A pleasant, clear, and distinctive voice can be a starting point of a career (and no, we do not refer to singing). Audiobooks have become more powerful than ever, accommodating people with busy lives and those who prefer listening instead of traditional reading. If you’re interested in what it takes to become a book narrator and where to start it as a side hustle, this guide should provide some helpful insights.
Side hustling and passive income
At least in the beginning, audiobook narration won’t be enough to sustain you and cover your expenses. So, it is highly recommended to start this career adventure as a side hustle, eventually even turning into a passive income stream. Passive income typically refers to a money-earning app or service that lets you generate revenue in a more hands-free way. For example, it could refer to internet bandwidth sharing, while side hustling refers to freelancing or performing micro-tasks online.
With audiobook narration, you can enjoy some of the perks of passive income. It all depends on your contract, with some narrators receiving royalties from book sales. However, you might also enter agreements that pay you for the job completed, without additional royalties.
What skills are needed to become a book narrator?
Typically, audiobook narrators have a talent for dramatic flair, acting, and vocal stamina. No one wants to read a novel narrated by a person uninterested in their work or giving a dry performance. Thus, professionals learn how to shape their voice to match the book’s mood and reinforce it through their narration.
Furthermore, audiobook narration is no easy feat, requiring a lot of practice until you can deliver quality content without spending hours in front of the microphone. It is ideal to listen to podcasts or read books specifically on audiobook narration, best practices, and helpful insights.
How to practice for audiobook narration
Here are a few helpful ideas for preparing yourself for the world of audiobook narration:
- Listen to audiobooks, especially those rated highly (and also poorly). You will likely clearly hear the distinction between professionals who make listeners hang on to their every word.
- Pick books and start recording yourself. Soon enough, you’ll see how straining it is to read through multiple chapters without any mistakes.
- For your practice recordings, don’t just pick books that you genuinely enjoy. In fact, it’s better if you have little connection to the author, since many of the jobs you get in the future won’t necessarily suit your reading preferences.
- Research salaries or potential income that you can receive from audiobook narration.
- Take the time to explore the microphones and other setups needed to record quality narrations. While some jobs might involve professional recording sessions, newbies in book narration will likely use their own equipment.
How to get your first job as an audiobook narrator
Scoring your first job won’t be easy, but you have to start somewhere. Here are some steps to take before you receive your first payment:
- Join marketplaces to find authors or companies seeking narration services. Your first stop might be ACX, but other freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr might also feature similar offers.
- Add multiple demo recordings of you reading different books. It’s crucial to showcase your range, such as whether you can do various accents and diverse characters.
- With a well-defined profile and multiple demo recordings, you can begin applying to jobs. Since you’re new in the field, set lower prices to get your foot in the door.
- Consider volunteering for unpaid positions to expand your portfolio.
- If you’re active on social media, don’t forget to promote yourself as an audiobook narrator.
Conclusion
Audiobook narration is a booming field, with many enthusiastic professionals voicing some of your favorite characters. However, while it might seem like an easy side hustle to start, it does require a lot of research, practice, and work.
Before you can land bigger jobs, prepare to pick up some volunteering opportunities or offer your services at a lower cost. Yet, once you manage to build a solid foundation, you can explore the other side of this exciting career adventure!
Further Reading
