In today’s world where the popularity of podcasting is growing by the day, the demand for audio content is increasing too! People are constantly looking for new content to consume on platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which makes this the perfect time for you to turn your audiobook into a podcast series (so you don’t miss the boat and get left behind!).
Whether you own a small audiobook business or you are a published author yourself, podcasting is a great place for you to expand your reach and grow your audience. Plus, if you’ve already created an audio version of your book, then you are ahead of the game!
The biggest difference between audiobooks and a podcast is that with podcasting you are able to add even more value for your readers (or listeners) since you can add in bonus expanded-discussion episodes or even hop on to do a Q&A episode for all of your curious fans.
If you’re still not convinced that creating a podcast out of your audiobook will be beneficial, here are a few more reasons that might just persuade you!
1. Turn Chapters Into Episodes
The benefit of having your audiobook already completed is that you are then simply able to turn chapters into podcast episodes. All you need to do is add in an introduction and some transition music to lead your listeners into the new episode, and also a new chapter. These types of “bite-sized” content pieces are great for listeners and allow them to consume sections of your book in an organized format. Plus, the end of each chapter often leaves off on an exciting cliffhanger, giving listeners something to look forward to for when you publish the next episode.
If you haven’t turned your book into and audio format yet, then you can still easily plan your podcast publishing schedule around your chapters. Book off time to record each chapter as an episode, which will help be your guide. This way there is no need to create additional content or brainstorm new ideas for what you want to podcast about next. Simply follow the outline of your book and get your recording going! Of course, if chapters are extra long, you can always break them up into two episodes, calling it Part I and Part II, which creates even more content for your show.
Related read: Podcasting Tips for Authors
2. Increase Your Exposure
When it comes to the content that you put out into the world, each type has its own marketing strategy. Whether it’s a physical or online book or an audiobook, their point of sale or distribution has their own unique platforms to reach potential readers and listeners. Each platform also has its own audience, depending on what type of content readers like to consume. By turning your audiobook into a podcast, you will be expanding your reach even further, touching new audiences who prefer yet another type of content: podcasts.
Podcast episodes are also a lot easier to share on social media. With podcast episodes publishing regularly, you are consistently putting new content out there for your audience to engage with. Plus, if your listeners want even more great content from you, you can use the podcast as a platform to market your book in its original form as well. This again increases your exposure, drawing a new audience to your work who might not have connected with you there first. Of course, publishing regular podcast episodes is also great for your website traffic, especially if you are doing corresponding blog posts or show notes to drive even more search traffic to your site.
Related read: How to Get More People to Actually Listen to Your Podcast
3. Add Additional Revenue Streams
As with anything you create, whether content or otherwise, there is always the potential for you to add an additional revenue stream to the mix. Most podcasters offer their shows to listeners for free, providing the most value they can to really grow their audience. From there, as your audience grows, you have the opportunity to reach out to sponsors to start monetizing your podcast. Of course, there is always the option to create exclusive content that listeners can subscribe through on a membership platform, bringing in yet another revenue stream. This could include things like extended podcast episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, or even some behind the scenes content for your subscribers to enjoy.
Another great way to add an additional revenue stream is to set up a page on Patreon where you can accept donations from listeners to continue supporting your show. As your audience grows, you also have the potential to put together complementary courses that go hand-in-hand with your audiobook. If your book is about teaching your readers the most effective guerilla marketing strategies, then putting together a mastermind class or a video-series course is another great offer for your ever-growing audience to enjoy. Since the podcast content is already free, if your audience finds value from what you provide in the show they will be more than eager to purchase a course that expands upon your teachings in order to learn more.
Related read: Email Marketing Basics for Podcasters
4. Take On a New Challenge
As creators, we often reach plateaus, which is why taking on new challenges is key! With each challenge comes new opportunities to learn and grow. This allows you to stay fresh and up-to-date with new things happening in your industry to ensure that you don’t get left behind. Although most authors already have a wide-reach and a big audience, there is often a lack of connection with your readers. This is where podcasting gives you a great opportunity to really engage with your audience and give them an inside track to really get to know you.
Taking on this new type of audience can be a spectacular challenge, especially once the questions and comments start flooding in. This opens up the opportunity for your readers to get into new discussions about your audiobook and lets your content take on a whole new form. Turning your audiobook into a podcast also give you the opportunity to invite guests onto the show to discuss certain pertinent topics that you mention in your book. This makes for incredible conversations and an expansion on the content that already exists within your book.
Related read: How to Promote Your Podcast if Marketing is Not Your Strength
5. Create a Clear Outline for Listeners
When you turn your audiobook into a podcast, you are ideally creating a much clearer outline for your readers. They are able to follow along with each episode, never getting lost in the endless audio. Plus, the additional pause time in between episode release dates gives your listeners some time really think about the previous chapter and let the information sink in.
Now, this might seem like more of a benefit to your listeners, but if they are having a more enjoyable experience consuming your content then ultimately it is a benefit to you as well! Of course, if listeners discover your podcast when you are already a few chapters deep, they can binge-listen to the episodes just like they would when watching a series on Netflix. They will still be following the episode outline, taking in each chapter at a time, without it all blurring together into one.
Related read: Should My Podcast Episodes be Shorter or Longer?
6. Be Consistent and Continuous
When it comes to writing a book, it often takes a lot of time and a lot of editing and revisions before you are able to release the final product to your readers. Then there is a fair amount of time that goes by before you put out the next one if that is your writing plan. In this time, you are not consistently creating content for your readers and they are not continuously hearing updates from you. The same goes for audiobooks, where listeners are usually done after listening to one of your books, but podcasting gives them a steady stream of content to listen to as each episode is released.
When you turn your audiobook into a podcast, this gives you the opportunity to constantly be in contact with your readers, giving them updates as time goes. This type of continuous content really helps to engage and grow your audience over time. Of course, this does not mean that you should never take a break; once your episodes are recorded you can consistently release them over a period of time, giving you the space to take some time off or work on your next book in the meantime. Then, if you feel like reconnecting with your audience, you can always hop on a recording to discuss a recent event or relevant topic to give your audience that extra bit of value from you, personally, before continuing with the book.
Related read: The 10 Must Do’s for Successful Podcasting
7. Increase the Scalability of Your Time
The ultimate goal in most of our lives to leverage our time to get the most out of each day. Often times this means hiring someone in your place to do the work that you don’t have to do in order to free your own time for more important tasks. The same thing can be done when turning your audiobook into a podcast. If doing readings of your book is not your strength, you can find voice-over actors to do the reading sections and then you can handle the discussion afterward. This will help you focus your time on creating extra value-added content to add to the show.
Having a co-host on the show is also a great option for your podcast. In fact, it might just make it a lot easier for you to juggle your time and split the workload for creating a great quality podcast. Perhaps your co-host is your co-author, or maybe they are a talented voice personality who can take over recordings of the reading section, again allowing you to focus on the content discussion. Plus, if you have more than one character in your book, then having a partner is a great way to give some texture to the reading to make it more entertaining for your listeners.
Related read: 8 Reasons Why Starting a Podcast is Good for Business
Final Thoughts
So, should you turn your audiobook into a podcast? Yes! (Of course, if you are not self-published you will need to get the appropriate approvals to repurpose your audiobook content). Podcasting will open up so many new doors, present new opportunities, and even some outstanding challenges. So go out there, build your audience, and get your podcasting boots on for a new adventure!
Related read: How to Capture Your Podcast Audience + a TED Talk by Julian Treasure
