Publishing an audiobook can be quite an exciting milestone. For some publishers, it’s a highly important one. After all, publishing an audiobook requires an entirely different skill set compared to a regular book. That’s why we’re going to consider five important things you need to know before you publish your first audiobook. So, stay tuned.
1. Are Audiobooks Right for You?
While audiobooks are always a great way to improve your income stream, you must ask yourself if they are really a good option for you. The short answer is yes. However, the long answer may be different. Mainly, audiobooks are an auditory format for written content. Therefore, you need to consider if your written content translates well into audio. If your book has plenty of illustrations and charts, you might think twice about audio. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make a test run and see how it goes. By making a test run, you might be able to work out bugs before publishing.
2. Get the Perfect Narrator
This is easier said than done. The “perfect” narrator is someone whose voice, tone, and speed work well with your content. In some cases, a male or female narrator works best. In others, you might seek someone with a deeper or higher voice. Most publishers test out three to four different narrators before making a choice. Virtually all narrators have samples you can listen to. Also, you can ask them to read a short passage from your book. That will help you make the right choice.
3. Double-check Audio
Once you have a completed file, you need to listen all the way through it. You never know if there are any glitches, mistakes, or even mispronounced words. Also, you might be missing some effect. This is particularly common with novels. Perhaps you might want the narrator to add a specific feeling at certain parts of the text. Then, you can have the narrator correct the issue before finalizing the file.
4. The “Perfect” Audio
There is no such thing as perfection. However, publishers may be overly picky when it comes to narration. Yes, there are important aspects such as pronunciation, speed, and tone. There is no doubt these need to be perfect. But when it comes to knit-picking every inflection, pause, or accent, you must be aware that your file will never be entirely “perfect.” This means that you need to decide when your file is “perfect” for publishing.
5. Use “Mistakes” to Your Advantage
There are times when your book may use slang, contractions, or other types of “mistakes.” A clear example of this is the use of “ain’t.” If a mistake is a way of adding an effect to your book, you can certainly add it to your advantage. If you’re going for a more colloquial approach, then you must certainly explore the types of mistakes you can use to your advantage. The important thing is to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Let the narrator know what you expect. That way, they can incorporate it into the file. With these strategies, you’re now ready to get started with your first audiobook. So, don’t wait any longer and get started!
