Hey there, folks! So, you have decided to take a nice deep dive into the choppy waters of narrating stories for your eager listeners; I mean – that’s why you’re here, right? Not going to lie but going for audiobook services and creation is nothing but a wild journey jam-packed with equal parts excitement and untainted vocal gymnastics. 

Here’s the thing, though, before you snag up your microphone and start dashing out your favorite Morgan Freeman Impression, let us fill you up with a few handy tips that you need to know. From knowing your audience all the way to prepping up a recording manuscript – audiobook creation is like running through a treacherous yet comical obstacle course.

Go ahead and keep those reading glasses on as we uncover the seven tips you must know before creating an audiobook!

1. Identify Your Listeners/Audience

Ask any audiobook service or narrator about the most critical tip for audiobook creation. “Understanding your audience” will be their response. Understanding who’ll be listening to your audiobook is as imperative as topping off your voice-acting skills. Going for a children’s book? Then there should be a whirlwind of colorful characters and sound effects that are exaggerated – in short, you need to be sure that children are left giggling with delight when the audiobook ends. 

If it’s a suspenseful thriller (which we personally love to narrate), your narration must be spine-chilling; it should make your listeners sleep with the lights on. Yep, so do your audience research, gauge their listening preferences, and tailor your narration style according to that – everything else will start falling into place automatically.

2. Tongue Twisters – a Big No-No

Do you know what makes the most agile tongues stumble? Tongue twisters! From “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of pickled peppers” to “Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear,” these twisters can become a real headache. So much so that you’ll be questioning yourself why didn’t I just go for a career in mime? We recommend staying far away from tongue twisters. 

3. Find Your Enunciation Sweet Spot

We all want to sound polished, don’t we? But it takes a lot of work. To find the perfect enunciation balance is as obscure as finding a unicorn in a haystack. Sometimes, folks start enunciating their audiobooks like a Shakespearean actor – by the end of it, they are found slurring their words like a sleep-deprived sloth!

Keep this in mind: you need to find that sweet spot between crystal clear & “Did you just swallow a dictionary?”. Remember that this is not a dental care advertisement; it is an audiobook.

4.Sound Effect Troubles

A lot of audiobook services out there know that sound effects can either make or break your audiobook. Picture this: you’re narrating a cool and calm story, and just as you thought that you’ve grasped the art of smooth transitions – your rogue door creaks open, or maybe your neighbor’s energetic dog starts to bark. This will turn your audiobook into a chaotic masterpiece of unexpected clatters! Not good.

We recommend that you make sure that your recording sessions go uninterrupted, use a proficient mic, a soundproof space, plus recording & editing software – or you can just embrace the unpredictability that will turn your soothing love story into a blockbuster action one.

5. Let the Technology Grow On You!

Don’t become a terminator; this is not Skynet. But yes, prep up yourself and get used to your recording equipment and editing software. It’s true that their names might sound like they belong to the aliens but do not get intimidated by that. Do a nice drift around that learning curve (watch some tutorials), and ask the best audiobook services about the equipment they use and how they use it. Soon, you’ll find yourself hitting the right buttons and sliders.

6. Snag Up That Inner Actor

Audiobook listeners always appreciate the extra effort. So, why not give your best? Channel your inner Denzel Washington or Meryl Streep. Give your best performance by bringing the characters to life. Give them accents and quirks, spice it up, or tone it down – it’s all up to you! Keep it subtle, but don’t go overboard.

7. Patience, Grasshopper – Patience

Audiobook creation is a marathon, not a race. Keep going even if you’re not able to follow your schedule. Egypt was not built in a day, and neither was that classic narration chef-d’oeuvre of yours. Maintain a positive attitude and take a break every now and then. Audiobook services and narrators know and understand that this is an art form that rewards persistence!

Before We Let You Go…

So, there you have it – get yourself armed with these pearls of wisdom, and you’ll be ready to embark on your audiobook adventure. Remember to always have fun, stay passionate about it, and bring your unique style to the world of storytelling!

Oh, and if you really want to get into it – join the Author Learning Center (ALC) today and grab hold of a unique online community that’s designed to motivate, educate, and support authors like YOU. You can gain valuable insights on publishing your audiobooks from industry experts and best-selling authors. See how our audiobook services work, and sign up now!