/ BLOG

How to Start a Publishing Company

Mar 27, 2023 · 6 minutes to read

A women proofreading and working process

Book publishing is an exciting and rewarding industry. For many aspiring authors, starting a publishing company is an opportunity to share their own work. But over time, you may decide to help other writers fulfill their publishing dreams, too.

Starting a small press publishing company is relatively easy. Technology has made publishing cheaper and more accessible, though you’ll still need to put in plenty of hard work to make your business a success. However, you could be publishing your first book or magazine in a matter of months!

What do publishing companies do?

You probably have a general idea of what publishing companies do: publish books. While this is true, there’s a bit more to the job.

Publishing companies often publish content other than physical books, including ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. They may contribute to the editing process to ensure that what they publish meets their company standards. Once something is published, they help market and sell the content.

Small publishing companies may publish a handful of books and magazines a year, compared to hundreds by larger publishing houses.

How to start a publishing company

Ready to open a publishing business? Here are six steps to help you set up your own media publishing company.

1. Set your goals

Before you jump into the publishing world, it may help to clearly define your goals and what you want your business to achieve. You might want to consider:

  • Whose work will you publish? This may be your own, other authors’ works or a combination of the two.
  • What format(s) will you publish? This might be print, digital, audiobooks, or a combination.
  • Are you filling a niche in the industry? For example, your company might publish only science fiction, works by women, or industry magazines.
  • How much do you expect to earn? You may set revenue or sales goals that you hope to reach.
  • What will be your biggest challenges? These could be anything, from finding new authors to building effective marketing plans.

A publishing business plan could help you work through these questions and set your goals. Your business plan can be a valuable tool for navigating your first few years in publishing by helping you make strategic decisions.

2. Create a brand

Branding helps make your publishing company enticing to writers, booksellers, and readers. A good brand is memorable and affects nearly every aspect of your business, including:

  • Business name
  • Logo
  • Colors and fonts used in marketing material
  • The tone of voice or language
  • Mission statement
  • Types of books you publish

You may decide to hire a marketing specialist and graphic designer to help you polish your brand, design a logo, and create your website.

3. Register your business

It’s time to tackle the admin of setting up a media publishing company! This includes choosing a business structure, applying for a business license, and taking care of other steps that are required by your state or local government.

How to register a business varies between states (and sometimes local areas). Check your state and local government websites for up-to-date information on starting a book publishing company in our area.

4. Set up your financials

Opening separate bank accounts for your business may be a wise choice. Keeping your personal and business finances separate can make filing your taxes easier. It also makes it simpler to track spending and budget for business expenses.

Most businesses in the U.S. are required to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply for an EIN through the IRS website or by mail or fax.

Finally, you might consider hiring a part-time or freelance bookkeeper to help track your business finances. If extra help is outside your budget, you could invest in accounting software designed specifically for small business owners.

5. Consider insurance for publishers

Protecting your publishing company may be important to you. Publishing business insurance is one way to do this. There are different types of insurance for publishers that you might consider, such as:

  • Professional Liability – Protects you from claims raised due to unintentional mistakes made in the professional capacity.
  • General Liability – Protects businesses against the risk of customer injury and property damage.
  • Business Owner’s Policy – A combination of policies, combining covers such as General Liability insurance and business personal property coverage, to help protect small businesses from costly interruptions to service.
  • Workers’ Compensation – Provides protection for employers if an employee suffers a work-related illness or injury.

In some cases, publishing business insurance may be required by law, to lease commercial space for your business, or to work with specific clients.

6. Publish, market and sell!

Once you’ve officially started your publishing company, it’s time to get down to the real work. Choose a manuscript to work with and get it ready to upload or print. This may include editing and formatting the text, as well as commissioning artwork for the cover.

From there, you’ll need to pull together a strong marketing plan that gets booksellers and readers interested in your book or magazine. Social media, press releases, print ads, and author interviews may be part of your marketing plans.

How BizInsure helps publishers

We hope these tips are helpful as you start a publishing company. And as you begin to write your own success, BizInsure is here to help you protect it.

BizInsure specializes in insurance for small businesses. We connect publishers with great insurance options that are tailor-made for the writing world. From Professional Liability to Workers’ Compensation, BizInsure can help you save on publishing business insurance from top-rated insurers.

Compare insurance for publishers today and protect your growing business!

As with any insurance, coverage will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. The information contained on this guide is general only and should not be relied upon as advice.
The number of quotes provided varies between products, occupations and other underwriting factors determined by the insurers.
© Copyright 2023 BizInsure LLC, 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BizInsure LLC; CA DBA: Simple, Smart, BizInsure Insurance Agency LLC; NY DBA: BizInsure Services LLC; NH DBA: Simple, Smart, BizInsure Insurance Agency; PA DBA: BizInsure Services LLC. 2950 Buskirk Ave Suite 300, Walnut Creek CA 94597. License #0H81929

Get Free Online Quotes and get coverage instantly

The coverage you need for your business.

Business insurance is divided into different policies. We offer 4 types so it's easy to design the coverage that fits your business.

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Let's find

The coverage you need for your business

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Very easy and affordable!
Volanda H.
1711024298
Very easy to work with, cost effective, prompt renewal and easy to get certificates of insurance instantly. I use them exclusively for my professional and general liability insurance needs as a consultant.
Larry (.
1710956598
Responsive and professionalCompetitive price. I highly recommend Bizlnsure as an insurance provider
Zynab B.
1710433556
Your service is easy to renew as needed and your company informs the client in advance for renewal.
Henry B.
1710352389
It has been a pleasure doing business with Biz Insure Llc.Their representatives are very courteous, helpful and customer service oriented.
Shonta I.
1710297732
Quick and easy....
Tammy K.
1710172643
I follow the instructions & would prefer to paid every month. I did not have the options to pay every month.
Alamo H.
1709935830
Thank you, Amy, for making my experience enjoyable and funny. Thank you so much for your kindness!!!
George J.
1709840615
I'm pleased with the business quote I received from Bizinsure LLC. Thank You!
Shanda J.
1709586997
Very satisfied with the online experience
Nicole h
1709238653
Been a happy customer for years! Easiest company to receive a quote and get insured. No hassles! Easy payment! Finance plans, if needed!
jodi H.
1709226367
Love it
Hanna R.
1708272180
Every year, BizInsure is my go to for general and professional liability insurance! Thenrates are unbeatable.
Calandra K.
1708044666
The agent was quick and efficient in generating a quote for my needs.
Theresa F.
1707895796
I enjoy working BizInsure they always answer all my questions and make sure i have the correct coverage for my business.
Prompt and professional service from Biz Insure. Thanks Leslie and Liza!
Bev G.
1707524454
Very easy to sign up for insurance.
Great company
Brown G.
1706896003
Fast and efficient!
Kim C.
1706746693
عالی
alireza J.
1706727364
It was great being able to get a policy that suits my company's need in less than 30 minutes. They were vey thorough. Very competitively priced.
Lynette C.
1706621476
I worked with Andrea for another start up business. She was very knowledgeable and help me pick the correct policy. Amazed at how quickly the process went.
Representative was very kind, helpful, and educated me well. I appreciated today's prompt service with confirmation that I was satisfied with what was provided to me.
Tina P.
1706224051
Great company for.your low cost business insurance needs.
constantin T.
1706156911
Staff was very fessional and friendly. I was able to get a quote and move forward within 20 minutes.
Pebbles S.
1706126428
Wonderful
Complete C.
1705788054
MUY BUENO
Super easy process.
Ashley G.
1704830227
It’s very easy to understand and at a very reasonable price.
Mary M.
1703780096
Professionalism, Quality, Responsive and budget friendly
B D
1703029371
Great rates, easy to understand and select appropriate coverage, can get in a jiffy
Brie C.
1702775397
I have been a customer of BizInsure for a few years now and I love it. There customer service is awesome and the prices are affordable.
Danyale W.
1702132165
Quick easy experience! The rep was knowledgeable & pleasant. Customer care was awesome to respond and clarify my concerns.
Kathy Ann A.
1702059151
bizinsurance makes purchasing Business Insurance...SIMPLE!
Andrea W.
1701380391
Great quality of Service ,faster and convenience way to pay at most. Thank you for your Service to my Healthcare Facility .
Quick and easy!!!!
Terry
1701319042
Great service! Easy process and very informative representative. Andrea was great and very patience with our process. I would recommend using them!!
Terrance R.
1700848536
Always and easy process. Thanks!
Gerald S.
1700244544
js_loader
Google Rating
4.7
Based on 255 reviews
×
js_loader