Your audiobook success: Audible, Spotify, BookBeat & Co. - Which platform is right for you?
The audiobook market is booming! More and more people are discovering the joy of listening to stories, guides and knowledge. For you as an author or publisher, this means a huge opportunity to expand your target group and tap into new sources of income. But with so many platforms such as Audible, Spotify, BookBeat, Deezer and many others, the question quickly arises: Which is the right one for my audiobook? Where can I reach the most listeners and achieve the best conditions?
Don't worry, you're not alone with these considerations. Choosing the right distribution channels is crucial to the success of your audiobook. In this article, we will shed light on the most important platforms, show you what you should look out for and how FEIYR can help you place your audiobook in the best possible way.
Why the audiobook market is so exciting for you
Audiobooks are more than just a trend. They are an established medium that fits perfectly into the mobile lifestyle of many people. Whether commuting, doing sport or relaxing at home - listeners love the flexibility and immersive experience. For you as a creative, this opens doors to an engaged audience that is actively looking for new content.
The big players in the audiobook universe: an overview
There are a whole host of platforms that can offer your audiobook to potential listeners. Here are some of the most well-known names and what sets them apart:
Audible (Amazon):
Reach: As a subsidiary of Amazon, Audible has a huge global reach and is often the first port of call for audiobook fans. The huge user base is a clear plus point.
Models: Offers various models, including individual purchases and the popular subscription model.
Considerations for authors: Terms can vary, especially with exclusive agreements (e.g. via ACX for English-speaking countries). It's important to check exactly what share of the revenue is coming to you.
Spotify:
Reach: As one of the largest audio streaming services in the world, Spotify has invested heavily in the audiobook market and is rapidly expanding its position here. The platform reaches millions of users who are already on board for music and podcasts.
Models:
- Premium subscription: many Spotify Premium users have 12 hours of listening time per month included for audiobooks from an extensive catalog. This opens up a huge potential audience.
- Individual purchases (À la carte): Audiobooks can also be purchased directly on the platform, regardless of the user's subscription status.
Considerations for authors
Opportunity: Your audiobook can be discovered by a music-savvy target group that finds audiobooks via the streaming offer. Integration into the existing Spotify ecosystem offers great discoverability potential.
BookBeat:
Reach: Strong in Europe and Scandinavia, is also becoming increasingly important in Germany. BookBeat relies on a pure subscription model ("flat rate for audiobooks").
Models: Users pay a monthly fee and can listen indefinitely (depending on the chosen tariff).
Considerations for authors: Payment is often based on minutes listened to or a share of the total subscription pool. This can be very lucrative for popular titles.
Deezer:
Reach: originally known as a music streaming service, Deezer has greatly expanded its offering to include audiobooks and audio dramas, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria. Tends to reach a younger, music-loving target group.
Models: Also offers subscription models that can include audiobooks.
Considerations for authors: Your audiobook stands alongside a huge music catalog. This can be an opportunity to reach listeners who may not be primarily looking for audiobooks, but are open to new audio content. The exact royalty models for audiobooks are less transparent here than with other providers.
Other important platforms:
- Google Play Books & Apple Books: the tech giants' book platforms also offer audiobooks and have a broad user base through their respective ecosystems.
- Storytel: Another major international player with a focus on subscription models, very strong in Northern Europe and expanding.
- Nextory: Similar to Storytel and BookBeat, a subscription-based service.
- Thalia, Weltbild & Co.: The major bookstore chains also have their own platforms or apps through which audiobooks are sold (often as downloads for purchase).
- Library platforms (e.g. OverDrive/Libby, Onleihe): Reach listeners through public libraries, which can be an interesting additional target group.
What should you look for when choosing platforms?
The sheer number of options can be overwhelming. To make the right decision for you and your audiobook, you should consider the following aspects:
- Your target audience and reach: where are your potential listeners located? Does the platform's focus match your genre?
- Remuneration models and royalties: How will you be paid? Is there a fixed price per sale, a share of subscription revenue or remuneration per minute streamed? FEIYR focuses on transparency here with a clear 80/20 split, where 80% of the net revenue goes to you.
- Exclusivity vs. broad distribution: Some platforms offer better conditions for exclusivity, but this excludes other channels.
- Marketing and promotion opportunities: Do the platforms offer tools to make your audiobook more visible?
- Technical requirements and upload process: How easy is the upload?
- Reporting and analyses: Do you receive transparent evaluations?
FEIYR: Your partner for global audiobook distribution
As you can see, the landscape is complex. This is where a professional distribution partner like FEIYR comes into play. Instead of laboriously registering with each individual platform, checking contracts and uploading your data separately, we do the work for you.
Your advantages with FEIYR for your audiobook distribution:
- One contract, many stores: Upload once, be present on all major platforms worldwide - from Audible and Spotify to specialist providers.
- Maximum reach: Reach listeners on Audible, Spotify, BookBeat, Deezer, Apple Books, Google Play and many more.
- Fair and transparent conditions: You keep 80% of the net revenue. No hidden costs.
- Easy upload and administration: Our system is designed to be user-friendly.
- Detailed sales statistics: Keep track of revenue and performance.
- Full control: You decide where your audiobook appears.
- Support from experts: Our team is at your side.
So the question is not necessarily "Audible OR Spotify OR BookBeat?", but rather: "How do I reach ALL relevant platforms efficiently and on fair terms?"
Conclusion: Make an informed decision for your success
Choosing the right platforms for your audiobook depends on your individual goals, your genre and your target group. In most cases, broad distribution via a distributor like FEIYR offers you the best chance of reaching the largest possible audience and maximizing your income without having to deal with each individual platform in detail.
You focus on what you do best: creating great audiobooks. We take care of the rest.
Empowering Your Audiobook. Elevating Success.
Ready to get your audiobook into the ears of the world? Discover your possibilities now with audiobook distribution from FEIYR!