Audiobooks vs. E-books: If You Could Choose Only One, Which One?

44 replies
You're in customer mode for this post--not information marketer.

You're busy. You find it difficult to make time for reading in your daily routine never mind trying to get everything else done that needs to be done on a daily basis. One night, you're browsing the web on your iPad as you're winding down from a long day. You come across a link to a book you've been wanting to read for a while. It comes in both audiobook and e-book format, and you can only choose one.

Which one do you choose? Why?
#audiobooks #choose #ebooks #information marketer
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    eBooks - I often have other things going on, such as the TV or music. Also, I read a lot faster than other people talk. It's also much easier to re-read different parts of text than it is to find a certain spot in video or audio.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      eBooks - I often have other things going on, such as the TV or music. Also, I read a lot faster than other people talk. It's also much easier to re-read different parts of text than it is to find a certain spot in video or audio.
      If I was on the road, traveling a fair amount for work, I would take the audio-book. Take in the book while I relax during my drive or flight.
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    This is a flawed premise. No one selling something would only allow a customer to just choose one. That is why I never answer these questions. we would be better served with decent conversation, not talk about things that will never happen

    al
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      This is a flawed premise. No one selling something would only allow a customer to just choose one. That is why I never answer these questions. we would be better served with decent conversation, not talk about things that will never happen

      al
      It's called a hypothetical question. Lol.
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      • Profile picture of the author agmccall
        Originally Posted by Best Seller View Post

        It's called a hypothetical question. Lol.
        My point, exactly.

        al
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        • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
          Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

          My point, exactly.

          al
          It's a hypothetical question designed to stir up debate which leads to learning. Not such a bad thing, hey?
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          • Profile picture of the author agmccall
            Originally Posted by Best Seller View Post

            It's a hypothetical question designed to stir up debate which leads to learning. Not such a bad thing, hey?
            Not when it is a flawed premise. What is to debate? Why would anyone selling something only allow you to purchase one or the other.

            al
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            • Profile picture of the author davejarvys
              Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

              Why would anyone selling something only allow you to purchase one or the other.

              al
              Agreed. It's even further flawed when you take into consideration that our resident guru hasn't mentioned whispersync.

              Even Amazon are saying you can have either or both
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              • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
                Originally Posted by davejarvys View Post

                Agreed. It's even further flawed when you take into consideration that our resident guru hasn't mentioned whispersync.

                Even Amazon are saying you can have either or both
                I think you guys are taking this too literally or too seriously ... one of the two. You can have both. Nobody's stopping you. Least of all me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    The written word, every time. But more than that, if a book's worth reading at all, it's worth savouring and digesting. That means spending time with it and thinking about it afterwards. Compared with books, background audio is just aural fast food.

    In my view, anyone who honestly can't set aside enough time for careful and concentrated reading - both for business and pleasure - needs to rearrange their priorities.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Both, since you are asking the question to decide which one to sell

    eBooks for my personal preference. But not sure if you care whether I like eBooks or audio books for a casual tally LOL.

    Sell both. Sell the eBook - after writing - then convert to audio book on ACX. 1-2-3 simple and producers will gladly promote the heck out of audio books, boosting your sales nicely.

    ACX does a fine job partnering with iTunes and Amazon too. 3 income streams through Audible, iTunes and Amazon for audio book sales. Good deal. Diversifying things. And of course, you'll be selling eBook versions of the same topic too. And paperbacks should you choose to convert to maximize your income streams on the self-publishing angle.

    eBooks are prime though. Gotta get those written and loaded on KDPSelect to start the process. Then you work with the producer through an audition process, find the match and allow them to produce. Split sales. Prosper. Super passive income stream too.

    You can sell hundreds of them without promoting aggressively through a blitz or anything. Because producers do a fine job marketing the audio book for you to help you generate more sales on auto pilot.

    I prefer eBooks myself from a reading perspective. Only because I dig reading before I hit the sack at night. 30 minutes on the mobile to improve my story telling abilities. Honing the imagination. ASOIAF now, and has been for many months. Brilliant reads.

    Audio books would vibe with me if I was still commuting to and from work. Some audio book fans do the 9-5 bit. I know a few who listen to audio books during long train or bus rides to places. Easy listening, and super entertainment or education you get there.

    I do see a general trend of more folks gobbling up audio books then ever. I feel it's multi-tasking at play. Or the attempt to multi task. Listen while you do 10 other things. Or try to do 10 other things. Whereas when you are reading an eBook you can pretty much do 1 thing, and do it well: reading the eBook. Or else you may find yourself botching jobs or falling into deeper trouble, trying to read and do anything else.

    So....written word fan here but more folks are moving toward audio books; again, go with both because it is so easy to convert, to reach audiences with different preferences and to boost your income streams at the same time.

    Happy Reading. Happy Listening. Happy Selling.

    Ryan
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

      Both, since you are asking the question to decide which one to sell
      You are perceptive.
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      • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
        Sometimes I open my eyes LOL

        Really though having both rocks. Sold nearly half a thousand audio books almost completely passively so gotta recommend it.

        Ryan
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        • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
          Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

          Sometimes I open my eyes LOL

          Really though having both rocks. Sold nearly half a thousand audio books almost completely passively so gotta recommend it.

          Ryan
          How? What did you do to "passively" sell half a thousand audio books and in what time frame?
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

      Mods this belongs in the off topic as it does not give any value to the forum except this warriors what if !
      Maybe if the some of the newbies would look around this is not the place for what ifs or pipe dreams
      Is this off topic? So many of us are offering e-books or audiobooks as part of our email campaigns, et cetera. I thought this would be educational for us all. I think I know the pros and cons of both, but I like to hear other's opinions and learn. Everyone can learn from a debate like this.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Given the choice, I would prefer reading a physical book most of the time. 2nd option would be an ebook.

    Despite what others have said, I think there is value in asking questions like this. I went to Amazon to look up some of the common books pushed in these circles and found several popular ones without an audio version. Mine don't have audio versions either so this served as a reminder to get it done.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author markowe
    Both, depending on the situation. I don't like audiobooks if I don't have to listen to them as the pace is too slow. eBooks can be taken everywhere and you can grab a few minutes to read even while waiting in line at the bank or whatever.

    But ebooks (and especially podcasts) are really good when my hands aren't free, like someone said, when driving, or more often for me, when out on my bike training, or in the gym. That's when I can't get enough audio material.
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  • Profile picture of the author predictions365
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  • Profile picture of the author muhdharizkhatem
    Actually it depends on the situation and the content of the ebook. If the content is more to tools and guidelines it is preferable to be as an ebook because it should hv pictures and etc. Audio-book is good and acceptable if you like to listen and you the type og persom that can focus on many things at once. For me i can't. I easily get distracted and I will lost track and rewind. Lol. Anyway another one vote for ebook here.
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  • Profile picture of the author dleigh
    It would depend. If I figured I would need to reference it later, I would go with the ebook. It is much easier to go back to a specific chapter or section of an ebook than an audiobook.

    If it was a long book, and I didn't think I'd need to reference specific parts later, I would go with the audiobook.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by dleigh View Post

      It would depend. If I figured I would need to reference it later, I would go with the ebook.
      That's a good point. Ebook is best for future reference, search-ability.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    I'd pick the ebook, simply because there are times when my reading time comes in bits and pieces. It's much easier to read a few pages than it is to try to find the timestamp in an audio to pick up where I left off.

    That's my day to day situation.

    If I was taking a long trip (Florida to Hawaii, or vice versa, takes ~10 hours), I'd take the audio book. Load it up, put in my earbuds, shut my eyes and away I go. I like fiction for this kind of indulgence, though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I don't see where 'debate' comes in. Each person has their own preference - and I think smart authors provide the widest range of options.

    I will always go for the ebook - I read too fast for audio books. I'm the same way with videos online - would prefer text version as the pace of videos usually loses me after a few minutes.

    On a plane I have my Kindle with me - in a car I listen to music.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      I don't see where 'debate' comes in.
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      Not when it is a flawed premise. What is to debate?
      al
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Legitimate question.

      It really isn't a debate when all you're asking for is someone's personal preference.
      Clearly 'debate' was the wrong word. My bad. Discussion. Start a discussion. I like to know what people are reading/watching and why. I have a vested interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author Willie Crawford
    Audio, because I often listen to things on my iPhone while I'm out walking, or taking a break from working. Ideally, I'd like to have both so that I can make notes in the printed out PDF, but if I had to choose only one, definitely audio!
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  • Profile picture of the author Sharma Arun
    For people like me who are driving a lot on daily basis the audiobooks have no substitute. But the power of written word as it is captured in brain is more. So it will depend on your routines.
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  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    If it's a book that I won't need to reference, then I would go for an audio book.

    Otherwise, I would always choose an ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author shim333
    I use both
    I have in my Kindle 150 Ebooks and read then every spare time... and also I download motivation, business mp3 audio books (you can find great from YouTube too) so I don't waste time on news when I am drive on my car, it not help to hear bad thing happen in place I can't help...

    For download from youtube you can use free software name K4 - you can download even audio that is 10 hours... (like Think and Grow Rich written by Napoleon Hill, or Tony Robbins books that converted to audio books)
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

    Not when it is a flawed premise. What is to debate? Why would anyone selling something only allow you to purchase one or the other.

    al
    Legitimate question.

    It really isn't a debate when all you're asking for is someone's personal preference. Sounds more like one of Ryan Levesque's ASK Method surveys, gathering market intelligence.

    To be fair, though, I see these kinds of hypothetical questions all the time on Quora. Almost like there's some kind of underground contest to see who can come up with the lamest premise.

    At least it wasn't one of those leading questions where, in order to answer, you have to agree with the asker's premise.
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  • Profile picture of the author mdallen
    I prefer to listen, and then I prefer digital over paper books. As a customer that would be my preferences, but you need a much larger sample size. Might be good to ask your list which they would prefer...
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  • Profile picture of the author Morna Donaghue
    Banned
    eBooks. But that's just my personal preference. My mother enjoy audiobooks but I can never got the hang of it. It doesn't feel quite the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author clairelynn23
    I would choose ebook due to the aspect of vision. Customers are much more enticed by what they see than what they hear.
    As an aside, I tend to like to listen to audio when I'm reading fiction, and I do love podcasts - so I would say that there is a market share that is achievable through audio.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by clairelynn23 View Post

      Customers are much more enticed by what they see than what they hear.
      I would clarify this a little bit to say, "Men are much more enticed by what they see than what they hear." You all (most of you, anyway) tend to be more visual than we women are.
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  • Profile picture of the author maxsi
    Audio books are pretty good, conformtable. Many times listening people works better than read a book.... (to understand the concepts)
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  • Hi,

    I am confident that I can answer this question. After all, in the last three years, I've read / listened to +180 books in total.

    I am an Audible subscriber and I have purchased my fair share from iTunes. However, in all honesty, I read mostly on my Kindle now.

    The idea of audiobooks for me is to use them when you can't actually read. I find reading highly superior due to the fact that I retain more information but sometimes, like if walking down the street, washing dishes, not having my Kindle with my or in the car, I do listen to audiobooks.

    I do use WhisperSync from Amazon a lot though. It syncs audio with the eBook. In other words, if I listen to a certain point, then I can sync my eBook exactly to that point so I resume without any lost time.

    If I were to purchase between audiobook and eBook, I would purchase eBook. If I were to purchase any individual option between both of them (an audiobook and eBook package) I would pick the package, at a higher price.

    I hope this helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by 21stCenturyCopywriting View Post

      I do use WhisperSync from Amazon a lot though. It syncs audio with the eBook. In other words, if I listen to a certain point, then I can sync my eBook exactly to that point so I resume without any lost time.
      I've never heard of WhisperSync before. Sounds like a great tool.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Best Seller View Post

    You're in customer mode for this post--not information marketer.

    You're busy. You find it difficult to make time for reading in your daily routine never mind trying to get everything else done that needs to be done on a daily basis. One night, you're browsing the web on your iPad as you're winding down from a long day. You come across a link to a book you've been wanting to read for a while. It comes in both audiobook and e-book format, and you can only choose one.

    Which one do you choose? Why?



    The ebook, that way when I fall asleep I don't have to keep listening to the crap while I'm sleeping the rest of the night.

    IMO, audio books are better for long commutes.
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  • Depends on the book. If it's non-fiction, I prefer ebooks. For fiction, I prefer audiobooks.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by John Jonas Phil VA View Post

      Depends on the book. If it's non-fiction, I prefer ebooks. For fiction, I prefer audiobooks.
      Why audiobook for fiction? Better soundtrack, more of a movie quality?
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by Best Seller View Post

    You're in customer mode for this post--not information marketer.

    You're busy. You find it difficult to make time for reading in your daily routine never mind trying to get everything else done that needs to be done on a daily basis. One night, you're browsing the web on your iPad as you're winding down from a long day. You come across a link to a book you've been wanting to read for a while. It comes in both audiobook and e-book format, and you can only choose one.

    Which one do you choose? Why?
    It's hard for me to answer. I like audiobooks when they are read by someone who is fun to listen to, unfortunately most are read by people who could put a screaming baby to sleep.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shana Walters
    I personal choice is an e-book hand downs. But as a seller I will offer the buyers every option available.
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  • Profile picture of the author squeebo
    Not the best place to ask this question. On a forum like this you're asking a bunch of people who read, read, read, and would mainly prefer ebooks.
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    • Profile picture of the author Best Seller
      Originally Posted by squeebo View Post

      Not the best place to ask this question. On a forum like this you're asking a bunch of people who read, read, read, and would mainly prefer ebooks.
      I don't know about that. A few posts above said they prefer audiobooks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dawood
    I will choose an Ebook.
    its easy to read again and again and again and again.
    works well for me..

    Dawood
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