Audiobook Production Services

Produce audiobooks for authors and publishers with narration and distribution

Startup Cost
$12,000-$45,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
8-15 months
Profit Potential
$12,000-$50,000/month

Overview

Audiobook production services charge $3,000-$12,000 per book (depending on length) or per-finished-hour rates of $200-$500.

Producing 20-50 audiobooks annually generates $140,000-$600,000 with 50-70% margins after narrators and studio costs.

In 2025, audiobook market booming with authors needing production services for Audible, Spotify, and other platforms.

Services include casting professional narrators, recording in professional studio, audio editing and mastering, quality control and proofing, formatting for ACX and Findaway Voices, distribution to Audible, Apple, Spotify, royalty management, and narrator coordination.

Successful audiobook producers have audio engineering skills or studio access, maintain roster of professional narrators, understand ACX technical requirements, provide quality recordings meeting platform standards, and manage entire production process.

Many offer both studio recording and remote narrator coordination.

Pricing either per-finished-hour (PFH) or fixed per project.

Fiction and nonfiction both viable.

Some producers also narrate (additional revenue).

Virtual coordination works.

Marketing through author communities, publishing services, and Audible/ACX networks.

Required Skills

  • Audio Engineering
  • ACX Standards
  • Narrator Network
  • Audio Editing
  • Quality Control
  • Production Management

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Booming audiobook market growth
  • Clear technical requirements and standards
  • Can build narrator relationships
  • Project-based predictable revenue
  • Can add narration services if skilled

Cons

  • High startup costs for studio equipment
  • Time-intensive production process
  • Strict technical requirements (ACX standards)
  • Managing narrator schedules and quality
  • Competition from established audiobook producers

How to Get Started

  1. Build or access professional recording studio
  2. Master audio editing and ACX technical requirements
  3. Build network of professional audiobook narrators
  4. Learn ACX and Findaway Voices platforms
  5. Create pricing structure (PFH or per-book)
  6. Market to authors and publishers needing audiobooks
  7. Showcase produced audiobook samples

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