ACX vs FINDAWAY VOICES for Your Audiobook
/Audiobooks are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the publishing industry, and in recent years, the popularity of audiobooks has only continued to soar.
According to the most recent data from the Audio Publishers Association, the audiobook industry has witnessed exponential growth for over a decade, with total revenue surpassing $2.5 billion in 2023. This marks a significant increase from the $1.2 billion reported in 2020.
I typically direct my clients in two places when it's time for them to decide where to publish and distribute their audiobooks: ACX and Findaway Voices.
ACX, an Amazon-owned platform facilitating audiobook creation and distribution, remains a dominant player in the industry. It connects authors with narrators and producers, offering seamless integration with Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
ACX also provides flexibility in audiobook creation, with options for royalty sharing or upfront payments to narrators. Moreover, they have a wide range of narrators available for hire inside their platform for authors who do not wish to narrate their own audiobooks.
If you offer ACX exclusivity of your audiobook, meaning you'll only distribute it through ACX to Amazon, Audible, and iTunes, you'll receive a 40% royalty on your sales. If you do not offer ACX exclusivity, you'll earn a 25% royalty on your sales.
Findaway Voices, another major platform in the audiobook industry, offers production, distribution, and marketing services. They enable authors to distribute audiobooks across various retailers, including Audible, Apple, Google Play, and Spotify. Like ACX, Findaway Voices also boasts professional production services and narrators.
Findaway Voice's pricing structure for audiobook distribution is a simple 80/20 share, where you keep 80% of your royalties. Further, you keep 100% of your Spotify royalties, meaning you pay no distribution fee on Spotify royalties and get paid when Spotify Premium users listen to your audiobook.
Distributing Your Audiobook Through Both ACX and Findaway Voices
If you are narrating your own audiobook, then it is possible to distribute your audiobook through both platforms. However, it's important to carefully consider the terms and agreements of each platform before distributing your audiobook through multiple channels.
NOTE: If you plan to narrate your own audiobook, it’s important to research each platform’s audio submission requirements and adhere to them closely.
For instance, if you select ACX's exclusivity program, you cannot distribute your audiobook through Findaway Voices. Additionally, managing distribution across multiple platforms may require additional time and resources for tracking sales, managing royalties, and coordinating marketing efforts.
On the other hand, distributing your audiobook through both ACX and Findaway Voices simultaneously has its benefits:
Expanded Reach: By distributing through both platforms, you can access a wider audience. As mentioned, ACX provides access to major retailers like Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, while Findaway Voices distributes to numerous other platforms, including Apple, Google Play, and more. This broader distribution increases the visibility of your audiobook and maximizes potential sales.
More Revenue Streams: Distributing through multiple platforms allows you to diversify your revenue streams. You can earn royalties from sales on both ACX and Findaway Voices and any other platforms they distribute to. This can help mitigate risks associated with relying solely on one platform for income.
Flexibility: Each platform offers different terms and pricing options. By distributing through both ACX and Findaway Voices, you can take advantage of each platform's unique features and benefits. For example, you may prefer one platform's services or pricing structure over the other.
To conclude, both ACX and Findaway Voices offer distinct advantages and drawbacks for authors navigating the audiobook market. The choice between the platforms depends on factors such as distribution preferences, budget considerations, and desired levels of control over the production process. It’s important for authors to do their research on each platform and then select the best option for their book.
