Do you have a book just sitting on your computer or bookshelf collecting dust? Did you know that book could be making you money if you turned it into an audiobook and sold it online? Audiobooks are a rapidly growing industry, with sales doubling in the last five years.
Prepare your book manuscript
Before narrating your book into an audio version, ensure your manuscript file is properly formatted and optimized for distribution platforms. It includes having high-quality front and back matter like an attention-grabbing book description, author bio, table of contents with timestamps, and links to your website or social profiles. Strong front and back matter elements will help market your audiobook and drive more sales. You’ll also want your book content divided into logical chapters. Most distribution platforms require audiobooks to have chapters, so this is an essential step. Chapters make it easier for listeners to find stopping points and navigate through lengthy audiobooks. Aim for one chapter roughly every 15-20 minutes. Once your manuscript meets distribution requirements and is listener-friendly, you’re ready to get a recording. in-depth look at AI Publishing Academy.
Create your audiobook
You have two main options for creating your audiobook – hiring a professional narrator/producer or narrating and producing the audiobook yourself.
- Professional Narration – If you want broadcast-quality production with minimal effort, hiring pros is the way to go. Prices vary widely but expect to invest around $250 per finished hour for narration, editing, and mastering. Benefit of professional narration is it saves you time while delivering polished results. However, with profits split between author and producer, your audiobook earnings will be lower per sale compared to DIY production.
- DIY Narration – To maximize returns, consider narrating and producing your audiobook yourself. Quality home studio set-ups now run just a few hundred dollars for equipment and editing software. While the learning curve is steeper, narrating your work lets you keep 100% of the royalties. For the best home studio audio quality, use a condenser microphone, headphone/mic combo interface unit, sound-dampening materials, and programs like Audacity for recording/editing. Invest time practicing narration techniques too. With some effort, you achieve audio quality rivaling costly studios. After evaluating your budget, goals, and willingness to learn production skills, choose the creation method that fits you best.
- Distribute Your Audiobook – Getting your audiobook out to listeners so the cash starts flowing! You’ll generally want to publish through as many platforms and retailers as possible to maximize discoverability and earnings.
Promote and profit from your audiobook
With your book now transformed into a hit audiobook, it’s time to market it. Start by creating an eye-catching cover that visually conveys your book’s themes. Use clear descriptions highlighting the value listeners gain. Develop marketing materials explaining who your book helps and the common problems it solves. Next, focus on driving traffic to your title’s sales page through:
- Email lists
- Social media posts
- Guest podcast/radio interviews
- Paid ads
- Cross-promotions
Work at continually testing promotional messages and channels to discern what moves the needle most. Flexible marketing that maximizes conversions is vital.
