If I’ve learned anything living in Michigan, it’s that if someone promises me Easy Money, they’re probably trying to sell me Amway products. So, I’m suspicious anytime I hear how you can earn a fortune easily. Do a tiny bit of set up work and watch your riches flow in!
If this were true, the 1% of billionaires would be the 99% of the rest of us.
But it’s not true. Easy money doesn’t exist. (Unless you inherit it or win the lottery.) You have to work for it.
In audiobooks, there’s been an influx of advertising pushing how easy it is to make a fortune doing this work. Maybe some people do. But this advertising is just that. They’re advertising something to you. They’re trying to get you to buy something from them: a product, a coaching session, or your information on their roster.
Please understand, audiobook narration is work. It is hard work. And while you can make a good living at it, it’s really, really difficult, especially now. A major publisher boasts a casting site where you can audition for audiobooks, and so can the other 14,000 talent listed on their site. Another site lists 283,567 narrator samples to choose from. So, if you’re good at narrating, you can get cast in an audiobook. To make a living, you have to get cast again and again and again.
I’m not trying to dissuade people from trying, but I do wish people had realistic expectations. Narrating is hard work. It requires a lot of research, time, understanding of text, ability with characterization, accents, foreign words, medical terms, etc. And there’s a huge start up investment: a good mic, computer, interface, sound proofing, booth, chair that doesn’t squeak, etc. You’ll either have to learn to do post-production yourself (a time/energy zap which cuts your ROI) or hire someone (which costs around $100 per finished hour). If you do any kin dof steady narration work and hire someone to proof and master your files, you’ll end up paying 20% of your income to them.
There’s nothing quick or easy about narration.
You can build a career in audiobook narration. Many do. But the truth is, it takes time. Expect two to three years of trying before you make real headway. And you probably won’t make real headway unless you meet people in the community: either online, or in real life.
The best way to get cast is to meet producers through the APA socials, APAC, or Quick Pitch, or attending narrator conferences or workshops. (My favorite is the Deyan Institute. Even before I started working there, I thought it was the best resource available. It provides one-on-one time in front of your peers and producers.)
Coaches can help you improve your chances in helping you hone your skills, and also make sure your website and samples are up to par. Some coaches may introduce you to people in the business. (If you hire a coach, please check to make sure they have 50 or more titles by a variety of publishers.)
It helps, too, if you offer some kind of niche quality or experience that other narrators don’t have. Maybe you speak a language not many people do. Maybe you have an interesting background, education, culture, something that sets you apart from others. It’s not enough to be good at reading stories to your kids. You’ve got to be good at reading stories to The Void (because you are alone when you narrate). You also have to be good with time management, with self-discipline, with diction, with running a business, with audiobook etiquette, with deadlines, etc. etc.
Audiobook narration isn’t easy money for most people. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. It can. But please remember if someone says it’s easy, they probably want something from you.
Narration is work. It’s satisfying work. It’s nourishing. It’s also exhausting and stressful. Set realistic expectations and give yourself grace if it’s taking you longer to make this into a career than the commercials promised you.
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Resources:
https://www.narratorsroadmap.com
https://www.audiopub.org
https://deyaninstitute.com
I wrote this blog because a reader suggested it. If you have questions or a topic you’d like to suggest I write about, I’m happy to consider it. Thanks for reading. If you like my content, please share it with others, subscribe, and/or leave a comment.
TANYA EBY is a writer, narrator, and casting director. Find her on Instagram, Threads and Facebook.
I love that you try so hard to scare us... and look 👀! We’re sticking with you. Lol
Truth- every. single. word. Narration IS rewarding, but the competition includes folks with decades of acting experience - including A-list actors in film and theatre. It’s a constant hustle for the next gig, and you wear all the hats of an independent business owner. Your hourly rate can easily become a negative number if you don’t treat it like a full time JOB. It’s not quick, or easy, and it’s definitely work.