Difficulty Level: 4/10 (Easier than writing a book, buty takes effort or money to record and distribute)
Audiobooks: Turning Your Voice into a $10K Audio Opportunity
If you don't have an audiobook you are invisible to 50% of your potential audience.
While traditional book readership has slowed, audiobooks are gaining traction. This is a $5 billion industry, and demand continues to rise. People are busier than ever, and audio allows them to consume content while driving, working out, or doing daily tasks.
If you already have a manuscript, recording an audiobook adds an additional revenue stream.
Audiobooks also enhance credibility.
When customers see ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook options on your Amazon page, they perceive you as a professional. Having an audiobook listed alongside your book signals to potential buyers that your content is well-developed.
Beyond credibility, audiobooks generate meaningful revenue.
Many authors overlook this opportunity, but those who capitalize on it are able to significantly increase their earnings.
How to Record and Package Your Audiobook
You can record and distribute your audiobook yourself or hire a narrator.
Findaway Voices allows you to self-publish audiobooks, much like Amazon KDP does for books. They distribute your audiobook to major platforms, including Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, and other retailers. As the author, your role is to produce and edit the audiobook, while Findaway handles distribution.
Some platforms, such as Audible through ACX, require exclusivity in exchange for higher royalties.
However, non-exclusive distribution allows you to sell your audiobook on your own website, giving you more control over pricing.
Options for Recording
Recording your own audiobook can create a stronger connection with listeners.
If a customer hears your voice in an audiobook and later interacts with you through coaching, courses, or live events, they feel like they already know you. This increases trust and makes them more likely to buy from you again.
DIY Recording Setup
Microphone: Shure & Preamp or Rode Wireless Go 2 ($150-$400)
Software: Descript ($30/month)
Recording Tips
Read slower than usual. Audiobooks sound better when paced naturally.
If you make a mistake, pause and restart the line. Descript will mark it as a retake, simplifying editing.
Turn off background noise like air conditioners or fans before recording.
Use Descript’s "Studio Sound" feature to enhance vocal quality.
Record one chapter at a time as separate files. This makes editing easier and prevents data loss.
Treat audiobook recording as a final edit of your book. Fix any errors you find while reading aloud.
Hiring a Narrator
If you prefer not to record your audiobook, you can hire a professional narrator. Narrators typically charge between $150-$400 per finished hour. Because mini books are shorter, your total cost may range from $150-$600.
Findaway Voices has a built-in marketplace for professional narrators, making the process simple. Hiring a narrator is a good option if you want a polished recording without the time commitment of DIY production.
Using AI as a Narrator
AI-generated narration is becoming more common. Audible offers AI-generated narration through KDP, but the quality is inconsistent. If you choose AI, consider using ElevenLabs, which provides higher-quality text-to-speech conversion.
AI narration can be a cost-effective option, but it lacks the personal connection of a human voice. If you plan to use your audiobook as a relationship-building tool, recording it yourself is the better choice.
Pricing Strategies
On Audible, (Amazons audiobook service and the big boy of the industry) authors cannot control pricing, but we can sell it other ways.
On Audible sets prices based on audiobook length, which often results in your mini audiobook price between $5-$7. This makes it difficult to generate substantial revenue unless you have high sales volume.
Outside of Audible, you have more flexibility. Selling audiobooks directly allows you to set pricing that aligns with your revenue goals.
For a niche non fiction book, I found $20 is a sweet spot for an audiobook.
It is inexpensive enough to be obtainable. Premium enough to be valued. Plus it is desirable enough to get someone to pull the trigger so they can get the information quickly.
When you combine your audiobook with your existing book, exciting things happen.
The $10K Mini Audiobook Playbook:
When I launched The Independent Adjuster's Playbook, I earned $2,000 in the first week, largely because of the audiobook. I used a simple sales funnel to increase the average order value.
Here’s how the funnel worked:
Free + Shipping Offer – I offered a free physical copy of the book if the customer paid $7 for shipping.
Audiobook Upsell – During checkout, I offered an audiobook and ebook bundle for $20. This gave buyers immediate access to the content while they waited for the book.
Final Upsell – After checkout, I introduced an additional product bundle priced at $40. This provided deeper resources related to the book’s topic.
By the end of the first week, 100 customers had purchased through this funnel, with an average order value of $20. If I had continued running this system, I would have easily surpassed $10,000 in audiobook sales within the year.
This approach can be replicated. If handling physical book shipping is a challenge, focus on digital bundles instead. Offer an ebook + audiobook package for $20-$30 on your website. Since Findaway Voices allows non-exclusive distribution, you can sell audiobooks at a higher price outside of Audible.
Volume Play: $10K Mini Audiobook Funnel
If you want a step-by-step system for selling audiobooks at a higher price, here’s a proven approach:
Offer a Free Chapter – Let potential buyers listen to the first chapter of your audiobook for free.
Sell the Audiobook + Ebook Bundle – Price it at $20-$30 on your website.
Add an Upsell – Offer digital products, downloads, courses, etc. for an additional $40-$100 at checkout.
Subscription Option – Consider a monthly membership where subscribers get access to new audiobook content.
This method increases the average order value while making the audiobook part of a broader product ecosystem.
High-Ticket Play: $99 Audiobook Funnel
Instead of just selling an audiobook, sell access to YOU. by bundling it with a 1-hour consultation call for $99.
Here’s why this works:
They hear your voice twice, in the audiobook and on the call, building instant trust.
You position yourself as an expert, not just an author.
The call delivers value while naturally leading to higher-ticket coaching or services.
Set it up with a simple landing page, deliver the audiobook immediately, and let them book the call through something like Calendly. If just 100 people buy, that’s $9,900, plus the potential for long-term clients.
At the end of your consultation you offer them ongoing services to your coaching product or service with a simple call to action, "Would you like to keep working together to accomplish this?'
Because you've proven you know your stuff, they know your thinking, this calls helps them decide if they like working with you.
If your goal is to sell high-ticket services, start treating your audiobook like a front-end sales tool.
Remember, think differently.
Most authors just sell books, but revenue writers build businesses.
What Comes Next
Audiobooks are a great way to generate revenue, but they can also serve as a gateway to bigger opportunities. Many buyers who purchase an audiobook want more. The next step is offering digital products that expand on your book’s content.
Audiobooks open the door to premium buyers. But the real game is in creating scalable digital assets.
Ready?
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