Perusing is an enthusiasm that many individuals share, however, did you have any idea that you can get compensated for perusing books out loud? Book recordings have become progressively well-known throughout the long term, and with that comes a requirement for gifted storytellers.
In this article, we will investigate the top sites that pay you to peruse books so anyone might hear. Whether you’re a hopeful voice entertainer or only searching for a method for making some additional money, these sites can assist you with accomplishing your objectives.
Best Sites That Pay You to Read Books
1. ACX: A Stage for Book Recording Storytellers
ACX is an internet-based marketplace that connects book-recording storytellers with authors, publishers, and other rights holders. It was created by Audible, an Amazon-owned company, in 2011.
ACX allows you to audition for book recording narration jobs and get paid to read books out loud. The platform offers two options for book recording production:
Royalty Share and Pay for Production. Royalty Share allows you to collaborate with an author or publisher and split the revenue generated by the book recording. This option is great for narrators who are just starting and don’t have the resources to produce their own book recordings.
With Royalty Share, you’ll receive a percentage of the sales each time someone purchases the book recording. The percentage is not set by the author or publisher and is typically split in half between the narrator and the rights holder. Pay for Production allows you to produce your own book recording and receive a one-time payment for your work.
This option is great for narrators who have the resources to produce their own book recording and want to keep all of the revenue generated by the book recording. With Pay for Production, you’ll receive a one-time payment that is negotiated between you and the author or publisher.
To get started on ACX, you’ll need to create an account and upload a sample of your narration. Once you’ve done that, you can start browsing available book recording projects and submitting auditions. If an author or publisher likes your audition, they’ll reach out to you to discuss the project further.
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2. Voices.com: Connecting Voice Actors with Clients
Voices.com is a platform that connects voice actors with clients who need their services. The platform started around 2005 and has over 500,000 registered users. Voices.com allows you to create a profile, audition for jobs, and get paid to read book recordings.
To get started on Voices.com, you’ll need to create a profile and upload a sample of your narration. Once you’ve done that, you can start browsing available jobs and submitting auditions. If a client likes your audition, they’ll reach out to you to discuss the project further.
Voices.com offers two options for payment: Pay Per Project and SurePay. Pay Per Project allows you to negotiate a one-time payment with the client for your work. SurePay is an escrow service that guarantees payment for your work.
With SurePay, the client pays Voices.com upfront, and Voices.com holds the payment until the project is completed. Once the project is completed, Voices.com releases the payment to you.
Voices.com also offers various resources for voice actors, including a blog, podcast, and online courses. These resources can help you improve your skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
3. Findaway Voices: Working with Independent Creators and Distributors
Findaway Voices is a platform that connects audiobook narrators with independent authors and distributors. The platform was created in 2015 and has since helped thousands of authors and distributors create audiobooks.
Findaway Voices allows you to audition for audiobook projects and get paid to read books aloud. To get started on Findaway Voices, you’ll need to create a profile and upload a sample of your narration.
Once you’ve done that, you can start browsing available audiobook projects and submitting auditions. If an author or distributor likes your audition, they’ll contact you to discuss the project further.
Findaway Voices offers two options for payment: Pay Per Finished Hour and Royalty Share. Pay Per Finished Hour allows you to negotiate a one-time payment with the author or distributor for your work.
Findaway Voices also offers various resources for audiobook narrators, including a blog, podcast, and online courses. These resources can help you improve your skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
4. Upwork: Freelance Opportunities for Audiobook Narrators
Upwork is a freelance platform that offers a variety of job opportunities, including audiobook narration. The platform was created in 2003 and has since helped many freelancers find work. Upwork allows you to create a profile, search for audiobook narration jobs, and get paid to read books aloud.
Upwork offers two options for payment: Hourly and Fixed-Price. Hourly allows you to track your time and bill the client for the hours worked. Fixed-Price allows you to negotiate a one-time payment with the client for your work.
Upwork also offers various resources for freelancers, including a blog, podcast, and online courses. These resources can help you improve your skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
5. Librivox: Volunteering for a Noble Cause
Librivox is a platform that offers free audiobooks in the public domain. The platform was created in 2005 and is run by volunteers from all over the world. Librivox allows you to volunteer your time and skills as an audiobook narrator to create free audiobooks for the public.
To get started on Librivox, you’ll need to create a profile and record a one-minute test recording. Once you’ve done that, you can start browsing available audiobook projects and submitting recordings. Librivox has a wide selection of books in the public domain, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.
Librivox is a non-profit organization, so you won’t get paid to read books aloud. However, volunteering for Librivox can be a great way to gain experience as an audiobook narrator and contribute to a noble cause. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work is helping to make classic literature accessible to everyone.
How to Begin as a Book Recording Storyteller?
If you’re interested in getting paid to read books out loud, there are a few things you’ll need to do to get started. Here are some ways to become a book-recording storyteller:
➦ Develop your skills – To be a successful book-recording storyteller, you’ll need to have excellent reading skills, a clear voice, and the ability to convey emotion and character through your voice. Consider taking acting classes or voice lessons to improve your skills.
➦ Invest in equipment – You’ll need a good microphone and recording software to create high-quality book recording recordings. Look for a microphone that is specifically designed for voice recording, and invest in a pop filter to reduce popping sounds. There are many affordable recording software options available, including Audacity, GarageBand, and Adobe Audition.
➦ Create a demo reel – A demo reel is a sample of your book-recording narration skills. It should be a few minutes long and demonstrate your ability to read different genres, convey emotion, and create distinct character voices.
➦ Join a platform – Consider joining a platform like ACX, Voices.com, Findaway Voices, or Upwork to start securing book recording narration jobs. Be sure to create a niche that showcases your skills and experience.
➦ Practice, practice, practice – The more you practice, the better you’ll become. Consider practicing by recording yourself reading books or short stories, and listen back to the recordings to identify areas where you can improve.
FAQ
The amount of money you can make as a book recording storyteller varies depending on the platform you use and the project you’re working on. Some platforms pay a flat rate per finished hour of audio, while others offer a royalty share model. Generally, experienced book recording storytellers can make between $100 to $500 per finished hour of audio.
While professional recording equipment can help you create high-quality recordings, it’s not necessarily required to become a book recording storyteller. You can start by using a good quality USB microphone and free recording software like Audacity. As you gain experience and start booking more jobs, you can invest in better equipment.
While having experience in acting can be helpful, it’s not a requirement to become a book recording storyteller. However, you should have good reading skills and be able to convey emotion and character through your voice. Consider taking acting classes or voice lessons to improve your skills.
Yes, there is a demand for book recording storytellers in languages other than English. However, the availability of audiobook projects in other languages may vary depending on the platform you’re using and the demand for that language.
The amount of time it takes to record a book depends on several factors, including the length of the book, your reading pace, and the complexity of the text. On average, it can take between four to eight hours to record one hour of finished audio. Be sure to factor in time for editing and revisions as well.
While it’s ideal to have a quiet recording space to minimize background noise, it’s not always necessary. You can use noise-reducing software or a sound-blocking microphone to help eliminate unwanted background noise. Be sure to choose a recording space that is free from distractions and has good acoustics.
Conclusion
If you’re passionate about reading and have a good voice, becoming a book-recording storyteller can be a great way to turn your skills into a source of income.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or pursue audiobook narration as a full-time career, there are plenty of platforms available that allow you to get paid to read books aloud.
From established platforms like ACX and Voices.com to newer options like Findaway Voices, there are a variety of choices for aspiring audiobook narrators.
If you’re interested in volunteering your time and skills for a good cause, platforms like Librivox offer opportunities to contribute to public-domain audiobooks.
While becoming an audiobook narrator requires dedication and hard work, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling career. By honing your skills and building your portfolio, you can become a sought-after voice actor and enjoy the flexibility and creative opportunities that come with the job.
If you’re interested in starting as an audiobook narrator, begin by exploring different platforms and learning more about the industry.
Give yourself some leeway to build your skills and create a professional recording setup, and don’t hesitate to reach out to other audiobook narrators for advice and guidance. With persistence and dedication, you can turn your passion for storytelling into a profitable and enjoyable career.