Exploring Audiobook Prices and How to Save
Why are audiobooks so expensive? This article will explore the reasons behind this and provide you with some ways to avoid high costs.
Why Are Audiobooks So Expensive?
The pricing of various audiobook distributors such as Audible, Audiobooks.com, Scribd, Librivox, Overdrive, and Yomer often varies. Some platforms charge more than others, and it is not always related to the number of free audiobooks they offer.
Both novice and experienced subscribers may not understand why audiobooks cost more than paperback books. A common misconception is the neglect of the high costs involved in producing an hour of audiobook.
What Drives Up Audiobook Costs?
Understanding the costs associated with downloading or streaming audiobooks on your iPhone or Android device can help you choose the right service. These costs include:
Production Costs
Producing a high-quality audiobook requires significant effort, even though it is just a digital product. Creating engaging narration requires professional equipment and personnel, similar to producing radio shows, films, or high-end podcasts.
Audiobook production necessitates a well-equipped recording studio with recording, editing, and production software, as well as a team that includes voice actors, producers, audio engineers, sound editors, and proofreaders. Recording for an hour can cost hundreds of dollars, and there’s no guarantee of immediately having a finished product.
For example, a five-hour audiobook may require at least 15 hours of recording and post-production, especially if using celebrity voices, which come with higher fixed upfront fees. Popular narrators often demand higher royalties.
Royalties
Royalties are another complex factor in audiobook publishing. Sometimes, authors cannot retain all profits because some voice actors also need sales royalties.
Audiobook production companies and distribution services may also want to earn royalties from each sale. An author may need to share sales profits with themselves, Spotify, Amazon Audible, iTunes, and the voice actors.
Supply and Demand
Although the audiobook industry is growing, the demand still lags behind that for eBooks and print books. The combination of high production costs and lower demand leads to elevated prices.
It’s worth noting that certain services dominate the market and affect pricing. More competition is needed to disrupt the high-priced markets, and similar to Netflix, there are audiobook services emerging that aim to provide better value.
Get Audiobooks at a Low Cost with Yomer
If you want to experience audiobooks, consider starting with a company that offers affordable services. Yomer provides some of the best prices in the industry, including a promotional offer for the first book at just $1.
You can browse Yomer’s extensive collection, featuring over 60,000 titles, including public domain works and newly released bestsellers. Explore a vast array of high-quality works across various genres.
Download the Yomer app on your chosen mobile or desktop device and start your audiobook journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an average audiobook cost?
Depending on the length and other factors, audiobooks can cost as little as $20, with some priced higher. Prices are influenced by production costs, royalty distribution, exclusivity from vendors, and other factors.
Is Audible cheaper than other audiobook suppliers?
Audible is known for its large library and high-quality production, but it is not the cheapest option. Yomer offers more valuable subscription plans and more affordable prices, especially on many popular titles.
Why are audiobooks more expensive than eBooks?
eBooks are based on already completed physical books, and the production process is simpler compared to audiobooks. The recording process for audiobooks is more complex, which drives up costs, but subscription services may offer more economical listening experiences.
Is the quality of audiobooks superior to eBooks?
It depends on personal preference. Some people prefer reading books, while audiobooks provide an enhanced experience through sound effects and narration.
What is the average length of an audiobook?
The average length of an audiobook is about 10 hours, but this varies depending on genre and the author’s writing style, with shorter stories available that may be less than three hours.
Are audiobooks worth their price?
Audiobooks offer an immersive listening experience that can evoke strong emotions and elevate the story with sound effects and narration.
Is the content of audiobooks different from that of eBooks?
Typically, the content is the same. However, audiobooks may include sound effects and multiple narrators, giving it a more enriched feel. Additionally, unabridged audiobooks are in line with the content of the eBooks.
