Why Should I Make An Audio Version Of My Digital Information Product?

Audio products are valued higher than written digital products. This may be due to the fact that it is a little more technical to create audios than the simple ebook or special report. But the good news is that they can also sell for more money than written content. You can sell an audio version of an ebook for about double the price. For example if your ebook sells for $27, then the audio book can sell for up to $67.

On top of that, once you make an audio version of your written digital information product, you now have two separate products that you can market. That means you just doubled you income potential by simply repurposing the same information into another format.

Yet another reason to create an audio book is that you can offer it as an upsell or maybe as an added bonus to your ebook. That way you have increased the value of your product. This allows you to raise the price point which earns you more income with each sale.

You will also reach more people with your information when you make an audio version of your product. For example, there are many people would rather listen to your ebook while driving to work, or while they're running on the treadmill. These potential customers would not buy your written ebook, but they would jump at the chance to get the audio version of it.

You can also create many different formats using audio to reach a wider range of customers. For example, you can create a recording and then make a podcast of it. You can then take the podcast and sell it on iTunes, or some of the many other channels available on the internet. This will get your content to millions of people that you would not have access to otherwise.

Once you have an ebook or special report created, making an audio book is really simple. You can get audio recording software on your computer for free that will make decent quality audio tracks that usually output the.MP3 format. Alternatively, you can outsource the recording process to make it sound really clean and professional. Try looking on fiverr.com or elance.com for recording professionals.

I really recommend trying to outsource the recording of your audio book. This will streamline the process, and it's really not very expensive to get done.

The increase in potential income is well worth the outsourcing expense.

How to Make an eBook Into an AudioBook   Working With Top iPhone Developers for Best Solutions   How Gamification Can Turn Businesses Into Winners   Easy Ways to Find Content For Your Audio Products   5 Simple Steps To Creating A Digital Information Product Using A Resource Report   

Options for Recording Audio Products

Your recording process will make a big difference to the final product. Although it is possible to "clean up" the recording later, you'll eventually be limited by the original quality. So aim to create a high-quality recording first.

You don't need the highest quality possible; you only need the highest quality required for your final product. For example, if you only want it so you can send it to somebody to transcribe, you can even record it on an old-fashioned low-quality cassette deck, because you'll never be publishing the recording itself. Similarly, if you only ever plan to publish it on the Internet, you can get away with a lower quality than if you're publishing it on CD, because your audience will prefer the fast download to the CD quality.

There are a number of options available, and we'll group them based on the number of people taking part.

1. Solo

If it's just yourself, you have the luxury of choosing an environment that suits you and a single microphone you can position right near you. Here are some options:

Directly to computer: Plug in a microphone to your computer and record directly into it, using easily-obtainable software (for example, Garage Band on a Mac, or Audacity on a PC). Smart phone: There are recording apps available for both iPhones and Android phones, and the quality is quite good, especially if you plug in an external microphone. iPod: You can buy a special microphone attachment for your iPod, which turns it into a recorder. Digital voice recorder: These are smaller and more portable than your computer, and some have better battery life and storage than your phone. There are a number of options available. When buying one, consider three things: The best recording quality; what microphone you can use with it; and how easy it is to transfer files to your computer.

2. Two people

As soon as you involve somebody else, you create some other challenges for yourself: You both have to find a suitable environment; you have to schedule time; you might each be using different equipment; and you have to prepare your material more diligently.

However, provided you take these into account (and to be honest, these aren't difficult to overcome), it's easy to create audio products that are interviews or conversation. Here are some options:

Phone: Some devices plug directly into your phone line, so you can record both sides of a phone conversation. This is extremely convenient, and the quality is reasonable (but not wonderful). Test this carefully before you use it, because sometimes the quality is very poor. Skype: If you are both comfortable using Skype, this will give you higher quality than a telephone line. Recording is not built in to Skype, but there is free and low-cost software to record Skype calls. Teleseminar or webinar: Most teleseminar and webinar services have a recording option (for some, it's an optional extra), and it's usually very easy to use (for example, just clicking a button when you begin, or sometimes the recording is even automatic). Studio: Finally, for high-quality professional recordings, you might consider hiring a studio for a few hours. To save money, prepare as much as possible in advance, so you don't waste time in the studio itself.

3. Group

When you expand the participants even further, the same challenges you faced with two people get even bigger. Again, these aren't insurmountable; they simply have to be managed. Here are some options:

Event A/V system: If you're speaking at an event with its own audio-visual crew, ask them whether they can record it for you. Even if they aren't recording it themselves, they should be able to plug in your device (and by extension, your microphone) directly into their system. This gives you a high-quality recording of your presentation. However, it doesn't include the audience interaction or responses, so if that's important to you, make sure you record that separately. Teleseminars and webinars: As I mentioned earlier, if you're conducting teleseminars or webinars, use the option to record them. Digital voice recorder: The low-quality devices don't work well with groups. However, the better devices can record your audience participation quite well. Just put it on a table in front of you and it captures both you the presenter and questions from the audience. How to Make an eBook Into an AudioBook   Working With Top iPhone Developers for Best Solutions   How Gamification Can Turn Businesses Into Winners   Easy Ways to Find Content For Your Audio Products   5 Simple Steps To Creating A Digital Information Product Using A Resource Report