A shorter book that’s fully read, recorded and produced in house can cost as little as $450. To have all of this professionally done for a 90,000-word work can cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Because covers are small and simple, this is usually a minimal expense. Business owners may hire someone to design a cover, or they can design one themselves. (Audio rights to public domain works don’t have to be purchased, but these books are harder to sell because they can be accessed for free.)įinally, some cover art is needed. Business owners with limited capital can start by recording works of unknown authors and giving the authors a percentage of the sales, or owners can record their own works or public domain works. Rights for the most popular books can cost five- and six-figure sums, but rights to many other books can be had for little or nothing. Hiring a narrator may cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the reputation of the narrator and the length of the book being recorded.įinally, the business must have audio rights to a book. Third, the business must have a narrator to read the work. A handheld microphone will make holding the script difficult while narrating. The microphone should be of the best quality possible, and it should be desk-mounted or come with a headset. This includes a computer, a microphone and recording/editing software. Second, the business needs recording and producing equipment. Whatever space is used, there should be no noise from other people, appliances, fans, traffic or anything else. More affordable options include finding a quiet office or setting up a silent space in your home. Renting or building a recording studio is the best option, but also the most expensive. The startup costs for an audiobook business are manageable, and it’s possible to start a business with very little capital if necessary.įirst, the business must have a space for recording. What are the costs involved in opening an audiobooks business? Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you. What are the startup and ongoing costs?.It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. STEP 1: Plan your businessĪ clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant. We have put together this simple guide to starting your audiobooks business. There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. Create your Audiobooks Business Website.Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Audiobooks Business.Set up Accounting for your Audiobooks Business.Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card.Register your Audiobooks Business for Taxes.

Form your Audiobooks Business into a Legal Entity.Start an audiobooks business by following these 10 steps:

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