Alright, you did it. The hard part is over. You wrote your book and have it in your hands. You've spent months, possibly even years, writing this book. But... have you thought about publishing the audiobook version of it?
Remember when you were in grade school and your teacher explained that there are all types of learners: visual learners, auditory learners, kinesthetic learners, and those that learn from reading and writing? Well, congrats on knocking off one of those ways to learn from the list—but what about the people who learn or hear stories best from listening?
There is so much power and opportunity in publishing an audiobook. Audiobooks have become the largest growing segment in publishing and more than 26% of people listen to audiobooks.
Why People Listen to Audiobooks
Audiobooks allow for the opportunity to multitask—and that's priceless in the busy world that we live in! You can listen in the car, while you're going for a job, while you're unloading the dishwasher... the options are endless. For those who are busy juggling kids, a career, and more, they can still listen and enjoy their favorite books. And sometimes, the narrator of a book can really enhance the experience!
How to Publish an Audiobook
- Make sure that you have a digital version of your book. You (or your narrator) don't want to record while turning physical pages—the mic will pick up this noise.
- Are you recording or are you going to hire someone to do this? If you wrote a memoir or nonfiction book, I highly suggest you record the audiobook book yourself. It makes it more personable for your audience and enjoyable for you. Not to mention, this will lower your cost. However, if you wrote a fiction book, you may need to hire someone with an acting skill set.
- Decide if you will be recording at home or in a recording studio. Recording studios can get quite pricey, but you don't have to worry about any sound issues such as family, pets, cars outside, etc., which would be a concern if you were recording it from your house.
- Work with an audiobook producer. I know many of us want to have our hands in all aspects of a project like this, but take my advice and let an expert take the wheel. There is a lot more that goes into the producing side of an audiobook than you would think. There is a learning curve when it comes to fixing audio, making sure the volume is the same throughout the book, and adding music. If you record at home, you need a good USB mic. I recommend the Blue Yeti, a well-insulated room or soundbox, and finally a recording software (Audacity is free).
- Once you've finished recording and the producer has finished editing, you can upload your files to an audiobook platform like ACX or Findaway. These platforms then upload your audiobook to listening platforms like Amazon's Audible, Apple, and Scribd. Do your research to find the right platform based on your publisher goals.
Tips for Recording an Audiobook
If you'll be recording an audiobook yourself, here are a few tips and tricks!
- Turn your phone on airplane mode
- Turn off all fans
- Keep water and chapstick near
- Stay consistent in distance from the mic and the volume in your voice
- Use the digital version of your book
- Read the chapter from beginning to end
- Be prepared to mess up and not get frustrated with yourself
- Record in a small space
Publishing an audiobook will give you an additional stream of income, help you build authority in your space, define your mission, and create an entirely new experience around the stories you're sharing with the world. I hope these tips help you get started!
