Intro

There are more ways than ever to make money online—but some of the most overlooked opportunities are hidden in plain sight.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel explores one of those opportunities: voice acting.

From audiobook narration to online gigs, voice acting has become a growing income stream for people who may not even realize their voice can be monetized.

Intro to Nikki Connected

• Content creator and entrepreneur focused on helping people make and save money
• Runs a YouTube channel and blog under the brand “Nikki Connected”  
• Formerly known as Deal Finding Diva
• Discovered audiobook narration through YouTube and landed her first opportunity with no prior experience
• Turned one opportunity into multiple audiobook contracts, a course, and coaching services
• Built her platform by sharing real experiences that resonate with everyday people
• Nikki's Website: https://nikkiconnected.com/

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Episode Overview

This episode features a conversation between Elijah and Nikki Connected, breaking down how audiobook narration can become a real income stream—even for beginners.

Nikki shares how she discovered the opportunity by simply watching a YouTube video about getting paid to read books. After taking action, she landed her first audition and quickly turned that into multiple contracts.  

One of the biggest insights from this episode is how demand plays a role in opportunity. Elijah points out that there was very little up-to-date information on audiobook narration online, which created a gap in the market.

Nikki filled that gap by documenting her journey—and that decision led to rapid growth, new opportunities, and a full content series around voice acting.

Elijah Bilel also connects this to a broader principle: when there’s a lack of quality information in a space, that often signals an opportunity for those willing to step in and provide value.

Listen to the Episode

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Side Hustler’s Society Resources

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Quick Takeaways

• Voice acting is a growing side hustle that many people overlook
• Nikki Connected landed multiple audiobook contracts after just one successful audition
• You don’t need prior experience to get started
• Elijah emphasizes that gaps in information often signal opportunity
• Platforms like Amazon’s ACX allow beginners to get started without upfront costs
• Elijah Bilel highlights the importance of taking action quickly when discovering new opportunities
• Sharing your journey publicly can create unexpected income streams
• Voice acting can evolve into courses, coaching, and content creation

How to Get Started with Voice Acting

1. Start with Basic Equipment

You don’t need an expensive setup, but you do need the essentials:

• Microphone
• Pop filter
• Recording software (like Audacity)

Nikki emphasizes that investing in yourself is part of the process.

2. Create a Recording Environment

Sound quality matters more than expensive gear:

• Record in smaller spaces (like a closet)
• Use foam or soundproofing tools
• Avoid echo-heavy environments

3. Use Platforms Like ACX

ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) allows you to:

• Audition for audiobook roles
• Connect with authors
• Get paid through multiple contract types

4. Understand How You Get Paid

There are 3 main models:

• Flat Rate → One-time payment
• Royalty Share → Percentage of book sales
• Royalty Share Plus → Upfront pay + royalties

Royalties can last up to 7 years, creating long-term income potential.  

5. Promote Your Work

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is stopping after the job is done.

Nikki explains that you should:

• Promote the audiobook
• Drive traffic to it
• Continue generating income over time

Pro Tips from the Episode

• Don’t record on your phone—audio quality matters
• Read the full book before narrating to avoid mistakes
• Ask authors about pronunciation and details
• Take breaks to maintain audio quality
• Small details (like mouth noise control) make a big difference

Who This Episode Is For

• Beginners looking for a unique side hustle
• People interested in voice acting or audiobook narration
• Content creators looking for new income streams
• Anyone exploring skill-based ways to make money

Key Topics Covered

• How Elijah Bilel identifies new opportunities
• How Nikki Connected got started with audiobook narration
• Equipment and setup for beginners
• How ACX works
• Turning a side hustle into a scalable business

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

If you found value in this episode, you can see some of the equipment and items mentioned in this show on Amazon here!