Are you interested in creating audiobooks and earning money from them?
If so, you might have heard of the AI Publishing Academy. This program is designed to help individuals learn how to create and self-publish ebooks and audiobooks on platforms such as Amazon’s Audible with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The AI Publishing Academy used to be called The Audiobook Impact Academy and before that, it was The Audiobook Income Academy.
It was created by the Mikkelsen Twins, who claim to have helped hundreds of people self-publish successful books. The program offers on-demand video training that covers various topics such as finding low-cost writers, narrators, and graphic designers among other things.
In this AI Publishing Academy review, we take a close look at what the program teaches and whether it is any good.
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What is AI Publishing Academy?
AI Publishing Academy is the latest iteration of the Mikkelsen Twins’ AIA program.
The Mikkelsens have evolved the program which was previously known as the Audiobook Impact Academy whose goal was to teach people how to create and sell audiobooks on platforms such as Audible by Amazon.
Before that, it was known as “Audiobook Income Academy” (they had changed “Income” to “Impact”).
In AIA 2.0, the Mikkelsen Twins taught you how to outsource most of the work to professionals, how to create winning audiobooks, and everything else you need to succeed. After that, they created AI Publishing Academy.
So, what’s new with them rebranding it into AI Publishing Academy?
The introduction of AI to the mix; they say that you can now use artificial intelligence to “automate” your online business. We’ll get to how that’s supposed to work.
How did the Mikkelsens start offering courses online about self-publishing?
The Mikkelsen Twins had been successful in the audiobook industry for some time, so they decided to create a training program where they would share their valuable insights with others at a fee.
That’s how they started Audiobook Income Academy, popularly referred to as “AIA”.
The business model they taught AIA students was simple: You create an ebook, self-publish, and collect royalties. You could also turn it into an audiobook.
AIA 2.0 was all about how to create good quality audiobooks that people would want to buy.
They also taught you how to market your audiobook, so it reached a wider audience.
Participants could access an array of resources including expert coaching support from industry professionals and membership in an exclusive private Facebook community.
A lot of that content has been retained in the AI Publishing Academy and that’s why I am highlighting it here.
Some of the topics that were covered by the old AIA program that you will find in AI Publishing Academy include:
- Niche selection and market research: Identifying profitable niches and understanding customer demands.
- Book creation and outsourcing: Learning how to create high-quality content.
- Audiobook production: Hiring professional narrators and understanding the technical aspects of audiobook creation.
- Publishing on Audible and other platforms: Optimizing listings for visibility and ensuring compliance with platform guidelines.
- Marketing and promotion strategies: Leveraging Amazon ads, social media, email marketing, and other tactics to generate sales.
- Scaling your audiobook business: Growing your portfolio of titles to increase passive income over time thus ensuring financial success.
- Focusing on personal development, mindset training, and productivity hacks to maximize results.
Additionally, the program had weekly live group sessions where you could learn from the instructors and receive personalized coaching support throughout your journey.
These are some of the features that have been retained.
The AI Publishing Academy introduces Artificial Intelligence to the equation.
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How Does The AI Publishing Academy Work?
When the Mikkelsen twins introduced Audiobook Impact Academy, it came with some updates and improvements over the Audiobook Income Academy.
We did an Audiobook Income Academy review but the gist of it is that it was a course created on Publishing Life by the Mikkelsen Twins that taught people how to make money by selling audiobooks on Audible.
That has been retained in the AI Publishing Academy.
The course gave you access to a private Facebook group, free training, video training, and templates for creating audiobooks. The course received mixed reviews, with some people finding it helpful and others feeling that it was not worth the price.
One of the main changes in AI Publishing Academy is that it now has an AI tool to “automate” your business.
What that means is that you no longer have to outsource the writing process as you can use AI to produce content for your books.
AI Publishing Academy has received mixed reviews with some people saying that the course is too expensive and that the information provided can be found for free online.
In summary, AI Publishing Academy is an updated version of Audiobook Impact Academy However, it is still a relatively expensive course and may not be worth the price for everyone.
AI Publishing Academy Cost and Refund Policy
The course is now priced at $6,000 or 4 installments of $1,500. It still includes access to a private Facebook group, video training, and templates for creating audiobooks.
There are some refunds once you sign up for AI Publishing Academy. The policy states:
Certain of our products and services including but not limited to the AI Publishing Academy, and the Publishing Accelerator, are subject to a three (3) day right of rescission where you, the buyer, may cancel within three (3) business days of your initial payment. After that time, the company reserves the right on whether or not to issue a refund. If you cancel, any payments made by you under this contract or sale will be returned to you within 10 days. All cancellation requests must be in writing via email to support@publishing.com. For Publishing Accelerator, if a cancellation is approved, the company will retain a 5% cancellation charge to cover any fees. Please contact the support email address listed above for any questions regarding cancellation or your request.
Then there’s something called the Satisfaction Warranty:
In addition to the three (3) day right to cancel the transaction, Publishing.com also has a satisfaction warranty, also called the Plain and Simple Guarantee, for its AI Publishing Academy clients. If a client meets certain requirements and is still not satisfied with his/her purchase, the company will issue a full refund. In order to qualify for this warranty the client must meet each of the following requirements:
- Client must complete, produce, and publish a book at least 25,000 words in length; and
- The request to utilize this warranty must be within 365 days from the date of Client’s purchase.
This satisfaction warranty is only for monies paid by client to Publishing.com minus any bonuses** or cash backs received (eg. $500 Cash Back Bonus), and does not include any discounts, unpaid balances, or advertising or promotional costs paid to a third party.
**Clients who have received the $500 USD Cash Back Bonus waive their right to claim the Plain & Simple Satisfaction Warranty and are no longer eligible to receive a refund.
Notice how you lose your refund if you received the $500 Cash Back Bonus, which is included in your package when you sign up for the course to begin with:
What this goes to show is that you’ve got to read the terms of the policy before you sign up for the course to avoid issues down the road.
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Bonuses
In addition to the main course content, the AI Publishing Academy also includes several supplementary resources.
These resources include access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with other course members, live Q&A sessions with the course creators, and various bonuses and discounts on audiobook production and marketing tools.
As of writing this, the Facebook group has more than 28K members.
It is also relatively active. For example, in the screenshot, you can see that it had 36 new posts in one day.
The Mikkelsen Twins YouTube Channel
In 2017, the Mikkelsens launched a YouTube channel.
Why am I bringing this channel up?
Before considering an investment in the Mikkelsen Twins’ premium programs, it’s best to consume their free content on their YouTube channel.
This is a valuable opportunity to get a feel for their teaching style, the quality of their advice, and the relevance of their strategies to your goals.
By watching their free content, you can assess whether their approach aligns with your needs and expectations.
It allows you to make a more informed decision about whether their premium programs are the right fit for your learning and business objectives, ensuring that your investment is well-suited to your requirements.
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Benefits of Joining AI Publishing Academy
Joining AI Publishing Academy offers some advantages for individuals seeking to generate passive income through audiobook publishing. Some benefits include:
- The course content and structured modules are designed to teach crucial aspects of the online publishing business, to help you master the art of audiobook creation and marketing.
- Access to expert instructors and coaching support from the Mikkelsen Twins, founders of AIA, who have experience in building successful audiobook businesses.
- Opportunities to improve personal and professional development by learning valuable skills in self-publishing audiobooks, growing your passive income, and expanding your online presence.
- Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals through AIA’s private Facebook community, allow members to exchange ideas, give feedback, and provide mutual support. There are weekly live group sessions that promote continuous learning and growth within the AIA community.
- The supplementary courses on mindset training can be invaluable tools when it comes to not only managing your online book publishing business but also your life outside of work.
- Opportunities to collaborate with fellow AIA members on joint projects or share resources such as ghost audio creators for better results.
- You learn about niche markets suitable for audiobook publishing as well as effective marketing tactics to boost visibility and sales.
Drawbacks of AI Publishing Academy
Although AIA is a decent online course, it has its problems. For example, AIA is a relatively expensive course that is out of reach for most people who are just beginners.
AIA emphasizes outsourcing most of the work to freelancers and the AI. You will also need to pay for the production of your audiobook, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the length and complexity of your audiobook.
These costs are not mentioned in the marketing material and that often sets people up with unrealistic expectations that are hard to meet.
Is Self-Publishing a Solid Business?
While there are several lucrative ways to earn money online, self-publishing ebooks is often considered one of the least favorable business models.
Statistics support this view, with studies showing that a relatively small percentage of self-published books on Amazon generate substantial income.
For instance, only 2% of self-published books earn over $5,000 in a year according to a study by BookBub, and the average self-published author makes just $1,000 per year from their books, as reported by Reedsy.
Some genres, like romance novels, have even lower success rates, with only 1% earning over $5,000 annually. While exceptions exist, where self-published authors have achieved significant earnings, they remain rare compared to other online income avenues.
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Is AI Publishing Academy Legit?
If you’re considering joining the AI Publishing Academy, you’re probably wondering if it’s legit or just another scam.
After doing our research, we found that AI Publishing Academy is legit.
Having said that here’s what you need to know before you sign up:
Sales Pitch
The sales pitch for the AI Publishing Academy is pretty lengthy and full of filler content so it may be a bit challenging to sit through it.
Here is the gist of it:
The Mikkelsen Twins claim that you can make a full-time income by creating and selling audiobooks on Audible. They promise to teach you everything you need to know, from outsourcing the work to creating winning audiobooks.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Mikkelsen Twins are marketers. Their job is to sell you on the idea that their program is the best way to make money online. While their program may be legitimate, it’s always a good idea to approach sales pitches with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Negative Feedback
While there are many positive reviews of the Audiobook Impact Academy online (their previous iteration of the course), there are also negative reviews.
Some people have reported that the program did not meet their expectations or that the Mikkelsen Twins did not provide enough support. In one instance, a student said the customer service guy cut him off when he was seeking answers. Another said that the Mikkelsen twins “were in Luca’s publishing group (also a publishing scammer).”
The cost of the program is also a thorny issue that has been discussed by many online users. People feel that return on investment is not guaranteed with such a lofty price and prefer to find the information elsewhere for free.
It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone will have a positive experience with the program. However, negative feedback should not be ignored, and it’s always a good idea to do your own research before investing in any program.
Fake Reviews
Unfortunately, there are also fake reviews of the Audiobook Impact Academy (and now AI Publishing Academy) online.
We cannot verify this but sometimes, when reviewing products online, people have reported receiving offers for a discount or free course in exchange for leaving a positive review.
It’s important to be aware of fake reviews and to do your own research before making a decision. Look for reviews from reputable sources, and don’t rely solely on reviews posted on the program’s website or social media pages.
Ultimately, the AI Publishing Academy may be a legitimate program that can help you make money online. However, it’s important to approach the sales pitch with skepticism, be aware of negative feedback, and do your own research before investing in the program.
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Who are the Mikkelsen Twins and Are They Legit?
The Mikkelsen Twins have created courses such as AI Publishing Academy to teach people how to sell books, audiobooks, and e-books on platforms like Amazon and Audible, promising the opportunity to generate passive income.
Although they are legit, they have been embroiled in controversy and skepticism due to allegations of book bans on these platforms, poor content quality, and potential plagiarism.
Their marketing tactics, which include extravagant and unsupported claims, as well as the use of fake scarcity tactics, have raised concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of their courses. Despite success stories from some course takers, the Mikkelsen Twins’ reputation is tarnished by these controversies.
Conclusion
Here are some conclusions drawn from the information we gathered about AI Publishing Academy:
- AI Publishing Academy is a legitimate program that teaches you how to make money by selling audiobooks on Audible but it is not the best there is.
- Since the Mikkelsen twins are big on outsourcing, the program is a guide on how to find writers, narrators, and graphic designers to create high-quality audiobooks.
- The program is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and it requires hard work and dedication to succeed.
- The price of the program is prohibitive, as it costs $6,000 or 4 monthly payments of $1500.
- While the testimonials on the website are positive, it is important to approach them with a critical eye and do your own research before making a decision.
Overall, if you are interested in creating and selling audiobooks on Audible, AI Publishing Academy claims to be the go-to guide.
The predecessor, Audio Income Academy, was designed for individuals interested in making passive income selling audiobooks on platforms like Audible by Amazon and it hasn’t deviated from that.
While there have been some criticisms of the promotional tactics used by the program’s creators, some people have found value in enrolling in AI Publishing Academy. Reviews highlight how this program has helped them generate extra income streams or build entirely automated systems to sell audiobooks on various platforms.
One of the main criticisms of AI Publishing Academy is that it does not provide enough support or guidance to students. Some people feel that the course is too focused on selling the idea of making money with audiobooks and does not provide enough practical advice on how to actually create and sell audiobooks. Bear that in mind as you weigh your decision.
Before you leave
If you’re tired of scams and want a real solution for making money online, check out my no.1 recommendation.
This is the best business to start in 2023 and made me over 27k last month alone:
Go here to see my no.1 recommendation for making money online
David Fortune has been the editor NoBSIMReviews.com since 2019. He is an expert at writing content on stock advisory services, side hustles, reviewing online business opportunities and many more topics. You can learn more about David on our about us page.