How to Make Money on Audible in 2025

Ever wondered how you can make real money from Audible? Maybe you love audiobooks and want to turn that passion into profit. Or perhaps you've heard that people are making passive income from audiobooks and you're thinking, How do they do it? Well, you’re in the right place!

Whether you're an author, narrator, or just someone looking for a side hustle, Audible has multiple ways for you to earn. Let’s dive into the best ways to make money on Audible, and how to maximize your earnings.

1. Create and Sell Your Own Audiobooks on Audible (ACX)

If you've ever thought, I should write a book, now’s the time. Even if you already have a book, turning it into an audiobook can be a game-changer.

How it Works:

• Write or repurpose content – You don’t have to start from scratch. If you’ve got an ebook or blog content, it can be repackaged as an audiobook.
• Use ACX (Audible Creation Exchange) – This is Audible’s platform where authors connect with narrators and producers.
• Choose your narrator – Do you want to narrate it yourself, or would a pro do it better? (Hint: Professional narration can boost sales.)
• Distribute and sell – Once your audiobook is ready, ACX will distribute it to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
• Earn passive income – Choose between a 40% royalty (exclusive to Audible) or a 25% royalty (non-exclusive, meaning you can sell it elsewhere too).

Pro Tips:

• Pick a profitable niche – Business, self-help, and thriller genres perform well.
• Ensure high-quality audio – Poor sound can kill your sales. Invest in a good microphone and editor.
• Promote your audiobook – Your work doesn’t stop after publishing. Use social media, YouTube, and email marketing to get listeners.

2. Become an Audiobook Narrator

Do you have a great voice? Or maybe people have told you that you should be on the radio? Audiobook narration is a high-demand skill, and you don’t need prior experience to get started.

Steps to Get Started:

1. Create an ACX profile – Highlight your voice type, style, and any relevant experience.
2. Audition for audiobook projects – Authors list books that need narrators, and you submit a sample.
3. Record and produce audiobooks – If chosen, you’ll be responsible for reading and editing the audiobook.
4. Get paid! – Payment options include Per Finished Hour (PFH) rates or a royalty share agreement.

Narrator Income Potential:

• Beginners: $50–$200 PFH
• Experienced narrators: $200–$500 PFH
• Royalty share deals can provide long-term passive income if the book sells well.

3. Make Money with the Audible Affiliate Program

Not a writer or narrator? No problem! You can still make money just by recommending Audible.

How It Works:

• Sign up for Amazon’s Affiliate Program.
• Promote Audible memberships or audiobooks. Get a commission when someone signs up through your link.
• Share your links on a blog, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.
• Earn commissions per sign-up – Audible pays for each successful referral.

Best Ways to Promote:

• Review audiobooks – Write blog posts or create YouTube videos ranking the best audiobooks.
• Leverage social media – Share your recommendations and affiliate links.
• Email marketing – Build an audience that trusts your recommendations.

4. Use Whispersync to Sell More Books

If you’re an author, Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice can boost your sales. It allows users to switch between reading a Kindle book and listening to its Audible version.

Why It Works:

• Bundled sales – Readers are more likely to buy both the Kindle and audiobook versions.
• More exposure – Amazon promotes books with Whispersync capabilities.
• Higher royalties – More purchases = more profit.
  

5. Earn Through Audible Plus and Premium Subscriptions

Audible’s subscription model lets authors and narrators earn based on listening time.

How It Works:

• Audible Plus – Subscribers access unlimited content for a monthly fee.
• Audible Premium – Customers buy credits to purchase audiobooks.
• Royalties are based on total listening hours, meaning the more engaging your book, the better your earnings.

Ways to Maximize Your Earnings:

• Pick an interesting topic – Self-help, business, and thriller genres thrive on Audible.
• Optimize your title and description – Keywords help listeners find your book.
• Encourage reviews – The more positive reviews, the more Audible promotes your book.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Skipping marketing – Even great books won’t sell themselves.
• Poor audio quality – No one wants to listen to bad sound.
• Choosing the wrong royalty model – Weigh the pros and cons of exclusive vs. non-exclusive distribution.

Final Thoughts: How to Make Money on Audible

Making money on Audible isn’t just for big-name authors and voice actors—it’s for anyone willing to put in the effort. Whether you create, narrate, or promote audiobooks, there’s a real opportunity to build income streams. The key is to start now. Pick an approach that fits your skills, invest in quality, and take action. Your future Audible earnings are waiting—so why not start today?

FAQs

1. Can you really make money on Audible?

Yes! You can earn money on Audible by selling audiobooks through ACX, participating in the Audible Creator Program, using affiliate marketing, or even narrating audiobooks.

2. How much can you make from selling audiobooks on Audible?

Earnings vary, but Audible pays up to 40% in royalties for exclusive audiobooks and 25% for non-exclusive ones. Successful authors and publishers can earn thousands per month.

3. Do you need to be an author to make money on Audible?

No! You can make money as a narrator, producer, or through the Audible affiliate program, where you earn commissions by referring new subscribers.

4. How do Audible narrators get paid?

Narrators on ACX can earn per finished hour (PFH) or receive a royalty share of audiobook sales. Experienced narrators can charge $100–$500+ per finished hour.

5. Is Audible’s affiliate program worth it?

Yes! Audible’s affiliate program pays $5–$10 per sign-up, making it a great way to earn passive income if you have a blog, YouTube channel, or social media following.

6. What’s the best way to succeed on Audible as an author?

To maximize earnings, choose a niche with high demand, produce high-quality audio, price competitively, and use Audible promotions and marketing strategies to boost sales.