The Power of Audio: Why Turn a Book Into an Audiobook

You’ve finished your book and have celebrated the huge milestone of becoming a published author – congrats! Now it’s time to take your masterpiece to the next level and harness the power of audio. With U.S. audiobook revenue reaching $2 billion in 2023, according to an Audio Publishers Association 2024 sales survey, there is a huge incentive to turn your book into an audiobook. In fact, when more than half of the U.S. population aged 18 and older has listened to an audiobook, it would be a disservice to your work not to create an audiobook version of your work. And audiobook sales growth isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon, either. According to a 2024 report by Grand View Research, the U.S. audiobook market is expected to grow by 24.8% between now and 2030. 

Turning a book into an audiobook doesn’t just mean hopping on a numbers trend. For self-published and indie authors alike, creating an audiobook opens up a whole host of opportunities – for revenue, promotion, storytelling, and more. 

  

3 Reasons to Turn Your Book Into an Audiobook

   

1. Expand Your Revenue

Audiobooks are a reliable income stream. They are immune to supply chain issues and economic fluctuations. In fact, even as the economy struggled during the height of the pandemic, the audiobook format grew by 10%, according to a June 2023 report by WordsRated. Audiobooks are also relatively cheap and easy to make compared to traditional print books. Authors can anticipate costs from $300 to $2,500+ for audiobook creation. And, once produced, authors can reap the rewards of their audiobooks in multiple ways. 

Earn More Money Through Royalties

With Author’s Republic, you'll receive 80% of earned royalties from your audiobook sales across over 50 retail, library, and streaming platforms, including all major distributors such as Audible, Apple, Spotify, Hoopla, Overdrive, and more. This is, on average, higher royalties than authors see from traditional print books. 

Save on Cost Investment

Traditionally, self-published authors purchase copies of their own books and then sell them to make a profit. With audiobooks, authors can save on this inventory expense. 

Sell More With Audiobooks Always In Stock

Audiobooks never go out of stock, which means readers will never be frustrated when they go to purchase your title and find it unavailable. This means more potential earnings for you as an author. 

Capitalize on Additional Revenue Streams

Not only are audiobooks an additional source of revenue in and of themselves but they can also be sold as part of a bundled package with the printed edition of the book or with the eBook version, meaning more avenues for revenue for you. 

Increase Sales of Other Formats

When readers listen to an audiobook they love, they will often look to purchase a printed version as well to have on hand, helping you maximize your earnings. 

2. Expand Your Audience

It may seem obvious to say that when you turn your book into an audiobook you’ll reach new audiences, but the ways in which you’ll expand your readership are more than you might initially think. Don't miss out on reaching these subsets of readers; bring your book to life in audio and see just how big your audience can become. 

Reach The Audiobook Target Audience

Just as readers have personal genre preferences, they also have book format preferences. Some readers prefer to hold a physical book in their hands, while others need their hands free to enjoy a good book while commuting or walking the dog. The audiobook target audience includes these folks (commuters and multi-taskers), as well as auditory learners, travelers, and those who are "too busy to read" (working parents, teachers, business professionals, and more). When you turn your book into an audiobook, these people become potential new fanbase members. 

Increase Your Accessibility 

One of the primary reasons for turning books into audiobooks is to increase accessibility for those who are visually impaired or those with reading difficulties such as dyslexia.

Enhance Your Discoverability 

Did you know that having an audiobook version of your title makes you easier to find? Many audio platforms use recommendation algorithms, and having an audiobook version increases the chances of being found by listeners who may not be searching through conventional channels. 

Expand Your Promotion 

When you turn your book into an audiobook, you unlock a unique set of opportunities for marketing and promotion. Your title can be promoted via targeted podcast ads, collaborative projects with other authors, featured spotlights on audiobook platforms, and more. 

Reach Eco-Friendly Readers 

Many readers these days are conscious of their carbon footprint and don’t want to purchase printed books. When you turn a book into an audiobook, you’re marketing to this audience and helping the planet at the same time! 

3. Expand Your Story

Bring your book to life in a new way when you record your book with a professional audiobook narrator or narrate your book yourself! Turning books into audiobooks not only helps expand and refresh your story it also helps grow your brand as an author. 

Enliven Your Story

 Tapping into the audiobook market with a recorded version of your manuscript can bring life to your story in new and unexpected ways. From sound effects and music to multiple narrators for different characters, audiobooks add another dimension to traditional storytelling. Plus, if you’re so inclined, you can add a personal touch by recording the audiobook narration yourself. 

Grow Your Author Brand 

When you create an audiobook version of your title, you’re diversifying your portfolio and making yourself a more accessible, well-rounded author. This, in turn, increases your credibility and boosts your author reputation, further building your brand and your audience. 

    

Now that you understand the power of audio for storytelling and why to turn a book into an audiobook, it’s time to get started and bring your book to life in sound! 

Get Started Today

   

Editor’s Note: This post was originally written on May 13, 2022. It has been substantially revised as of March 25, 2025.