Elaine Singer Sounds Great - Voiceover Blog

The ubiquity of iPods and MP3 players has generated great interest in audio books. Today audio books don't even have to be pressed into CDs and distributed; but simply can be uploaded to sites like iTunes or audible.com. Use the audio format to fuel interest in the print version.

Audio Books:

• Are fast and inexpensive
• Are easy to record
• Build buzz for print version
• Bring new audience for popular works
• Are a cost effective way to take advantage of back lists

Audio Publishers Association (APA) 2006 sales survey shows: An increase of 4.7% in sales over the previous year Audbiobook sales reach an estimated $871 million in 2005. The APA 2006 consumer survey reveals these demographics: "younger listeners, split evenly between male and female, who live in slightly larger households (many with children) and command a higher income than has been reported in previous surveys. Audiobook listeners also have more education and buy and read more printed books than non-listeners"

• Audiobooks are more accessible with the proliferation of iPods and mp3 players.
• Audiobooks are used to teach children and ESL students how to read.
• Audiobooks increase reading comprehension.
• Audiobooks allow multitasking - listen while commuting, exercising, jogging, etc.

Labels: Audio Books, Audio Publishers Association