I just completed the audio version of ONO and I’m glad to be done with it.  It was a much more difficult process than I anticipated time-wise as well as physically and energetically.  I’m writing this as a reference for those looking into what it takes.

First off, after some research I found that with rented or borrowed equipment and a little schooling, it was very possible to do it on our own and save a lot of money without sacrificing quality.  We had a small downstairs storage room that worked very well because we were able to sound-dampen it with blankets and carpet.  I used a friend’s professional mic and mixing equipment plugged into a laptop.  We used a free recording and editing software called Audacity. 

The easy access to the room was a huge key because I was able to record in short bursts on my own schedule which simplified the process in a big way as compared to using a professional studio. Keep in mind, the max I could record and be effective was 30 minutes, twice a day.

I found that I had to do it in short segments because everything had to be recorded perfectly and in a “storytelling” style with excitement and enthusiasm or I’d risk putting the listener to sleep. I intentionally scheduled my recording sessions at the end of the day so I wouldn’t burn myself out for the remainder of my work day by doing it earlier. 

Another part you must consider before you embark on a lengthy audio recording is the fact that it is mentally, spiritually and physically exhausting!  I have been speaking publically for 15 years and this was ten times more exhausting than any 90 minute keynote.

In total, ONO is 240 pages and it took about seven hours to record.  That process took about two weeks.  The editing took another 12-14 hours and the finished product will be about four and a half hours long. I’ve run our finished product by several professional ears and have gotten a nine out of ten rating on our final version.  The total cost of the downloadable version ended up being about 25 hours of our time. 

So yes, you can do an audio book, on your own, on a budget.  You just need some ingenuity, the time, and a minimal amount of research to become knowledgeable.  

By the way, as a gift to those who buy ONO, I will be giving away the audio version for free. Just look for the bonus page in the back of the book.