Did you know that the sale of audiobooks skyrocketed 43% in 2018? Amazon's purchase and heavy marketing of Audible is an exceptional indicator that audiobooks are back in the spotlight with content consumers. Oral storytelling has been the preferred method of sharing information for thousands of years, helping share information across generations even before the widespread use of written text. This method of preserving our history and shared memories are considered to be extremely rich in terms of nuance, but may not be the first option for aspiring authors as they create new content for distribution. Leaving audiobooks out of your marketing strategy might make getting started as an author a bit easier, but it will almost certainly limit the reach of your message to a smaller -- and perhaps even older -- audience.
It's too easy to find your attention wandering when you're on an eReader, especially if you're not using a dedicated reading device and are enjoying content on your mobile phone or tablet. Notifications popping up on a regular basis can quickly pull your attention away from the words and themes on the page while loud sounds such as televisions and radios might be fracturing your concentration on a printed book. People are more likely to fully engage with an audiobook and enjoy the nuances of the language and the narrator's voice as well as the content itself. This creates a richer experience for listeners, allowing them to form a deeper bond with the author and their ideas.
If you thought audiobooks represented a dying form of consuming content, then think again! A recent Pew Research study shows that nearly 72% of adults read a book in at least one format in the past twelve months -- but approximately 20% of that "reading" was enjoyed in audiobook format. While print books are most popular for readers of all ages, you might be surprised to learn that audiobooks are often the medium of choice for the younger generations. Individuals in the 30-49 age range are most likely to listen to audiobooks but 18-29-year-olds are also getting into the swing of listening to their books while they're on the go.
Getting started with audiobook creation may feel like an overwhelming step for authors, but it might be easier than you realize. When you work with the professionals at Infinity Publishing, you'll find the expertise that you need to expand the possibilities for sharing your content with the world. Receive our free 100-page "Self-Publishing Guide" simply by filling out our quick form and you are one step closer to sharing your content with the world. Our book marketing experts will help you push through the confusion associated with the publishing and distribution of your content. With more than 10,000 titles published for our Infinity Publishing community, you will be joining one of the most trusted and well-known indie publishing teams in the country. Schedule time online with one of our author advocates today to get started!