6 Proven Ways to Make Money on Audible

Do you love listening to audiobooks – and want to combine this with a way to make some extra cash? 

If so, you may be wondering how to make money on Audible. Fortunately, it’s actually quite straightforward!

In this blog post, I’ll discuss the different ways that you can make money through Audible. You’ll also get some of the best tips on how to maximize your earnings.

So, whether you are a new or experienced Audible user, this article is for you!

How to make money on Audible

Luckily, there are several ways to make money on Audible. Here are a few of the most popular methods.

1. Become an Audible affiliate

Perhaps the most popular method of making money on Audible is through its affiliate program. As an affiliate, you will earn a commission for each sale that you refer to Audible via your unique affiliate link or code. 

To get started, simply sign up as an Amazon Affiliate and follow the instructions provided.

How it works is that each time that a visitor signs up for a trial or makes a purchase on Audible via your link, you will receive a commission. The amount of the commission varies depending on the type of program that you are enrolled in.

You can promote your affiliate link or code through social media, websites, blogs, and more. Make sure to offer genuine value with your link rather than just posting it everywhere. An affiliate sale should be earned by providing a visitor with value.

2. Become an Audible narrator

Another great way to make money on Audible is by becoming a narrator. As an audiobook narrator, you will be paid for narrating books and other audio content for Audible customers. To become a narrator, you need to have a good quality set-up and the right skills.

You should also be prepared to market yourself to potential clients. You can create a website, join audiobook websites, and reach out to authors directly. The ACX website is a great place to find audiobook jobs.

You can get paid for your narration through a flat fee, by splitting royalties with the publisher, or through a combination of both. So it’s possible that narration can provide passive income for you if the books you record are successful in the long run.

 Related: 9 Legit Sites to Get Paid to Read Books Aloud

3. Ghostwrite audiobooks

Another great way to make money on Audible is by ghostwriting audiobooks. As a ghostwriter, you will be hired by an author or publisher to write the content for an audiobook. This can involve anything from doing research to writing the manuscript.

You may also be hired as an editor. Some ebooks need to have specific adjustments made to them so that they work better as an audiobook. For example, you may need to adjust dialogue and other audio cues so that they work better in an audio format.

You can find ghostwriting jobs on freelance websites, job boards, social media networks, and more. Make sure to market yourself properly by providing samples of your work.

4. Create your own audiobook

By writing, narrating, and publishing a book from start to finish, you’ll get to enjoy the full benefits of being an author and get paid to record your voice from home. It’s a lot of work, but can produce a ton of earnings over time. 

And Audible makes it easy to get your audiobook up and running after you’ve created it. Just register for a free account, then upload your audio files and create an Audiobook page for customers to purchase.

You’ll also need to set up a payment gateway so that you can receive royalties from sales. The more detailed and professional your Audiobook page is, the better chance you have of making a sale. Start small and research popular keywords to base your book off of to give it the best chance of receiving traffic and sales.

You may also be interested in: 9 Simple Steps to Become a Freelance Writer with No Experience

5. Outsource the audiobook-building process

If you have financial resources and the time to manage it, you can outsource the entire audiobook-building process. 

You’ll need to form a team that includes an editor, narrator, and writer – check out Fiverr to find people who’ll be able to help you with this. 

FYI: A designer can also be helpful if you want to create a great cover for your audiobook, although you can also easily create one yourself for free with Canva.

You should also have a plan for marketing your audiobook. This could include social media, Amazon ads, and other outlets to get the word out about your book. 

Working with a marketer or ads expert can help you to reach your target audience and maximize your profits.

6. Work with publishers as an influencer

If you have an established platform, such as a blog or social media presence, you can work with publishers and authors to promote their audiobooks. This could be through reviews, giveaways, interviews, and more. You can also create your own podcast to feature different book titles and help draw attention to them.

You’ll need to reach out to publishers and authors directly and negotiate a fee for your services. You can also set up affiliate links so that you can get a commission from each sale that is made through your platform.

What equipment do you need to be an audiobook narrator?

To get started with audiobook narration, you’ll need a USB microphone, a mic boom arm, a pop filter, headphones, and audio recording software. If you’re using an external microphone, you’ll also need a digital interface, which will help to connect your microphone to your computer.

While you could buy each of those separately, this professional recording set has everything you need at an incredible price.

It’s also important to make sure that you have a quiet recording space with minimal background noise, as this will affect the quality of your recording. 

Creating an audio booth with soundproofing materials is a great way to ensure high-quality recordings. You can use blankets and other materials to dampen the sound if you don’t have access to a professional recording studio.

Here’s a breakdown of each piece of equipment:

1. USB microphone

Most audiobook narrators prefer a USB microphone (like the one at the link above) over a traditional microphone. This is because USB mics are generally easier to connect and use than the alternative, which can help speed up the recording process.

You’ll probably want a condenser microphone, which is a type of mic that captures sound from multiple directions. This can help make your recordings sound fuller and more natural, which is ideal for audiobook narration.

2. Mic boom arm

A mic boom arm can help to position the microphone in the optimal spot for recording. It also allows you to adjust the height and angle of the mic as needed to achieve the best sound quality. 

That pack I linked to above (you can check the latest price of it here) comes with a boom arm already.

You’ll want to position your mic boom arm about 5 to 10 inches away from your face so that your voice is picked up clearly.

3. Pop filter

A pop filter is a circular piece of metal or fabric that helps to reduce plosives, which are sounds caused by sudden airflow from the mouth into the microphone. This can help to improve the clarity and overall recording quality of your audiobook narration.

Plosives are sound bursts created by consonants like B, P, and T, and they can create an annoying popping noise in your recordings. A pop filter – like the on in that pack above – helps to reduce this noise, so it’s a must-have for audiobook narrators.

4. Headphones

Headphones are an essential part of the recording process as they allow you to listen back to your recordings and make sure that everything is sounding good. 

You should look for headphones with quality sound and a comfortable fit that won’t distract you while you’re narrating. Check out these headphones for a really great, highly rated deal.

Make sure to invest in closed-back headphones to prevent any sound from leaking out and being picked up by the microphone. These are headphones that cover your entire ear and block out external noise.

5. Audio recording software

Finally, you’ll need audio recording software that allows you to record, edit, and mix your audio files. There are many options available, from free programs like Audacity to more sophisticated software with advanced features like Pro Tools and Adobe Audition.

The more advanced the program, the bigger the learning curve will be with its various features. However, this gives you more control and flexibility over the recording process.

6. Studio space

Once you have all of your equipment set up, it’s important to find a space that is suitable for recording. A peaceful and distraction-free environment is mandatory for an ideal studio. 

This means avoiding places like living rooms with TVs and air conditioning units, as these can create unwanted noises in the recordings.

If you can’t access a professional studio, you can create your own audio booth in a spare room with soundproofing materials. This will help to reduce the amount of outside noise and give you a clean, pristine recording environment.

Can you actually make money on Audible?

Yes, it’s possible to make money on Audible. However, the amount of money you can make depends on several factors, including the length and complexity of the book, your ability to market the book, and the size of your audience.

As with most other self-motivated online businesses, the key to success is in your ability to create a consistent workflow and capitalize on marketing opportunities. With hard work and dedication, you can turn your audiobook narration into a lucrative part time online job or even a full-time career.

Diversifying the ways in which you make money on Audible will also increase your likelihood of earning a steady income. You can do this by combining different methods such as publishing your own audiobooks, but also providing affiliate links to other books, offering narration services to authors, and more.

Very few money-making methods on Audible pay out right away unless you’re being paid a flat fee for your work. This means that the key to success is in your ability to build an audience and cultivate a loyal following over time. With patience and dedication, you can build a steady stream of income from Audible books.

Can you make passive income on Audible?

Yes, you can make passive income on Audible, with the best way to do so being by receiving royalties. You may receive royalties as a book publisher, author, ghostwriter, or narrator. You can also receive passive income from affiliate programs by recommending audiobooks to your readers or listeners.

In order to make substantial passive income, you’ll need to sell a high number of audiobooks. So bringing traffic to your books, setting up an effective marketing plan, and creating high-quality content are essential steps to success.

Try to focus on niches and topics that are popular when creating your audiobook so that you can make it more visible and easily reach a wide audience. You should also diversify your income streams by creating multiple audiobooks, offering narration services to authors, and recommending other books through affiliate links.

Keep in mind that no income source is completely passive. Even though Audible can allow you to make money in your sleep, you’ll need to put in a lot of work and dedication, in the beginning, to make it work for you. 

With consistent effort, though, you can generate a steady stream of income from Audible.

Related: 27 Legitimate Stay at Home Jobs That Pay Well

How much do Audible narrators get paid?

Audible narrators, on average, make between $500 to $5,000 a month. So it’s possible to use Audible narration as a path to full-time income if you are willing to put in the work. You may also be paid in royalty shares, which are typically split with the author or publisher.

Keep in mind that most narrators are paid per finished hour (PFH) of the audiobook, so you’ll need to manage your performance time efficiently.

In addition, in the case of royalties, you will make money from the audiobook for as long as it remains popular and sells copies.

It’s possible to be paid per finished hour as well as through royalties, which gives you the stability of payment and the potential for long-term income.

Related: 33 Legit Ways to Make Money In One Hour

How much can I expect for my PFH rate?

An audible narrator with some experience can expect to get paid between $100 and $300 per finished hour. As a beginner, though, you’ll likely be offered rates between $50 to $100 an hour. Your rates will go up as your portfolio grows. 

There isn’t a shortage of narration work on the website, with thousands of titles available, so you can always negotiate a rate that works best for you.

Remember that a “finished” hour isn’t the same thing as your hourly rate. You will be taking into account other factors like post-production and editing time, which can add up to a few hours more than the recording itself.

Over time, you’ll be able to edit and produce your audio much more quickly, and this alone will increase your overall earnings and minimize the time you’re spending in the studio. Focus on learning the craft and you’ll be able to make money on Audible in no time.

You may also be interested in: 25 Best Sites To Find ​​Voice Over Jobs for Beginners From Home

Tips to make more money on Audible

Want to maximize your earnings when using Audible? Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Focus on niche topics and genres

If you create an audiobook on too vague of a topic, you’re going to come up against some stiff competition. To make more money, focus on specific niches and genres so that you can dominate the marketplace.

You can research popular topics and genres in the Audible store to see what’s selling well. This will give you an idea of what kind of content will work for your audiobooks.

Then, think of an even more specific topic that you think readers would like to delve deeper into. 

For example, if there’s a book about budgeting that’s popular, you may create a more specific audiobook about budgeting for millennials to target a certain market and offer a fresh perspective.

2. Promote your books via social media and other platforms

Unless you’re a best-selling author with a team of marketers, you’ll need to promote your books yourself. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to do this for free.

Post updates about your audiobooks across your social media platforms and don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with other authors in the same genre.

Create fun offers like giveaways and discounts that will draw attention to your audiobook. You can even create video trailers for your audiobooks or give away free audio samples of your work on SoundCloud or YouTube.

3. Set up an effective marketing plan

Creating an effective marketing plan is essential if you want to make money on Audible. This will help you promote your audiobooks in the most efficient way possible and get the word out about your work.

Your strategy should include setting goals, researching target audiences, creating content tailored to those audiences, and tracking results over time so that you can measure your performance and adjust accordingly.

4. Utilize affiliate programs and cross-promotions

Partnering with other authors or brands can be a great way to increase your visibility and boost sales. Consider joining an affiliate program or participating in cross-promotions with other authors to get more eyes on your audiobooks.

It will take time to create relationships and build trust, but it will be worth it in the long run. You can tap these relationships over and over again as you create new audiobooks down the line.

5. Create high-quality content that stands out from the rest

It goes without saying, but creating high-quality audio content is key if you want to make money on Audible. Invest in the best equipment available and make sure your recordings are clear, crisp, and professional.

If the narrator’s voice is too quiet or the audio is distorted in any way, it will be difficult for readers to engage with your audiobook. This could lead to low ratings, which could hurt your chances of selling more books.

6. Make sure the story is engaging

Not only does the narration need to be of high quality, but the story itself needs to be engaging. If you’re creating an audiobook from already existing content, make sure it’s something people would actually want to listen to.

Otherwise, they won’t bother downloading it or finishing it once they’ve started. The most effective way to do this is by giving away free audio samples so readers can get a taste of the content and decide if it’s right for them.

6. Sell exclusively through the ACX platform

You have two choices when it comes to selling your audiobook on Audible – you can either sell through the ACX platform or through other channels.

Although selling through other channels may seem more convenient, it’s best to stick with ACX for maximum earnings potential. This is because Audible will offer a 40% royalty payout if you’re exclusive with them, and only offers a 25% royalty if your audiobook is sold elsewhere.

It’s usually less work and more money to stick to this one platform, so make sure to use ACX unless you’ve had tremendous success with another audiobook provider.

7. Create several audiobooks

It’s unlikely for any creator that one single product will become the main source of income, especially the first product! 

Creating several audiobooks will help ensure that you have a consistent stream of revenue coming in, and it’s also a great way to reach more potential listeners.

Think about creating series or companion books to existing titles, as this can be an effective way to draw in new readers and keep them engaged with your work.

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8. Create a great cover and book description

Your customers will only get one split second to decide whether to download your audiobook or not – and that’s why having a great cover and book description is essential.

Make sure the cover is eye-catching, professional, and visually appealing, and ensure that the description accurately reflects the content of the audiobook so readers know what they’re getting into.

9. Work with an influencer

In addition to working with other brands and authors, you may want to start a relationship with an influencer. These are people who have large followings and who can help spread the word about your audiobook.

Getting an influencer to promote your work will give you more exposure and potentially lead to more sales – so make sure to look into establishing these relationships if you want to make money on Audible.