A Comprehensive GuideAudiobooks have grown in popularity as a means for busy people to consume literature in today's fast-paced environment; and as a result,...

A Comprehensive Guide

Audiobooks have grown in popularity as a means for busy people to consume literature in today's fast-paced environment; and as a result, authors are seeking ways to make their books available on popular platforms like Audible.

This guide will explore the process of turning your written masterpiece into an audiobook, covering topics such as self-publishing, production costs, and effective marketing strategies.

Let's dive in and learn how you can get your book listed on Audible, expand your reach, and potentially become the next best-selling author.

Should I Even Make an Audiobook?

Creating an audiobook is an excellent way for indie authors to maximize their book sales. The audiobook market has been growing steadily, and platforms like Amazon's Audible, iTunes, and Kobo have become key sales channels.

Furthermore, making your work available in audio format increases accessibility, ensuring that even people who don't have time to sit down with a physical book can still enjoy your story.

Is Publishing Different from Listing?

Yes, publishing and listing do have different connotations, especially in the context of books and audiobooks.

Publishing refers to the entire process of preparing a book or audiobook for public consumption. This process includes various stages such as writing, editing, formatting, creating cover art, and possibly recording the audiobook version. Once these steps are complete, the book or audiobook is considered published, even if it has not been listed for sale yet.

Listing, on the other hand, refers to the act of putting a published book or audiobook up for sale on a specific platform or multiple platforms. This can include physical bookstores, online retailers like Amazon, or audiobook platforms like Audible. When you list a book, you're making it available for purchase, and it's at this point that you decide on factors like price, distribution channels, and whether to enroll in certain programs (like Kindle Unlimited for eBooks, for instance).

So, in the context of Audible and ACX, after the audiobook is produced (published), you will list it on the platform, providing necessary information like the title, author's name, description, and price. Then, once it's approved by ACX, the audiobook is made available for purchase (listed) on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

What are the key steps to follow when publishing a book on Audible for the first time, and how can authors navigate this process successfully?

Some key steps to publishing a book on Audible:

1. Evaluate Suitability: Assess if your book is a good fit for the audiobook format.

2. Prepare Your Book: Ensure your manuscript is finalized and edited.

3. Choose a Production Method: Decide to either self-record or hire a professional narrator.

4. Find a Narrator: Use platforms like ACX to find the perfect voice if you're not narrating.

5. Record: Ensure a quiet, echo-free environment and high-quality recording equipment.

6. Edit and Master Audio: Clean up your audio files to meet Audible's standards.

7. Review: Listen to the entire audiobook for errors or inconsistencies.

8. Create a Cover: Design an audiobook cover that meets Audible's requirements.

9. Set Up ACX Account: Create an account on ACX, the platform for publishing to Audible.

10. Submit for Review: Upload your audiobook and its details onto ACX.

11. Choose Distribution and Pricing: Decide on your distribution channels and set pricing.

12. Promote: After approval, start promoting your audiobook.

The steps outlined above are generally applicable whether you are a first-time publisher or an experienced one. However, if you're publishing for the first time, there are a few additional considerations that might help you navigate the process more smoothly:

1. Research and Understanding: It's vital to familiarize yourself with the audiobook landscape. Understand the genre trends, best practices, and consumer expectations. Spend time listening to popular audiobooks to grasp what works best in this format.

2. Legal Understanding: Make sure you have a clear understanding of the rights associated with your book. If you have a traditional book publishing contract, ensure that you have retained your audiobook rights.

3. Budgeting: As a first-time publisher, creating a budget for your audiobook production is crucial. This includes costs for narration, production, editing, mastering, and marketing.

4. Quality Control: Invest time and resources in ensuring high-quality production. This might mean hiring a professional narrator, sound engineer, or producer.

5. Marketing Plan: Unlike experienced publishers who might already have an audience, as a first-time publisher, you need to think about how you'll reach your listeners. This may involve social media marketing, email newsletters, collaborations with other authors, etc.

6. Patience: It's important to have patience during this process. Audiobook approval on ACX can take up to 30 business days, and building an audience for your book can take even longer. Persistence is key.

Remember, publishing on Audible for the first time is a learning process. You'll learn a lot along the way, and each subsequent publication will likely be smoother than the last.

What is ACX

ACX, or Audiobook Creation Exchange, is an online marketplace owned by Audible, which is in turn owned by Amazon. It connects authors, publishers, narrators, producers, and rights holders to facilitate the creation and distribution of audiobooks.

How Do Authors List Their Books on Audible?

Breaking into the audiobook market may seem overwhelming at first, but it's a process that's been designed to be user-friendly, even for first-time authors. Here are the essential steps you need to take to get your book listed on Audible:

1. Create an ACX account: If you have an Amazon or Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) account, you can use the same credentials to log in.

2. Claim your book: Look up your Kindle book on ACX and claim it as your own.

3. Decide on narration: Choose whether to narrate the book yourself or hire a professional narrator.

4. Set up payment: Decide whether to pay your narrator upfront or opt for a royalty share program.

5. Upload your audiobook: Ensure your audio files meet Audible's standards and then upload them to ACX.

6. Wait for review: ACX will review your submission and, if approved, will distribute it on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

While ACX is a great platform, authors can also consider other audiobook distributors like Findaway Voices and Author’s Republic. These platforms offer non-exclusive contracts, meaning you can distribute your audiobook through multiple channels, including OverDrive and Apple Books.

Remember, every best-selling author on Audible started with their first upload. With persistence and quality content, you can join their ranks.

What Are Audible’s Requirements?

Audible has strict requirements regarding the quality of audio files. They must be high-quality, free from background noise, and correctly formatted. In addition, your book cover must meet certain specifications. The book's content should also comply with Audible's content policy.

The Cost of Producing a Book on Audible

The cost of audiobook production can vary significantly. You can choose to DIY, which entails recording and editing the audio files yourself, a route that may save you money but also requires technical skill and a lot of time.

Alternatively, you could hire a professional narrator and audiobook producer, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per finished hour, depending on the experience of the professionals you engage.

Can I Self-Publish on Audible?

Absolutely. In fact, self-publishing on Audible is a popular choice among many authors. The process primarily involves creating an account with Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), a platform owned by Audible.com. ACX is essentially a marketplace where authors, audiobook producers, and narrators connect.

Book Launch on Audible Timeline

From start to finish, creating your own audiobook could take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your production method. Once submitted, ACX generally takes about 10-14 business days to review your audiobook. If your audiobook is approved, it will be live on Audible within a few days.

Why Didn’t My Book Get Selected by Audible?

If your book gets rejected, it could be due to poor audio quality, inappropriate content, or a subpar book cover. Thankfully, ACX provides specific feedback on why your book didn't make the cut. It's important to monitor for rejection notices, make the necessary improvements, and submit an appeal if needed.

5 Marketing Strategies of Best-Selling Authors

1. Utilize social media: Promote your audiobook on various social media platforms. You can even create a podcast to provide snippets or related content.

2. Leverage your email list: Send out an announcement to your subscribers and offer special promotions.

3. Book reviews: Ask for reviews from your readers. Positive reviews can significantly boost your book sales.

4. Author collaborations: Collaborate with other authors to promote each other's books.

5. Paid advertising: Consider using paid advertising on platforms like Amazon or Facebook.

Remember, as a self-published author, your work doesn't end when you hit publish. Marketing your book effectively is crucial to your success.

Getting your book listed on Audible is a journey, but it can be an incredibly rewarding one. By following these guidelines and maintaining a commitment to high quality, you can open up a whole new channel for sharing your work with the world.