When it comes to audiobooks, a lot of authors seem to think that they’re not necessary.
After all, if someone wants to read your book, they can just pick up a physical copy, right?
Wrong.
Because guess what?
Audiobook interest has gained traction since the pandemic.
That is why you, as an author, need to catch up with the trend.
Luckily, we have Michelle Prince, the CEO of Performance Publishing Group, revealing everything that you need to start an audiobook from scratch on the Garlic Marketing Show.
Before we proceed, don’t forget that this episode is brought to you by videocasestory.com. Click here if you need help collecting, crafting, and delivering customer stories.
YOU NEED THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO PRODUCE AN AUDIOBOOK
“–just like with a podcast, you have to have great audio equipment, whether you’re recording on zoom or not.
But the quality of where you are, what room you’re in, the sound quality is so, so important. You want to research that. What kind of microphone should you have? Where should you do this, et cetera.”
If you’re thinking about producing an audiobook, you need to make sure you have the right equipment.
First and foremost, you’ll need a good quality microphone.
There are a lot of different microphones on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find one that will work well for your needs.
You’ll also need a quiet place to record, as background noise can be very distracting for listeners.
In addition, you’ll need some form of audio editing software to clean up your recordings and make sure they’re of the highest quality possible.
If you have all of the right equipment, you’ll be well on your way to producing a great audiobook.
SHOULD YOU HIRE A VOICE ACTOR FOR AN AUDIOBOOK?
Recording an audiobook can be a bit of a challenge, and it’s important to decide whether you want to hire a professional voice actor or do it yourself.
If you’re on a budget, doing it yourself may be the best option.
“The second thing is, you can hire voice talent and, and a lot of people go this route, even very well-known authors who have a great voice hire voice talent. Sometimes it’s because maybe they’re too busy. Other times, there’s plenty of authors who don’t enjoy the process of recording it.”
However, keep in mind that you’ll need to invest in some high-quality recording equipment and spend some time learning how to produce a professional-sounding audiobook.
On the other hand, hiring a professional voice actor comes with its own set of advantages.
Voice actors are trained professionals who know how to bring your characters to life, and they can often add depth and dimension to your story that you might not be able to achieve on your own.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to hire a voice actor or produce your audiobook yourself is up to you.
Whichever route you choose, just make sure that you put in the time and effort to create a quality product that your listeners will enjoy.
But if you ask me, if you’re writing a self-help book, it’s always best to read it yourself to give the rawest connection with your audience.
Do you want to learn more about producing your own audiobook?
Michelle talked a whole lot about it in her episode of the Garlic Marketing Show Book Series.
Watch the full episode now, and make sure to leave any questions or comments you have about the episode!