The Best Ways to Make Money by Reading Books

During my younger years, I had a strong aspiration to become a professional reader. The idea of spending my days immersed in books, analyzing their merits, flaws, and envisioning potential improvements, while sharing my thoughts with others, was my dream job.

Unfortunately, there's no specific degree for becoming a professional book reader, and a traditional nine-to-five job solely dedicated to reading books doesn't exist (at least not yet). However, there are opportunities to earn money by reading books both online and offline. I have compiled a list of 18 different ways to achieve this, categorized into social media, jobs, review sites, and other miscellaneous methods.

Make Money Reading Books Through Social Media:

Creating a presence on social media platforms can be a fun and effective way to make money by reading books. By sharing your thoughts and reviews, you can influence others to read or avoid certain books. Here are some great social media strategies:

BookTok (and BookTube, and BookStagram): Creating video book reviews on platforms like TikTok can help you gain a following and potentially earn through the creator fund or sponsorships.

Blogging: Starting a blog where you review books and monetize it through ads can gradually build an audience and income.

Medium: Posting book reviews on Medium can earn you royalties based on the number of views your posts receive.

Podcasts: Hosting a podcast where you share your thoughts on books can lead to earnings through sponsorships and other potential avenues.

Affiliate Links: Joining affiliate programs like Bookshop.org and recommending books through various channels can result in commissions for book sales.

Freelance or Job Opportunities:

If you prefer a more structured approach and quick compensation, consider freelance gigs or book-related jobs:

Narrate Audiobooks: If you have a pleasant voice, becoming an audiobook narrator can be a lucrative option.

Editing: Offering freelance editing services or applying for full-time editing jobs allows you to get paid to read books while enhancing your editing skills.

Literary Agent: Pursuing a career as a literary agent involves finding and championing promising manuscripts.

Translation: If you are proficient in multiple languages, you can get paid to translate books.

Proofreading: Proofreaders play an essential role in refining books before publication and can earn income through freelance work or full-time positions.

Book Cover Design: If you have design skills, creating book covers can be a unique way to combine creativity and reading.

Submitting Reviews for Compensation:

Submitting reviews to various platforms can provide direct compensation for reading and analyzing books:

Booklist: Writing 150 to 175-word book reviews for Booklist can earn you $15 per review.

The US Review of Books: Freelance reviewing for this platform requires a resume, sample work, and professional references.

Reedsy: Post your reviews on Reedsy and receive tips from readers who appreciate your insights.

Bookbrowse: This platform offers modest payment for book reviews, typically assigning one review per month to reviewers.

Online Book Club: After an initial free book review, you can earn between $5 to $60 per book review.

Miscellaneous Ways to Earn from Reading Books:

Some unconventional methods to earn money through your passion for books include:

Create a Paid Book Club: Organize a paid book club where members contribute a small fee, allowing you to read books you love and share thoughts with friends.

Apps that Pay: Some apps, like Booksta, claim to pay you for reading and participating in quizzes, although the payment process may involve cryptocurrencies.

In conclusion, while a dedicated profession as a full-time book reader is yet to be realized, there are various creative ways to make money by reading books. By combining your love for literature with social media, freelance work, or reviewing opportunities, you can turn your passion into a rewarding and potentially lucrative pursuit.