Are Audio Books A Good Side Hustle For Cybersecurity Professionals ??
A few reasons why this is a great income stream to tap into
One of the best things about publishing is how one book can turn into multiple income steams without much effort.
A single I put on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform has the potential to generate the following income streams:
Ebooks
Paperbacks and Hardcover
AudioBooks
The last one was something I have always been interested in and honestly makes perfect sense
If you have already published a cybersecurity book on KDP, then expanding your reach by creating an audiobook is a logical next step.
The audiobook industry is booming, with demand growing rapidly, making it a valuable market for any author looking to reach a broader audience.
I have over 5 audio books currently on ACX / Audible around AI and Cybersecurity.
I have been on the platform since 2022 and sales have been increasing steadily as you can see below
So I do know a little bit about the platform.
If you are planning on publishing a book soon then here is why adding an audiobook to your cybersecurity content portfolio could be a great idea:
1. A Growing Audiobook Market
The audiobook market is expected to expand from $1.7 billion today to over $35 billion by 2030.
For cybersecurity authors, this trend is important to tap into, as it reflects a growing audience of listeners who are actively seeking educational and professional content in audio format.
I donβt know how many people I know who listen to Cybersecurity podcasts on the way to or back from work
With the fast-paced nature of the tech industry, many professionals prefer to listen to content while multitasking.
Offering your book in audiobook form makes it more accessible to busy professionals who want to learn on the goβwhether theyβre driving, commuting, or exercising.
2. Lower Competition on Audible
One of the key advantages of Audible, Amazonβs audiobook platform, is that it is still less saturated compared to KDP.
As of now, there are significantly fewer audiobooks than eBooks, creating a less competitive environment.
For example, while there may be tens of thousands of KDP eBooks on a particular topic like βpersonal finance,β the number of audiobooks available on the same topic is dramatically lower.
This applies to cybersecurity as well.
Although there are plenty of books on cybersecurity, the audiobook market is still relatively unsaturated, giving you a competitive edge.
Entering now allows you to establish a presence before the market becomes more crowded.
With fewer cybersecurity audiobooks available, you have a better chance of standing out, especially in a growing market. This will not only bring in new readers but will also help build your credibility in the field.
Do not let this trend pass you by !
3. Multiple Revenue Streams
As an author already on KDP, adding an audiobook creates an additional revenue stream with minimal extra effort.
Once youβve written your book, you can repurpose the same content by converting it into audio format and distributing it through Audible.
This allows you to capitalize on your existing intellectual property without needing to create brand new material.
Audiobook royalties, combined with eBook sales, can help maximize your income from a single piece of work.
Moreover, Audible allows you to choose whether to narrate the book yourself or hire professional talent through ACX, their production platform.
This flexibility means you can keep costs low if youβre comfortable narrating or work with a professional to elevate the quality.
4. Broader Audience Reach
Not everyone prefers to read.
Some people absorb information better by listening, especially when it comes to technical topics like cybersecurity.
By offering your book as an audiobook, you make your content more accessible to different types of learners.
You might reach professionals who prefer to listen during their commute or students who retain information better through audio.
Cybersecurity is a field where continued learning is crucial, and offering your content in various formats increases the likelihood of reaching different segments of your target audience.
You will also reach users who have not taken an interest in Cybersecurity book or ever picked up a book on that topic
These users are more likely to try out new titles, especially in specialized fields like cybersecurity, where demand for educational content is growing
People who may have ignored your eBook might be drawn to your audiobook, especially if the topic is something theyβve been wanting to learn about but havenβt had time to sit down and read.
5. Low Production Cost and Risk
Producing an audiobook doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming.
Platforms like ACX allow authors to either narrate their own books or hire professional narrators.
If budget is a concern, ACX offers a royalty-sharing option with narrators, allowing you to bring in a professional without upfront costs. This makes entering the audiobook space a low-risk option.
This is the same option I have used for my last couple of books giving me a great βrisk-freeβ approach to this income stream
In addition, Audibleβs platform integrates seamlessly with Amazon KDP, so if you already have a presence on KDP, expanding into audiobooks feels like a natural next step.
Youβre essentially leveraging the same ecosystem, with an existing audience familiar with your work.
If youβve already published a cybersecurity book on KDP, expanding into the audiobook market is a no-brainer.
The audiobook market is rapidly growing, with relatively low competition compared to eBooks.
Good luck on your audiobook journey !