10 Easy Steps to Create an Audiobook for Beginners

The idea of creating an audiobook might seem a little overwhelming at first but it can get easier if you have the right idea and tools to get it done. After getting complete guidance in the process, you can create an audiobook easily without finding it intimidating. If you are an author and a beginner in the industry, here are the 10 simple steps for creating an audiobook. 

1. Find a Compelling Story

Either you can find a compelling story to read written by some other author or you can read your own written works. If you are approaching others, make sure to get permission and approval from the author of the story before using it for your business as there are certain copyright issues. You have to discuss about royalties as well. 

2. Schedule Your Recording

Planning how you are going to record the book is the first and most important step that will help you create a schedule. Consider how many pages the book has and how much reading time you might require. An audiobook of 1 hour can include somewhere around 9000 words and to get one recording, you would have to record for at least 2 to 3 hours.

3. Opt for a Narrator

The voice of the narrator is the USP here. While you can do it yourself, it might not be as good as a professional doing it for you. They have better experience in the field and are capable of making the story sound more compelling. Look for the ideal voice, tone, and character details of the stories to opt for the right narrator. 

4. A Recording Studio

There are many narrators who have their own recording studio. You can talk to them or you can also set up your own recording studio at home. It will require a bit of investment in that case as you need a professional microphone and soundproof headphones as well as an isolated noise-proof room that offers crisp sound quality. You might need to create some environmental sounds as well. 

5. Time to Record the Audiobook

It is better to divide the audiobook into different chunks and record it separately which makes it sound better. If you record for too long in one go, it can make your voice tired. So make sure to have a clean take every time so that you do not need to re-do it. 

6. Edit the Audiobook

There are two ways you can edit your recordings. Either you can edit the recordings all by yourself or you can hire a professional sound engineer in this case, while the latter is more recommended, you can also DIY it with the help of audio editing software. There are also many AI-based tools that can assist you in the process. 

7. Attractive Cover Art

Many will say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ but it does not work in this digital age. When you are about to avail of audiobooks, there is no point in listening to or knowing the whole story. So, the listeners mainly depend on the cover art of the book, and based on its attractiveness and relevance; they pick a book. So, always make sure to offer a proper cover art that can pique interest among all. 

8. Publish Audiobook

After your audiobook is done and ready to launch, you need to look for a distribution platform that can help you publish your finished audiobook. While opting for the distributor, you must check how much they are keeping from you as commission. 

9. Monetize Content

It is recommended to work with the bigger audiobook distributors that are credible, professional, and can automatically monetize your audiobook without any hassle. While the percentage of royalty can differ, it stays most similar for major distributors. So, make sure to be attentive to terms and conditions when signing your contract.

10. Promote the Audiobook

In this digital landscape, it is hard to get organic exposure as the market has become highly competitive. You need to apply different marketing strategies for promotion such as social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and the list goes on. 

Bottom Line

As you can see, creating an audiobook is not rocket science but with the right approach and tools; you can execute it efficiently. However, it is recommended to help from the professionals as they can help you better results and also guide you with the knowledge, offering more room to improve.