How to Start a Book Club Business That Makes Money

Starting a book club business is like hanging out with your favorite stories… and getting paid for it. If you love books and people, this book club side hustle might just be your next big thing.

Pick Your Book Club Style

First things first—what’s your style? Love spooky thrillers, sweet stories, or books that make you say “Wait, that REALLY happened?” Pick a theme that gets you excited.

Decide who’s coming to the party—adults, teens, kids, or maybe even tired parents who just want one quiet hour with a book.

Now, how often will you meet? Weekly works great for fast readers, but monthly lets folks breathe (and not panic-read the whole book in one night).

Think about your meeting setup. Will it be online, in-person, or a cozy mix of both?

Online book clubs are perfect for folks in different cities—or those of us who love pajamas and tea. Free tools like Zoom or Google Meet make it easy to chat from your couch.

In-person clubs feel more personal. Try meeting in a coffee shop, a library room, or someone’s comfy living room (bonus points for snacks).

Hybrid book clubs are like mullets: business in the front, party in the back. Meet online most of the time, then schedule a fun in-person get-together every few months.

Your club should reflect what you love. Obsessed with cozy mysteries? Host a mystery night with tea, cookies, and clues.

If you’re into nonfiction, start a group for brainy books about science, history, or even true crime. Just don’t scare your members too much!

When your style is clear, people know what they’re signing up for. And when it matches their vibe, they’ll want to stick around.

Set Up a Simple Book Club Business Plan

Don’t worry—this isn’t a school project, and there’s no grade. Just jot down your goals, like how many people you want and how much money you’d like to make.

How will your book club bring in the dough? You can charge a monthly fee, sell affiliate books, or host special events.

Lots of clubs also sell cute book-themed items. Think mugs that say “Just One More Chapter” or bookmarks with funny quotes.

Keep your budget simple at first. You might need cash for a website, some decorations, or snacks for meetings.

Want to do book giveaways? Set aside a little for that too. You don’t need a million dollars—just a smart plan and maybe a few coupons.

Pick a name that’s catchy and fun. Something like “The Raven Read-Along” or “Books & Brews Club.”

Check online to make sure someone else isn’t already using that name. You don’t want any awkward book club name battles.

Write a short mission statement—just one or two sentences that say what your club is all about. It’s like your club’s elevator pitch.

Something like, “The Cozy Reader Club brings people together to share stories, snacks, and lots of laughs.” Doesn’t that sound like a place you’d want to join?

Keep your plan short and sweet, like a good back-cover blurb. It just needs to help you stay focused and grow.

Find Books and Plan Fun Meetings

Picking the right books is like setting the table for a tasty dinner. You want people excited to come back for more.

Stick with your theme. A mystery club should pick exciting whodunnits. A club for kids? Go with adventure, magic, and fun animals.

Make a reading list for a few months at a time. This helps members plan ahead and keeps things organized.

Create a calendar with dates and book titles. For example, “Second Thursdays at 7 PM” makes it easy to remember.

Don’t just talk—spark some fun! Try trivia games, scavenger hunts, or a craft inspired by the book.

Reading a book set in Italy? Serve mini pizzas or fancy cheese. Trust me, snacks always win hearts.

Invite guest speakers like local authors or librarians. They bring fresh ideas and cool stories.

Plan each meeting like a mini party. Start with a welcome, then dive into the book, play a game, and end with a sneak peek of what’s next.

Let members take turns leading. It makes everyone feel important and adds new flavors to the discussion.

Planning keeps your book club business running smooth—like a well-oiled bookshelf.

Build a Website or Social Media Page

Your book club needs a home online. A simple website or Facebook page helps people find you and join in.

Try free tools like Wix or WordPress.com. They make it easy to build a site, even if tech isn’t your thing.

Add your club name, what you read, and how to join. Don’t forget your meeting schedule and book list!

Make sure people can reach you. Add a contact form or a friendly email address.

Social media is your best friend here. Start a Facebook group, Instagram page, or even TikTok if you’re feeling brave.

Post often—share meeting pics, book reviews, and silly reading memes. People love fun updates!

Make short videos where you chat about the next book or do a “shelf tour.” (Yes, that’s a real thing, and yes, it’s oddly satisfying.)

Use hashtags like #bookclubbusiness or #readinggroup to get discovered. It’s like a GPS for fellow book lovers.

Show behind-the-scenes stuff too—like how you pick your books or set up for a meeting. It makes your club feel personal and real.

Got merch? Add a shop page where people can buy your book-themed goodies. Tote bags, anyone?

 

Think of your website and socials as your club’s welcome mat. Make it cozy and fun so people want to step inside.

Get Members to Join Your Book Club Business

You’ve got the plan, the theme, and the snacks—now you need people! Start by inviting friends, coworkers, or your neighbor who always reads at the coffee shop.

Lots of readers want to join a club but don’t know where to look. Be their bookish beacon!

Make simple flyers with your club name, meeting info, and how to join. Post them at libraries, cafes, gyms—even laundromats!

Join online reading groups on Facebook, Reddit, or Meetup. Just make sure it’s okay to share your club link first.

Offer a free trial meeting. People love free stuff and will stay if they feel welcome.

Give a discount to folks who bring a friend. Nothing spreads faster than word of mouth—especially happy mouths!

Send out a short newsletter each month with updates and reminders. Ask members to forward it to their friends.

Team up with a local bookstore or café. Offer to promote them in return for hanging your flyer in their window.

Shoot a friendly welcome email to each new member. Add the book title, meeting time, and maybe a fun fact about the story.

Growing your book club business takes time, like a good novel. Just keep turning the page!

Make Money from Your Book Club Business

Want to make money from your book club? Try charging a tiny monthly fee, like $5 or $10.

This helps cover costs (snacks aren’t free!) and pays you for your time and effort.

Use affiliate links when you recommend books. Your members buy the book, and you earn a small reward—win-win.

Explain how affiliate links work so everyone’s on the same page. Transparency is always in style.

Sell book-themed things like shirts, mugs, or bookmarks. Sites like Etsy or Printful can do the printing and shipping for you.

Host special events like author talks or tea parties. Charge a small fee, and keep things fun and light.

Offer extras like digital reading guides, printable book logs, or exclusive reviews. Some members will happily pay for bonus content.

Try starting a Patreon! Offer behind-the-scenes extras, early access to book picks, or live Q&A sessions.

Even small earnings add up like coins in a piggy bank. Start slow, and build as you go.

Stay honest and fair with your members. Trust is the best currency in any business.

Keep Your Book Club Business Fun and Growing

To keep your book club from getting dusty, change things up sometimes. Ask your members what they love—and what they’d love to ditch.

Short surveys can help you find out what’s working and what’s… not.

Try new genres once in a while. Reading romance? Toss in a fantasy or nonfiction book next month.

Create fun themes like “Back-to-School Reads” or “Books Set by the Sea.” Themes make your club feel like a reading adventure.

Celebrate your wins! Throw a little party for your 10th book or 1-year anniversary.

Give out fun rewards like stickers, journals, or digital high-fives. Who doesn’t love a tiny trophy?

Keep learning about books AND business. Check out podcasts, watch YouTube tips, or read a book on starting a business—how meta is that?

Connect with other book club leaders online. Swap ideas, share what’s worked, and maybe plan a club crossover event (anyone else dreaming of that?).

And always, always keep your club warm and friendly. That’s the kind of place people want to come back to—again and again.

With heart, hustle, and a good stack of books, your book club business can be something truly special.