If you’ve been working on an audio version of your book, you may have wondered if marketing your audiobook will be any different from marketing a regular print or ebook. While you could just let the audio option sit...
If you’ve been working on an audio version of your book, you may have wondered if marketing your audiobook will be any different from marketing a regular print or ebook.
While you could just let the audio option sit there on Amazon for shoppers to discover on their own, there are more effective ways to target one of the fastest growing markets in publishing.
In this post, we’ll show you some productive strategies for marketing audiobooks that you can use in addition to your ongoing book marketing efforts.
10 Tips for Audiobook Marketing
Below are 10 tips that will help you maximize your audiobook sales and reach thousands of listeners looking for books like yours.
1. Expand your distribution channels.
The largest and most popular audiobook distribution platform is ACX, so you should definitely make your book available through them.
You don’t have to be exclusive with ACX/Audible, which means you can consider other distribution channels. You can find a variety of royalty rates, payment frequencies, and promotional support.
However, note that exclusive distribution with ACX will get you a 40% royalty, whereas audiobooks distributed non-exclusively through ACX earn a 25% royalty.
A few options besides ACX are:
AudiobooksUnleashed.comFindawayVoices.comIngram.comPublishDrive.comSpokenRealms.com2. Create an Audible Author page.
If your books are available on Audible, make sure you have an Audible Author page, which lists your bio, all of your available books, and other information (much like your Amazon Author Central profile).
Your Audible Author page will make it easy for listeners to discover you on Audible, learn more about you, and check out your other works.
Check out examples of Audible author pages.
3. Announce the preorder.
Once your audiobook is produced and ready to go, contact your distributor to ask about setting up a preorder.
Then, link to your audiobook preorder everywhere, including your website, author newsletter (especially if you have a list just for audio listeners), your email signature, social media profiles, and pretty much anywhere else that makes sense.
You should also create special landing pages on your website just for your audiobooks with links to the available retailers.
4. Use promo codes and host giveaways.
Many retailers will give you audiobook codes to use for giveaways. (If you have an exclusive deal with ACX, you can generate promo codes for free via your sales dashboard.)
Promote these giveaways on your social media pages and author website, and kindly ask the winner(s) if they could leave an honest review.
This is a great way to spread the word about your audiobook to audio listeners and hopefully generate some positive buzz.
5. Link to it everywhere.
Link to your book (both pre- and post-release) on your website, social media profiles, and newsletter.
Create specific graphics, banners, and marketing materials promoting your audiobook. Not all books have audio versions, so you’ll want to make it clear through your advertising that yours does (especially for the part of your audience that is loyal to audiobooks).
6. Team up with your narrator.
If your narrator is well-established in the audiobook world, ask them to record a video interview or do a Facebook Live event with you to discuss the book.
Some narrators have big followings, so if you’re working with a popular voice you could have some built-in marketing opportunities.
7. Release samples.
Release a sample chapter from your audiobook to offer listeners a sneak peek of what their experience will be.
You can release your audio previews through platforms like SoundCloud, which is free and has a WordPress plug-in for easily displaying audio samples, but you can also release them as YouTube or Instagram videos.
8. Approach audiobook reviewers and bloggers.
There are many reviewers out there who specialize in audiobook reviews, or at least prefer to listen to audio versions to write their reviews. (For example, the AudioGals team specializes in reviews of romance audiobooks.)
You can also approach hosts of review podcasts, since many podcast listeners also enjoy listening to audiobooks.
Just like an advanced reader copy (ARC) for print and e-books, you can send an advanced listener copy (ALC) to audiobook reviewers.
Learn more about how to get more book reviews, with tips that apply to both ebooks and audiobooks.
9. Promote it on Chirp.
Chirp is BookBub’s promotional platform for audiobooks. It allows you to temporarily offer your audiobook for free or at a discount.
These types of promotions are very effective at maximizing your reach. You’ll have more opportunities to turn new listeners or readers into loyal followers who will be more likely to buy your future books.
Note that you’ll need to distribute your audiobook through Findaway Voices in order to run a Chirp promotion, since other distributors won’t allow you to set or change the price of your audiobook.
Check out more ways that free and discounted books can help you earn more in the long run.
10. Submit your audiobook for awards.
You can also submit your book for consideration for audiobook awards, including the Independent Audiobook Awards or the Audies.
Even if you don’t win, simply submitting your book can get you a lot of exposure (usually to people with influence in the publishing world), and you might also get valuable feedback from the judges.
Learn more about the benefits of entering a writing or book contest.
11. Market to libraries.
Libraries have more to offer than dusty paperbacks and fingerprint-covered book jackets. You can find some of the latest ebooks and audiobooks at your local public library.
If you’re distributing with Findaway Voices, you can make your audiobook available in libraries. You’ll get paid for the copy or copies the library buys, while your library patrons will get to listen for free, which means more free exposure for you, and possibly greater demand for your work down the road.
Check out Amy Collins’ tips for getting your self-published books of all formats into libraries.
Is There a Market for Audiobooks?
Audiobooks are a growing sector within the publishing world. In 2019, the global audiobook market size was valued at $2.67 billion, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 24.4% until at least 2027.
Print books still remain the most popular format for reading, followed by ebooks, but audiobook listenership is growing at a staggering rate that saw a 16% increase in 2019 alone, the same year that 1 in 5 American adults surveyed reported listening to an audiobook.
Market All Formats of Your Book
No matter which formats your book is available in, and no matter how it was published, it’s important to be proactive in your book marketing efforts.
Check out our tips for marketing your book and getting publicity long after your book has been published.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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