Online sheet music and teaching book publisher

Music teachers, students and parents, hobby players and some music shops.

Sales of PDF downloads and printed books. Shops buy at a trade discount. Sales build up as you add more titles.

• Music notation and arranging
• Music typesetting software
• Basic design and layout
• Online marketing to teachers

• Copyright: only publish your own work or music in the public domain, and check the status of each arrangement and edition
• Arranging popular songs usually needs permission from the rights holders, so check before selling anything
• Check whether you need an ABN and when GST registration applies
• Check whether your books need ISBNs or ISMNs for shops and online stores
• Check legal deposit rules for published works with the National Library of Australia
• Check council rules if customers or stock will come to your home

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your music notation software, design and layout needs, and any print setup. Selling downloads and print-on-demand books keeps upfront spending low for a one-person label.

Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $1,000, depending on the size of your catalogue, your pricing and how well you reach teachers and students. This is revenue, not profit, and you should expect at least about 8 hours a week.

Only publish your own work or music in the public domain, and check the status of each arrangement and edition. Arranging popular songs usually needs permission from rights holders. Also check ABN and GST registration, ISBN or ISMN needs, and legal deposit rules.