If you’re an audiobook lover, you probably have heard about Audible, the largest audiobook platform in the world.
Audiobooks have become immensely popular recently, with millions of people listening to them daily.
If you’re an aspiring audiobook narrator, an author, or someone who loves listening to audiobooks, you can make money on Audible.
In this post, I’ll explore some ways to make money on Audible and turn your passion into a source of income.
Key Takeaways
- Earn passive income through Audible’s Affiliate Program
- Create your own audiobook for people to listen to
- Become an experienced narrator and lend your voice to stories for a rewarding career
- Get started by honing skills, creating demo reels & finding freelancers on FlexJobs
3 Best Ways To Make Money On Audible
1. Audible Creator Program
If you’re a fan of Audible and love sharing book recommendations, you can get paid for telling book lovers about Audible.
By joining Audible’s affiliate program, you’ll receive unique links you can post wherever you’re active online- on your blog, social media, or even in emails to friends.
You’ve probably seen popular podcasts and YouTubers doing it, and it’s something you can do as well, especially if you have a decent following on social media.
Enrollment in the affiliate program is free, and it’s a pretty hands-off way to add some extra income to your pocket.
You get a commission once someone clicks your link and signs up for Audible on your free trial landing page. They get to try the membership and even get a free audiobook!
For each person who signs up for an Audible free trial membership, you’ll get $5, and if they opt for a Premium Membership, that’s $10 in your pocket.
Individual audiobook purchases will also earn you $0.50 each.
And the best part? You’re promoting a platform offering a wealth of knowledge and entertainment through audiobooks.
So, not only are you earning extra money, but you’re also helping people discover a new way to read and learn.
2. Create Audiobooks
Audiobooks are in high demand, and Audible is the perfect platform to sell them.
If you’re an author, you can create an audiobook of your existing content or write a new book specifically for the audio format.
Audible has a program, Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), that connects you with narrators and audio producers.
You can choose your preferred narrator based on their voice, accent, and previous work.
Once your audiobook is published on Audible, you’ll earn royalties depending on the price of your audiobook and the plan the listener subscribes to.
Ensure that your audiobooks read well and are of high quality so you get good customer reviews. Good reviews mean more sales for you!
3. Narrating Books
Whether you’ve got a smooth baritone voice like George Guidall or something unique, authors seek new and professional narrators.
If you enjoy reading books and have a good voice, you can get paid to read and start an audiobook career by becoming an Audible narrator.
Sign up for Audible’s Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), where you can audition to do audiobook narration for various authors.
Once you land a job narrating audiobooks, you’ll record the audio files for the book. You can get paid a one-time fee or earn ongoing royalties, depending on what you and the author agree upon.
The audio version then goes for review, and if the author approves your work, you get paid based on the book’s price and subscription plan.
It’s a fulfilling way to earn money, especially if you’re a voice-over artist or actor keen on professional narration.
As you gain more experience, you can charge higher rates and make narrating and selling audiobooks more than just a side gig- your main job can be to read audiobooks all day.
How To: Affiliate Marketing
So, one way to make money is to join the Audible Creator Program- but what exactly is affiliate marketing?
It’s sharing links for things and programs you support and getting paid to recommend them to others who buy them.
Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways to monetize a website or blog and my favorite way to make money while I sleep.
I know starting with affiliate marketing can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner. But I’m here to help!
Here are some of my tips to get started!:
Learn About Affiliate Marketing
If you’re curious about how to make money through affiliate marketing, here’s the lowdown. You promote other people’s stuff and get a cut when someone purchases through your unique link.
You sort of sell Audible products or any other items you’re passionate about by being the middleman. You can get the word out on your blog, social media, email, or paid ads.
For those who want to get serious about mastering affiliate marketing, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing is a course worth considering.
It guides you through the essentials of how to make money with affiliate marketing. You can apply what you learn to make money on Audible or any other affiliate program that interests you.
The course covers everything from selecting profitable products to effectively sharing your affiliate links, setting you up nicely to sell Audible products or anything else that catches your eye.
Pick Your Niche
To succeed in affiliate marketing, you must define your niche and target audience. A niche is a specific topic or market segment that you focus on.
Creating content and promoting products that resonate with your readers or followers is easier when you have a niche.
When choosing a niche, consider your interests, skills, and passion. It’s easier to create content when you enjoy what you are writing about.
If you want to make money on Audible by using affiliate links, would you want to create a blog dedicated to books and products for book lovers?
Keyword Research
Let’s talk about something really important in affiliate marketing: keyword research.
This is detective work to determine what people are typing into search engines so your content gets found and your links get clicks and commissions.
Knowing this helps you write stuff that matches what folks are looking for. So, when discussing products, you hit the mark with your audience.
Some nifty tools are out there to help you find these magic words. I like using Ahrefs to look for long-tail keywords (longer phrases people might search for).
They’re good because they usually have less competition and attract people interested in what you have to say or sell.
How To: Write Your Book
Many dream of writing their own book but never take the first step. From brainstorming a storyline to publishing your book, the process can be intimidating for beginners.
However, writing your own book can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and you can sell audio versions of it on the Audible platform.
Here’s a short guide to plan your book for success:
Pick A Storyline
Let’s talk about the first thing you must do when writing a book: Pick a Storyline.
If you’re scratching your head for ideas, no worries. Your favorite books and movies can be a great way to get those creative juices flowing.
Choose a storyline that you can’t stop thinking about that excites you. That passion is your voice that can shine through and make your story resonate with readers.
After you settle on a basic idea, it’s time to dig deeper and plan characters who feel real, settings that draw readers in, and a conflict that keeps them hooked.
When you create audiobooks, it helps to read them out loud as you go to think about how they’ll sound and how they read.
Get Writing
Once you have your storyline in place, it’s time to start writing your book. Focus on creating quality content and engaging storytelling to keep your readers hooked.
Ensure your narrative flows smoothly, and avoid unnecessary jargon or confusing language.
Remember, an audiobook or audio file is meant to be listened to, so strive for a conversational tone and engaging prose to entertain your listeners.
Create a Cover
An eye-catching cover is essential for attracting potential listeners to your audiobook.
A well-designed cover can pique the interest of your target audience and entice them to learn more about your book.
You can either design the cover yourself if you have design experience or hire a freelancer to create a professional-looking cover for your audiobook.
Remember, a captivating cover can make a significant difference in the success of your audiobook on Audible.
Narrate Your Book
Narration is the final step, where you turn those written words into spoken word entertainment to sell on the Audible platform.
You have options here: lend your voice to your audiobook or bring in a pro to handle the audiobook narration.
No matter which route you go, quality is key. Splurge a little on a good microphone and recording software.
And don’t rush through it; pay attention to the pacing, the tone, and even the different voices of your characters.
If you get the audiobook version just right, you’ll have listeners hanging on every word.
They’ll likely stick with you for the long haul and might even be eager to buy audio versions of whatever you put out next.
A top-notch audiobook can turn casual listeners into loyal fans.
Consider Hiring Freelancers To Help
Writing a book is often a solitary endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be lonely work.
You can bring in professionals like freelance editors to make sure your story shines and proofreaders to catch those small but distracting errors.
Not only that, but you can hire someone to create your cover and narrate your book if you want.
Where can you find these helping hands? A platform like FlexJobs lets you list freelance opportunities, making it easier to find qualified people to help you.
Launch Your Book On Audible
Use the Audiobook Creation Exchange to upload your own full audiobooks and content; just like that, you’re in the audiobook business.
Once you’ve hit the publish button on Audible’s self-publishing platform, you’ll start earning royalties, maybe even catching listeners’ ears from far and wide.
But remember, getting the book up is just the first step. You need people to get interested in it and buy it so you can make money!
You might want to offer a free chapter to give folks a taste that will make them want to buy the whole thing.
But let’s not stop there! Use social media and email marketing to help sell audio versions of your book and grow your audience.
How To Become A Narrator
If you have a talent for voice acting and a passion for storytelling, becoming an audiobook narrator on the Audible self-publishing platform (ACX) might be your perfect career path.
Narrating audiobooks, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Work on a wide range of projects, from fiction to non-fiction
- Connect with a diverse audience of listeners
- Take advantage of the growing popularity of audiobooks and the demand for skilled narrators
Following these steps can help you get started:
- Prepare Your Recording Space – Find a quiet, soundproof area with good acoustics and equip it with a quality microphone and recording software for the best audio quality.
- Build Your ACX Profile – Register and complete your profile with a brief bio, a professional photo, and samples of your narration skills.
- Explore Available Projects – Browse through projects using filters to refine your search by genre, budget, and project type.
- Showcase Your Talent – Audition by recording and submitting a brief book excerpt that highlights your unique strengths and vocal abilities.
- Deliver Top-Quality Audio – Comply with ACX’s audio quality standards, ensuring your finished audio files meet their requirements and submit them on time.
How To Join The Audible Affiliate Program
Joining the Audible Affiliate Program is a great way to earn commissions by promoting Audible memberships and products.
By sharing your unique referral link with your audience, you can earn money for each sale or membership signup generated through your promotional efforts.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Visit the Audible Affiliate Page – Go to the Audible affiliate page and click “Join Now” to begin the process.
- Create Your Amazon Associates Account – You’ll need to create an Amazon Associates account; you’ll provide information like your name, email, and website (if you have one).
- Access Affiliate Resources – After registration, you’ll be sent an email containing your unique affiliate link and the marketing materials to help you effectively promote Audible’s products.
- Promote with Your Affiliate Link –Use your unique affiliate link on your website, social media channels, and other marketing platforms.
FAQs
What is Audible?
Audible is an Amazon-owned platform that offers a vast library of audiobooks, podcasts, and spoken-word entertainment.
It’s the most popular audiobook service, allowing users to access a wide range of content through convenient apps on smart devices.
In addition to audiobooks, Audible also includes radio and TV shows, making it a comprehensive source of audio entertainment for listeners worldwide.
Can I actually make money on Audible?
Yes, you can make money on Audible in 3 ways.
Audible has an affiliate program that rewards individuals for working as audiobook distributors- promoting Audible memberships to new users.
But you can also make money creating the content that goes on Audible.
Audible gives folks the chance to become audiobook writers and narrators. You can write a book for the platform or narrate someone else’s book.
How much does Audible pay affiliates?
Audible offers different commissions depending on what the referred audience does.
If someone signs up for a free 30-day trial through your affiliate link, you’ll pocket a cool $15.
And if they decide to go for the Audible Premium Membership, you’ll still score a sweet $10.
Plus, you’ll earn 50 cents for every audiobook purchase your link generates for other audiobook distributors.
How can I become a narrator?
- Practice your narrating skills, focusing on pronunciation and tone.
- Get good recording equipment, including a microphone and editing software.
- Join platforms like ACX to find audiobook projects.
- Create a strong audition sample to showcase your talent.
- Market yourself on these platforms and network in the industry.
- Be patient and persistent as you build your reputation.
Once you become an experienced narrator and build your portfolio, you can increase your rates and enjoy a rewarding career as an audiobook narrator.
How do narrators get paid?
ACX doesn’t specify how much to charge for audiobook narration, but rates can vary widely. Your earnings depend on factors like your experience and the project itself.
New narrators might start at around $10 to $100 per finished hour (PFH), while experienced ones can make between $100 and $350 PFH (per finished hour).
It’s important to note that rates aren’t set in stone and can differ from one publisher or project to another.
Where can I hire freelancers to help with my book?
Freelancers can be hired through platforms like FlexJobs, Upwork, and Fiverr to assist with writing, editing, cover design, and other tasks related to creating an audiobook.
By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on your strengths and ensure the best possible outcome for your audiobook project.
These platforms offer a wide range of professionals with expertise in audiobook creation, making it easy to find the right freelancer to help bring your vision to life.
Final Thoughts
Getting paid for your writing on the side or making passive income through links are both great side hustles on Audible.
Earning money on Audible can become a reality with a well-planned strategy, unwavering dedication, and sustained effort.
You can earn money writing and expand your reach with your Audible original or delve into other people’s books as a narrator.
Plus, you can join the affiliate program and earn money to promote a platform you love.
So why not take the plunge and explore the exciting world of Audible to see what opportunities await you?
