Reading isn’t the most popular hobby, but it should be. Books keep your mind sharp, help you learn new skills, and experience worlds out of reach. The problem is that reading takes time you should spend on something to pay the bills with.
While other, more crafty, hobbies can produce things you will sell, reading aloud fine-tunes your mind and voice. Recording the latter is one of the only guaranteed ways to earn money from reading books.
This article will cover all you need to get paid to read books aloud – the best audiobook narration platforms, potential earnings, essential gear, and some extra tips. This text might be the last one you read without earning money.
Earning by Reading Books Aloud: Your Options
Audiobook narration is a tempting side gig with prospects of becoming a full-time job. You read books aloud, on your own time, from your own home, and earn money by selling the recordings. Multiple platforms can help you to get paid to read books aloud, but starting isn’t easy.
You’ll need to build a reputation as an audiobook narrator and at least an entry-level home recording studio. It all costs time and money, but it’s much easier with a good audiobook narration platform. Here are ten best options to get you started.
Spoken Realms
Once you get some experience, you can start competing for jobs that pay to read books aloud. Spoken Realms is one of the best platforms for audiobook narrator jobs that pay by the hour.
Your recordings will be published on Audible, iTunes, and many other platforms. Spoken Realms is full of professional narrators looking to earn money, so be prepared to compete. However, the same can be said about most of the entries in this list.
ACX
ACX, short for Audiobook Creation eXchange, is Amazon’s marketplace for writers and voice actors to find audiobook narration and other services. You can publish your own original audiobook or narrate others’ books while getting paid per hour or from royalties.
All recordings are later published on Amazon’s Audible, which has some of the best possibilities for reaching global audiences and optimizing sales. ACX might be the most profitable way to get paid to read books aloud, but it’s also quite competitive.
Voices
Voices.com self-proclaims itself as the number one marketplace for voice-over jobs. It houses a lot of opportunities to get paid to read books aloud, as well as other similar jobs from known brands that will require you to read aloud.
Once you register and create samples of your voice, the algorithm will match you with relevant jobs. You can expect to create recordings for brands such as BMW, Shopify, Microsoft, Discovery Channel, and many others.
Findaway Voices
If helping known brands or narrating popular books sounds too stressful, check out Findaway Voices. Owned by Spotify, it creates an environment resembling a local book club with the possibility of getting paid to read books aloud.
Many small and Independent authors look for narrators there, so getting a job for beginners is easier. The best part is that Findaway Voices allows you to set your own rate and increase it once you get more experience.
The Voice Realm
The Voice Realm is all about quick delivery and high quality. It’s a platform for professionals who can perform on-demand work in the 24-hour time frame. Only professional voice-over and audiobook narrator jobs are posted there.
To qualify, you must report the recording equipment you are using and have a proven track record of delivering work. If you can meet these requirements, you’ll find well-paying jobs in the Voice Realm.
VOPlanet
VOPlanet stands out from other voice-over job marketplaces with a different monetization model. Posting narration jobs doesn’t cost companies anything, and they can find as many candidates as they like.
That’s how VOPlanet attracted many major companies to post their job offers. However, narrators will get paid to read books or other texts only after paying an annual membership fee of $200. You must evaluate whether the job opportunities will return the investment.
Bunny Studio
Bunny Studio is a fast-paced voice-over, audio, video, and audiobook narration platform. It serves thousands of global clients who are looking for scalable and quick results.
You’ll need to submit recordings in 12 hours before you are tasked. Bunny Studio takes part of your pay, and quality requirements are high, but it’s definitely worth it for the amount of work they can give.
Voice Jungle
You can get paid to read books aloud in Voice Jungle, but the platform focuses more on other voice-over tasks. Elearning, commercials, phone messages, podcasts, and everything in between are available from many companies, mostly based in the US.
To qualify, you need a quality home recording studio and readiness to turn in recordings on a 24-hour notice. The benefits are that there are no auditions, rates are quite good, and payments are sent weekly via direct deposit or PayPal.
Mandy Voices
If you are more interested in voicing anime characters, sound effects, and games than getting paid to read books, Mandy Voices is for you. The platform specializes in these trending niches, creating opportunities to earn money in an entertaining way.
While Mandy Voices doesn’t have as many job posts as other alternatives, talented and passionate narrators will find interesting work. The contacts you can find there can certainly lead to full-time employment.
LibriVox
LibriVox is a volunteer-driven platform where anyone can start voicing public domain books. The platform is super easy to use, both as a listener and as a volunteer audiobook narrator. It mostly includes timeless literature from the best authors.
The audiobooks published there are also copyright-free, so you won’t get paid to read books aloud. Besides making world classics available to everyone, LibriVox solves an important problem for beginner narrators and voice actors – getting the first gig.
Other Ways to Get Paid To Read Books Aloud
These days, most audiobook narration careers start with one of the trusted online platforms, but you shouldn’t skip on other opportunities. Some voice-over or narration jobs can be found on Fiverr and Upwork along with other similar work – proofreading, writing, teaching, and similar.
It’s a great way to mix your other talents and hobbies and potentially get paid to read books aloud. Below are five more ideas that will involve additional skills but are less competitive when you want to make money from reading aloud.
Reading Sessions
Live and virtual reading sessions might be a great side gig for those with appealing voices and charm. It’s more of a live performance than reading aloud, but once you attract an audience, it can get profitable. You might even start selling your merchandise or receive donations eventually.
Check your local libraries, coffee shops, and bookstores that might be interested in such services. If you can market yourself online well, offering sessions on Zoom or similar platforms might be a way to make money when you read aloud.
Self-Publishing
Publishing a book or audiobook yourself is easier than ever before. You don’t necessarily need a publisher and can do everything yourself. The most difficult part is writing the material itself, but if you have some good stories to tell or wisdom to teach – go for it.
Once you have the text ready, you can earn extra for audiobook narration of your own book. Platforms like ACX and Findaway Voices make it quite straightforward. Books narrated by their authors also have special appeal.
Sharing Your Opinion
Narrating audiobooks isn’t the only way to earn money from reading. You can earn money by sharing what you have read on various social media channels or your blog. The easiest method, however, is to fill out surveys on the Pawns.app, where you’ll receive valuable rewards for sharing your opinion.
All you have to do is answer interesting surveys. They cover various topics, such as politics, everyday products, and, of course, books! Somewhat indirectly, you earn money by reading books, news stories, and advertisements and sharing your opinions about them.
YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel dedicated to reading books aloud is a fairly easy venture. Unlike working with platforms, you won’t need to pass quality tests or auditions. The only judges will be your viewers.
Read-aloud videos on YouTube, especially the ones for children, have millions of views. YouTube makes it possible to monetize such content if you post regularly and promote your channel. You won’t earn much, but you can get paid to read books aloud.
Podcasting
Millions of people listen to podcasts. They are easy to consume on the go, and almost any niche or topic can be covered in such a format. The best part is that it’s easy to start a podcast, test the waters, and see if you can get paid to read books aloud.
You’ll need to add more than your voice. Most podcasts also provide commentary, discussions, and other insights, along with the reading material. Although format and monetization methods differ, many successful and well-monetized podcasts started with the read-aloud formula.
How Much Do Book Narrators Make?
An audiobook narrator may earn anywhere between $50 to $1000 per finished hour (PFH) of recording. Some famous narrators make even more, but as a beginner, you might even need to start off working for free.
As with most freelance work, your rates rise when you build up your portfolio. Clients will pay if you deliver excellent quality narrations and bring their books to life. Most other voice-over is based on the same principles of quality, consistency, and making a name for yourself.
What You Need for Earning By Reading Books Aloud
The idea of becoming an audiobook narrator might seem straightforward, but reading books aloud professionally demands certain technical proficiency and talent. Here’s a checklist of things you should prepare before kickstarting your audiobook narration career.
- Recording Equipment: Your computer or smartphone mic won’t do. Invest in quality recording equipment to ensure your recordings adhere to standards for audiobooks. You also need to learn how to use audio editing software, such as Audacity, Reaper, Adobe Audition, or ProTools.
- Quiet Environment: You may think that your living room is quiet, but it isn’t. Editing out unwanted sounds later will be a headache. Most professionals have dedicated spaces prepared for quietness with sound-absorbing acoustical foam panels or other means.
- Taking Care of Your Voice: Voice clarity is a must if you want to succeed in this industry, as people won’t press the repeat button to catch what you have said. Look after your voice, and practice correct breathing, pronunciation, and all other aspects of diction.
- Excellent Reading Skills: An exceptional audiobook narrator understands the source material. You can only know where to use the correct flow, pace, characterization, and emotional depth when you connect with what you read. It’s best to read through the entire text before recording or performing.
Helpful Tips From People Who Earn From Reading Books Aloud
Technical knowledge and voice clarity are crucial, but you’ll need industry knowledge to succeed in audiobook narration. Here are some helpful tips that will help you to get ahead of the competition.
- Start With a Single Platform: It’s helpful to start with multiple platforms and see where you can land your first paid gigs, but eventually, you’ll want to stick with a single platform. Focusing on one platform will help you to build a better reputation and show a successful track record.
- Pick a Niche: Getting paid to read books aloud is easier by focusing on one niche and improving relevant skills there. It can be children’s books, science fiction, or any other genre. As long as you have good skills and make a name for yourself, you’ll get paid better for reading books aloud.
- Invest in Yourself: Aspiring narrators seek specialized training and education programs to improve their skills and gain a competitive edge. There’s an abundance of courses on YouTube, Udemy, and other platforms. Be prepared to spend some money if you are serious about your career in audiobook narration.
- Don’t Neglect Copyright and Permissions: Be sure to check that the software, sound effects, and books you work with are copyright-free or that you have the needed permission. Paying fines or royalties after you put in the work can even result in losing money.
Conclusion
The audiobook industry is big and continues to expand rapidly. The scope of the industry and technological advances, such as AI voice generation, create opportunities and challenges.
No matter what lies ahead, the best strategy is to hone your craft and produce quality work consistently. It will always be possible to get paid to read books aloud for expert narrators and voice actors.
FAQs
Do I need a professional setup to get paid to read books aloud?
Not necessarily. Many get by with entry-level recording equipment and a quiet environment.
Are there any particular genres or types of books that are more profitable for paid reading?
It’s impossible to pinpoint one genre that is the most profitable, as a skilled narrator could make it in any genre. However, Romance, mystery, and thriller novels are often cited as the most popular among listeners. Other profitable genres include science fiction, horror, and children’s books.
How do I protect my voice and ensure longevity in this line of work?
Some of the most common tips are voice warmups and correct posture. Hydration also always helps, especially with water and teas infused with licorice or marshmallow root. Be careful to protect your voice and not strain it outside of your record room.
