Do you like to read? Wouldn’t it be nice if you can get paid to read books?
Reading is good for the soul. As the famous American novelist and screenwriter George R.R. Martin once said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” You might know who he is. (Hint: Games of Throne).
As we all know, reading not only nourishes the soul but also opens new windows to the world around us.
Getting paid to read is definitely a dream come true for book lovers and there are websites that pay thousands of dollars to read aloud.
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Table of Contents
Get Paid To Read Books Aloud
There are websites where you can get paid to read books aloud without having to write reviews. However, you need to have a good voice as well as the knowledge of narrating a story. Voice artists earn as high as $40 per hour on these platforms!
1. Audio Creative Exchange (ACX)
Audio Creative Exchange of Amazon (ACX) is one of the most popular sites to read books aloud for money. You just need to select a book for which you want to audition as a narrator.
To get started, you need to sign up for an Amazon account and follow the steps on this page to record a free sample and audition for books you want to narrate.
Once you’ve been selected, you’ll get paid according to your pre-determined hourly rate. Not only that, but you can also earn up to 25% royalties from sales of your narrated audiobooks!
2. Voices
Voices is the leading marketplace for audiobook narrator job opportunities. Brands like Microsoft, BMW, and Hulu use this platform.
To get started, you need to create either a free basic membership or a premium membership and then upload a demo. The built-in engine will then match your voice with potential clients. After you find your ideal match, you may contact the client directly through the website.
The standard rate for audiobook narration is anywhere between $200 – $300 per hour of recording. Since most audiobooks consist of about 4-6 hours of recording, it works out to be $1,500 per book!
3. Bunny Studio
Bunny Studio connects freelancers with clients looking for audiobook voice artists that are professional with quick turnaround time.
In order to get started, you need to create an account and then submit your voice quality test. You’re expected to produce high-quality audio and should be equipped with voice-over equipment to get started.
You are free to set the rates based on your level of expertise. For a beginner, the estimated earnings are around $50 per finished hour and up to $200 per finished hour for an experienced narrator.
4. Brilliance Audio
Brilliance Audio is part of the Amazon Publishing group that frequently hires experienced audiobook narrators for their new projects. As a leading audiobook company, Brilliance Audio gives the best hourly rate in the industry, however, they only accept professional delivery.
If you’re new to the game, don’t get discouraged. Just practice and record yourself reading the books out loud and once you’re ready, you can send in your application with a demo.
Get Paid To Read And Review Books
Another way to get paid to read books without having to use your voice is to read and review books online. While the pay is not as good as narrating books, this allows you more flexibility. You can read while waiting in line, before going to bed, or during your break at work.
Your job is just to read the books and then rate them, along with submitting a small review of that book.
5. Kirkus Media
Kirkus Media is one of the best-known sites hiring experienced book reviewers of English and Spanish-language titles.
They have been in business since 1933 and review 10,000 books per year.
Reviews are usually about 350 words long and must be submitted two weeks after the book is assigned. Kirkus Media reviews all genres and lengths.
To be considered as a book reviewer, you will need to submit your resume along with a writing sample and your areas of specialty or experience to the email address on their website.
Reviewers are typically professional writers, journalists, librarians, and academics in a variety of fields.
6. Any Subject Books
Any Subject Books is perfect for someone who just wants to test out the water as it doesn’t require a long-term commitment from you. They will send you books to review on a case-by-case basis and you can choose to accept or decline.
The best part is that the site makes sure to send you genres that you enjoy. If you’ve decided to accept the project, you just read the book and write a thorough review on the form provided by them.
Salary: Varies based on word count. The final offer depends on multiple factors such as the overall volume and the difficulty of the subject.
7. Women’s Review of Books (WRB)
Women’s Review of Books is the best website to get paid to read books if you enjoy books written by and about women.
To get started, create an account and provide them with your credentials. WRB is strict on who they allow to review their content. Their reviewers are experienced reviewers, academics, or journalists.
Salary: $100 for each review that is assigned and published.
8. The US Review of Books
The US Review of Books hires freelance writers across the U.S. to review books for the publication in a wide variety of genres.
After you are assigned a book based on your preferences, you will have two to three weeks to read and write the review. Reviews are typically between 250 to 300 words and should include summaries as well as key insights.
You will be paid on a monthly basis for all work completed the previous month.
9. Online Book Club
Online Book Club pays its members between $5 to $60 per book review (depending on the length of the book).
Membership is free and once you’re done signing up, you will be given a selection of books to choose from. The books they send you are also free of charge once you agree to review them.
*Please note: The first review you do with Online Book Club is free. Think of this as an audition. They want to make sure that you’re right for the job with their company. You will be eligible for payment after your first approved review.
Salary: Between $5 to $60.
10. Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine that occasionally hires book reviewers. The company looks to review books that are both self-published and traditionally published for all types of reviews (fiction and non-fiction books).
To apply, submit a resumé along with a 200-word sample review of a recently published book.
Salary: Varies
11. Fiverr
Fiverr is an amazing platform especially for beginners starting out looking for experience. Because the gigs don’t pay much on Fiverr, there is also minimal requirements to get started.
After a quick search on Fiverr, I found so many amazing narrators and voice over artists charging $200-$400 per project! You can check out a more seasoned voiceover artist ionebutler or rising stars simeonweedall and angusyellowlees to get a feel for how they set up their shops.
12. Upwork
Upwork is an online marketplace that connects people looking for work and companies looking for workers. In addition to getting paid to review books, you can also apply for other freelance work.
Since Upwork has so many jobs posted daily, it is in your best interest to list as many skills as possible on your profile to make it easy for you to make with clients and potential employers.
Free Books in Exchange for Reviews
These sites don’t pay you in actual cash, but if you love reading and just want a free hard copy – then all you have to do is provide a review after you are done with the book.
13. Page Chaser (Formerly: Book Look Bloggers)
Get Paid To Read Books – FAQs
1. Can You Really Get Paid To Read Books?
Absolutely yes! You can get paid to narrate books, read and review books, or just read and review in exchange for free books.
Make sure that your reviews are unbiased and provide good and useful feedback. Reading books can pay you anywhere from $20 per hour to hundreds of dollars.
2. How Much Do Actors Get Paid To Read Books?
Depending on the company you are working for and your level of experience, you can earn between $50-$200 per hour. Of course, the rate can hit thousands if your voice is really popular.
3. Is Previous Experience Required To Get Paid To Read Books?
To work for well-known companies such as Audio Creative Exchange of Amazon (ACX), then having previous experience is a must.
Don’t feel discouraged if you’re a beginner. To build up your portfolio, you can offer freelance gigs on Fiverr and Upwork.
In the meantime, you could try some other ways to make money:
- 30 Work-At-Home Proofreading Jobs For Beginners
-
How To Start Voice Over Work Online (9 Companies To Work For)
Ready To Get Paid To Read Books Online?
There you have it! Some popular websites where you can make money reading audiobooks.
Don’t get discouraged when you listen to these professional voice over actors. They have been doing this for a while and have had years to perfect their voices.
The only way to get better is by taking actionable steps and reading books aloud. If narrating books is not your cup of tea, you can also just read and review books – although the pay won’t be as good as narrating books.
Happy reading and happy side hustling!
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