If you're a traditional author looking to market your books, you're in luck. If you want to put in the work, there are literally hundreds of spots that can help you to sell more books, and book readers follow them eagerly. Audiobook fans, on the other hand, are a different breed. They listen to your books on the go, in the gym, while doing work, and even while driving the car. None of this is true of the typical book reader. Audiobook listeners are a fast-moving bunch, and you'll have to adjust your book marketing strategies to catch their attention.
Give Them a Sample
Most audiobook producers allow listeners to download a short sample for free, sort of a try-before-you-buy setup. Go one step further and put up the first chapter of your book on SoundCloud. Use the same tags for this listing as you did the book online, and curious listeners will be able to search for your book. If you've got multiple books, you can keep them all on the same SoundCloud page, giving you a chance at multiple sales.
Make it Available
Audiobooks seem to get pushed into the background when it comes to book marketing. The simple act of giving the audiobook equal billing with your print novel and ebook will create more sales across the board.
Gather Those Reviews
Your producer may give you a certain number of coupon codes when they publish your audiobook. Use these for the most popular reviewers, giving them a copy of your work and asking for a review. In addition, ask all your loyal readers for a review as soon as they finish listening. Reviews sell.
Team Up With Your Narrator
The least you two should be doing is pushing each others' work on your webpages and social media. Host a virtual release party with her or, if you live near each other, team up for a live event.
Show Them How it's Done
Readers and listeners love to hear about the insider's view of writing and publishing books. Bring your fans along while you write your next novel or nonfiction book, and then take pictures and talk about the production aspects of creating an audiobook. This will alert people to the audio before it's live online.
Go To the Audio Audience
Email book podcast owners and volunteer to be interviewed. They've got to fill big editorial calendars and having a ready subject for one day could be a lifesaver for them. Do readings on radio shows, volunteer your nonfiction expertise on online talk shows, and go anywhere else you find a listening audience.
Make a Book Trailer
If you've got the movie-making ability to put together a quality piece about your book, you've already got half the work done with an audiobook. Cut together audio scenes and flash a series of relevant pictures and you've got a great advertisement to put on your website as well as social media.
Join the APA
The American Publishers Association is a non-profit organization that raises awareness for audiobooks. June is National Audiobook Month, when they put on a social media campaign to get the word out.
Keep the Faith and May the Force be with You!