Can a person make money with amazon audiobooks? Yes, it is absolutely possible to make money with Amazon audiobooks. The main platform you would use to do this is Amazon’s Audible via ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), which allows authors, narrators, and producers to collaborate on creating and selling audiobooks. 

Key Ways to Make Money with Amazon Audiobooks

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how you can make money with Amazon audiobooks:

1. Publishing Audiobooks via Amazon ACX

ACX is the platform that connects authors with narrators and producers to create audiobooks. If you’re an author, or if you own the rights to a book, you can convert your work into an audiobook and sell it on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Here’s how it works:

How to Get Started:

• Write or Own a Book: You either need to be the author of the book or own the rights to an existing book that you want to turn into an audiobook.
• Create an Audiobook: You can either narrate the book yourself if you have the right equipment and skills, or you can hire a narrator through ACX. ACX offers a marketplace where narrators and producers can bid for your project, giving you access to professional talent.
• Upload to ACX: Once the audiobook is recorded and edited, you upload it to ACX for distribution. Your audiobook will then be available for sale on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.

Royalties:

• Exclusive Distribution: If you choose to distribute your audiobook exclusively through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, you’ll earn up to 40% in royalties on each sale.
• Non-Exclusive Distribution: If you choose to distribute your audiobook on multiple platforms (e.g., selling through other retailers), you’ll earn 25% royalties on sales through Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Costs:

• You can pay narrators upfront for their work or split the royalties with them, depending on the agreement. ACX allows royalty share deals where the narrator and the author split the profits, making it a lower-cost option for authors who don’t want to pay upfront fees for narration.

Monetization: Once your audiobook is live, you’ll earn royalties on each sale. The better your marketing and the more popular the audiobook, the more money you can make.

2. Narrating Audiobooks as a Freelancer

If you have a good voice and enjoy narration, you can also make money as a narrator through ACX. Many authors need narrators for their audiobooks, and ACX acts as a marketplace where authors and narrators can connect.

How to Get Started:

• Set Up an ACX Profile: Create a narrator profile on ACX, showcasing your voice and talents. Upload samples of your narration in different genres to give authors an idea of your range.
• Audition for Audiobooks: Authors and rights holders post their projects on ACX, and narrators can audition for the role. Once selected, you’ll work with the author to record the audiobook.
• Get Paid: You can either charge an upfront fee or work on a royalty share basis. The royalty share option allows you to earn a percentage of each sale for as long as the audiobook is available.

Monetization: Narrators can make money upfront or through royalties. Top narrators on ACX can earn a significant income by building a portfolio of audiobooks and earning long-term royalties.

3. Self-Publishing Audiobooks (Leveraging Existing Books)

If you’re already an author with books published on Amazon (via Kindle Direct Publishing, for example), turning your existing books into audiobooks is a smart way to expand your audience and create an additional income stream.

• Cross-Platform Sales: Once your audiobook is created, it will be sold on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes, tapping into different customer bases. Offering both eBooks and audiobooks increases your reach and allows customers to choose their preferred format.
• Whispersync for Voice: Amazon’s Whispersync feature allows readers to switch between an eBook and an audiobook seamlessly. If you have both versions available, readers can purchase them together as a bundle, earning you more per customer.

Monetization: Audiobooks are often priced higher than eBooks, meaning you can potentially earn more per sale. Combining both formats enhances your earnings and exposure.

4. ACX Bounty Program

ACX also offers a bounty program, which can be a lucrative way to earn additional income.

How It Works:

• When a new Audible member purchases your audiobook as their first title, you can earn a bounty of $50. This is in addition to the royalties you earn on the sale itself.
• The bounty is awarded when the new customer subscribes to Audible and picks your audiobook as their first purchase.
• You can promote your audiobook to earn these bounties by sharing a unique ACX bounty referral link on your website, blog, or social media.

Monetization: If you have a strong marketing presence, the bounty program can significantly boost your income, especially if you attract new Audible members.

5. Repurposing Content into Audiobooks

If you’re a content creator (such as a blogger, podcaster, or YouTuber), you can repurpose your existing content into audiobooks. This is especially useful if you have a loyal audience and want to offer a new product. For instance:

• Turn Blog Posts into Audiobooks: Combine related blog posts into a cohesive book and convert it into an audiobook.
• Educational Content: If you create educational content (e.g., guides, courses, or tutorials), you can transform that content into audiobooks.
• Podcast Episodes to Audiobooks: If you’re a podcaster, you can curate your best episodes or create exclusive audiobook content to sell on Audible.

Monetization: Repurposing content saves time and effort while tapping into the audiobook market, allowing you to generate passive income from your existing content.

6. Marketing and Selling Audiobooks

Once your audiobook is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, promoting it effectively can boost your sales. Some strategies include:

• Leverage Your Existing Audience: Promote the audiobook to your email list, social media followers, or YouTube subscribers.
• Run Promotions: Offer discounts, create giveaways, or use Audible’s promotion tools to increase visibility and sales.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Reach out to podcasters, bloggers, and reviewers who specialize in your book’s genre and ask them to review or promote your audiobook.

Monetization: Effective marketing can drive more sales and bounties, significantly boosting your income.

7. Passive Income Potential

Audiobooks are a form of passive income. Once the audiobook is created and uploaded, it can continue to generate income for years with little ongoing effort. By having a portfolio of audiobooks, you can create multiple income streams from different titles.

Summary of Monetization Methods:

1. Publishing Audiobooks on ACX: Authors can turn their books into audiobooks and sell them on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, earning royalties on each sale.
2. Narrating Audiobooks: As a narrator, you can earn money by narrating audiobooks for authors, either through upfront payments or royalty shares.
3. Self-Publishing Audiobooks: Existing authors can expand their reach by converting their Kindle books into audiobooks, increasing overall sales.
4. ACX Bounty Program: Earn $50 for every new Audible subscriber who purchases your audiobook as their first title.
5. Repurposing Content: Turn blogs, podcasts, or other existing content into audiobooks to reach a new audience and earn passive income.
6. Marketing Audiobooks: Promote your audiobook to drive more sales and benefit from the passive income it generates over time.

By combining these strategies, you can create a sustainable business model around audiobooks on Amazon, whether you’re an author, narrator, or content creator.