Over its nearly 30-year run, Audible has become a household name for online audiobooks. It’s nearly impossible to listen to a podcast these days without the host advertising an Audible subscription.
There is a good reason why all your favorite online services seem to advertise Audible: They can make good money doing so, and so can you. We’ll dive into how to make money on Audible and why it can be a solid side gig for extra cash.
What Is Audible?
Audible is an online audiobook service where book lovers can purchase their favorite published works in audio form. The service launched in 1995 and today offers its vast library to individuals either a la carte or via a variable subscription model. Audible has also expanded into the world of podcasts.
For those who subscribe to Audible, the service offers multiple subscription tiers, each providing you with a specific number of credits. The credits either replenish monthly or annually and can be exchanged for audiobooks.
Listeners can then enjoy their selected spoken word entertainment via Audible apps on smartphones and other smart devices.
3 Simple Ways to Make Money on Audible
While not always the first thought of those looking to pick up a side gig, Audible can be a lucrative offering for those willing to put in the work. Whether you want to dig into your creative side, write and narrate a book, or become an Audible affiliate, we’ll showcase a few ways to increase your bank balance with the service.
Join the Audible Affiliate Program
One of the easiest ways to earn money with the Audible platform is to engage in affiliate marketing using the company’s tools. Your favorite podcasts and YouTubers have done it, and now you can, too, with some work. Affiliate marketing is a perfect option for influencers looking to monetize their reach on social media.
To get started, all you need to do is become a member of the Audible Creator Program (Audible Affiliate Program). Once signed up, you’ll be able to promote a custom URL to others in hopes that they sign up for an Audible 30-day free trial. Not only will your listeners get a free trial to Audible with a free audiobook, but you’ll receive a $15 commission for each trial you generate.
If you’re already a member of the Amazon Associate Program, you can choose to promote Audible within your existing agreement with Amazon. For an Audible free trial sign-up, you’ll earn $5, while a Gold Digital Membership will net you $10. You can also earn money for a la carte purchases, with each audiobook worth 50 cents.
Create Your Own Audiobook
Ready to get your creative juices flowing? Consider creating your own audiobook for Audible. If you’ve got a story that you’ve been working on or even a book that you’ve already independently created, you may want to sell audio versions of it.
Turning your written word into an audiobook is easier than you think, thanks to the ACX platform. Brought to you by Audible and Amazon, ACX, also known as the Audiobook Creation Exchange, is a marketplace that enables professional narrators, authors and publishers to work together to create audiobooks.
If you aren’t up to writing your own book to be converted into an audio masterpiece, consider hiring a freelance writer to craft the book for you — all you need is an intriguing subject matter.
If you already have an audio version of your book (audio files), ACX helps you easily upload your content to multiple retail channels, including Audible, Amazon and iTunes. ACX offers numerous production earnings and cost models, so you can select what fits you best. Resources are also provided for those who want assistance promoting their books once available.
Become an Audiobook Narrator
Do you have the golden voice? Then you should consider narrating audiobooks to make some extra income on the side. All you need to get started with your audiobook narrator side gig is a good-quality microphone, a working computer and a quiet place to record. There are plenty of places where you can get started with voice work, one being the ACX platform.
In addition to offering a way for writers and publishers to have their written works turned into audiobooks, ACX provides a platform for voice artists to further their careers. ACX currently has nearly 800 titles open for voice auditions. Of course, other websites exist for selling your voice, including Voices.com and platforms such as Fiverr.
If you aren’t having any luck with voice auditions, you can consider voicing a public domain book, even though it likely won’t net you any money. But the process will allow you to familiarize yourself with the steps involved in producing a free audiobook and give you voice material to provide in future auditions. LibriVox is an excellent platform to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Actually Make Money From Audible?
Yes, you can make money using the Audible platform. There are three primary methods: becoming an affiliate, producing your audiobook or narrating audiobooks via the ACX platform.
How Much Do Audible Narrators Get Paid?
Not all Audible narrators get paid the same. If you are starting out, you may make only about $10 an hour for your time. However, a more experienced narrator may drive hundreds of dollars per hour.
How Do I Start Making Money on Audible?
Suppose you’re looking at how to make money on Audible. In that case, we suggest you either begin by signing up for the Audible Creator Program, in which you can earn commissions on 30-day trial sign-ups, or using the Audible ACX platform to make money narrating titles.
How Do I Get Paid to Read Audiobooks?
We recommend that you start with the ACX platform. Designed by Audible and Amazon, ACX enables voice narrators (such as yourself) to connect with authors and publishers. You can try out for audiobook auditions and, if selected, earn money reading books for the platform.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Pointypress specializing in technology.
