Audiobooks have transformed the way people enjoy stories, offering a hands-free, immersive experience that fits into even the busiest lifestyles. For authors and publishers, this rising trend opens up an exciting opportunity: turning written words into spoken narratives that reach new audiences.
But stepping into the audiobook market isn’t just about creating an engaging recording; it’s also about understanding how to price, publish, and market your work effectively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to sell audiobooks successfully, from production tools to distribution platforms and marketing strategies.
Photo from Freepik
How Do You Create an Audiobook?
Creating an audiobook can be a simple process provided you have the right tools for the job. Start with a polished script and a quiet space for recording, or consider hiring a professional narrator to give your story the perfect voice. Once your recordings are complete, you’ll need software to edit and refine the audio. From there, you can bring it all together into a cohesive audiobook using Kotobee Narrator, which lets you compile your audio files and prepare them for publishing.
💡 Important Read: How to Make an Audiobook in 5 Steps
Where Can You Publish Your Audiobook?
With your audiobook polished and ready, the next step is choosing where to publish it. But before you make a decision, you should understand the difference between the major online platforms and what they offer. While some of them may give you access to large markets, this can come at the cost of reduced royalties. That is why it’s important to weigh your options carefully.
Here is a list of the most well-known platforms on which you can publish and sell your audiobook:
- Findaway Voices (Transitioning into Voices by INaudio): Owned by Spotify, Findaway Voices connects you with several retailers from which you can sell your audiobooks. You’ll earn 100% of royalties from sales made on Spotify, but for other retailers, your share drops to 80%.
- Author’s Republic: Like Findaway Voices, Author’s Republic allows you to publish your audiobook at every major retailer. If you publish with this aggregator, you can keep up to 80% of your royalties.
- ACX: Amazon’s ACX allows you to publish on Audible, the largest audiobook marketplace in the US. If you choose a non-exclusive agreement, you’ll earn 25% of the sales price. However, if you go exclusive with Audible, your royalty rate increases to 40%, and your audiobook will be distributed across Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.
- Kobo Writing Life: This platform offers a reliable publishing and distribution channel, where your audiobook can be sold on the Kobo Store as well as partner websites like Booktopia. However, keep in mind that you will earn 45% of royalties for audiobooks priced over $2.99. If you price yours lower than that, you will earn only 35%.
- Google Play Books: Google Play Books is a great way to tap into a rapidly evolving audiobook market and establish your brand quickly. On this platform, you can earn up to 70% in royalties. Just keep in mind that this rate is only available to you if you operate in any of the 60+ eligible countries.
Here’s a table that compares each platform’s highest royalty rates and the conditions for earning them:
| Platform | Royalty Rates | Higher Rate Conditions |
| Findaway Voices | 80–100% | If publishing exclusively on Spotify |
| Author’s Republic | 80% | Flat rate |
| ACX | 25–40% | If publishing exclusively on Audible |
| Kobo Writing Life | 35–45% | If selling audiobooks for more than $2.99 |
| Google Play Books | 52–70% | Only available in select countries |
Selling Your Audiobook with Kotobee
The platforms we mentioned previously are quite popular among authors who want to break into the audiobook market quickly. But they often come with trade-offs, like reduced royalties or limited control over pricing and distribution. So if you’re looking for a more rewarding approach that lets you keep full ownership and earnings, Kotobee offers flexible alternatives.
Here’s how you can publish your audiobook with Kotobee:
- Kotobee Books: This platform allows you to self-publish your audiobook for free and earn 100% of your royalties. Plus, you maintain control over every aspect of the publishing process.
- Kotobee Library: To publish a collection of audiobooks (as well as ebooks), you can set up a virtual bookshelf with Kotobee Library. This digital library can then be embedded into your website, or it can be exported as desktop or mobile apps.
Setting a Price for Your Audiobook
Pricing your audiobook can depend on a number of factors, such as its genre, audience, and quality of narration. However, the most common standard used for pricing audiobooks is according to the total runtime, or how long the audiobook is. Below is a breakdown of this pricing model, which was first put in place by Audible:
| Duration of Audiobook | Pricing |
| Under 1 hour | Under $7 |
| From 1 to 3 hours | $7 – $10 |
| From 3 to 5 hours | $10 – $20 |
| From 5 to 10 hours | $15 – $25 |
| From 10 to 20 hours | $20 – $30 |
| Over 20 hours | $25 – $35 |
5 Tips to Help You Market Your Audiobook
One of the most effective ways to increase audiobook sales is by growing your audience, which is easier to do with smart marketing. Using the right strategies, you can reach new listeners and grow your fanbase, sometimes for free! Here are a few proven tactics to consider:
- Upselling your audiobook: One way to encourage more sales is through upselling, which means offering additional items at discounted prices alongside your audiobook. For example, you can bundle it with a companion ebook, a shorter bonus audiobook, or even a mini-course to increase its value and appeal.
- Using your newsletter to tell readers about the audiobook: Your email subscribers are often your most loyal and engaged audience, more so than casual social media followers. That’s why your newsletter is the perfect place to announce your audiobook, share behind-the-scenes insights, and even offer a special discount to early listeners.
- Offering free sample chapters: Just as with ebooks, many listeners might want a quick sample of your audiobook before committing to buying it. So, make sure to share the first chapter of your audiobook for free to hook your audience and build interest.
- Paying for ads and promotion: Paid ads can be a great way to draw attention to your audiobook, especially on social media and Google search. For example, you can use Facebook ads to market your audiobook on both Facebook and Instagram at the same time.
- Requesting professional reviews of your audiobook: Getting your audiobook reviewed by professionals is one of the most effective ways to build credibility and reach a wider audience. These reviews tend to be honest, detailed, and credible, which boosts your overall professional image. Moreover, they encourage new listeners to give your work a try!
Photo from Freepik
Final Thoughts
At first glance, selling your audiobook might seem like an easy decision; just pick a platform and sell on it. But to maximize your earnings and maintain control over the process, you’ll need to choose your distribution method carefully. What’s more, you need a solid marketing strategy that can help you reach as many people as possible. So, in order to stay on top of it all, make sure to bookmark this article and come back to it if you need a refresher!
Do you have any insights about selling or marketing audiobooks? Share them with us in the comments!
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How to Make an Audiobook in 5 Steps (and the Best Types of Books to Start With)
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