Book Indexing Service
Startup Costs: Under $2,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? Yes
When you dip into a nonfiction book, hunting for a particular piece of information, your first stop is the index at the back. There's everything neatly organized, alphabetically by subject matter with the exact page or pages on which to find that nugget of data. Who puts together that index, tidily chronicling each page of text? If you love books and snippets of fact, you're detail-oriented and a stickler for accuracy, it could be you as owner of a book indexing service. The advantages to this business are that you can start on the proverbial shoestring, your overhead is minimal, and you get to learn all sorts of interesting things from books on a wide variety of topics. As a book indexer, you'll need to have a highly organized, detail-oriented personality--this is a business where nitpicking is a virtue. You should enjoy books and the written word and be able to put in long hours hunched over a manuscript without suffering the fidgets.
The Market
Your clients will be editors and publishers of nonfiction books. You can live anywhere and work with clients in New York, California or wherever they happen to be based. The best way to solicit business is to call editors and offer your services, then follow up with a letter and your business card.
Needed Equipment
All you need to get started are a computer with a laser or inkjet printer, the usual office software, and a comfortable work space with good lighting.
Book Indexing Service Ideas
Referral Service
Help people find businesses that can help them out.
Notary Public
Be the go-to person when others need forms notarized.
Freight Broker
Match shippers and transportation services as a freight broker.
More from Business Ideas
They Designed One Simple Product With a 'Focus on Human Health' — and Made $40 Million Last Year
Marilee Nelson, Allison Evans and Kelly Love founded cult-favorite cleaning brand Branch Basics in 2012.
AI vs. Humanity — Why Humans Will Always Win in Content Creation
With the proliferation and integration of AI across organizations and business units, PR and marketing professionals may be tempted to lean into this new technology more than recommended.
Free Webinar | May 7: How to Write Your One-Page Business Plan Workshop
Did you know entrepreneurs with business plans are 260% more likely to launch? Join our workshop on May 7th and learn how to create a one-page business plan that will help you get your business off the ground. Register now!