WAHM > Stay at Home Mom Work Ideas > Traditional Product > Start a Book Selling Business

Start a Business Selling Books

You can also create one giant bookstore with every book under the sun - but realize you'll be competing with the likes of sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble...and who wants to compete with those big guys?

Book Business

What you will be doing. Selling books is a lucrative business. You can sell books through the mail or on the Internet. The more obscure the title, the more it is worth. Book sellers can generalize their business and sell a bit of everything or they can niche into a specific area of the book business.

If book dealers want to specialize, they can try used books, children’s books, collectible books, and etcetera. You can keep inventory on hand or work with book wholesalers. Wholesalers may be willing to ship to your clients at nominal or no extra fee.

Once you get established in your business, expansion will increase profits. The buying and selling of textbooks is an excellent niche market to move into. Textbooks, both new and used, can be supplied to colleges. An internet store can be used for large orders that a wholesaler can handle for you.

How to start. Decide which area you want to niche into. Do your homework. Simple research will tell which book titles or genres are popular at this time. Books that are in high demand will sell faster and bring you healthier profits.

Choose an area of the book business that will make you stand out from the rest. Carry paperback and hardcover copies of the most popular titles. Purchase books that are in good condition with few defects if you are looking to get into the used book business.

Start up costs. Depending on the type of books you want to sell, your start up costs could be a $300 to $1,000. This would include advertising costs as well. You will need to purchase a starting inventory if you plan to sell by mail and the Internet. You could get a price break on bulk orders.

On the Internet, a book selling website is needed. There will be a yearly cost for web hosting and a domain name. By mail, boxes and other shipping supplies kept on hand, make it easier to ship from your home without hassle. These items are a part of the start up costs as well. If you already have a computer, high speed Internet access would be helpful for Internet orders. A telephone, fax machine, printer/copier, and filing cabinet are also needed.

The name should be catchy and easy for people to pronounce. It should say something about your business but not be too common.

Locally, advertise in newspapers, church newsletters, and book oriented magazines. Choosing to niche into “how-to” or advice books gives you the option of advertising in trade magazines and on other websites. If there is a flea market nearby, rent some space and sell any inventory that you have there once a month. Give out business cards to those who are interested in doing business with you in the future.

A book business is a business idea that can be run entirely in your home if you wish. The first money from your business can be seen in six short weeks depending on how long it takes to set up your niche business. There is always room for expansion with books.

Building the Ultimate Theme-Based Site:

Even if you've never built a website before, SBI! shows you exactly how to turn your passion or hobby into an online business.  Easy step-by-step instructions, even if you've never build a website before.  With SBI! you finally have a REAL opportunity to change your life. 

Click here to learn why I recommend SBI! and use it for my own online businesses.