Audiobooks have revolutionized the reading experience by providing a convenient and immersive way to access literature. Gone are the days when readers carry around a bulky novel or need to find a suitable reading spot.
Audiobooks allow readers to listen to their favorite stories on a long commute, while exercising, or doing household chores. They also provide opportunities for people to make some money while reading.
In this article, you will discover how to get paid to read audiobooks and find actionable tips to help you get started.
10 Legit Ways to Make Money From Reading Audiobooks
As many people are now turning to audiobooks to gain access to literature, here are ten ways to make money from them.
1. Narrator
The most common way to make money from audiobooks is by doing audiobook narration. You can work for an audiobook company or find freelance work on websites like ACX or Voices.com. As a narrator, you will read the book aloud and bring the characters to life.
For audiobook narration, you will need several pieces of equipment which, if going for quality, will require some upfront capital. Audiobook narrators must have a high-quality microphone, soundproof space, audio interface, and editing software such as Audacity.
Next, make sure to work on your diction, ability to portray characters only using your voice, and train your stamina for long reading sessions. These skills will help you compete with other audiobook narrators in the industry.
As far as payment is concerned, audiobook narration averages at around $65,000 per year. However, if you decide on a freelance path and build up your experience and portfolio, you can look at $100 to $400 an hour.
2. Audio Producer
If you have experience in audio production, you can make money by making your own audiobooks. You will be responsible for recording, editing, and mastering the audio to ensure high quality.
Keep in mind that for this side hustle you will need advanced recording equipment, decent editing software, and soundproof recording environment.
If you have no prior experience in this area, it might be better for you to start smaller. The reason is simple – being an audio producer requires proficiency in audio production, editing, attention to detail, and even project management skills.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, you would be looking at an average sum of $70,000 per year.
3. Audio Editor
If you have strong editing skills, you can work as an audio editor for audiobooks. Your job will be to remove any background noise, adjust the volume, and ensure the audio is clear and crisp.
This particular gig doesn’t require any complex or expensive gear – all you need to start is an editing software and noise-canceling headphones.
In terms of skills, you should be confident in your editing skills, understanding sound quality, audio formats, and ensuring a smooth and clear end result.
Audio editors usually make around $63,000 on average. However, keep in mind that you could also pick up project-based gigs on the side for some extra income.
4. Proofreader
Audiobooks need proofreaders to ensure that the final product is error-free. As a proofreader, you will listen to the audiobook and make notes of any mistakes.
Being a proofreader does not require any huge upfront capital for software. All you need is a reliable pair of headphones and maybe note-taking software.
Be prepared to keep your attention at all times without dozing off and catch any language-related mistakes. Also, it would benefit you to understand audiobook formatting.
As for money, it’s not a very profitable area. You could expect something along the lines of $15 to $50 an hour, depending on your expertise and negotiating skills.
5. Voice Actor
If you have a talent for accents or impersonations, you can make money as a voice actor for audiobooks. You will give each character a unique voice and bring the story to life.
Being a voice actor requires 3 main things: high-quality microphone, soundproof room, and software for voice modulation. But the most important aspect is skill and dedication.
Even though this gig doesn’t require a lot of expensive tech, it does require a rare skill and lots of determination. If you’d like to take up this profession, work on your accents, character voices, and emotional range. These skills will be your main sales pitch.
Since it’s a rather demanding position, you can expect to make from $100 for a short clip to a staggering $10,000 for a starring role in animation. And if you’re voicing a main character in a cartoon, you can make more than you can even count.
6. Audiobook Reviewer
As an audiobook reviewer, you’ll get free audiobooks and often a small stipend in exchange for providing honest reviews of new titles.
This side hustle won’t charge you for any equipment – all you need are headphones and a streaming service.
If you’re good at writing, providing feedback, and have experience with different genres of audiobooks, this job could be yours for the taking.
It won’t make you a millionaire, but you can expect to get free audiobooks and/or get around $25 – $40 per hour for a review.
7. Affiliate Marketer
You can make money from audiobooks by becoming an affiliate marketer for sites like Audiobooks.com or Amazon’s Audible. You can earn a commission on every sale by promoting audiobooks through your affiliate link.
This method will require you to have a blog, a website, or a large following on social media. In essence, you need to sign up for Amazon Affiliates or other affiliate programs, and have a platform to advertise the audiobooks to generate sales and get commissions.
The earnings vary based on the value of the audiobook because your payment is commission-based. Usually, affiliate marketers get around 5% to 20% from a sale.
8. Audiobook Blogger
If you love to read and have a talent for writing, you can start a blog dedicated to audiobooks. You can make money from your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.
All you need is a blog website, creativity, and an internet connection. On top of that, you could take some SEO, copywriting, and content marketing courses to enhance your understanding of how blogs work and increase your reach.
Your earnings depend completely on how well you generate and convert incoming traffic.
9. Audiobook Marketer
If you have a background in marketing, you can make money by promoting audiobooks. You can work for an audiobook publisher or find freelance work promoting new titles.
Similarly to an audiobook blogger, you would only need an internet connection and some marketing software for scheduling posts on social media. Marketing knowledge and experience would be a huge plus.
The average marketing-related salary is around $68,000 per year with extra bonuses based on performance and sales.
10. Audiobook App Developer
If you have programming skills, you can make money by developing an audiobook app. Your app could offer unique features that make it stand out from the competition, or it could be a simple, streamlined way for users to purchase and listen to audiobooks.
For this gig you would need certain software development tools, testing devices, and other relevant coding stuff. Equipment aside, make sure you have decent programming skills, understanding of user interface/user experience, and knowledge of audiobook industry requirements for data and author rights’ protection.
The pay varies on the complexity of the app. It could be anything from $500 to $5,000 or more.
How to Become a Narrator on Audible
There are many different opportunities for audiobook narrators to find jobs online, but we found Audible to be the most convenient option. Here’s how to do it:
- Create an ACX account. ACX, also known as Audiobook Creation Exchange, is a platform run by Audible for authors, audiobook narrators, producers, and other professionals.
- Create a profile. Add a professional photo, highlight your voice style, range, experience, and other relevant traits.
- Prepare your portfolio. If you have done it in the past, make sure to add samples of your work to showcase your skills and experience.
- Audition for projects. Find audiobook narrator jobs that interest you and audition by submitting your voice recordings.
- Decide on payment. Select from royalties, hourly rates, project-based pay, or other alternatives.
- Do the work. If they hire you, narrate and edit the audiobook based on the terms both parties agreed upon.
- Submit the work. Send the finished task to the client for approval.
Conclusion
Making money from reading audiobooks is definitely a reality. There are many ways to do this, including book narration, becoming an audiobook producer, or creating an online store to sell audiobooks. While it is not always a quick and easy process, with dedication and knowledge, it is possible to make income from audiobooks.
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FAQ
What Is Amazon Audible?
Amazon Audible is a platform made for purchasing, streaming, and listening to audiobooks. It has a large selection of different audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content.
How Much Does Audible Pay to Read Books?
Payment varies by agreements. Some clients may pay $50 per hour, others could pay as much as $400 per hour.Â
How Much Are Audible Narrators’ Royalties?
If you selected a royalty-based payment model, you could expect to get up to 20% of the audiobook’s sales.
Can You Really Make Money From Reading Audiobooks?
A resounding yes to that, you can make money from reading audiobooks. From audiobook narrators to affiliate audiobook marketers, there are various ways to turn your love of audiobooks into a source of income.
