Publishing an audiobook can be a very rewarding endeavor from a financial and creative perspective. Nowadays, with the rising popularity of audiobooks, there is a growing demand for this kind of content. In this blog, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of publishing an audiobook and will also learn how to monetize your creation. But first, we need to explore a few more things.
What is an Audiobook Publisher?
An audiobook publisher is a company that specializes in producing and distributing audiobooks. In the audiobook industry, these publishers play a very crucial role. They used to work with authors, narrators, and other professionals to bring the content to the audio format.
Where to Publish Audiobooks?
There are several platforms where you can publish and distribute your audiobooks. You will choose the platforms according to your goals, requirements, and also the hold you want to give to the publishing process. Audible ACX, Findaway Voices, Google Play Audiobooks, Publish Drive, and many more are some examples of audiobook publishing services.
Publishing Your Audiobook
Prepare a Manuscript
Before you are trying to enter the audiobook world make sure that your manuscripts are ready and polished for narration. Consider one more time that if the manuscript’s written words when made into spoken words, will it seem good, or is there a change required?
Make a Narration Approach
Now, decide if you want to hire a narrator or want to narrate your book by yourself. If you are planning to hire a narrator then you have to make sure to have a good budget. Also, your choice will depend on the time commitment, comfort zone, budget, etc. You can also consider getting help from audiobook publishing services.
Setting Up a Recording Space
If you are doing the narration by yourself then make sure that you have invested a good amount on the sound quality. Make sure that you are recording in a quiet place, don’t have any kind of background noise, a good microphone, pop filter, and soundproofing materials for good sound quality.
Record & Edit
While recording, make sure that you have taken care of the pacing, tone, and clarity. Then edit the audio to remove any kind of background noise, mistakes, or pauses. Remember that your final product should be polished and professional.
Choose Distributing Platforms
While choosing the audiobook publishing platforms make sure that you are choosing the one that relies on your requirements very well. There are a lot of platforms that provide audiobook publishing services, and you can also contact them.
Create a Cover
Make sure that you have designed a good cover and another publishing cover that will grab the attention of the listeners. Keep in mind that this will be the first impression to the listeners and if it is not engaging then they might not be interested in listening to it too. If you are facing any trouble in it then you can also consider getting help from audiobook publishing services.
Follow the Technical Requirements
If you have chosen the audiobook publishing services, then there is no issue, but if you are approaching any publishing platforms, then you have to fulfill their technical requirements. Every other company has its technical requirements, so make sure to follow them.
Set the Pricing
Now, you have to set the pricing of your book according to your needs. There are many platforms where you want it to be available. The platforms usually set a filter to select the price, select the best platform for audible publishing, and find the sweet spot for targeting your audience.
Submit the Audiobook to the Audiobook Production
After the selection of the audiobook publishers, you have to submit your audiobook to them. You will also have to provide them with little information like the keywords of the audiobook, the genre of the audiobook, descriptions for the listeners, and more.
Time to Wait
After the submission of the book, you have to wait for some time to get it approved. Every other publishers have different requirements so it will take a little time for your audiobook to get selected. Be patient, meanwhile.
Let’s Promote the Book While Waiting
Even before your book is live or is still in the process of selection, you can promote your audiobook. Create some promotional art and publish it on different social media websites. Let the listeners know that your audiobook is on its way.
Monitor Sales & Reviews
When your audiobook is published, make sure to keep track of the sales and the reviews you are getting. This will help you to learn from some mistakes and also will be very helpful for future projects.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Book Made Into An Audiobook?
The cost of publishing a book into an audiobook varies on different aspects like narrator fees, production costs, editing & proofing, royalty sharing with the narrator, distributing fees, marketing and promotion, DIY or professional Productions, and many more.
Let’s Make Money with Your Audiobook
Now your audiobook has been published, now let’s learn how to monetize your audiobook.
Royalties from Sales
There are a lot of platforms that offer royalty shares, firstly understand them properly then select your royalty share according to your requirements.
Subscription Models
There are a lot of platforms that offer subscription services where users pay a monthly fee for a certain number of audiobooks. Your audiobook will earn royalty credits based on the subscription programs.
Publish on More Platforms
When you will increase the availability of your book to different platforms then you will get more listeners. This will help you to earn more with different platforms.
Exclusive Deals & Discounts
When you have published your book on enough platforms, then you can publish it on the platforms that give exclusive deals and different discount offers on audiobooks. This will not only help in the promotion of your book, but you will also earn more money by this.
Promotional Pricing
When you start promoting your audiobook to different platforms, you can also offer different discounts and promotion deals. This will not only help your book to gain more publicity but more listeners will be interested in listening to it.
Monetize Through Platforms
When you are selling your book via different platforms, then you will get a limited amount of money. But if you consider selling it directly to the audience, then they will get it at a lower price and you also do not have to share your profit or earnings with any other platform.
Apply for the License
When you have gained enough popularity of your book and now getting demand from the audience to let it publish in different languages then it’s time to apply for the license. This will allow you to narrate your book in many different languages so you can have more audience and more buyers.
Offer Additional Content
Create some additional or supplementary content related to your book. It can be a surprise chapter that you can also give to loyal listeners and can also sell to other listeners.
Monetize Your Expertise
If your book is related to any social topic or if it has any specialized knowledge, then you can also offer workshops, counseling, courses, and more according to your expertise. Plan a specific fee structure for it that is profitable and reasonable for the listeners at the same time!
Conclusion
To sum it all up, Audiobook publishing is not very difficult. In fact, authors can publish and market their books themselves. However, it is still recommended to reach out to an established publishing and marketing team for your book. They are well-versed in the entire process and can ensure that your book gets the visibility it deserves.
Get Your Audiobook Published with Audiobook Publishing Services
