Guide on Marketing Audiobooks Beyond Amazon
Thinking about selling audiobooks? It's a smart move! The audiobook market is booming. Here are some interesting insights:
- More than half of U.S. adults listened to an audiobook in 2023.
- Audio revenue increased by double digits for the 11th year running.
- Audio is the fastest-growing segment in publishing.
And guess who's taking a big slice of that pie? Amazon captures almost half of audiobook sales. The rest gets divided among retailers like Apple, Google, and more. To maximize your sales, you want to sell on Audible Amazon and everywhere else - a tactic known as publishing wide.
This guide will show you how to do just that. Let's dive right in!
How to Create an Audiobook
Creating an audiobook involves transforming your manuscript into the right audio files for distribution. The process can be broken down into three simple steps:
Step 1: Reformat Your Cover Design
When submitting your audiobook for publishing, most stores demand your 1) audio files and 2) cover art design. If you've already got a print or ebook cover, resize it to meet the audiobook standards:
- The cover should be a perfect square (at least 1400 x 1400) in resolution
- The file size should be less than 5MB
- It should be in JPG format
For more info, check out this guide. And take a look at these covers we've distributed:
Step 2: Prepare Your Manuscript
The heart of the audiobook production process involves getting your narration recordings in place. But first, you need to prepare your manuscript:
- Delete hyperlinks
- Delete captions
- Delete images and tables
- Delete call to actions and click here prompts
- Add opening credits: note the name of your audiobook, the author(s) names, and the narrator(s) names
- Add closing credits: must at least note "the end"
- List chapter numbers and titles: each chapter of your audiobook should be a separate audio file and narrated out loud with at least "Chapter 1"
Remember to listen to a couple of audiobooks (especially those in your genre) to see how they flow. Pay close attention to the opening and closing credits, along with chapter introductions.
Step 3: Record Your Audiobook
Now that you've prepped your manuscript, it's time to record. You can either hire a narrator, record it yourself, or engage a full-service producer.
Option 1: Hire a Narrator
If budget isn't an issue, consider hiring a professional narrator from sites like Upwork or Voices. Expect to pay a flat rate or hourly rate, ranging from $150 to $400 depending on the narrator's experience.
Option 2: Record It Yourself
If you choose to do it yourself, invest in equipment like a computer, recording software, a microphone, and a pop filter for sound equalizing. Alternatively, book a recording studio. Remember to understand tech specifics, such as exporting your audio to 192kbps or adding a pause between files. Check out this in-depth guide on recording your own audiobook.
Option 3: Use a Full-Service Producer
The priciest option is to collaborate with an audiobook producer that delivers a top-quality final product. Consider Amazon's ACX platform to connect with narrators, recording studios, and producers.
Once your production process is complete, you should have your cover file and narrated audio files ready for upload. Now let's look at how to start selling with the best audiobook publishers.
Choose Where to Self-Publish (Go Wide!)
If you want to sell on Audible and other stores, consider using a distributor that offers wide distribution to a broad network of retailers and libraries. Here are some top choices:
Findaway Voices (previously Spotify for Music and Audiobooks)
- Distributes to dozens of retailers and library platforms like Audible (partner program) and Apple Books
- Acquired by Spotify, distribution continues but may be integrated into Spotify’s audiobook offerings or library partnerships. Always check the latest guidelines for direct links to Audible, as Amazon may impose restrictions.
Lantern Audio (formerly ListenUp Audiobooks)
- Distributes to Apple Books, Audible (via ACX partnership), Audiobooks.com, Evergreen, Google Play, Hoopla, Kobo, OverDrive, and Storytel
- Offers 75% of net royalties, making it a developers' favorite. Payout structures may vary by partner.
- Charges a $50 per title fee ($199 minimum), including a professional spec check.
- Known for high production quality, fast turnaround (about six weeks), and keeping rights. Offers free giveaway codes for sales on Lantern Audiobook Store.
PublishDrive
- Distributes to major retailers like Apple Books, Google Play, and hundreds of digital libraries
- Subscription-based pricing means developers keep 100% of royalties
- One upload reaches numerous platforms, provides robust analytics, and grants access to international markets. PublishDrive is known for ebooks but is expanding into audio.
Choosing a distributor that directly partners with your target stores will help maximize your sales potential and simplify your publishing workflow. Keep in mind that retailer partnerships can change following acquisitions or policy updates.
How to Sell on Audible & Beyond With [Website Name]
Selling audiobooks on Audible and beyond can be simple with [Website Name]. The process takes just four steps:
Step 1: Sign up for an account with [Website Name] and select a distribution plan.
Step 2: Upload your cover design and audio files. Then provide your metadata details.
Step 3: Wait for approval. Our team will review your cover and audiobook for quality and compliance.
Step 4: Your audiobook is live in the stores! Start raking in the profits!
Promotion Tips on How to Sell Audiobooks on Audible & Beyond
Now that your audiobook is up for sale, it's time to promote. Here are some strategies to start selling:
- Collect book reviews. People won't buy an audiobook without reading reviews first. Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances to leave a review. Aim for at least five honest reviews before investing much time and money into other marketing efforts.
- Run sales events. Offering your audiobook for free or at a discount can attract more customers. Use [Website Name]'s special sales event opportunities to boost discoverability.
- Get featured. There are many stores and newsletters that regularly feature self-published audiobooks. Check out [Website Name] for free featuring opportunities at Kobo, Scribd, and others.
- Try paid advertising. Start with a small budget of $5 per month and run Amazon ads to expose your title to a wider audience.
[Website Name] offers book promotion services to support you with these tactics and help develop your overall marketing strategy. If you're new to book marketing, check out this guide on how to create a book marketing plan and book marketing timeline. Good luck!
Now you know how to sell audiobooks on Amazon and everywhere else...
What next? Manage your entire self-publishing gig on a single dashboard:
✅ Publish your audiobook, ebook, and print books.✅ Distribute in thousands of stores.✅ Get royalty reporting support, marketing tools, and more.
*Startpublishing*
- Embracing technology has opened new avenues for self-improvement, as evident in the growing market for education-and-self-development audiobooks, thanks to platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Audible.
- To broaden their reach, creators seek technology that simplifies the process of creating, distributing, and marketing audiobooks, such as tools offered by [Website Name]. With technology streamlining the process, individuals can maximize their potential and thrive in a lifestyle focused on learning and growth.
