Not an Easy Gig
I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but narrating audiobooks is not an "easy gig" or a fast way to make income on the side. I'm always amused by those Instagram posts claiming that you can have a "great side-gig" by simply going to ACX (Audible and Amazon's audiobook platform), creating an account, and auditioning to narrate books. They make it sound like authors are just throwing their books at you -- begging you to narrate them.
Not true.
What they also don't tell you is that ACX has very specific standards for their audio files, which in turn requires you to have equipment, software, and experience with post-production editing in order for their platform to even be able to accept your audio files.
It's not cheap. It's not easy. It takes a lot of time and training and practice. It doesn't always pay that well, either. At least, not at first.
Who's Narrating Audiobooks?
My husband loves to listen to audiobooks from his favorite crime novelist. I listen, too, sometimes for ideas. The people who narrate these "big name" novels, however, aren't struggling to create and post auditions on ACX. They are voiceover professionals who have been in the game for awhile, and they don't have to fight for books from self-published authors on Amazon. Best-selling novelists don't shop for narrators on ACX.
Don't get me wrong, I've been very grateful and even flattered when authors have liked my auditions and offered me jobs narrating their books. I currently have six books on Audible, and they are all very different. They have also compensated me very differently as well (or in some cases, not at all).
Why Narrate Audiobooks?
The truth is, I've been seriously auditioning for about a year, and I'm a long way from making any serious money. So, why do I do it? Well, I'm not the only one in this situation, and I would imagine many of us audition for and narrate books because we love it. That's a pretty corny answer, but I'd be lying if I didn't also admit that with the passion for creating audiobooks also comes the ambition that someday I will "land" that big book deal and narrate a book for a best-selling author. In the meantime, I have to hone my craft. Nothing worth having comes easily, right?
Auditioning for Success?
Until then, I keep auditioning, but now I use a little more common sense, and I strategically use filters on the ACX platform when searching for auditions. For example, I no longer audition for books that pay only "Royalty Share" because that usually doesn't translate to any notable compensation. It's based solely on sales, and you split that with the author. Did I mention that ACX and Audible expect you and the author to promote the book? Yea. Not a real lucrative option.
Instead, I search for "Royalty Share Plus" and "PFH (per finished hour)" payment options. Addtionally, I research the author's Amazon sales ranking, past books and sales, etc. when choosing which books to audition for. In this way, I will be guaranteed a minimum of $50-$100 per finished hour-sometimes more- (understand that a "finished hour" usually amounts to about 4 hours of work), and maybe some sales revenue.
Narrating for the Future
Things are looking up, though! I just finished a book that paid a PFH rate along with a royalty share, so I will receive a percentage of the sales from that book on Audible. The author has a following, and we are working together to promote the book.
Now, for the shameless marketing plug. Each Audible book has a sample option -- you can listen to a sample of the book to see if it interests you. I invite you to head on over to Audible by clicking the link below, and check out my work. I'd love feedback as well, if you are so inclined.
Thanks for reading!
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