Amazon’s Audible

"We innovate by starting with the customer and working backwards." - Jeff Bezos

Audible, an Amazon company.

Audible has been around for many years, since the mid-1990s. I first became aware of Audible about two or three years ago, when my daughter sent me a referral. I didn't do anything about it until now. As a senior my eyes are easily strained. I try to keep up to date with what is happening around me and around the world. Visual content like standard television or YouTube is great but there are times when I would rather close my eyes and listen to a blog. I do want to read more, but I must do it in a way that I can increase my awareness without my eyes feeling strained. So, I thought audible is an answer to that.

A Reading Fan

In years gone by I have being an avid reader. My teenage reading years were consumed by everything sci-fi. Arthur C Clark, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein are the authors I remember. When I had exhausted the sci-fi books in the school library, I extended my reading to include westerns. The author who grabbed most of my attention was JT Edson. In later years, Catherine Cookson, was the author of my choice. I read all her books. I subscribe to the New Zealand Herald, Stuff News, and the Washington Post. Add digital news pushed out by Google, Microsoft and everyone else who creates their own content, like me.

Audible Australia

I checked out audible.com and audible.com.au. I wanted to compare plans in both the USA and Australia. New Zealand is often funnelled through Australia. 

This is what I found. In the USA Audible has two plans Audible Plus and Audible Premium. Audible Australia, today, only has one plan they promote, Audible Premium Plus. After calculating the exchange rate, it was more advantageous for me to use Audible Australia. The premium plan in Australia is $16.45 Australian. Converting to New Zealand dollars the price is $18.13. Audible Premium in USA dollars is $14.95 or $25.41 New Zealand. To me it makes sense to deal with Australia because of the exchange rate. A minor concern is whether the library in Australia is as comprehensive as the one in the USA.

For the first 30 days Audible is free after which Audible will be charging me $18.13 per month, depending upon the exchange rate. 

A bonus, Audible offers opportunities for anyone looking to supplement their income. 

This bonus section is from Copilot.

There are several ways to make money with Audible, including: 

• Selling audiobooks

Create an account and record your own audiobook to sell on Audible. You can earn royalties from each sale. 

• Narrating audiobooks

Create a profile on ACX and upload samples of your voice work. You can audition for projects by reading from the manuscript. You can also earn a share of the royalties or a fee for narrating a book. 

• Promoting Audible

Become an Audible affiliate and promote their services. You can earn a $15 commission for each successful signup for a 30-day free trial. Audible tracks your hits and pays you each month you hit the $30.00 payment threshold. 

• Amazon Associates Program

Advertise and promote products through Amazon, including Audible products and services. You can earn commissions on Audible audiobook purchases, Audible Gold digital memberships, and Audible free trial digital memberships. 

• Creator Program

This program is specific to Audible and used by podcasters. You can earn commissions on Audible free trial memberships. 

Audible, at first glance, offers all the benefits I seek. Less eye strain while keeping me informed through blogs as well as indulging in the joy of a good novel. No doubt many of you are long time subscribers to Audible and already realise the benefits of membership. I will join Audible Australia and document my journey with them. Maybe you will consider joining Audible now or later.