Audio books, A Profitable Revenue Stream

Audiobooks for Indies

According to Forbes.com digital audiobook revenue rose 32.1% in the first quarter of 2018, while ebook sales dropped 3.2%. Publishers are now earning more via audiobooks than mass market paperbacks. If you’re considering converting your book to an audiobook now is the time to do it! Getting your self-published book into audio format is not as daunting as you might think.

ACX- Amazon

The most recognizable name in audiobooks is undoubtedly Audible.com. As a subsidiary of Amazon, Audible is pretty hard to miss. Just as Amazon has done for ebooks with Kindle Direct Publishing, they’re making it easy for indie authors to create audiobooks and distribute them worldwide through ACX. ACX.com connects authors with narrators and audiobook producers. You have the option of paying narrators and producers a flat fees or revenue sharing. As with KDP, choosing to give Audible exclusive distribution rights will pay higher royalties to the author (40% with either a flat fee that varies by narrator or royalty sharing for production, as opposed to 25% with non-exclusive rights). Opting for exclusive rights makes your book available through Audible, Amazon and iTunes. Non-exclusive rights allow you to distribute with any retailer you choose. Be aware that authors do not set the purchase price. Each retailer sets the price independently. Payout of royalties has a $50 threshold. ACX does not market audiobooks, so that part is up to the author, but they do have a comprehensive marketing checklist. And anytime anyone joins Audible and your book is their first purchase you receive a $50 “bounty!

Findawayvoices.com is another option. According to their website they have the world’s largest distribution network. Like ACX, Findawayvoices connects authors with narrators and producers. Narrators are paid at a rate of $250 per finished hour. Estimated narration costs for a 50,000 word book is $1,350–$1,650. There are no exclusive agreements for distribution and the author holds all rights AND maintains control of pricing, marketing, and distribution. Findawayvoices distributes to over two dozen retailers and outlets including Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Google, and Overdrive a major distributor to libraries. Royalty structure depends on the business model you choose, and there are several options including retail, subscription and library models. Royalty rates range from 25-45%. Whatever rate you choose, Findawayvoices retains 20%. For example, if royalties on an audiobook priced at $20 were set at 25%, of that $5, you would keep $4 and Findawayvoices would keep $1. With most retailers, the payment threshold is $100.

Lion Heart Publishing Audiobook Creation Program-Coming Soon!

We’re very excited to announce that Lion Heart Publishing will soon offer Audiobook production! Production costs will be as little as half the price of other options with payment plans that anyone can afford. Royalty sharing options with no upfront costs will also be available for qualifying authors!