Start a printed songbook publishing business for teachers

Private teachers, school and church music directors, local music stores and families buying for students.

You sell books direct at full price and wholesale to shops at a discount. Repeat sales of a series to the same teachers are the core of the income.

• Music engraving and page layout
• Editing and proofreading
• Selling to teachers and shops
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Copyright: only publish original, public domain or properly licensed material, and check print licensing for any song still under copyright
• Print runs tie up cash, so start small and check your costs per copy before ordering more
• Check state sales tax registration and whether you need resale certificates when selling to shops
• If you store stock at home, check your lease or HOA rules and any home occupation permit
• Check whether you need a local business license, and consider general liability insurance

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on print run size, page layout tools and your cost per copy. Print runs tie up cash, so starting small and checking costs before reordering is a sensible approach.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on the size of your catalog, how many teachers and shops you sell to, and how often you reprint. Stock costs and storage can affect what you keep.

Only publish original, public domain or properly licensed material, and check print licensing for songs still under copyright. Also check state sales tax and resale certificates, home storage rules in your lease or HOA, and local business license requirements.