Publishing consulting companies are invaluable when you need specialized publishing talent or authoritative industry knowledge. With their vast resources, publishing consulting firms offer industry experience, marketing expertise and masterful editing skills to develop successful publications. Publishing experts help businesses and authors execute successful writing plans, develop creative marketing initiatives and manage financial strategies.

Before beginning your search for book or magazine consultants, it is important to define your needs. Clearly identify the goal of your publishing consulting service, including project scope, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best publishing consultant to meet your specific needs.

When selecting a publishing consulting agency, research each consulting firm and evaluate the following:

1. How much experience do the publishing specialists have in developing successful publications for your market or product type?

2. What strategic services does each publishing consulting company provide to enhance your publication and increase profits?

3. How much should your business invest in publishing consulting services?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire publishing consultants that specialize in your publishing sector

Select publishing experts who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience with your publishing market. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: NPL Publishing Consultants provides strategic planning and management consulting services for small and mid sized publishers. Hamilton Consultants offers consulting for telecommunications, publishing, media and entertainment industries, and features an online client list. The Lexicon Group provides magazine and book publishing consulting for a wide range of industries, and offers an online client list.

Choose publishing consulting agencies with proven skills

Review the publishing expert services offered by each publishing consulting company. Evaluate each publishing consultant's experience and qualifications, and request successful project examples similar to your publication.

I recommend: eXtyles offers electronic workflow solutions for publishers, including strategic consulting, requirements analysis and training. Dorrance Publishing Company provides full-service publishing services like editing, proofreading, creating cover art, implementing promotional campaigns and fulfilling book orders. Business Marketing Consultants offers financial consulting for the publishing industry, and focuses on profit and loss services.

Select publishing consulting companies that meet your budget

Many publishing consulting firms operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly or project-based structure. Your publishing consultant cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a free media and market analysis for your book at BookPros. Fiction Writer's Connection critiques manuscripts at rates determined by the number of words and the number of pages with a set minimum fee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before signing a contract with a publishing consulting agency, carefully read the contract. It is in your best interest to have an attorney review all contracts. A nominal attorney's fee could save you hundreds of dollars in future income.