Starting A Small Publishing Business

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There are few more rewarding businesses than publishing

. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1.) Check Local Regulations. The first thing you will have to do, of course, is to check into what the requirements are in your city and county for starting a business. You can probably find a list of requirements and FAQ's online by looking at your city and county government websites. In all likelihood, you will be required to get some sort of business license or another, and there may be zoning restrictions in place especially if you are thinking of running the business out of your home. Either way, you want to make sure that you do everything by the book from the outset to minimize any trouble as time goes on.

2.) Name Your Business. This can be easy or difficult, depending on a lot of factors. In any event you will want to put a lot of thought into what you are going to call your publishing company. You want it to reflect the nature of the books you intend to publish (poetry, new age, hunting, whatever) without sounding too "niche-y," in case you ever want to expand. If you are going to be publishing books of all types, you would do best to choose a name that doesn't pigeonhole you in any way. When you decide on a name, register it with whatever local and state authorities you are required to by law, and file whatever papers you need to for the type of business you intend to run (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporation.)

3.) Get A Great Logo. This will also take some time and effort. There are lots of qualified designers out there, so look around for someone whose work you enjoy, and contact him or her. The best designers don't come cheap, but there is no overestimating the importance of a great and memorable logo. It helps make your publishing business into a "brand," and greatly assists you in grabbing a toehold in your chosen niche. Take your time in choosing your logo, and get lots of input from trusted friends and associates before choosing one.

4.) Grab Some ISBNs. Or International Standard Book Numbers. These ensure that each book published worldwide has a unique number, making them easier and more efficient to catalog, file and find, and to differentiate editions. To find out how to get ISBNs, pricing and fees, just do an internet search for RR Bowker. In general it seems that ISBNs are cheaper the more you purchase.

5.) Get Some Software. For basic text layout, MS Word will work just fine. When it comes to overall layout that includes illustrations and cover design, you would do well to purchase a program such as Adobe Indesign or Quark Xpress. These are fast becoming the industry standard, and any decent print shop can work with them.

6.) Get A Binding Machine. The sooner you take control of your binding process, the better. Even in you outsource the printing of your pages, you will save money even in the short run by doing your own book binding on-site. You will most likely want to find what is known as a "thermal binding" machine, which creates hardcover books like you would find in a library or bookstore. These machines are surprisingly easy to operate and inexpensive to boot. Take a look online and do some shopping around for a machine that fits your plans and budget.

by: Jeffrey McRitchie

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