I have been flirting with the idea of converting my books to audiobooks for a while now. So, this guest post by Abigail Young, which explores the reader’s side of view, was very timely indeed. Enjoy!
Update: Olga Núñez Miret shared this tip:
“If you want to get your books converted to audio and not have to invest a lot of money, explore ACX – that’s the company that distributes to Audible.” Olga has described her experience getting an audio version of her book, I Love Your Cupcakes, in her blog.
7 Important Facts That You Should Know About Buying Audio Books Online
You are in a world wherein you get tempted by books that are good for your kids to listen to or for yourself to ponder and relax with. Who could blame you? Audiobooks can be addictive! So you have to get your hands on one and usually through online. But instead of ordering one and expecting a happy ending, you spend cash and end up with nothing.
Audio books play an essential part of lives whether at work, school, or home. Here are some tips you should know about buying them online and their uses.
-
Check the Credibility of the Website
You know a website is credible and buyer-friendly by the way it offers genre choices and format choices. An example of reliable website is Amazon, which you will find easy to use because of the variety of books and simple steps for buying. The formats available are through Audio CDs, Used and New copies, and Kindle. It will ask for your contact details and your preferences for delivery. It will even ask you if you want the book by the next day! Another useful website is Barnes and Nobles, which offers good genres, CDs and downloadable audios, delivery dates, and in-store availability.
-
Choose the best format and gadget for you
There are three main formats you will encounter when buying audiobooks: MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio), or AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). Electronic devices which will use these formats are: MP3 players, cellphones or smartphones, Internet tablet devices (like iPad), and Home stereos.
MP3s are an audio coding format for digital audio and are designed to have a reproduction of sound. You can buy the good audiobook MP3s through some reliable websites.
For cellphones, convert audio book you bought to MP3 and copy the MP3 audio book into your cell phone. You can use Macsome AudioBook Converter to load all audiobooks from the iTunes Books library. iTunes will display trends, types, and prices. On iPhones, you can also use iTunes. It would be a faster process with WIFI network.
The best application for tablets is Audible, which a program under Amazon. You will benefit the same delights from Amazon but specifically for audiobooks. It may be expensive, but it also offers monthly and annual plans.
Home stereos are best for playing CDs you chose from the websites.
-
Listen to Audiobooks for Traffic Blues
Stories or lectures will keep your mind calm during traffic or long distances. But DO remember not to be totally lost in the spell. Always keep the road in front of you instead of castles or the hot voice of your favorite actor. Note the sign rules in mind as you listen to the important insights of the speaker.
-
Use Audiobooks for Lectures and Meetings
Audiobooks are handy when recalling an important note or when making one. They can be played back during presentations to highlight a certain quote or point. You could use it to review before a class or a meeting which highlights a progressing event. For business, audiobooks are the updated version of our tape cassette recordings.
-
Love an Audiobook for Chores and Relaxation
Frustrated over bags of laundry and other household tasks? An audiobook can be your friend at home. It will speak to you as you get your tasks done. With a relaxed mind, things can get out of your hands faster.
Audiobooks are also awesome for just “you-time”. In quiet moments, you can just close your eyes and listen to the stories you love and let all your other worries fade.
-
Experience Audiobooks with Family
A great way to have quality time with the kids and grandparents is listening to audiobooks. There are several book choices with magic or pop culture that will interest them. On a rainy day or family day, you can call your relatives to listen. This motivates reading and time to appreciate one another.
-
Buy a Treasurable Audiobook Now
Qualified websites describe the books and expectations upon receiving them. Find an audiobook worth playing repeatedly. Recommend them to your friends and workmates. Discover that audiobooks can even be a good use for your own business.
Audiobooks have many formats and uses. It can be part of your life when you keep these facts in mind. Whatever you find out, spread the word for improvement and awareness of other buyers. Keep the spirit alive of hearing tall tales and lessons through audiobooks.
Who is Abigail Young?
Abigail Young is a Content Writer for Legacy Audio Books.
You can contact her by Email.
Thanks Nicholas! And thanks for adding the post to yours. I hope the process keeps getting easier. But I’ll report back once the audios are done and explain how it went.
When you do, I’m more than happy to either host as a guest post or reblog 🙂
If you want to get your books converted to audio and not have to invest a lot of money, explore ACX that’s the company that distributes to Audible, Nicholas. I did a post about it, although not sure it explains it in a lot of detail. At the moment I’m having I Love My Cupcakes made into audio (both in Spanish and English) splitting royalties with a studio. Fingers crossed! https://wordpress.com/post/41615720/5555/
Thank you so much for sharing this tip! I’ll add it to the post. Best of luck with Cupcakes! 🙂
Also, some audio books are abridged. Check to see if the one you’re looking at is. You may choose the abridged one, but you should be aware that it’s abridged and not the book as the author wrote it.
Ah, good to know. Thanks for the tip!
Reblogged this on Shirley McLain and commented:
I love audio books but I also love to read. When I’m driving is my favorite time to listen to a book. It makes the time go by so much faster. Have a blessed day. Shirley
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
I listen to audiobooks mainly self-help and inspirational speakers when driving to word. Stories distract me too much!
Same here. I find it impossible to focus on anything else if I’m listening to audiobooks 🙂
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Page.
Great post Nicholas! I just put one on audiobook with Amazon and have had a great experience! You should consider yours!! Will press and re-blog! Thanks for the share!
So glad you enjoyed it, Patrick! So, when you say you put it on Amazon, do you mean you just let Amazon run their automatic magic on it? And what’s the great experience? Details, please! Care for a guest post sharing your experience?
Sure! Audible was the platform we used and if you like, I can gift you a copy if you like? Would be “thrilled” to write a guest post for you! Give me a week or so and I will get the post to you! Just email Sandy at greymyre at gmail dot com and she will send you the code so you can hear! Thanks for asking and take care over there!
Awesome! Looking forward to the guest post, and I’ll drop that email right away. Many thanks! 🙂
Hang on, there’s an “at” too many in that address 🙂
greymyre at gmail dot com
Lol – I’m such a duffus 😀
Great post!
That’s so good to hear; thank you 🙂
Audio is a big trend now. I really should jump on the bandwagon and get one. I’d love to listen to it in the car. Before this post, I had no idea HOW to listen to one. I guess I’m a bit behind on the MP3 craze, but now that I know you can listen through your tablet I’m all over it. Thanks!
Great idea here. I’ve listened to audio books on long rides. I never thought of listening during chores (including on the treadmill). I might actually clean my house and exercise!
Lol – do let me know how that goes 😀
I believe Amazon does automatic audiobooks, which seems strange. As a fantasy author, I have a lot of names and words that aren’t easy to pronounce. Guessing they use a program to do it instead of a human being because I got a report once that a character name was being butchered. So I guess something to get ready for on some of them are words that appear out of place.
They probably use the reading engine they had on older Kindles. It was okay for a short story, but I wouldn’t use it for anything longer.
I didn’t know it was being used on mine. Might have been part of the KDP Select program.
I don’t think you needed to do something; it was a standard feature on Kindle before Paperwhite.
Got it. Explains a lot.
Reblogged this on Books and More.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
I have only one book on audio, and I used Audible as a source. It was easy and simple to use, for an old technophobe like me!
Good tips as usual, Nicholas.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s good to know! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
My next book is going to audio.. I tend to read in E version most of the time with print when I can get hold of it here in Spain in English.. my husband however has not read a book at all in the last three years but he has listened to hundreds as he has renovated our home. We also listen in the car instead of to the radio and music.. Short stories are great for that even on local trips and if you have children they keep them busy for hours. My opinion is with the right voice that is appropriate to the genre and is easy on the ear you can have a winner.