Are you a voracious reader trying to convert your hobby into a profitable business? You’ll be relieved to know that there are several ways to get paid to read books and make $200 or more. In this blog post, we’ll look at the various approaches, how to get paid online, how much you can make, and what qualifications you’ll need.
Why Do Companies Pay People to Read Books?
One reason is that book evaluations assist businesses in marketing and selling their items. Reviews from credible sites can enhance book sales and rankings. There are also publishing businesses that need proofreading and editing, as well as literary agencies that look for outstanding writers. Let’s look more closely at how you can get started.
How to Get Paid to Read Books
Book Reviewing
Writing book reviews is a terrific method to earn money while reading. Numerous websites, blogs, and magazines will pay for honest, in-depth evaluations. Book review positions can be found on internet job boards, social media platforms, and literary journals. You can earn up to $100 for every review and sometimes get free books in exchange.
Proofreading and Editing:
Proofreading and editing are two other ways to earn money for reading books. To assist with the editing process, you can collaborate with publishing businesses or self-publishing writers. Proofreading and editing assignments can be found on online freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Freelancer. You might make up to $40 per hour.
Literary Agent
Literary agents are professionals who assist authors in getting their works published. They collaborate with writers to assess manuscripts and pitch them to publishers. A literary agent can be obtained by completing a degree in English or journalism and interning with a literary agency. The average annual salary for literary agents is roughly $50,000.
Writing Book Summaries
Writing book summaries is a great method to get money while reading. Book summary authors give readers succinct and detailed overviews of books to assist them to decide whether or not to read the entire book. Book summary writing tasks can be found on services such as Fiverr and Upwork. You can earn up to $50 for each book synopsis you write.
How Much Can You Earn?
The amount you can make depends on the sort of employment and your level of expertise. Book reviewers can make up to $100 per review, proofreaders and editors can make up to $40 per hour, literary agents can earn up to $50,000 per year, and book summary writers can make up to $50 for every book description. You may turn your passion for reading into a rewarding job with enough hard work and devotion.
Qualifications Needed for Reading Bo0ks
The requirements required for each job category differ. To review books, you must be a talented writer with a strong command of grammar and language. Proofreading and editing require exceptional writing and editing skills, a sharp eye for detail, and a strong command of the English language. A degree in English or journalism, as well as knowledge of the publishing sector, is required for literary agenting. You must be able to summarise books concisely and accurately in order to write book summaries.
Top 10 Sites That Will Pay You to Read Books
You may be wondering if there are any companies that would pay you to read books. The good news is that there are various companies that pay people to read books, however, the options are limited. We’ll look at some of the companies that will pay you to read books in this article.
1. Kirkus Review
Kirkus Review is a well-known book review website that covers all genres and formats. Kirkus Indie is looking for experienced reviews of English and Spanish novels authored by self-published authors.
The site demands a CV, writing samples, and a list of reviewing expertise, thus this job does not appear to be for newcomers. In most freelance jobs, the more impressive your writing samples are and the more prestigious locations you have been published, the more likely you are to get chosen.
How to Apply: To Apply, send your entry to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at Drapp@kirkus.com.
2. Any Subject Books
Any Subject Books is a company that pays people to write book summaries. They are searching for freelancers to read books and create summaries of 200 to 1,000 words. Any Subject Books pays $50 per summary and accepts PayPal payments.
How to Apply: To Apply, send your entry to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at Drapp@kirkus.com.
3. Online Book Club
The Online Book Club is a service that pays for book reviews. They are looking for book reviewers to read and submit honest opinions on their website. The remuneration for Online Book Club reviews ranges from $5 to $60 for each review, depending on the length and complexity of the book. You can also get extra money by joining their referral program.
How to Apply: You are not required to submit an application or have previously published book review samples to get started.
4. Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a well-known book industry trade publication. They need freelance writers to create book reviews and author interviews. Publishers Weekly pays $25-$45 for every review and $50-$100 for interviews. They make their payment through PayPal.
How to Apply: To Apply or send your reviews entry to reviewers@publishersweekly.com
5. US Review of Books
The US Review of Books, with the tagline “Professional Reviews for the People,” distributes a monthly email of book reviews to assist authors in spreading the word about their newest releases. Reviews should write between 250 and 300 words, including a plot synopsis and insights. The requirements for the site request “heart and succinct writing,” with no use of first-person terminology in the review. The review can compare similar works, offer opinions, or highlight the author’s prior titles and experience.
Reviewers can choose their favorites from a list of titles. The US Review of Books expects reviews to be submitted within two to three weeks of being assigned.
How to Apply: Send your CV, samples of your work, and two professional references to editor@theUSreview.com.
6. Booklist
The American Library Association includes Booklist. Its reviewers assist school and public library staff in selecting books to purchase or suggest to library patrons. Booklist refers to its reviews as “the haiku of book reviewing,” asking for 150- to 175-word summaries that provide a storyline outline, and paying $15 per review to suggest the book’s optimum demographic, and propose similar titles.
How to Apply: You can apply on their homepage by filling out the application form.
7. ACX
Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks and have a wonderful voice? ACX allows professional narrators and audio producers to make money by working with published authors who require a narrator for their books.
To complete and polish your audio recording, you might seek the assistance of other studio pros. You will be paid after the audiobook is published, or you will be paid on an ongoing basis equal to 50% of royalties on sales. Once you’ve completed at least 25 audiobooks, you can apply to become an Audible Approved Producer.
How to Apply: To get started, go to the ACX website and create a profile.
8. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest online freelancing markets, and there are many book review opportunities among other freelance writing projects. Qualifications and requirements will differ depending on the client and the project at hand. In many circumstances, Upwork can be a stepping stone to continued work as a book reviewer, making it one of the top sites that will pay you to read books indirectly.
How to Apply: Create an account on the site as a freelancer, list your talents and expertise, and upload a portfolio. Then look for jobs and submit ideas for those that interest you. A contract will be sent to you if a client wishes to hire you.
9. Voices
Voices is a platform where voiceover artists can discover work or post their availability for projects. According to the platform, over 5,000 jobs are uploaded each month. When you finish a project, your payment is automatically paid into PayPal.
Tasks categorized under the “audiobooks” skill pay between $250 and $375. When you list your services as a voiceover artist, you can specify your fees and delivery time.
How to Apply: create your profile and upload work samples – you can upload an unlimited amount of free samples. If you pay for Premium membership, you will be matched with jobs that match your profile.
10.BookBrowse
When submitting, BookBrowse needs review applicants to have good-quality sample reviews of at least 300 words. In addition to each review, reviewers must contribute a “Beyond the Book” article. The majority of reviewers write one review every month, and titles include adult fiction, nonfiction, and young adult fiction.
How to Apply: The application procedure is simple, and it needs you to list your preferred genres, share two high-quality reviews (plus a link to other reviews if you like), and write a brief profile.
Pros and Cons of Getting Paid to Read Books
One of the most significant advantages of being paid to read books is the option to work from home and choose your own hours. You will also receive free books and access to some of the most recent literary masterpieces. Unfortunately, the income is poor, and you may get burnout if you read too many books.
Let’s dive more into the benefits and drawbacks of being paid to read books.
Pros:
- Flexibility: One of the most significant benefits of being paid to read books is the option to work from home and choose your own hours. This allows you to better balance your career and personal life. You may also select which books you read, giving you more control over your workload and the type of content you absorb.
- Free Books: Another advantage of being paid to read books is that you receive free books. This can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re a voracious reader. You’ll also have access to some of the most recent literary works, which will keep you current on current trends and issues.
- Increased Reading Skills: As you read more books, your reading abilities will undoubtedly improve. This can result in improved understanding, vocabulary, and critical thinking abilities. You may also obtain a greater appreciation for literature and a broader comprehension of various genres.
Cons:
- Low Pay Rates: One of the primary disadvantages of being paid to read books is the low pay rates. Most employees in this industry pay the minimum wage or slightly more. This implies you may need to supplement your income with additional sources of money, especially if you work part-time or freelance.
- Burnout: Another potential disadvantage of getting paid to read books is fatigue from reading too many books. This might result in a lack of desire, reduced productivity, and even physical problems such as eye strain or headaches.
- Restricted Opportunities: There are few professions that pay people to read books, and competition for these opportunities can be strong. To get a career in this industry, you may need to have specialized skills or qualifications. Furthermore, some occupations may demand you to read books that you do not particularly appreciate or that are outside of your comfort zone.
Does Amazon pay you to read books?
If you enjoy reading and reviewing books, you may be thinking about Amazon, the golden grail of online bookstores. Nevertheless, you cannot be paid to review books on Amazon, or your Amazon account will be suspended.
You can get free books from writers and then review them on Amazon. But, the author cannot ask for a review in exchange for the book. You are also prohibited from reviewing any books or items written or sold by a close friend, relative, business associate, or employer.
Starting a book review website is the easiest way to earn paid by Amazon for reading books. Next, you can try to open an Amazon Associate account and include Amazon affiliate links in your own product reviews. You must state that the links are affiliate links and that you receive a commission on each transaction.
In general, successful affiliate marketing necessitates an engaged audience and a high-traffic website, yet some of the most successful affiliate marketers earn $100,000 per month. You might expect to make less than $1,000 per month if you’re just starting out.
Conclusion
Finally, getting paid to read books is a terrific way to turn your hobby into a lucrative career. You can get paid to read books in a variety of methods, including book reviewing, proofreading and editing, literary agenting, and producing book summaries. Each profession demands a unique set of qualifications, talents, and salary levels. You can, however, transform your love of reading into a rewarding job with enough devotion and hard effort.
