Spotify for Authors Debuts with Tools for Audiobook Creators: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

November 30, 2024

I said a few days ago that Spotify was doubling down on audiobooks. Now we have even more evidence of that. They have released a whole set of tools for authors. They call it Spotify for Authors.

ALLi News Editor, Dan Holloway

“What makes Spotify for Authors unique in the publishing industry?” they ask in a subheading of their press release. That’s a clear indication they see working with us in their—and our—future. They end the release by promising many more features in the Spotify for Authors package during 2025.

A Challenge to Amazon

The answer to that question is yet more evidence of what we noted earlier this week: Spotify is trying to bulldoze Amazon out of its position as the automatic go-to for people who want to make money from audiobooks. Their claim? “This platform is unique for the industry because it is built to support any author or publisher — we’re not gating any features or limiting them based on exclusivity.” That’s about as clear a dig at Amazon as you could imagine.

Insights and Marketing Tools

So, what are they offering? Insights and marketing tools, for now. In terms of insights, Spotify is providing demographic information about listeners, including age and gender. Authors will also be able to see what podcasts their readers are listening to. That in itself is a valuable marketing insight. TechCrunch provides further details about these features.

In terms of marketing tools, Spotify is focusing on promotions for now. Authors will have access to promo codes that allow them to provide royalty-free copies to anyone they choose. Spotify envisions these codes functioning like advanced review copies or as rewards for dedicated fans.

It will be interesting to see what’s coming next, but Spotify is clearly making a play to become a welcoming publishing platform for authors.

Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue?

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Author: Dan Holloway

Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, which has appeared at festivals and fringes from Manchester to Stoke Newington. In 2010 he was the winner of the 100th episode of the international spoken prose event Literary Death Match, and earlier this year he competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available for Kindle at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transparency-Sutures-Dan-Holloway-ebook/dp/B01A6YAA40

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