My Journey into Audiobooks
Several years ago, I published a book that has continued to bring in small royalties over time. About three years ago, I decided to create an audiobook version of it, since so many people now prefer to listen rather than read.
The process wasn’t as complicated as you might think. I bought a good microphone (Purchase the microphone on Amazon) and used recording software to read the book one chapter at a time. After uploading to ACX — Amazon’s platform for audiobook creators — my book became available on Audible and Amazon as an audiobook.
How Much I Actually Made
So here’s the part you’re probably most curious about — how much did I earn?
The royalty check I received recently from Audible was for $14.50. Not a huge amount, but it represents passive income from work I did years ago. Since the original book was written 14 years ago, both the book and audiobook continue to trickle in earnings.
Audiobooks are not a “get rich quick” scheme, but they can be a smart way to build income that pays you over time without additional effort.
Other Ways to Make Money with Audiobooks
If you want to try this for yourself, there are a few different approaches:
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Narrate Your Own Book – If you’re an author, you can record and upload your book to ACX just like I did.
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Public Domain Books – Books that fall into the public domain. Classics like Moby Dick can be turned into audiobooks you record and sell.
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Narrate for Others – Many authors want audiobooks but don’t want to record them. You can offer your services as a narrator on platforms like Fiverr.
While Amazon has rolled out automated narration, most listeners still prefer a real human voice, so this side hustle opportunity isn’t going away anytime soon.
Is It Worth It?
My $14 check might not sound like much, but here’s the big picture: once an audiobook is created and approved, it continues to pay royalties for years without any more work from you. That’s the power of passive income.
Whether you record your own books, bring classics to life, or narrate for other authors, audiobooks can be a fun and rewarding side hustle. Just don’t expect overnight riches — instead, think of it as building long-term income that adds up over time.
👉 Watch my full video on YouTube and see the actual royalty check
Note: As an affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.