Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Katie
If you’re an avid reader and love to discuss books with your friends, you can make money reading audiobooks.
Many people prefer to listen to audiobooks rather than read these days. This is why audiobook narrators are in demand.
A study by the Audio Publisher Association compiled a survey in 2019, concluded that 50% of Americans aged 12 years and older have listened to an audiobook and 55% of all audiobook listeners are under the age of 45.
Audiobooks have become a convenient way to read. You can listen and get other tasks done like driving, household chores or even working out.
The rise of audiobook popularity has created new opportunities for people to work from home and make money when it suits them.
Book narration can even make a full-time income if you get good at it and you enjoy the work.
Summary Of Best Sites to Make Money Reading Audiobooks
- ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)
- Brilliance Publishing
- Bunny Studio
- Voices
- Fiverr
- People Per Hour
- Spoken Realms
- The Voice Realm
- Voice Jungle
- Backstage
- Findaway Voices
- Voice 123
- Mandy Voices
- Bodalgo
- Voice Crafters
- Vo Planet
- Audible
- Audio File magazine
- Voquent
- Kirkus Media
- Women’s Review of Books
- Online Book Club
- Scribd
- Goodreads
- BookYap
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Related read:
25 Sites to Make Money Reading Audiobooks
Ready to make money from home reading audiobooks?
Take a look at the best companies below hiring book narrators.
1. ACX
ACX is a top platform to make money reading audiobooks.
They even have an ACX university where you can learn to produce, market and publish great-sounding audiobooks.
To get started on ACX, set up your profile and upload samples showing off your accent, genre and style.
Decide if you’d like to be paid either by the audio hour finished or to receive royalties. Then search for books you’d be interested in narrating and audition.
If you get chosen, you’ll receive an offer where you can agree on terms to complete the narration.
2. Brilliance Publishing
Brilliance Publishing is an industry leader paying some of the best rates around.
But this means you will have to ensure you deliver exceptional narration with clear punctuation and incredible sound quality.
Keep an eye out for when they advertise for new narrators. You’ll have to apply with a voice-over demo and audition for the new project they have available.
3. Bunny Studio
Bunny Studio currently has over 28,000 voice artists covering 50 languages on their books.
To make money reading audiobooks on their platform you’ll need to upload a voice quality sample. If accepted, you can browse through and apply for audio and podcast work in a range of sectors.
The good news here is that you can set your hourly rate which you can increase once you get experience and good reviews.
4. Voices
Voices is a top platform looking for narrators, announcers, storytellers and instructors.
Voice actors are needed in English, Chinese, Spanish, French, German and for a range of projects including audiobooks, internet videos, podcasting, radio, video games, TV and animation.
Set up a basic or premium membership on the platform and upload your voice demo. Voices uses a voice match engine that matches your style with what a client is looking for.
You can then approach clients to pitch for the job.
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is a massive freelance platform with a worldwide audience. Anyone can set up a creator profile and offer niche services.
Make money reading audiobooks by setting up a profile on Fiverr describing your niche, experience and rates per audio hour. Interested clients will search through Fiverr and contact who fits the skills they are looking for.
Describe your voice talent well to get people to click on your profile.
Examples include; deep African voice, Italian mother tongue female voice, old man wizard voice or professional female London voice.
Read: How to Make Money on Fiverr Without Skills (10+ Easy Gigs!)
6. People Per Hour
People Per Hour is another popular freelancer platform where customers advertise projects that needs talent.
Set up a professional profile describing what you can do and any experience you have.
Last time I looked there were 20+ job proposals for audiobook narrators ranging from; a health and fitness audiobook, a 15,000-word book needing a narrator, a true-crime podcast narrator and more.
Pay for these jobs is fixed and the work can be done remotely. Send your proposal describing why you are the best voice for the job to be in with a chance.
7. Spoken Realms
Spoken Realms is a community of storytellers and one of the largest producers of classic, public domain literature on Audible, iTunes and Amazon.
They are always on the lookout for professional storytellers who can narrate podcasts or graphic novels.
You can choose to be paid either:
- Royalty share. As a narrator, you will earn a percentage of all future royalties. The percentage you receive depends on the number of people it took to complete the book.
- Per finished hour. Here you will be paid for every hour you spend recording audio for the book.
8. The Voice Realm
The Voice Realm is a 5-star rated casting website used by advertising agencies around the world.
It has booked over 100,000 voice-over jobs, making it a great place to make money reading audiobooks.
Paid work you can find on The Voice Realm includes:
- Radio and TV commercial voices
- Internet video voice-overs
- Business and training recordings
- E-learning voice-over
- Telephone voice-over
- Audiobook narration
To get accepted as talent on the Voice Realm you must produce fast turnarounds with your recordings, have a high sound quality and follow directions well.
To get started, fill out your details here and upload a demo.
Once accepted, you can upload multiple demos to your profile which will help clients choose you for future work.
9. Voice Jungle
Voice Jungle is a professional voice-over site that will pay you to narrate e-learning content, commercials, phone messages, explainer videos, political videos, cartoon characters, podcasts, ads and audiobooks.
To get accepted by this platform you must:
- Have a home studio that meets standard quality requirements
- And be able to provide a 24-hour turnaround when requested
There are multiple benefits to working at the Voice Jungle including no need to audition, no listing fee to join, you are only contacted when they have a job for you and pay is released promptly after the work is finished.
To get started, fill out your details here and upload an MP3 demo.
10. Backstage
Backstage is a platform helping talent find work in the voiceover, film, TV, theatre, branding and influencer spaces.
Alongside helping you find paid work, they have a whole host of free tools and resources to help elevate your career.
They offer voice-over work for films, TV, commercials, animation, e-learning, corporate videos and more.
To subscribe to Backstage and apply for work you will need to pay a small fee.
The three options are:
- $8.25 a month, billed yearly
- $16.60 a month, billed every 6 months
- $19.95 a month, billed monthly
11. Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices is an audiobook creation platform, calling itself ”the best place on the internet to build your audiobook business.”
They need audiobook narrators and allow you to set up a free profile with an audio intro, samples, filter tags, an image and a customised URL.
Have a browse through the audiobook narrator guide once you’ve set up your profile. This will ensure you know what is expected of you when creating high-quality audiobooks.
After an audio job has been approved, payment is released within 14 days.
12. Voice 123
Every day thousands of voice-over projects are posted on Voice 123.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the industry, it’s likely you’ll find a great audiobook narration gig that suits you.
Over 25,000 jobs have been submitted on the site since 2003 with some being big name clients such as NBC, Coca-Cola and The New York Times.
To sign up, you need to answer a few questions and fill out your profile. Once accepted, you’ll receive invitations to projects that match your job preferences and budget specifications.
After completing a job, you get paid directly by the client. Voice 123 does not take any commission.
13. Mandy Voices
The Mandy Network is formerly Voices Pro and promotes itself as the largest platform for voiceover professionals seeking work.
If you want to make money reading audiobooks, this is a website to check out with new jobs posted daily.
Join now for free for 30 days and if you find the site helpful, you can upgrade to the paid membership to keep applying for work.
The upgrade opens you up to the whole catalogue of available work, boosts your search position and allows you to enhance your profile.
Jobs are available on the site for actors, film and TV production, theatre professionals, singers, dancers, music professionals, entertainers and voice-over artists.
14. Bodalgo
Bodalgo is a website for professional audiobook narrators to find paid voice acting work.
Self-published authors can create a listing of the voice job, get narrators do test reads and hire their favorite voice actor.
If you have a great voice, create a profile and upload some of your best audio samples.
Alongside audiobook narrating, you can find different voice acting jobs on this site such as:
- Commercials
- Telephone prompts
- e-learning
- Video games
- Corporate narration
15. Voice Crafters
Voice Crafters has voice actors that speak over 80 languages on their books.
They hire narrators for audio books and commercials, corporate videos, promos, animation, podcasts, movie trailers, TV and more.
Whether you want to do voice acting as a side hustle, or full-time, this site is a good place to start.
To get paid work, create a profile add audio samples and start auditioning for audiobook narration roles.
16. Vo Planet
Vo Planet is another top platform to make money as a freelance audiobook narrator.
All narrators are vetted and you’ll have to create a profile and upload audio samples.
But, if successful, you can start scrolling through the available audiobook narrator jobs and send in auditions to any that suit your skills.
17. Audible
Audible is an Amazon audiobook service where people can pay a subscription to listen to audiobooks.
It offers a huge amount of titles, plus podcasts, and with Amazon’s popularity, the platform has a huge amount of monthly users.
While Audible doesn’t specifically hire narrators, you could narrate your own audiobooks and upload them to the platform to earn monthly passive income.
18. Audio File Magazine
If you want to use your voice to read books aloud, one of the best resources is the Audio File Magazine.
On the platform, you can find reviews, details about narrators and a ton of features such as articles and information on upcoming audiobook titles.
To find book reading obs, it’s worth spending some time networking and learning what you can about the industry.
19. Voquent
Voquent is another on of the most popular websites to secure audiobook narrator work on a freelance basis.
Potential clients use the site to search through voice actor demos with relevant experience and will reach out to any they like to request a voice casting.
Many big brands use narrators from this site, including Lego, Disney, Levi’s, Netflix, Just Eat and many more.
To find work on the site, follow this application process:
- Create a free profile
- Detail your voice acting experience
- Upload multiple voice-acting samples
- When your demos get liked, you’ll get scheduled for paid recording
How to Get Paid to Read and Review Books
Another simple way to make money in your spare time is by reviewing books.
If you love to read, turn your passion and opinions into cash. Take a look at these three great platforms to read and review.
20. Kirkus Media
Kirkus Media is regularly in need of book reviewers for English and Spanish language titles.
To apply, you need to submit your resume, writing samples and a list of reviewing specialities to the Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp. You can find contact details on the careers page.
Reviews are about 350 words and are expected two weeks after the book is assigned.
Books are reviewed in many genres and in paperback, digital and hard book formats.
21. Women’s Review of Books
If you enjoy fiction, non-fiction and poetry written by women, you can get paid to review this type of content.
Create an account on the Women’s Review Of Books page, and give details about your experience and any credentials you have.
If accepted, you’ll be assigned an initial book where you can give your first, written review.
Many regular reviewers earn $100 for each book review. Not bad for doing something you love!
22. Online Book Club
This platform regularly needs book reviewers. Create a free account and select a book to read.
Once finished, you can write your review and earn between $5 and $60 for your thoughts.
Online Book Club is a free online community for readers with all sorts of free offers and tools. Sign up to learn when top-rated books go on temporary free promotion.
Get Paid to Read Books Through Mobile Apps
If you’d rather leave your laptop shut after work, you can still make money reading books on your phone.
Download an app, choose a good book and be rewarded for your book reading time. You just need a love for reading and be willing to write a review afterwards.
Here are four apps worth checking out:
23. Scribd
Scribd is a digital library where you listen to audiobooks, podcasts, magazines, books and more.
It often has the need for proofreaders and book reviewers.
Once on the Scribd platform, apply to be a book reviewer and if selected, you’ll be assigned books to read and give your opinion on.
24. Goodreads
Goodreads has a desktop platform and a quality app to read from.
They pay well for proofreaders and book reviewers which you can apply for once you’ve downloaded the app.
In the search bar, type; ”paid book reviewers” and you’ll get shown how to sign up as a paid contributor.
25. BookYap
BookYap is home to a great range of self-improvement, entrepreneur, marketing and management, real estate and investments and finance books.
If these types of books pique your interest, keep an eye out on their website for when they post about job openings for reviewers.
FAQs – Make Money Reading Audiobooks
Take a look at frequently asked questions.
What Equipment and Skills Do Audiobook Narrators Need?
You need very little to start making money as an audiobook narrator.
The basic equipment needed is a quality microphone, headphones and a quiet space to record in.
As you develop, you can invest in better equipment.
Skills needed for audiobook narration include;
- Clear articulation of words and phrases
- Ability to control breath
- Consistent timing and pacing
- Energy, character and pitch control
- Understanding concepts and making them understandable
- Ability to bring characters to life
- Ability to paint a picture emotionally with your voice
Don’t worry if all this sounds too much in the beginning.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Practice makes perfect and the more voice work you get, the better you’ll become.
How Much Do Audiobook Narrators Get Paid?
Audiobook narration pay usually depends on your level of experience.
Business Insider states that new narrators can expect to earn $100 per finished narrated audio hour.
Professional voice actors can demand around $500 for completed audio hours.
But be aware – pay will vary depending on where you find work. Some small publishers and new authors won’t have huge budgets to pay narrators.
Depending on what company you work for, there are a few ways you can choose to be paid:
- Paid per audio hour. Receive one flat rate payment for the whole book
- Split royalty share contracts 50/50 with the author of the book (or rights holder)
- A combination of per finished audio hour and the royalties
Is Audiobook Narration Passive Income?
To make money reading audiobooks, you’ll have to put the work in upfront.
Once you’ve finished narrating an audiobook, if you choose to receive royalties, you could receive income for years to come every time a book is sold.
This is how audiobook narration can become a healthy passive income stream.
How Do You Make Money Reading Audiobooks?
Audiobooks have become hugely popular. This is because they are a convenient way to read.
You just have to press play and listen while doing the housework, driving in the car or walking to work.
Every audiobook needs to get read aloud by someone and why shouldn’t it be you?
Audiobook narrators get paid to read fiction and non-fiction audiobooks.
If you have a smooth-sounding voice and the ability to inject character into sentences, you can become an audiobook narrator.
To make money from reading audiobooks, purchase the right equipment such as:
- A microphone
- Headphones
- Audio editing software
- A quiet room for recording
Once you have the right tools, you can start applying for audiobook narration work. Take a look at the audiobook narration sites mentioned in this article.
Fill out a profile and upload a voice sample according to the requirements of each site.
Once you are accepted onto the platform, you can start applying for work.
Take time to build experience and good reviews and you may find audiobook creators start seeking you out to narrate their content.
Do You Need Experience to Get Paid to Read Books?
Experience narrating audiobooks will earn you a higher rate for narration jobs.
But, if you’re a beginner, build up experience on sites like Fiverr and Upwork.
On these platforms, you can create your own gig and set your own rates. Once you gain testimonials, use these as a credibility boost to get work at professional studios.
Can I Get Paid to Read Books Aloud from Home?
Yes, you can get paid to read books aloud from home if you have a professional setup.
You will need the right equipment to ensure the quality of your recordings is up to par.
Follow the guidelines on your chosen audiobook narration site to record and upload files to the required standards.
Can I Get Paid to Read for Audible?
ACX has an unlimited amount of audiobook narration work available and the content you produce will be available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes.
You can choose to either get paid a per finished-hour rate or to split the royalties from sales with the owner.
How Else Can I Make Money Using My Voice?
Alongside audiobook narration, there are many ways to make money from home using your voice.
Here are a few ideas:
- Voice overs for videos
- Voice overs for commercials
- Sell radio ads
- Offer singing lessons online with TakeLessons.com
- Record voice messages for businesses with Snap Recordings
- Start an educational YouTube channel
- Create and sell online courses
More popular ways to make money online:
- How to Make Money Without Showing Your Face: 10 Ways You Can Start Today
- The Ultimate Guide to Making Money from Expired Domain Names
- How to Become a Proofreader with No Experience (7 Simple Steps for Success)
- 17 Highest Paying Passive Income Apps to Make Money Effortlessly
- Earn Money While Listening to Music (10 Legit Sites that Pay Up to $12/Song)
- How to Become a General Transcriptionist: Step by Step Guide for Beginners
Final Thoughts on How to Make Money Reading Audiobooks
In conclusion, there are many places to make money reading audiobooks even for beginners.
What is great about this type of work is; you don’t need any particular skill except having a clear, easy-to-understand voice.
If you have a unique-sounding voice, then you’ll have even more opportunities to get hired for all sorts of work from animation, podcasts, TV and commercials.
To give yourself the best chance to get hired for voice work, set up profiles on multiple platforms and hustle to get the jobs you see.
Once you complete a few assignments and get good reviews, you may start to get offers from interested clients.
Have you made any money reading audiobooks or doing voice-over work? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments…
How To Make Money Reading Audiobooks: 19 Sites Hiring Today
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
