Book Publishing Business

How Profitable Is A Book Publishing Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 22nd, 2024

How Profitable Is A Book Publishing Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a book publishing business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are book publishing businesses actually profitable?”

With a market size of $87.9B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a book publishing business with as low as $500
Based on our data, book publishing businesses generate an average of $1.15M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 30% with book publishing businesses

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a book publishing business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a book publishing business profitable?

Yes, a book publishing business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.15M per year with an estimated gross margin of 90%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your book publishing business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your book publishing business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a book publishing business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a book publishing business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With book publishing businesses, you have the potential to earn $1.15M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $87.9B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a book publishing business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful book publishing businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Book Publishing Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable book publishing businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Thriving Best Sellers ($180K/year)

Steve, while he running an Internet digital marketing company back in 1987, had helped his then-wife and his daughter publish a book while they both blogged about their travel stories. It was at this point he realized how powerful becoming a best-seller can be. Encouaged by a coach, Steve had then put together his first program.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 30%
How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500

How I Built A $120K/Year Business That Helps Authors Publish And Market Their Books

Steve Kidd's Done For You program has helped thousands of authors write, publish and market their books, with 156 people becoming best selling authors and reaching over 180,000 people in 2016 alone, and since then Kidd has been working on expanding his offerings and services while aiming for an average annual sales of $10 million.

Read this case study

Read by 1,856 founders

2. Paper Raven Books ($1.2M/year)

Founder of Paper Raven Books, a publishing company, started out as a freelance editor and writing coach. After working with clients and receiving requests for publishing services, she documented the process of self-publishing her own book and began offering it as a service to clients, eventually growing the company to gross $1.1 million in revenue with over 150 clients and an 18-member remote team.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

I Make $1M/Year Helping Writers Publish And Market Their Books

This case study follows the journey of a service-based business, Paper Raven Books, from bootstrapping with minimal expenses to scaling with a team of 18 members, $20,000 per month in advertising spend, and revenues of $1.1 million per year by package pricing, paid advertising to webinars, and offering smaller introductory packages with practical insights and guidance.

Read this case study

Read by 4,028 founders

3. Front Line Publishing Inc ($228K/year)

James Rosone, a former military interrogator, turned to writing as a form of PTSD therapy. After realizing a gap in the market for authentic military thrillers, he and his wife co-wrote and self-published their own books. Since their debut in 2015, they have published eighteen books and earned an impressive $47,365 in a single month.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $228K/year

How I Turned PTSD Therapy Into A Six Figure Income

Military veteran turned author builds a six-figure self-publishing business through rapid release and effective marketing strategies, with a current monthly average revenue of $19,000.

Read this case study

Read by 6,135 founders

Learn more about starting a book publishing business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a book publishing business?
-> Pros and cons of a book publishing business

Need inspiration?

-> Other book publishing business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a book publishing business

Other resources

How much can you make with a book publishing business?

With a book publishing business, you can make an average of $1.15M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $500. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a book publishing business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a book publishing business ranges around $20.2K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $80.8K.

To know if your book publishing business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your book publishing business.

How much do book publishing businesses owners make?

The income of a book publishing business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established book publishing business is about $20.2K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a book publishing business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Book Publishing Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a book publishing business can expect profit margin of around 90%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a book publishing business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, book publishing business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, book publishing business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Book publishing business owner salary

The salary of a book publishing business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established book publishing business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $18.2K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a book publishing business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your book publishing business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable book publishing business.

Part of

Starting A Book Publishing Business: Everything You Need To Know

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