Exploring the Benefits of Audiobooks for Indie Authors

• June 19, 2023
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by Sheri Hoyte

You’ve published a book. Now it’s time to get it into the hands of readers. No small feat considering over 1.7 million books are self-published annually. Savvy authors provide readers with multiple purchase options to consider, mainly in the form of paperbacks, hardcovers, and ebooks. But what about audiobooks? Have you ever considered publishing your title as an audiobook?  

Authors should give this option serious consideration. Audiobook sales increased significantly during the lockdowns in 2020 and the growth trend continues. According to a news release by the Audio Publishers Association, 2022 showed the eleventh straight year of double-digit growth. The report also states that more than half the US population over the age of 18 has listened to an audiobook! And, while the platform is growing exponentially, that’s nowhere near the competition there is with print and ebooks.

Here are some advantages to consider:

Expanded Audience Reach

For bookworms who love diving into captivating stories but prefer a different reading experience or face challenges accessing physical books, audiobooks come to the rescue. Creating an audiobook opens up exciting opportunities to connect with a wave of readers who may have never stumbled onto your stories otherwise, providing openings to engage with readers who delight in listening to books during their daily commutes, invigorating workouts, or tranquil moments of relaxation.

Enhanced Reader Engagement

With audiobooks, storytelling takes on a whole new level, blending the art of narration, voice acting, and enchanting sound effects. They breathe life into stories in ways that traditional print books simply can’t replicate. The magic of audiobooks forms an intimate bond between the listener and the author’s creation, forging a connection that lingers long after the tale concludes. If you’ve been following me at all, you know I’m a character-driven kinda girl and audiobooks connect me to characters in a way beyond compare.

Cross-Promotion and Marketing Opportunities

Creating an audiobook can serve as an additional marketing tool for an indie author’s overall brand. It not only provides an opportunity to engage with a broader audience but also cross-promote the author’s other books, potentially driving sales in both print and digital formats.

Setting Yourself Apart in a Crowded Market

The indie publishing scene is highly competitive, and standing out can be challenging. Offering an audiobook version of a book can help indie authors differentiate themselves from the competition, making their work more appealing to readers looking for unique and immersive experiences.

Additional Revenue Stream

Producing an audiobook allows indie authors to diversify their income streams. Audiobooks are a significant segment of the publishing industry, and with the rising popularity of digital platforms like Audible, authors can earn royalties from both audiobooks, print and eBook sales.

By the way, here are some alternatives to publishing with Audible:

ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange): ACX is an audiobook publishing platform owned by Audible’s parent company, Amazon. It provides a platform for authors, publishers, and narrators to collaborate and produce audiobooks. By publishing through ACX, your audiobook can reach Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Findaway Voices: Findaway Voices is a self-publishing platform specifically designed for audiobooks. It offers distribution to major retailers, including Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, and more. Findaway Voices also provides options to find professional narrators for your audiobook or even narrate it yourself.

Author’s Republic: Author’s Republic is a distribution platform that enables authors to publish and distribute their audiobooks to various retailers and libraries. It offers access to Audible, as well as other platforms like Apple Books, Google Play, and OverDrive.

Kobo Writing Life: Kobo Writing Life is an ebook and audiobook publishing platform that distributes content to Kobo’s online store and their partner platforms. Through Kobo Writing Life, you can make your audiobook available to a global audience.

These are just a few alternatives to consider when publishing your audiobook. Each platform has its own features, distribution reach, and royalty structures, so be sure to do your research and compare the options to find the best fit for your audiobook publishing needs.

Skeptics Remain, but Audiobooks Forge Their Place in the Literary World

I have to laugh when I encounter debates about audiobooks not being proper books. It’s the same argument die-hard print book readers have held since the dawn of eBooks.

Still, there is no denying eBooks have found their place alongside printed works. Audiobooks are assuming their space in the literary world as well, offering an increasingly valuable format that brings stories to life in a whole other way.

I love audiobooks and will listen to them over reading the printed or ebook version—when given the opportunity. I think that comes from reading books for a living. It’s nice to have someone tell me a story. I feel pampered being read to while I’m out walking or on a road trip or even while I’m out running errands. Give me a jigsaw puzzle and an audiobook and you won’t hear from me for days. But even grabbing a few minutes here and there with an audiobook has quickly become my personal escape time when a printed book or eBook just won’t do.

New Listener?

If you’re new to listening to audiobooks, here are a couple of personal recommendations. There are so many more I’ve listened to and loved – these three stood out to me as books I will listen to again due to their phenomenal deliveries.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Perpetual Gloom by Shelah A. Johnson
The All: God of Nothing by Shane Scott

In the end, creating an audiobook does require additional investments in time and resources. However, the potential benefits make it an avenue worth considering for indie authors.

Have you taken the dive into the audiobook world? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience!