HERE ARE 3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD TURN YOUR PODCAST INTO AN AUDIOBOOK

22 February 2024, Dispatch from Ochenta’s Paris office

In an industry where the winds of change are ever-blowing, podcasts creators have to read new compasses with the keenest of eyes. Gone are the days of relying solely on advertising revenue or commissioned work. Enter audiobooks: a beacon of direct monetization.

According to the Federation of European Publishers audiobooks are on the rise, up 112% in Denmark, 177% in Italy,  and even 68% in the UK in 2022 versus 2021. In 2024, audiobooks will continue to represent a growing portion of a multi-billion dollar global industry.

But what about podcasts, you may ask? Aren't they a different breed altogether? Rest assured, we’ll get to that with three important reasons why you should turn your podcast into an audiobook.

1. Podcasts have all the elements needed to make an audiobook

Picture this: all around you, streaming subscriptions, the new norm for TV and film, are constantly trying to grab your attention. And amidst all that noisy insistence, somewhere in your library, a book stands, waiting patiently for you to hold it once again. Waiting for you to relive an experience with it. No matter how old, no matter how new, the allure of books remains steadfast. Blockbuster may have faded into obscurity, but the bookstore? It thrives, a testament to the enduring magic of literature in all its forms - be it a classic paperback, an electronic marvel, or the captivating allure of an audiobook.

And if you think about it, what is an audiobook actually made of? Companies like Pushkin Industries have been adapting books into audiobooks since 2019 and its first audiobook, Talking To Strangers, includes interviews, archival audio and even reenactments of court transcripts. Sounds a lot like a podcast, doesn't it? The gripping narrative of a bestselling audiobook, the mellifluous voice bringing it to life. Peel back the layers, and you'll find that they share the same DNA. Even sound designing and music score from podcasts can be a part of an audiobook if needed be.

Podcasts and audiobooks have a symbiotic relationship waiting to be explored.

2. Audiobooks can be monetized directly

Crafting an audiobook from a podcast is an art form in itself. It requires finesse, creativity, and a keen understanding of the audience's preferences. Turning a podcast into an audiobook can give your audience an opportunity to directly pay for your content, untethered from the constraints of the advertising middleman. But always remember this - you’re producing a new product for purchase, so make sure you create additional content that is worth paying for.

For Mija Podcast: The Audiobook, we established a thorough content map of the audiobooks our audience loves. We found that fans of books like Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Americanah, The Good Immigrant, and The House on Mango Street would also love the adaptation of our flagship podcast.

So, do your research: what do your podcasts audiences listen to? Are there similar audiobooks about those subjects your audience is interested in? If so, what can you bring new to the table that others haven’t brought up yet? And, most importantly, how does your new audiobook give new and exclusive content related to your podcast’s brand? Think of it as Cinderella getting her well-deserved makeover for the ball. The essence is still there. The package? Enhanced to a whole new level.

3. It’s a first step into adapting your own IP to a new format

At Ochenta, we don't just wave a magic wand and hope for the best. We roll up our sleeves and dive into the meticulous process of transformation from podcast to audiobook. From reformatting to writing new content, every aspect is meticulously curated to enhance the user experience. The result? Your favorite podcast, elevated to new heights, adorned with luxurious embellishments - think sound effects, musical interludes, and exclusive new chapters.

And we know first hand that retaining creative control over your intellectual property (IP) is paramount for iterating your content into different formats and to expand the value of your own IP.

Think, for example, of Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered, the audiobook spinoff of My Favorite Murder podcast. The latter is a true crime comedy show hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, in which they tell each other their favorite true crimes and share hometown crime stories from friends and listeners. The audiobook, even though it still includes true crime stories, discusses the value of self-advocating and personal safety, as well as meaningful cultural and societal issues behind their true crime stories. The hostesses turned their IP from a comedy show (their podcast) into a social debate (their audiobook).

Furthermore, in an industry where adaptations bring more audiences and more investment to the table, pushing the boundaries of your already existing content into new venues can be the first step of many into various other different adaptations.

Curious to learn more about how Ochenta is transforming podcasts into audiobooks? Sign up for our newsletter here or contact our team to learn about how YOU can explore audiobooks as a new revenue source too. https://www.ochentastudio.com/en/contact

Want to come along for the ride? Discover our first 7 audiobook titles already available in your favorite audiobook store in English, French, Spanish and Italian.

https://www.ochentastudio.com/audiobooks

Studio Ochenta is a Latina-owned multilingual podcast studio dedicated to raising voices across cultures. Ochenta is home to many translated and adapted shows and audiobooks including the 2022 Lovie Award-winning podcast Adventure in Atacama, a choose-your-own-adventure series, fully adapted from Spanish to English. If you want to listen to more podcasts from our team, check out our work on Ochentastudio.com