Career Profile: Publisher

In order to understand how to become a publisher, it is important to understand what a publisher is and does. Consider the following article on how to become an Internet publisher

What is a publisher? 

The freedictionary.com suggests that a publisher is “one that is engaged in publishing printed material.” The businessdictionary.com takes this definition further suggesting that a publisher is an “individual or corporation responsible for the printing and distribution of digital or printed publications.” This includes marketing as opposed to just the creation of the literature published. A publisher normally serves as “the intermediary” between authors and consumer markets.

In our era, an Internet publisher is highly likely to succeed, as well as to exceed his or her highest expectations with respect to the publication of literature. Currently, many global opportunities abound for 

Internet publishers.

Today, competition is intense in the realm of publishing. Thus, the prospective Internet publisher needs to have or acquire professional, as well as academic expertise with respect to the printing or publication, display, distribution and dissemination of written work.

An Internet publisher desiring to publish only his or her own work can begin by acquiring basic computer skills. He or she should enjoy literature, be able to write well and edit professionally, as he or she may create and develop professional content for the Internet or other media. Note that web pages, web sites, blogs and e-books, magazines, newspapers and periodicals all require publishers.

Anyone desiring to become an Internet publisher should take basic computer courses on web design including HTML. Creative writing, journalism and bookkeeping courses on a college or university level, will prove beneficial. Graphic and photography skills are important. More advanced computer skills, as well as marketing and sales skills, will be advantageous to an Internet publisher. Business development skills in conjunction with web site development courses are also appropriate. Search engine optimization (SEO) skills will be helpful in terms of setting up effective web pages, web sites or blogs.

The prospective publisher should name his or her business and register it for income tax purposes. Initially, he or she may be able to do his or her own bookkeeping.

While many Internet publishers start by publishing their own writing, a publisher desiring to publish the work of others on the Internet, is likely to be an outgoing, dynamic, people person. He or she will enjoy interacting with others on a regular basis in terms of reading their work, assessing, evaluating and posting it appropriately on the Internet or elsewhere.

He or she will have or need to acquire, good management, inter-personal relationship and communication skills, in order to work effectively with correspondents or freelance writers, who receive remuneration for their work on a contractual or on a per word or per article basis.

A new Internet publisher can begin with a home-based business with an initial office setup including a computer, printer, fax machine, printer and scanner. He or she will need a telephone, answering machine and cell phone. This may expand to a larger business when larger facilities are required. The publisher may choose to acquire editors, a bookkeeper and accountant, as his or her business continues to expand.

Ideally, this occupation is suited to someone who enjoys literature and is an ambitious quick thinker who is aware of what is going on in the world. This occupation requires the Internet publisher to be constantly alert and ready to act immediately in terms of publishing that meets deadlines.