How to Sell Audiobooks on Audible

Selling audiobooks on Audible, a subsidiary of Amazon is a lucrative opportunity for authors and publishers. This detailed guide will walk you through publishing and selling your audiobook on Audible.

Getting Started

Before selling your audiobook on Audible, you need to have a book. Begin by selecting a topic you’re passionate about or have substantial knowledge of. The initial step involves writing and publishing your book, which can be done through platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). You can either write the book yourself or use AI writing tools to assist. Once your book is written, it needs to be edited and formatted correctly, which can be done by hiring professionals on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork​​.

Creating Your Audiobook

Audiobook Production

After your book is published, you can convert it into an audiobook. You can record the audiobook if you’re confident in your narration skills. You’ll need a good quality microphone, like the Blue Yeti or Samson Q2U, and ensure that your recording is clean, free from external noises, and professionally edited. Alternatively, you can use services like Speechify Voice Over Studio, which offers a variety of natural-sounding voices in different languages and accents​​.

Hiring a Narrator

If you’re uncomfortable narrating your book, consider hiring a professional narrator. You can find narrators through platforms like ACX, where they offer a marketplace of professional audiobook producers. These narrators, also called producers, are vetted and approved by ACX, ensuring high-quality narration for your audiobook​​.

Publishing on Audible

Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)

To publish your audiobook on Audible, use the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). This platform makes it easy to produce and distribute your digital audiobook. It offers options to hire professional producers or engage in a royalty-sharing partnership. ACX distributes to leading audiobook retailers like Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It also provides features like Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading, enhancing the listening experience​​.

Uploading and Approval

Once your audiobook is ready, upload it to ACX. Remember to name each audio file with its corresponding chapter number. Approval from ACX can take up to 30 business days. If you encounter any issues or have questions, ACX’s help center is a valuable resource​​.

Royalties and Distribution

On ACX if you publish your audiobook exclusively, you’ll earn a 40% royalty on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes retail sales. If you opt for non-exclusive distribution or retain rights, your earnings will be 25% of retail sales. It’s important to note that there are other platforms for audiobook distribution, such as Author’s Republic, Kobo, and Publish Drive, each with different royalty shares and distribution networks​​.

Technical Requirements

When uploading your audiobook to ACX, you must adhere to their technical requirements. This includes ensuring the audio files are of the correct format and quality and uploading a high-resolution cover art image. ACX provides detailed guidelines for the audio and cover art requirements​​.

Promoting Your Audiobook

After publishing your audiobook, focus on marketing and promotion to maximize sales. Consider strategies like social media marketing, email campaigns, and leveraging your existing reader base. Engaging with audiobook review sites and podcasts can also effectively reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

Selling audiobooks on Audible is a multi-step process that involves writing and publishing a book, creating or outsourcing an audiobook production, and navigating the technical and marketing aspects of Audible’s platform. Authors can successfully tap into the growing audiobook market with dedication and the right strategies.