Start a niche news wire for trade and specialist publishers

Trade magazines, industry associations, newsletters, regional news sites and broadcasters that want specialist coverage.

Monthly or annual licence fees from a handful of subscribers, plus one-off sales of individual stories or exclusives.

• Deep knowledge of, or fast learning about, one subject
• Writing and editing to a professional standard
• Building contacts and sources
• Pitching and invoicing clients

• Defamation risk and the need for fact-checking. Check whether media liability insurance suits you
• Licence terms: be clear on how outlets can reuse and republish your work
• Relying on a few clients, so a lost contract can cut revenue quickly
• Check GST/HST registration rules and provincial business registration for your setup
• Quebec publishers may need French-language content

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your website, tools, any insurance and the time you spend building contacts. Get quotes for the pieces you need before setting a budget.

Check defamation risk and set up fact-checking, and consider whether media liability insurance suits you. Be clear on licence terms for how outlets can reuse your work. Also check GST/HST registration, provincial business registration, and French-language needs for Quebec publishers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on your subject, the number of outlets you serve and your licence terms. Plan on at least about 15 hours a week. Relying on a few clients can make income swing.