Can I get paid for reading books online?
Yes, if you love to read books and want to make a little extra cash, getting paid to read books out loud may be the perfect side hustle for you. It’s a great way for book lovers to make money doing what they love.
You’ll find plenty of freelance opportunities out there for people who love reading, so why not make a little money while doing your favorite hobby? Whether you like to read business books or fiction, this is a great freelance job to get into.
If this sounds like an excellent opportunity for you, keep reading this post. You’ll learn how if you need previous experience and exactly who can become an audiobook narrator as well as the equipment you need to get started.
And let’s not forget, you’ll learn over 20 websites where you can get paid to read aloud.
What is an Audiobook Narrator?
An audiobook narrator reads audiobooks for people who listen to them. Think of the places like Audible, where people get subscriptions to listen to books.
Think of all the people who don’t have time to read or learn and can only do it on the go. Many people listen to books while they work out or drive places, just like podcasts.
Do You Need Previous to Get Paid To Read Books?
Having previous experience will help you for some places like professional studios. But just like freelance writing or other services, you can work your way up to the professional studios.
Can Anyone Narrate Audiobooks?
Yes, anyone can become an audiobook narrator, and you can start with it as a side hustle and work into a full-time job over time. Taking training can help speed up the process as well as practicing, working with a coach, and getting experience.
Do You Need Special Equipment to Be an Audiobook Narrator?
If you’re getting started creating audiobooks, here’s the equipment you need:
- A desktop or laptop computer
- A pop filter like the Auphonix Pop Filter or Nady MPF-6 reduces the pops and hisses, making your audio sound much clearer.
- A high-quality USB mic like a Blue Yeti or Blue Snowball Ice
- Audio editing software like Audacity or GarageBand (both are free)
You may also want to consider soundproofing materials for the room you’re using, and a microphone stand if you plan on this being more than a side hustle.
How Much Can an Audiobook Narrator Make?
Freelance audiobook narrators can make anywhere from $50 – $400 for each finished hour of audio. Their hourly rate varies on reputation and experience. Members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union can make a minimum of $250 per finished hour on Amazon’s ACX platform.
The more experience you get, the higher rates you can command.
Sites That Pay You to Read Aloud
Most audiobook narrators work on a freelance basis. So, what does working on a freelance basis mean? Essentially you fall under the category of a freelancer where you aren’t an employee for any company.
This means you find your own clients, but while that may seem stressful, it’s worth it to work when you want to with who you want to. Here are some of the best websites to make money reading books aloud.
1. Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices is mainly known for connecting writers to the audiobook market, but it also has plenty of opportunities for audiobook narrators to read books out loud for money.
You’re paid based on the agreed PFH, the standard pay rate for a completed audiobook. It stands for Per Finished Hour. Audio narrators are paid within 14 days of the final approval of the audio uploaded.
But, you can change your rate at any time. The platform has a system built-in that tracks the final run-time of a finished audiobook, so you don’t need to submit an invoice to Findaway Voices.
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2. Fiverr
As you likely know, Fiverr is a popular platform for freelancers, but it is not my favorite place for people to start, especially for freelance writing. Basically, whoever offers the best price will win, so it ends up being a content mill where people who don’t appreciate high-quality content go for articles. So, other jobs on the platform are similar.
But many people say it’s a great place to start as an audiobook narrator because it has minimal entry requirements compared to others. If you start there, don’t stay there longer than you have to.
Some audiobook narrators like Ione Butler are considered pros. She is an actress, producer, and professional voice-over artist who charges $200 for recording a 4,500-word book on Fiverr. So, there are people that make six figures on the platform; they are just a few and far between.
3. Bunny Studio (Formerly Voice Bunny)
Bunny Studio connects companies with high-quality freelancers for audio advertisements, video services, translations, and voice-overs. The platform considers narrators as professionals, so their expectations are higher.
You’ll want to equip yourself with professional voice-over equipment so you can make high-quality audio files. Bunny Studio lets you set your own rates based on your experience level. Realistically, if you’re a beginner, you need to set your rates lower.
The PFH you can expect here is between $50 – $200.
4. Spoken Realms
Spoken Realms is considered an alternative to ACX, and it only does audio narration. This platform is one of the largest producers of public domain and classic literature on Amazon, iTunes, and Audible, so it’s a great place to check out if you want to get paid to read books aloud.
5. Voices
Voices is another great platform where you can get paid to read books aloud. You can work for brands like The History Channel, Microsoft, Hulu, Los Angeles Times, and more.
To start, you need to signup for the platform and then set up your profile. Next, you upload high-quality samples and demos specific to your niche (yes, even audio narrators should pick a niche).
After that, you can start auditioning for audio narrator jobs and earn from $200 to $300 per finished audio hour. Voices has over 2,000,000 freelance voice actors in over 160 countries.
6. The Voice Realm
This online platform is another great option for audio narrators. They have several voice-over categories – internet video voice-overs, telephone voice-over recordings, e-learning voice-over talent, audiobook voice-over narrators, radio and TV commercial voices, and business and training recordings.
The Voice Realm has a few critical factors to consider as part of the application process:
- Quick turnaround time with your recordings
- Studio-quality voice-over audio
- You must be able to follow the existing voice talent roster
- A good track record
Everything needs to be top-quality for The Voice Realm.
7. Upwork
Upwork is one of the most popular freelance websites to find jobs on, but I’m not impressed with the pay as a writer for the same reasons as Fiverr. But I wanted to add it because it may be the best place to find audio narrator jobs as a beginner.
All you need to do is set up a profile and be sure to include samples of your voice so clients can hear you.
The bad thing is that they take 20 percent of your pay. That fee can be reduced to 5 percent over time, depending on how many projects you do for one client. So, getting repeat clients is the way to keep your fees lower.
8. Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)
ACX by Amazon is one of the most popular places for people to get paid to read books out loud. When you work as a freelancer for ACX, you’ll get to read books for big platforms like iTunes and Audible.
ACX considers you an audiobook producer versus other platforms that label you as an audiobook narrator. You’ll find submission requirements on the website that will tell you everything you need to know about getting started.
Audiobook producers can get paid PFH, per project, or an hourly rate.
9. Freelancer
Freelancer is another platform similar to Upwork as it has thousands of jobs for freelancers and not just audio narrators. First, you create your profile, and then you can start looking for jobs. You can even set up alerts, so you get notified about audio narrator jobs.
For hourly projects, Freelancer takes 10 percent of what you earn, and for projects with a fixed fee, Freelancer takes 10 percent or $5, whichever is greater. Most audio jobs have fixed rates.
10. Bodalgo
Bodalgo is a German company that provides voice talent for commercials, explainer videos, audiobook narration, and more. This voice-over company has worked with some of the most popular brands globally, such as BMW, Apple, and Amazon.
Bodalgo is for more experienced audio narrators that are professionally trained. In fact, if you’re profile shows you’re a beginner, the company will delete your account with no notice.
But don’t worry if you really want to work for Bodalgo; all you need to do is work your way up. You can even just start freelancing in your spare time while you’re working your 9-5.
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11. VO Planet
VO Planet is a voice casting website that supplies voice talent for audiobooks. But this isn’t a platform for beginners; VO Planet only accepts voice actors with professional demos, experience, and exceptional skills.
But like Bodalgo, you can apply once you have more experience. They also charge a $199 annual membership fee, but voice actors get to keep all the money from the jobs they do.
Still, keep VO Planet on your list and register and apply to be a voice actor when you get more experience.
12. Voice Jungle
Voice Jungle is another excellent place to get paid to read out loud. The two main categories you’ll be interested in are narrating for podcasts and eLearning.
Voice Jungle has two main requirements: you should have a home studio and your high-quality audio demos. Also, you must be able to meet the 24-hour turnaround time.
Simply record your demo and upload it to the platform. You also don’t need to pay a listing fee for any auditions you have to do to get a job.
13. Mandy Voices
Mandy Voices (formerly Voices Pro) considers itself the best platform for all creative professionals. The website is available in many countries, including Australia, the U.S., the UK, and Canada.
They connect voice talent with employers who need voice-over professionals. First, signup for Mandy Voices, and then you get a 30-day free trial to test the platform out. After that, you’ll be charged a monthly fee to get access to all the jobs.
But you can see the opportunities with a free membership.
14. Read Books on a YouTube Channel
This idea is one you may not have even thought of. You can talk about and read books on YouTube. People who do this are called booktubers.
Booktubers make money from their videos, but it’s a competitive niche. Not many people reading on YouTube make more than $5,000 a year.
Personality is the key to being successful on YouTube. You want to read books in an interesting way that keeps your audience engaged.
Your earning potential is unlimited, but it takes time to build.
15. Brilliance Audio
Brilliance Audio is one of the leading audiobook companies and is part of the Amazon Publishing Group. The nice thing is that you can apply to Brilliance Audio, whether you’re new or experienced.
So, if you want to get paid to read books aloud, this is a great place to start.
They suggest that new audiobook narrators practice for around six to seven hours a day, so you get used to it.
If you’re interested, you can send an application to [email protected].
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16. Voice Crafters
Voice Crafters is an option for experienced, full-time voice actors. They provide voice-over services to clients that need audiobooks narrated, IVR, and more.
The criteria for applying include:
- You must be able to offer a fast turnaround between 24 – 48 hours for 300 – 500-word recordings.
- At least five years of commercial voice-over experience
- If you work with other platforms, it must be a contract that isn’t exclusive
- You must have professional recording equipment and a space to work in with no background noise.
If you’re brand new, you can work your way up to working for Voice Crafters.
17. Backstage
Backstage is a film and performing arts website that focuses on helping voice actors find jobs and provides career advice. There are multiple fiction genres ranging from podcasts and audiobooks.
To sign up, you need to choose a plan. There are free options:
- $8.25 a month billed yearly
- $16.60 a month billed every six months
- $19.95 a month billed monthly
Once you sign up and pick a plan, you can start looking for jobs.
18. Outschool
Outschool is a great place to get paid to read books aloud to kids. If you love to read books, this online teaching platform is a fun way to get paid to read books aloud.
The good thing is that Outschool does not require you to have teaching credentials as they believe people can offer great classes based on their interests and experience.
You must be a resident of Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, and you must pass a background check.
19. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour matches clients with freelancers for all kinds of jobs. While it’s not the best place to find audiobook narration projects, these jobs sometimes come up on the platform.
Most projects pay a flat rate, and when you create your profile, make sure it’s complete and detailed as PeoplePerHour uses artificial intelligence to match freelancers and clients.
Completing your profile correctly is the best way to show up in searches.
20. Voice 123
Voice 123 is a website that connects clients with voice talent all over the globe. Some clients they’ve worked with include The New York Times, NBC, and Coca-Cola.
It’s free to join and does not charge you for the jobs you book. Voice 123 is also a popular site for professional voice talent, but it can be a great place to start as a beginner who wants to get paid to read books aloud.
Other Jobs for Book Lovers
There are other ways to get paid for reading books too.
Proofread Books and Court Transcripts
Proofreading books is another way to make money reading books. One of the best places to learn how to do this is Caitlin Pyle’s Proofread Anywhere.
Thousands of students have gone through this course, and proofreading is an in-demand job.
If court cases interest you, then proofreading court transcripts may be your ideal job. You’ll learn how to get started with court transcripts in Caitlin’s course.
Working as a proofreader doesn’t always pay the most money. You can make more when you combine that with other roles like writing and editing. Also, you may want to consider reaching out to publishing houses to work with them as a proofreader.
If you get the Writer’s Market – a handy resource for writers and editors, you’ll find the various publishing houses in there.
Start a Book Review Blog
You can also start a blog that reviews books. While it takes time to build, some people make over $100,000 a month blogging through affiliate marketing, ads, and selling their own products.
You could read any book you want and then give an honest review about it in a blog post (that’s a great book blog post idea too) (that’s a great book blog post idea too). Book reviewers can help people decide if a book is worth reading before spending money on it.
Start a book review blog lets you read more books and get paid. Your posts don’t have to be long. You can write a 350-word review of each book, but you can write longer posts on all things book reviewing.
Editing
Editing is another job that lets you make money reading. Like proofreading, you can combine the two to make more money, but book editors can also find salaried jobs.
The Writer’s Market also includes trade publications, literary magazines, and more, so you can get an editing job at publications. There may even be places that let you edit magazine articles.
Work for Book Review Platforms
You’ll find plenty of platforms and websites that will pay you for book reviews, such as the Online Book Club, U.S. Review of Books, or Publishers Weekly. Some of the platforms give you free books in exchange for reviews.
Publishers Weekly is a weekly online magazine that focuses on all things surrounding the book publishing business.
While an experienced book reviewer will find more opportunities, an avid reader can find book review opportunities too.
Some places want your resume and sample reviews, so check the guidelines. For example, the U.S. Review of Books requires at least two professional references and a portfolio and resume.
There are some apps like Boosta that let you download hundreds of digital books, and you can even get weekly recommendations.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Paid to Read Books Aloud
Many places are looking for vocal talent to read audiobooks for their customers. Whether you like to read graphic novels, books by independent authors, or anything else, there are plenty of places to get paid to read books aloud for a new or experienced reviewer.
The audiobook market is more popular than ever, so it’s the perfect time for an avid reader to make money reading books, even if you can only do it in your spare time.
Don’t forget; you can also make money writing books reviews, editing, proofreading, and more.
Over time you can grow it into a profitable online business with many potential clients.
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The best websites to get paid to read books aloud.
