Soundwise for Indie Authors: Direct Sales and Audiobook Monetization Reimagined
In the evolving landscape of audio publishing, where Audible gatekeeping and royalty policies have left many indie authors frustrated, platforms like Soundwise offer a breath of fresh air. Founded with the mission to empower creators to sell directly to their audiences, Soundwise bypasses traditional audiobook channels and gives authors full control over pricing, delivery, and monetization.
Soundwise is not just an audiobook distributor—it's a complete audio publishing and marketing platform that combines content hosting, direct sales, podcasting, listener analytics, mobile delivery, and subscription support under one roof. While it caters to coaches, podcasters, and online educators, indie authors are increasingly finding it a powerful tool for selling audiobooks, serialized content, and exclusive behind-the-scenes material directly to fans.
Where platforms like ACX and Findaway Voices funnel content through major retailers, Soundwise flips the model. It allows authors to become their own store. You upload your audiobook, set your price, customize the listener experience, and keep 85–90% of every sale. This makes it one of the most author-friendly audio platforms in existence.
Timeline of Development
- 2017: Soundwise launches as a mobile-first podcast publishing platform.
- 2018: Adds support for paid audio programs, opening the door for monetization.
- 2020: Indie authors begin using the platform to sell audiobooks and series directly.
- 2022: Major updates to mobile apps, sales pages, and listener accounts.
- 2023: Integrates with Zapier, Shopify, Stripe, and email marketing services.
While still growing and refining its feature set, Soundwise has carved out a niche among indie authors seeking alternatives to royalty-splitting aggregators and the constraints of ACX.
The Soundwise Creation and Sales Process
The process of publishing an audiobook on Soundwise is designed to be intuitive, flexible, and customizable. Here’s how it works:
- Upload Content: You upload your audiobook in MP3 format. Each chapter or section can be uploaded individually and labeled for navigation. The platform also allows bonus content, downloadable files (like PDFs), and voice intros.
- Set Pricing and Delivery Rules: Authors control pricing 100%. You can charge one-time fees, offer bundles, subscriptions, early access, or even free trials. All payments are processed via Stripe and deposited directly to your account.
- Customize the Experience: Soundwise allows for branded mobile apps, custom welcome messages, listener emails, and promotional coupons. You can include private community access or serialized delivery by schedule.
- Publish and Promote: Once your audiobook is ready, Soundwise generates a sales page, smart landing link, and mobile access code. Authors can embed players on their website, use QR codes in print books, or promote via email and social media.
- Listener Access: Readers access your content through the Soundwise app on iOS and Android. They can stream or download for offline listening.
Royalties, Pricing Freedom, and Monetization Models
Soundwise’s royalty structure is simple and highly favorable to authors:
- Standard Plan: You keep 85% of every sale (Soundwise takes 15%)
- Premium Plan: You keep 90%, with a higher monthly subscription cost
There are no exclusivity requirements and no restrictions on where else you can sell your audiobooks. You can run simultaneous campaigns across Shopify, BookFunnel, and Soundwise without penalty.
Authors are encouraged to experiment with:
- Subscription models
- Bundle pricing (e.g., audiobook + ebook + bonus scenes)
- Reader group exclusives
- Monthly serialized fiction
- Pay-what-you-want pricing
Because you own your relationship with listeners, you also gain access to email addresses, listener analytics, and behavioral data. This makes it far easier to build and retain a loyal audiobook audience.
Pros and Cons of Soundwise
Advantages:
- Full pricing and sales control
- 85–90% royalties
- No exclusivity
- Direct access to your audience and their emails
- Mobile app delivery for listener convenience
- Integrates with your website and newsletter
- Works for audiobooks, courses, podcasts, and serials
Limitations:
- No automatic listing on Audible, Spotify, or Apple Books
- Discoverability is 100% author-driven
- Limited narrator marketplace or production support
- Requires a bit more tech-savviness to set up and optimize
Final Thoughts: A Platform for the Entrepreneurial Indie Author
Soundwise is not a mass-distribution platform—it’s a direct sales powerhouse. For authors who want to retain control, maximize profits, build their own audience, and experiment with innovative monetization models, Soundwise offers tools no other audio service does.
If your primary goal is to be found passively on Audible, this may not be your platform. But if you're actively marketing your books, have an engaged email list, or are building a reader community, Soundwise lets you bypass the gatekeepers, keep your profits, and create a branded, polished audiobook experience on your own terms.
It’s a perfect complement to a wide distribution strategy—one where you build a strong, direct revenue stream while still leveraging other outlets for visibility.