How Much Does It Cost To Start A Publishing Business? (In 2024)
Looking to start a publishing business?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a publishing business?
- what are the typical publishing business startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting publishing businesses?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real publishing businesses and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a publishing business?
Based on our data reported by actual publishing business founders, the average cost of starting a publishing business is between $100 and $650,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a publishing business are around $500.
Remember, though, not all publishing businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of publishing businesses
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a publishing business?
We asked real publishing business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Tucker Max
Founder of Scribe Media ($1.3M/month)
"It took a lot of trial and error, but we eventually came up with a step-by-step process that worked." [No direct quotes related to startup costs found in provided article.]
Tucker Max is the co-founder of Scribe Media, a book writing, publishing, and marketing service company.
Adam Witty
Founder of Forbes Books ($1.5M/month)
"I started Advantage on July 19, 2005. I was 23 years old. In the first year, we did about $250K in sales. I paid myself a salary of $40K. I lived very frugally."
Adam Witty is the founder of Advantage|ForbesBooks, a publishing and marketing company that started in 2005 and has become one of the largest business book publishers in America.
Jeremy Hendon
Founder of Nourishing Brands ($600K/month)
“The MVP took just 2 weeks to build and cost only $400. I registered the domain and it cost $12.99. It really didn't cost much."
Jeremy Hendon is the founder of Nourishing Brands, a direct-to-consumer media company that started over 5 years ago and operates popular sites like KetoSummit.com.
Ricardo Fayet
Founder of Reedsy ($2M/month)
"Most of us were still in university at the time, so we were pretty much broke — which is why our next step was to look for funding to build an MVP."
Ricardo Fayet is the founder of Reedsy, a book publishing services marketplace that connects authors with freelance professionals.
Harshala Chavan
Founder of Merrative ($2K/month)
"The total cost of operating Merrative comes around USD 1,000/- per year + variable costs of hiring freelancers or interns."
Harshala Chavan is the founder of Merrative, a community-led marketplace for the publishing industry that connects brands, creators, and publishers with top publishing talent.
Morgan Gist MacDonald
Founder of Paper Raven Books ($100K/month)
"When I first started as a freelancer, I bootstrapped everything, and expenses were minimal. New clients came through referral, it was just me, and no real overhead."
Morgan Gist MacDonald is the founder of Paper Raven Books, a publishing company that started in 2015 and grosses $1.1 million in revenue annually.
Laura Mikkelsen
Founder of Publishing Services ($72K/month)
“Everything I did at that stage was very low-budget. I was using Rasmus’ site, and I simply asked customers to send their manuscripts to my email address for me to write their descriptions. I would work at home or out on the beach – I certainly wasn’t your classic power-suited entrepreneur. *I already had a captive audience – Rasmus and Christian’s students were looking for exactly the product I was selling.”
Laura Mikkelsen is the founder of Publishing Services, a publishing support business that started in 2019 and now averages $72,000 per month.
Wes O'Donnell
Founder of Warrior Lodge Media ($21K/month)
"At the time, I was living off of my income from Modern Workspace. This gave me the freedom to take my time building Warrior Lodge slowly and organically, without too much investment upfront."
Wes O’Donnell is the founder of Warrior Lodge Media, an informational website for military and veterans, which also serves as a film and TV production studio and an eCommerce store.
John Lee Dumas
Founder of EOFire LLC ($150K/month)
"As you can imagine, the startup costs were very small. Other than our time, the only investment we made monetarily was sending each new member a coffee mug and t-shirt with the mastermind logo on it."
John Lee Dumas is the founder of Entrepreneurs On Fire, a daily podcast interviewing successful entrepreneurs, launched in 2012.
James Rosone
Founder of Front Line Publishing Inc ($19K/month)
"When I first started self-publishing, our start-up costs were relatively low. I found a book cover artist on Fiverr to produce a cover for under $100, and we were off to the races."
James Rosone is the founder of Front Line Publishing Inc, a self-publishing business that specializes in military, political, and espionage thrillers.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful publishing businesses that you can learn from.
Starting a publishing business - what you should know:
Launching a publishing business involves a range of costs that can vary significantly based on your choices and strategies.
Initial Setup and Registration
Registering your business can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000, depending on the state and type of business entity you choose. A Limited Liability Company (LLC), for example, may cost between $100 and $800, whereas a Sole Proprietorship might be as low as $50 to $100.
Office Space and Equipment
If you opt for a physical office, expect variable costs. Office rental costs fluctuate widely, from $500 to $3,000 per month depending on the location. Essential office equipment like computers, software, and furniture can set you back another $2,000 to $5,000. You can save significantly by starting as a home-based business.
Publishing Software and Tools
You'll need specialized publishing software, such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, which costs around $20 to $50 per month. You may also need to invest in project management and accounting software, which can add another $50 to $100 monthly.
Marketing and Advertising
Advertising costs can vary dramatically based on your strategy. A small-scale social media campaign may cost as little as $100 to $500 per month, while comprehensive marketing strategies using multiple channels like Google Ads, email campaigns, and physical promotional materials can run into the thousands — $2,000 to $5,000 monthly is a realistic expectation for substantial reach.
Printing and Distribution
Printing costs are a major factor. Digital printing can cost about $1 to $5 per copy for small runs, whereas offset printing may drop to $0.50 to $1 per copy but usually requires a minimum order of 1,000 to 2,000 copies. Distribution costs are also significant; shipping could tally up to $2 to $5 per book, varying by destination and shipping method.
Authors and Royalties
Negotiating with authors involves advances and royalties. Beginners can offer relatively lower advances, starting at $1,000 to $5,000. Royalties typically range from 8% to 15% of net sales but ensure competitive terms to attract quality authors.
Understanding these cost factors can help you plan more effectively and allocate resources wisely for your publishing venture.
Potential Costs of Starting a Publishing Business
Starting a publishing business involves various costs, which can vary depending on business size and specific needs, but getting a detailed understanding of these expenses is critical for effective planning and budgeting.
| Expense Category | Description | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | ||
| Business Registration | Legal fees for registering your business entity | $100 - $500 |
| Licensing & Permits | Fees for required licenses and permits | $50 - $200 |
| Insurance | Liability, property, and other relevant insurances | $500 - $2,000 per year |
| Technology | ||
| Website Development | Design and development of a professional website | $1,000 - $5,000 (one-time) |
| Hosting Fees | Web hosting services for your website | $10 - $50 per month |
| Domain Name | Annual fee for your domain name | $10 - $20 per year |
| Software Subscription | Content management and publishing tools | $50 - $100 per month |
| Office Setup | ||
| Office Space | Rent for a physical office space | $500 - $2,000 per month |
| Office Equipment | Computers, printers, desks, chairs, etc. | $2,000 - $5,000 (one-time) |
| Utilities | Electricity, internet, phone, etc. | $100 - $300 per month |
| Staffing | ||
| Editorial Staff | Salaries for editors, proofreaders, writers | $30,000 - $60,000 per year per employee |
| Graphic Designers | Salary for designers if not outsourced | $30,000 - $55,000 per year per employee |
| Administrative Staff | Salary for admin personnel | $25,000 - $45,000 per year per employee |
| Marketing & Sales | ||
| Advertising | Online ads, print ads, social media promotions | $500 - $2,000 per month |
| Marketing Materials | Business cards, brochures, etc. | $200 - $500 (one-time) |
| Content Production | ||
| Freelance Writers | Payment for contributing writers | $0.05 - $0.20 per word |
| Stock Photos/Images | Licensing fees for images | $10 - $100 per image |
| Printing Costs | Cost of printing physical copies of publications | $1 - $5 per copy |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Memberships | Joining professional organizations | $100 - $500 per year |
| Legal Fees | Ongoing legal consultation and services | $100 - $300 per hour |
| Contingency Fund | Funds for unexpected expenses | 10% - 15% of total startup costs |
By carefully considering these potential costs, you can develop a comprehensive budget that supports the successful launch and growth of your publishing business.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
