Self-Publishing Consultant

Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? No
Online Operation? Yes

THE BRIEF

Do you have insight into the booming world of self-publishing? Here is your opportunity to help people fulfill their dreams of becoming authors by starting a self-publishing consulting business. Share your knowledge about both print and electronic formats for nonfiction and fiction books, journals, and short stories. Self-publishing consultants help clients with proofreading, editing, printing, marketing, and distributing their projects. Potential clients are not limited to people who want to write the Great American Novel. Many professionals use non-fiction books as a way to educate and inspire others. You might work with personal trainers who want to write books to use as training aids, entrepreneurs who want to share what they've learned working on startups, activists (political or environmental) who hope to raise awareness about a cause, and corporations who are eager to share the history of their business and employees. Another budding market: People who want to pen books about their family histories or life experiences to give to friends and family members as gifts. Advertise your services in online writing portals and magazines, join writing associations and groups to network for business, and build alliances with copywriters, book printers, editors, and illustrators to capitalize on word-of-mouth referrals.

ASK THE PROS

How much money can you make?

What kind of experience do you need to have?

What's the most important thing to know about this business?

 

The Market

Would-be novelists, people who host training seminars, corporations, and individuals who want to chronicle events in their lives.

Self-Publishing Consultant Ideas

Graphic Design

Take your flair for design and start a business.

Restaurant Placemats

Put designing capabilities to use on restaurant placemats.

Independent Record Label

Take your passion for music and start an indie record label for your favorite artists.

More from Business Ideas

Starting a Business

He Had a Side Hustle Driving for Uber When a Passenger Gave Him $100,000 — Now His Company Is On Track to Solve a Billion-Dollar Problem

Joshua Britton is the founder and CEO of Debut, a biotechnology company that's doing things differently.

Side Hustle

Want to Start a Simple Business That Helps the Planet? After 'One Night's Worth of Research,' He Started an Eco-Friendly Gig And Now Makes $200K a Year

Environmentally-conscious laws are picking up steam across the country. When one went into effect in Zach Cavacas's home state, he saw a lucrative business opportunity. Chances are, a similar law is coming to your state, or is already there.

Growing a Business

7 Practical Tips for Running Multiple Businesses Successfully

Thinking of starting additional businesses alongside your existing ventures? Learn some practical tips for successfully juggling multiple companies from this insightful blog post.