It's easy to understand why a first-time writer may have a hard time understanding the publishing services that are available to them. Various publishing firms offer a wide range of services and it's important for writers to choose the publishing company that's right for them. Knowing the publishing basics will help to make this decision.

In recent years, it is becoming easier for writers to self-publish their books. This works well for many people, but there are still some reasons why you should consider working with publishing companies:

1. They'll catch your mistakes. Every writer thinks that his or her novel is a masterpiece, but this isn't always the case. A publishing firm can help you solidify your story idea and offers an extra set of eyes for a more thorough proofreading.

2. They know the business. Publishing companies know more than just the publishing basics. They have connections that you don't have to help the public notice your book.

3. They have the money for advertising. If you want your book to sell, you need to advertise. Unfortunately, this proves to be quite costly. Publishing houses have the money and talent needed to create a great advertising campaign.

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

Contact publishing businesses about your book idea

Some writers choose to contact a publishing company directly to query their book. This works best if you are an established writer.

I recommend: Houghton Mifflin and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill are two of the industry leaders in the publishing world. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for new writers to get their foot in the door. You may be better off contacting smaller publishing agencies. The Writer's Market is an excellent resource for finding these types of companies. You can purchase a copy, find one at your local library, or join online.

Find a literary agent to help you break into the publishing industry

There's no doubt that the publishing world is competitive. Many writers have a hard time getting the right people to notice their work. That's why many look for a literary agent who already has connections with publishing companies.

I recommend: WritersNet offers a searchable directory of literary agents as well as good advice about how to choose an agent. When looking for an agent, it's important for you to find someone that is reliable and whom you can trust. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America offers good information about avoiding dishonest agents.

Consider self publishing your book

While there are many good reasons to work with a publishing company, some writers prefer to self-publish their books. This allows them to have more control over the process and to earn more money per sale.

I recommend: Lulu allows you to publish all types of books. RJ Communications offers a free Publishing Basics E-book that can teach you everything that you need to know about self-publishing your book. Make sure that you compare costs before choosing a self-publishing company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most publishing businesses specialize in a particular genre. When you are talking to companies about your book, make sure you choose the companies that will have an interest in the type of book you've written.

Publishing companies can help your business grow by getting marketing materials into the hands of your customers and potential customers. Publishing services include newsletter online publishers, catalogue publishing houses, magazine and book self publishing firms, and coupon book publishers.

Before you sign up with a publishing company, consider…

1. Your budget: Publishing services can range from full-service content, art and printing work to self-service online publishers.
2. Your target audience: Select publishing services based on what works best in your industry, from custom publishing houses producing glossy magazines to coupon publishing firms that get your sales offers directly into your customers’ hands.
3. Your information or expertise: Consider whether your content is best suited to online publishers, book publishers or other print publishing businesses.

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

Use a publishing company to produce a newsletter

A newsletter is a great way to keep customers up to date with new products or services, sales and specials or news. Send them out to regular customers, or pass along a newsletter to others in the industry. Many publishing firms offer electronic newsletter services as well.

I recommend: Try iContact for newsletter publications. BizActions.com offers email newsletters for a low price, and SendBlaster is software that allows you to easily create your own newsletter.

Create a catalogue featuring your products with the help of a publishing company

A publishing firm can create a beautiful and professional catalogue featuring your products in rich, colorful pictures with level descriptions. Send the catalogues out to customers, or have them available for mail order to increase your sales.

I recommend: Visit BrioPrint online and get a quote immediately. Trading Bell and Book Surge offer self-publishing software tools.

Put your expertise in a book through self publishing

Consider self publishing or using an online publisher to write a book featuring your area of expertise. If you have an antique shop, feature your antiques in the book; if you have a mechanic shop, feature a fix-it book.

I recommend: Use Lulu or iUniverse to self-publish, print, sell and distribute your book online.

Expand your business through magazine publishing

Create a magazine for your clients and prospects, and feature your products or services along with businesses of like interest. If your business is a wedding shop, publish a magazine featuring dresses along with locations for receptions and photographers.

I recommend: Get instant quotes online from Print Pelican. Purchase magazine publishing software like Bondware Publishing.

Use a publishing firm to print training manuals for your business

Using a publishing service ensures professional and effective training manuals for your business. If you have multiple employees and multiple processes, a proper training manual is necessary.

I recommend: Omnipress or Print on Demand are publishing companies that allow online ordering with no minimum purchase.

Market through coupon book publishing houses

Create coupon books to pass out or sell along with other businesses to increase visibility and word of mouth. Coupons advertise for you and get people in the door.

I recommend: Printing Edge Marketing is an excellent coupon book publishing firm. Get an online publishing services quote from Print Industry USA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider ebooks and ezines which can be published for a much lower price.
• •  Register with online directories as well. Many are free to register with or at least very cheap.

Whether you run a large publishing company, or a small local firm, knowing the latest publishing news and trends is a great way for you to succeed in your business. Publishing firms should ensure that all employees are encouraged to learn about industry news and have access to the latest information.

There are often changes in the publishing industry and it's important for you to learn about them. Some of the best reasons for following publishing news and trends are:

1. You can increase company revenue by banking on current trends. When they follow the news, publishing houses are able to pick up on trends in the market. If you can see that a particular genre is getting a lot of interest from the public, it may be time to publish a book on that topic.

2. You can stay competitive in the market. Look at what other publishing companies are doing with their business. Make sure that you have what it takes to compete. Look for new angles.

3. You can save money. Learn about money saving ideas related to publishing services so that your company can cut costs while still providing readers what they want.

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

Join associations to network with others that work in publishing businesses

It's always a good idea to network with other professionals, but this is especially true for the publishing industry. Joining professional organizations is a great way for you to get the inside scoop.

I recommend: The Association of American Publishers holds several conferences to help you network. If you are interested in networking with other online publishers, check out the Online Publishers Association.

Find the latest news about book publishing

There is a big difference between book and magazine publishing, and if your company focuses on books, it's best to look for sources that discuss news that's particular to your industry. Look for magazines or websites that offer the latest.

I recommend: Publishers Weekly offers a print magazine that includes articles that are of interest to book publishers. PubBuzz aims to connect everyone in the industry.

Seek out sources that are best for a magazine publishing firm

In most cases, the magazine publishing world moves much faster than the book publishing world. It's important to stay up to date on trends and publish articles that are timely.

I recommend: Folio is an excellent resource for those in the magazine industry. Publishing Executive is also great. They offer free magazine subscriptions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your magazine subscriptions and association membership fees are probably tax deductible. Talk to your tax professional about whether this counts as a business expense for your publishing company.
• •  Set up a small library within your office. This gives all employees access to publishing industry magazines and other news sources, which could benefit the company.

Publishing is a trade that stretches back to the first printing press, and it has been traditionally resistant to change. However, the electronic age is catching up with it, and some publishers are adapting and flourishing as they incorporate layout and design tools and custom media into their businesses. However, many of the old concepts remain, so if you're thinking of dipping your toes into the publishing pool, make sure you're familiar with the necessary terminology.

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

Editors

No matter what type of material you want published, having an editor is essential. In book publishing, the editor shepherds the manuscript from acquisition to publication. Copy editors check grammar, spelling, accuracy and continuity in all types of publications. Acquisitions editors find and select articles for magazines. At smaller companies, an editor may also be responsible for page layout.

I recommend: The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) offers a summary of the skills and knowledge that editors of all types need, along with the typical duties for editorial jobs.

Layout and design

Most publishers have specialists to design the artwork, color schemes and other visual components of their publications, whether they're books, magazines or Web pages. Often, a separate production team is in charge of laying out each page (usually on a computer, but sometimes on paper) and making sure that all individual parts fit in the way specified by the publisher.

I recommend: Try the detailed instructions for how to design a book at All Graphic Design.

Rights

Publishers purchase the right to print and distribute (or disseminate electronically) the content they publish. An author's contract generally spells out what specific rights the publisher is buying, such as hardcover or paperback printing in the United States or overseas. These are distinct from the copyright, which a work's creator often retains.

I recommend: Bookjobs.com contains a glossary that includes this and other common publishing terms.

Binding

For books and magazines, the binding is what holds the publication together. Different page lengths or groupings require different types of bindings. Perfect binding, lay-flat binding and saddle stitch are some common types of bindings.

I recommend: The Printing Industry Exchange newsletter lists and explains 11 types of bindings for printed publications.

Distribution

Distribution, or getting a published product to the reading public, is simple in concept but can be complicated in execution. Professional distributors who know the retail and wholesale markets handle this for nearly all publishing houses.

I recommend: Bookazine is one of the largest U.S. book distributors; its website lists specific requirements for new vendors looking for a distributor. MagazinePublisher.com offers both mail shipping and newsstand distribution among its services.

Custom media

Also called custom publishing, custom media refers to nontraditional ways of producing published content, whether in print or in digital form, typically for marketing purposes. Informational brochures and in-flight magazines on passenger planes are common forms of custom media.

I recommend: The Custom Publishing Council offers resources for businesses that want to publish custom marketing pieces, including tips on how to get started.