marketing, and distribution.
The Kind Of Books
You also need to decide what type of books you want to publish. Will you focus on a specific genre or niche market? What age group will your books be geared towards? The Kind of books you publish says a lot about your brand as a publisher, so it’s essential to choose wisely.
Length Of Books
Another critical decision is how long your books will be. Will you publish novels, novellas, or short stories? Each length has its challenges and benefits.
Novels
The most common type of book, novels, are typically longer than 80,000 words. They can be challenging to write and require a lot of editing, but they are also the most likely to be commercially successful.
Novellas
A novella is a shorter work of fiction, usually between 20,000 and 40,000 words. They can be easier to write than novels and may require less editing.
Short Stories
The shortest type of fiction, short stories, is usually under 20,000 words. They can be a great way to start publishing and don’t require as much editing as longer works.
The Production Process
Once you’ve decided on your business model and the kind of books you want to publish, you need to familiarize yourself with the production process. This includes everything from editing and design to printing and distribution.
Editing
One of the most critical steps in the production process is editing. This is where you will take the raw manuscript and polish it into a finished product.
Design
After editing the manuscript, it’s time to design the book. This includes creating the cover art and interior layout.
Printing
Once the book has been designed, it’s time to print it. This can be done either through a print-on-demand service or by printing a bulk order through an offset printer.
Distribution
The final step is to get the book into the hands of readers. This can be done through online retailers, bookstores, and libraries.
Marketing
Marketing is an essential part of any publishing business. You must create a plan to get the word out about your books. This can include everything from social media and online advertising to print ads and book signings.
Budget
You’ll need to create a budget for your book publishing business. This will include the cost of printing, marketing, and distribution. It’s important to remember that it takes time to build up a successful publishing business, so don’t expect to make a lot of money right away. Upfront costs include editing, design, printing, and marketing.
The Downsides To Starting A Book Publishing Business
Amount Of Work
Business advisor Ian Leaf agrees, of course, that there are downsides to starting your own book publishing business. The biggest downside is the amount of work it takes. It’s not enough to just write a book; you also have to edit, design, print, and market it. If you’re not prepared for the amount of work that goes into publishing a book, you may want to reconsider starting your own business.
The Cost
Another downside is the cost. Printing and distributing books can be expensive, especially if you’re just starting. You need to make sure you have a solid business plan in place before you start spending money on printing and marketing costs.
Failure
Finally, there is the risk of failure. Any new business venture comes with a certain amount of risk, and the book publishing industry is no different. There’s no guarantee that your books will sell, no matter how well you market them.
Final Thoughts
Starting your own book publishing business can be a rewarding experience. It’s essential to do your research and plan carefully before you get started. But with hard work and dedication, you can make your dream of being a publisher a reality.
Ian Leaf is an author who has written about various topics, with the goal of preventing businesses in every industry from falling prey to the deceitful practices of fraudsters.
