How We Ranked a New B2B Podcast #1 on Google and AI Search

Results in 7 Days

  • Ranked #1 on Google for “B2B Marketing Unlocked”

  • Ranked #1 in Google AI Overview

  • ZERO social promotion

  • ZERO prior YouTube audience

  • Landing page became top traffic source

These results were achieved with a brand new show, zero existing audience, and no ads. Here is exactly how we did it.

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Launching a new B2B podcast in a crowded market is not easy. Most shows take months to gain traction, and many never appear in relevant search results at all. But with a strategic launch process and SEO-focused execution, we ranked our brand-new podcast, B2B Marketing Unlocked, number one on Google and in the Google AI Overview just seven days after release.

This case study breaks down exactly how we did it and why this approach works for B2B and enterprise companies looking to launch a podcast that is not just content, but a real demand generation asset.




The Challenge

We set out to create and launch a podcast that would attract B2B leaders, marketers, and enterprise decision makers. From day one, our goal was simple but ambitious:

Make the podcast discoverable on Google and AI search as fast as possible.

When we first searched for the term B2B Marketing Unlocked in late November, the results were not related to our podcast at all. Google showed generic marketing articles, industry education pieces, and high authority sites. We had zero ranking, zero presence, and zero YouTube followers.

This is where most B2B podcasts struggle. They produce content without aligning their show name, structure, metadata, and distribution with SEO intent. We wanted to prove what can happen when you launch with strategy.





Our Approach: A Strategic Podcast Launch Designed for SEO

While the show ranked in seven days, the preparation leading up to the launch was intentional. For our clients, this planning phase typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, which includes:

  • Developing a strategic podcast name with clear SEO potential

  • Crafting the show description and positioning

  • Designing the cover art

  • Writing and recording the trailer

  • Building the landing page

  • Setting up distribution across all platforms

  • Creating the blog format and content system

  • Recording and editing the first three episodes

This prep ensures the podcast launches as a fully formed content engine, not just another audio file.


The assets we launched with:

  1. A podcast trailer (Nov 25, 2025)

  2. A video trailer on YouTube

  3. Episode 1 released one week later

  4. A full podcast landing page inside our business website

  5. A long-form podcast blog for Episode 1

  6. Audio and video distribution on all major platforms

This gave Google multiple high quality signals tied to the same keyword.




Ranking #1 in Just Seven Days

By December 3, 2025, just seven days after the trailer launch, the results were in:

These rankings immediately increased qualified traffic from B2B leaders to our business website, strengthening awareness for our agency without any paid promotion. And unlike social posts that disappear in hours, these rankings keep working every day, creating ongoing passive discovery for the show and our business.

  • The podcast ranked #1 on Google for the exact search term B2B Marketing Unlocked

  • It ranked #1 in the Google AI Overview

  • The landing page quickly climbed into the top pages of our website traffic report

  • Organic traffic from B2B leaders began increasing

  • The YouTube episode and the podcast blog gained visibility with zero social promotion

We achieved this without running ads, without posting on social media, and without an existing YouTube audience. All visibility came from strategic SEO alignment and publishing high quality audio, video, and written content at the same time.



Why It Worked

1. The podcast name matched real search intent

Our show name, B2B Marketing Unlocked, is both unique and keyword-rich. It gave Google a clear and obvious target to index.

2. The landing page lived inside our main company website

Instead of creating a separate domain, we hosted the podcast page inside jonystudios.com. This meant the new page inherited:

  • Existing domain authority

  • Trust signals

  • Traffic patterns

  • Internal linking opportunities

This dramatically accelerated ranking. This is something we recommend to every B2B company launching a podcast.

3. We launched with multi-format content

Google loves topic clusters. We launched with:

  • Audio

  • Video

  • A written blog

  • A landing page

  • Platform metadata

  • A trailer

All supporting the same keyword. This creates a strong topical footprint immediately.

4. Consistency across all platforms

The same name, description, keywords, and messaging appeared on:

  • YouTube

  • Spotify

  • Apple Podcasts

  • Captivate

  • The Jony Studios site

  • The blog post


This removed ambiguity for search engines and reinforced the brand.

While every niche and competitive landscape is different, this launch demonstrates the speed and impact possible when a podcast is built from day one with SEO and demand generation strategy in mind.




Why B2B Podcasts Should Not Focus on Virality

A B2B podcast is not about going viral or chasing views. Unlike consumer podcasts, the goal is not mass reach. It is about reaching the right people. When your ideal buyers discover your company through high-quality conversations, the result is stronger trust, higher intent, and shorter sales cycles.

This launch was successful not because it generated thousands of views, but because it ranked at the top of Google and AI Search where decision-makers go to research solutions. Visibility in front of the right audience is what drives real B2B results, and this is exactly why we build podcasts this way.



Why This Matters for B2B and Enterprise Companies

Most corporate podcasts fail because they launch without strategy. They publish episodes but never gain traction, never rank, and never generate demand.

This case study demonstrates what is possible when your podcast is built as a strategic content system, not just an audio show.


A podcast that ranks on Google and AI search gives your business:

  • More visibility than social alone

  • Passive discovery from your ideal buyers

  • Authority and trust through owned content

  • A steady stream of multi-purpose assets

  • A foundation for demand generation

  • Stronger brand positioning in your niche

This is the future of B2B podcasting.



Our Podcast Launch Framework

At Jony Studios, we help B2B and enterprise companies launch strategic podcasts using a proven 4 to 8 week process that includes:

  • Naming and positioning for SEO

  • Trailer scripting and production

  • Guest strategy

  • Full video and audio production

  • Landing page development inside the company’s main site

  • Episode blogs designed for search

  • Social content systems

  • Show notes, metadata, and AI search optimization

  • Video clips and shorts

  • Distribution across all platforms


Our goal is simple: Turn your podcast into a demand-generating asset that ranks, grows, and drives pipeline.



Ready to Launch a Podcast That Actually Gets Results?

If you are a B2B company or enterprise brand looking to launch a podcast that can rank on Google, drive demand, and position your business as a category leader, we would be happy to help.

Explore how we launch strategic B2B podcasts here, or reach out directly to discuss your goals.

Top 20 Custom Software Development Companies in 2025

The need for software development is becoming more and more common for so many companies, no matter what field they are a part of, and ready-made, basic software so often does not provide the best solutions for these businesses.

Custom software that is specifically tailored to suit your businesses needs is in growing demand, with the market valued at over 29 billion in 2023. This is simply because with software that provides you with individualized online experiences, solutions that account for growth potential, and streamlined system integration, there are greater benefits for your business.

Here you will find not only the top custom software development companies, but all of the information you need on software development agencies, including how to choose the right one for your business.

Provided Services

Depending on the specific company you choose to work with, the services provided will be different. The typical expectation for a good agency is that they will help you to realise your ideas by creating products that run without additional upkeep after launch. Essentially the firms are responsible for the whole lifecycle of the software.Here is a further look into some key services:

Discovery Services

The conceptualisation of a project can be difficult, so agencies providing services to help you through the discovery phase are there to use techniques like data analysis of the market, competitors and online potential customers or leads to determine what it is specifically that you actually need.

From this analysis they can also best inform you about which features will be most beneficial for you.

Development

Actually developing the product depending on the best software development solutions for the specific kind of business, whether it’s an older business with more processes or a startup, is a key service that you will need. Another component of development is building the application for different platforms like mobile, web and desktop, that are adapted to fit individual workflow requirements.

Integration

Ensuring that your new custom software works alongside the software you already have is critical to optimize workflow and prevent certain data from becoming lost or inaccessible. Integration with common tools like analytic platforms, ERPs and CRMs can be achieved through many different kinds of connectors, which keeps your software running seamlessly together after you have added something new.

Engagement

UX/UI design services are all about optimizing a product by making it engaging, easy to learn and convenient, allowing you to cut down on the time it takes to train people in using the software, and prevents resistance to it. Prototype building and adjusting the visuals and wireframe are part of this process.

Quality

Quality services ensure that the product is secure and that it is performing well. Load testing, manual and automatics testing, and security testing is conducted to make sure there are no bugs, and the software will run properly when it is actually being used.

Maintenance

Making sure that your product is functioning properly after it has launched is important, and support is provided by software product modernization companies that help you not only to fix problems with the software, but keep it up to date. This happens through updates and the enhancement and expansion of features like integrations and scaling infrastructure.

Operation & Development and the Cloud

To stop your business growth from being limited by software infrastructure, agencies are able to improve processing speed and elasticity by setting up CI/CD pipelines, containerized environments and cloud infrastructure so that it’s not isolated to one server.

Types of Software Development Agencies

Boutique Firms

The first type of software development agency is a boutique firm, which is typically a small agency. They typically work with start-up companies who are looking for a service that is customized to their business, and focuses on large scale, creative solutions.

They have an expertise in very specific customizations and niche or design-heavy work, meaning they are often specialized in engagement services like UX/UI and branding, and they work with specific technology, like AI, and create minimum valuable products.

Working with a smaller firm means having the advantage of extreme personalization and opportunities for collaboration. There are also drawbacks though, like a potential lack of knowledge about technology and scalability.

Technical Partners

The next type of agency, technical partners, are able to take over the entire software development process from start to finish dealing with everything from early data analysis, market research and strategizing to the actual design and building process all the way up to the launch of the product, and beyond when it comes to keeping it up to date.

If your business does not have internal resources to deal with technology or project management, or you want an experienced partner to help with turnaround time and scalability, then having a technical partner is probably the right call.

The benefits of working with a technical partner are that you have guidance from professionals, making the whole process easier, especially since they have all of the services that you will need, and the knowledge on scalability when conducting future planning. The costs however, and the lack of control, might be drawbacks for you when considering this.

Staffing Agency

The third type of agency is a staffing agency, which specializes strictly in providing trained staff who then work to develop, design and test software under the authority of the client themself.

If your business already has internal resources to dedicate to a software development project then this is a good option, because the business does not have to relinquish any control. The flexibility and lower costs can be a benefit as well.

The drawbacks to this however can be that these agencies do not provide strategy services or project and design management, meaning the quality and the timeframe of the project is dependent on your businesses leadership.

Choosing the Right Type

Deciding which type of agency is right for you depends mainly on how much of the project you are capable of taking on internally and what it is that you want to achieve with the custom software.

There are four essential questions to ask when choosing which is right for you:

1. Is development all that you need?

If you are looking for more than development and instead want an agency equipped to provide services like analysis, testing, and UI/UX design, boutique firms might be the way to go because they can provide such a customized service. Staffing firms would not in this case meet all of your needs.

2. Do you think you will develop an in-house team in the future?

If this is the case, then you are probably using a custom software development agency to build a foundation for your product, so you will want to work with either a boutique or managed agency so your team can stay involved and make the transfer of information easier.

3. Are you looking for guidance?

When it comes to product strategy you might not be sure what to prioritize in order to optimize your product. A technical partner would be the best choice here because they have the experience and personnel to help you formulate strategic plans and utilize the market data that they collect for you.

4. Will you have the capacity to manage all the needed resources?

If you have a management team that you feel can handle incoming staff that would be provided by a staffing agency, then this is the way to go. If not, it would be best to choose a boutique agency or a technical partner who can manage their work internally.

What to Look for in a Custom Software Development Company

After you have decided which type of agency best suits your business’s needs, it is time to pick a specific company to develop your custom software. When you are doing this, there are some key components that you should check to see if that company is right for you.

  1. Feedback - reading the testimonials of previous clients can help you assess the quality of the agency

  2. Experience - if the agency has experience with software development in your specific industry, they can provide valuable insights into your project

  3. Support - using an agency that is willing to provide upgrades and maintenance past the launch date means your product will last longer

  4. Communication - knowing essential information about the agency like where they are located, how they will contact you and how quickly they will respond is important. Working with a responsive agency with similar hours as your business can be very beneficial

  5. Expertise - this is as simple as determining if the agency has experience with platform, languages and frameworks that you want to use

  6. Development Methodology - many companies will follow methodologies like Scrum, DevOps or Agile for the best results. Asking about the tools they use to manage their projects and how adaptable they are helps to get a better idea of the agency

  7. Case Studies and Portfolio - looking at examples of past work can give you an idea of the standards and quality of an agency and how much value they create with their software

Top 20 Custom Software Development Companies

1. ISU Corp

ISU Corp takes the top spot for their ability to build reliable, high quality custom software with strong AI capabilities. They work closely with clients as a technology partner, helping shape the product from the early planning stages through development and ongoing support. Their experience with organizations like General Electric, Manulife, and the University of Waterloo demonstrates their ability to deliver secure and scalable solutions across financial services, industrial operations, and technology sectors.

With over 19 years of experience, they offer full end-to-end development along with legacy upgrades, cloud solutions, digital transformation, and AI integration. ISU Corp is a strong choice for mid-size and enterprise companies, as well as funded startups, that want reliable delivery, clear communication, and long term support.

Based in: Canada & U.S.A

2. Instinctools

Known for taking on complex projects, Instinctools prioritises communication with the client and the discovery phase to make sure your product is meeting your business needs.

With a specialisation in enterprise applications, custom software and cloud solutions, they have done projects for businesses in education, finance, healthcare and automotive industries, and are able to provide management and technical services.

Based in: Germany

3. Naked Development

Taking the client through the entire development process from start to finish and prioritizing design and marketability as well as technology in order to boost engagement is what sets Naked Gun apart from other agencies.

Specialising in mobile app and software solutions they provide design, UX/UI, development and after-launch services, making this a good firm for businesses in the social platforms, e-commerce and consumer apps industries, especially because of their focus on marketability.

Based in: California

4. Unified Infotech

Engagement is a huge priority of Unified Infotech, and because of this, they are able to use their expertise to inform the design and usability of your software in order to improve adoption rates, especially for customers.

Specialising in mobile app development and web solutions, their product strategy and UX/UI services make this a great company for businesses in e-commerce, healthcare, fintech or media. They create reliable products where the technological decisions are impacted by strategy.

Based in: New York

5. IIH Global

IIH Global creates apps, software and websites for businesses in e-commerce, IT and gambling, and they take care of the whole development process, providing testing services and support along with development services.

Headquarters: England

6. BoTrees Technology

BoTrees Technology prioritizes collaboration with the client, meaning that they are well equipped to guide you through the creation process of your mobile, web or AI based application, even if you are a startup.

With a foundational knowledge of machine learning frameworks, and common ones like Python, they have technical skill and a capacity to help with scalability for businesses in fintech, retail, logistics and healthcare.

Based in: U.S.A, India

7. Simform

Simform deems itself a digital project engineering company and they thrive by appealing to businesses in the logistics, retail and healthcare fields because of their ability to produce a product where the code, structure and technological decisions are informed by strategy.

No matter the size of your project, its global delivery model ensures that big programs are achievable, accounting for scalability.Simform is a good option for well established companies and startups, and they provide software development along with DevOps and AI specific services and cloud migration.

Headquarters: U.S.A

8. Dashbouquet

Well-versed in various frameworks, Dashbouquet provides software testing and UX/UI design services as well as web and mobile app development. They are a good fit for smaller businesses in e-commerce, HR, finance and healthcare.

Headquarters: Estonia

9. Closeloop Technologies

Working well with established businesses and startups alike, Closeloop Technologies has a focus on software and custom app development, all while building lasting relationships with their clients by staying on top of maintenance and updates to keep your product up to date.

Common services they provide deal with web platforms, usability, cloud integrations, mobile apps, scalability and industry tools.

Based in: California

10. Anadea

Anadea is well known for their ability to evolve along with your ideas and needs as they change throughout the creation of your software, and they pride themselves on the long-term relationships they build with clients as they provide a high quality service at a lower cost.

They specialize in mobile apps, e-learning platforms and custom business applications which appeal to businesses in education, healthcare, finance and real estate, and they also work with a variety of frameworks (Python, Java, etc).

Based in: Europe

11. Rocket Code

Rocket Code integrates AI into the software that they develop, making this a great company for you if efficiency is a core goal within your software. They specialize in web and mobile app development, online marketing strategies and the development of AI platforms.

Headquarters: Mexico

12. Computools

Specialising in healthcare software, loT, enterprise solutions and fintech, Computools is set apart by their prioritisation of data analysis and product strategy, and their ability to use the information they learn from those sources to guide the creation of the project, all while remaining as cost-effective as possible.

Based: Worldwide

13. ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft focuses on software integration and web and mobile app development. They provide IT consulting, data analytics, AI, cloud solutions, cybersecurity and custom software development services.

Headquarters: Texas

14. BairesDev

BairesDev prides themselves on the technical expertise of their staff and the speed and adaptability of their service. They specialize in custom software, web and mobile app development; AI; DevOps; and cloud computing.

Headquarters: San Francisco

15. Intellectsoft

As a company with seniority in the custom software development field, Intellectsoft is able to provide services throughout the whole process, from prototypes to after the launch, utilizing their knowledge in loT and blockchain, all to create a platform that is engaging, scalable, and different from your competitors.

They have worked with businesses in hospitality, fintech, construction and healthcare in both a consulting capacity and in mobile application development.

Headquarters: Palo Alto

16. Mercury Development

Mercury Development is one of the most senior companies on this list, and they specialize in web and cross-platform applications, and IOS and Android mobile app development. Due to their extensive experience, they are equipped to provide reliable, high-quality services to a wide variety of industries.

Based in: U.S.A

17. Leanware

Leanware is a great option for any smaller business looking for a company that can evolve along with your business needs, and with a lot of experience in different frameworks like React and Python, product engineering and cloud solutions.

The main advantages of working with them is that they are constantly taking machine learning into account throughout development, and they outsource software development to somewhere close to your location, making communication easier.

Based in: U.S.A

18. SDLC Corp

SDLC Corp has gained a positive reputation among startup companies for prioritizing emerging technologies, specifically providing services dealing with blockchain integrations and cross-platform app development and AI. Due to their modern approach, they are popular with businesses in e-commerce, real estate and healthcare.

Based in: India

19. Vega IT

Vega IT focuses on creating scalable products that offer effective solutions. They provide software planning, design, development and testing services that allow for the formation of software that enhances the workflow and processes of businesses in many industries.

Headquarters: Serbia

20. Queppelin

Queppelin is well known for their focus on developing web and mobile applications, XR solutions, AR/VR and metaverse platforms all impacted by a future-facing outlook. With a specialisation in new and immersive technology this is an agency equipped to deal with cutting-edge software concepts.

Based in: India

For B2B Leaders Looking to Scale

If you're a B2B leader or tech company investing in custom software, there's a good chance you're also thinking about brand authority, trust, and demand generation. One of the strongest ways to support a software product launch or elevate your company’s market positioning is through a branded B2B podcast.

At Jony Studios, we help B2B companies turn their expertise into an ongoing podcast and a content engine that drives blogs, social clips, and thought leadership without adding extra work to your team.

If you're looking to strengthen your digital presence alongside your software growth, this can be a powerful next step.

Conclusion

Custom software development is only going to continue to grow in popularity for businesses in every industry, so knowing how to pick the best company for your needs has never been more important.

After reading this list you now know a variety of companies who can meet your expectations and personalize software to help you optimize processes and workflow!

Did you find this list helpful? If you did, let me know!

Written by Eva Geimer

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Jony Studios is a content marketing agency specializing in B2B podcasting and audiobook services. They have worked with many clients, from startups to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio, and many others.

 
 

How to Add a PDF Companion to Your ACX Audiobook

Turning your book into an audiobook is a great way to reach a wide audience, and adding a PDF companion document only increases the impact and appeal that your book will have on a reader.

While it may sound like a daunting task to create an audiobook in the first place, partnering with an audiobook production company means that you are working with people with professional experience, who can take care of the whole process from production to distribution.

Your final product will be polished, and up to the standards of popular distributors, allowing you to expand your reach.

Introduction

It might seem like producing your book in the audiobook medium is not conducive with the content or structure of your work, but even if you have included additional visual content in your original work, for most books, this is not the case.

If your book includes pictures, charts, graphs, maps or any other information or resources that cannot be conveyed through audio, this should not stop you from turning your book into an audiobook. You should instead create a PDF to accompany your audiobook that contains all of this content.

A PDF companion document, or, an accompanying PDF is a document that is provided to the consumer alongside your audiobook. This PDF allows the listener to refer to things like visuals that would have been included in a physical copy of the book.

ACX supports companion PDFs, but there are specific guidelines you must follow in order for the document to meet the ACX requirements.

What ACX Allow/Official Rules

Following the ACX requirements is essential when creating your audiobook’s accompanying PDF document, and the first important thing to remember is that you can only have one PDF per title.

The PDF must be sent as a single file, so you have to include all of the content that you wish to accompany your audiobook here. The file itself has to be 99 MB or smaller or else it will not be accepted by ACX.

You have to then compress your PDF into a ZIP file version which is 25 MB or smaller so that you can send it in an email to ACX. In order to contact ACX by email you will have to use your registered ACX email account.

When you email ACX to send them your document, it is important that you remember to indicate when you want the PDF companion document to be available. You can choose to make it available either before the purchase of your title or after the purchase of your title, meaning that the document would then show up in the consumers library.

Keep in mind that your title must be in production for you to be able to send the file for your PDF companion document.

How to Create a Good Companion PDF

When making a companion PDF there are lots of different components that you can add in, and this supplementary content can include things like charts, tables, extra visuals, resources for your readers, a glossary, a reading guide, maps and so much more. Whatever extra content that you cannot convey in an auditory medium can be included here.

The format of your PDF is very important when it comes to clarity for your audience. There are 5 components that you should add to keep things organized:

1. The first is a title page. Here you will include your book’s title, copyright information, and an additional title indicating that this is not just a written copy of your work, but an additional supplementary document.

2. Next is a table of contents. This component is only necessary if your accompanying PDF is long enough that you need a way to navigate through the content.

3. Then you should organize your supplementary content by chapters. Under each chapter’s name you should include the images, charts, footnotes, links, and all other visual content pertaining to that specific chapter.

4. At the end of the PDF you should include an additional section, or backmatter, with information about you, the author, including a short biography and your contact information.

5. Lastly, including a call to action where you prompt your reader to review the book, this being on ACX or elsewhere, can help with audience engagement, and with getting your book noticed.The way that you present your content in the document is going to change the readability, so keeping in mind the above formatting can help.

Additionally, content presentation can alter the file size of your PDF, and to stay at or under 99 MB you might have to optimize your PDF in order to reduce your file.

There are two simple ways to do this:

The first is to remove unnecessary fonts. When you have many different fonts and those fonts are embedded so that they appear correctly on every device, the font file takes up space in the PDF

The second thing you can do to reduce is to change the resolution and colour of your images. If your images are in colour or are of a high DPI (dots per inch), this is taking up space.

Instead consider switching to a lower resolution, monochrome or grayscale, or both for your images.

Another thing you could try is compressing your file using a PDF compressor tool, like the one created by Adobe Acrobat.

The final thing to keep in mind is making sure that your companion PDF reads well and makes sense to others. Once you are sure your PDF meets all of the above requirements, run it past someone with fresh eyes to test out its compatibility with your audiobook.

Technical Steps / How to Send to ACX

Compressing your PDF file into a ZIP file might feel like one of the most complex steps in preparing your PDF companion document, but following these instructions will help you to do it, whether you have a Mac or Windows.

Mac ZIP File Instructions:

1. In either a Finder window or on the desktop, control-click on the file

2. When the shortcut menu appears select Compress

3. The compressed file will have the same name as the original, but with a .zip extension on the end

Windows ZIP File Instructions:

1. Right-click or press and hold on the file

2. Select the Send to option

3. Then select Compressed (zipped) folder

4. The zipped folder will have the same name, so if you wish to rename it you have to right click on the file and select Rename

When you are sending the ZIP file by your registered ACX email it is important to remember to include the name of your audiobook, and to let ACX know that you want this file to be a PDF Companion document for your book. You also must include if you want the PDF to be available before purchase or after purchase.

Common technical mistakes to avoid when preparing or sending accompanying PDFs include:

1. Not checking that the ZIP file is 25 MB or smaller

2. Sending a PDF file in the email to ACX instead of a compressed ZIP

3. Sending the email with your PDF companion document using your personal email account instead of your ACX registered account

For official ACX submission guidelines, visit the ACX Help Center.

When & Why to Use Companion PDFs

A companion PDF can be great for both nonfiction and fiction audiobooks.

For nonfiction books, an accompanying PDF can sometimes feel necessary when things like data sets, graphs and charts are integrated into the physical book.

By including these visuals for your audiobook listeners you can adjust the text being read by the narrator, allowing them to point the listener to the supplementary document in order to maintain the full intended effect of your book.

For fiction novels, including materials like maps or footnotes can be important for immersion and world building, and this is the optimal way to ensure your listeners are not missing out on this.

Further, adding supplementary material to your audiobook can be a great tool to increase its marketability.

Oftentimes, people are deterred from purchasing audiobooks because they enjoy the visual and physical aspect of a printed copy. However, by attaching a companion PDF you can incentivize this portion of your potential audience to purchase your book in this medium.

This is all because you are offering them something visual in combination with the convenience of an audiobook. This comes all the while you’re benefiting from the increased popularity of the auditory medium, which has recently become so popular because of its easy accessibility.

This way you can appeal to the interests of the most people possible. Not only are you enhancing the experience of your readers by giving them access to materials that provide an additional layer of information and engagement, you are increasing the discoverability of your book because of its broad appeal.

Whether this be through visual diagrams in a nonfiction work or materials that prompt further contemplation like reading guides in fiction, the materials in an accompanying PDF can give you the edge over the competition.

When a Companion PDF Isn’t Needed

Even if your book includes visuals, tables, or figures, creating a full companion PDF isn’t always necessary.

For shorter books or titles with only a few visual elements, it can be just as effective to keep things simple. In these cases, adding a short note narrated in both the Opening and Closing Credits works well, for example:


“Please note, all tables and figures referenced in this audiobook can be found in the print or ebook edition.”


This approach not only streamlines production and reduces costs but also encourages listeners to explore your print or ebook version for a more complete visual experience. It’s a practical alternative that still keeps your audiobook professional, polished, and listener friendly.

Hosting Your Companion PDF on Your Website

Another great option is to host your companion PDF directly on your own website rather than relying solely on ACX. This gives you more control, allows you to make updates anytime, and helps drive traffic back to your author or business platform.

You can include this website mention in your audiobook’s description or naturally in the Opening or Closing Credits. For example, most publishers use a straightforward approach such as:


“Visit yourwebsite.com/book-title to download the companion materials.”


For business or personal brand titles, you can make it slightly more engaging, for instance:

“You can download the companion PDF and bonus resources at yourwebsite.com/book-title”

or

“For additional visuals and worksheets, visit yourwebsite.com/book-title.”


Each variation works well depending on the tone of your audiobook, use the one that fits your style while keeping it clear, professional, and listener friendly.

Real Examples / Case Studies

One example of an audiobook that uses a large companion document successfully is The Farmer’s Wife by Helen Campbell.

The PDF Companion document to this audiobook is 100 pages long and it includes recipes; tips about different foods, meals and overall cooking enhancement; and additional resources.

Cookbooks are a great place to include a companion PDF, so that the listener can follow along with the recipe audibly as they go along step by step, but they are also able to have the precise ingredient amounts and specific instructions laid out for them too, so that they are not constantly having to rewind for essential information.

Another example is Philip and Erin Ulrich’s Begin, which is a children’s book with a 150 page companion PDF. Included here are colouring pages, vocab words and games which make it more engaging and stimulating because the child can engage in both visual and auditory learning, making it a more diverse educational tool.

An important lesson overall to take away is in how to best reference your companion PDF within the audio version of your book.Altering the manuscript, especially in nonfiction audiobooks, can be imperative to making sure your supplementary material is flawlessly integrated into your audiobook, and those with the most experience know the best ways to do this.

Authors who have produced audiobooks, and audiobook narrators who have worked through the production process, can be great resources for finding out the best ways to do this in your specific book.

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Q. What if my PDF is over size limits?

A. Since ACX only allows for one PDF Companion document, you will not be able to submit multiple files, meaning that you will have use methods like lowering image resolution, removing image colour and/or removing unnecessary fonts to optimize and reduce the size of the file, or you can try to use a compressor tool.

Q. What image formats work best?

A. You can use JPGs, PNGs or TIFs to get the best results. For the resolution of your images it is recommended that they be 72 dpi or higher.

Q. What happens if I forgot to ask for “before purchase”?

A. If you forget to indicate in your initial email that you want the PDF Companion document to be available before purchase you should email again using your registeredACX email and specify that you want the PDF attached to your audiobook to be available before purchase.

Q. What is the typical turnaround time?

A. The ACX processing time is typically around 10 business days, meaning your PDF Companion document will be received around this time after it has been sent.

Conclusion & Action Steps

Creating a PDF Companion document can help you to make your audiobook stand out, and vastly increase the value that consumers find within it. Adding visual supplementary material, no matter the genre of your book, means that readers are getting to experience your work to its fullest potential.

Using these instructions, tips and tricks, making a PDF Companion document has truly never been easier. Here’s a detailed checklist to make sure you have done all of the right things:

1. The five formatting components (title page, table of contents - optional, chapter organization, backmatter and CTA) are present

2. The file is optimized. Consider font, images, resolution and manuscript alteration for better integration.

3. The PDF file is 99 MB or lower

4. The PDF file has been made into a compressed ZIP file that is 25 MB or lower

5. An email has been sent to ACX using your ACX registered account including the ZIP file, the name of your audiobook, and whether you want the document to be available before or after purchase

Since the formatting of companion documents can be so essential for optimization, planning your companion document early in production is the best way to make sure you are happy with the final results of your PDF.

By following this checklist you can successfully add a PDF Companion document to your ACX audiobook, improving your book with the supplementary material that can help to support your auditory content!

Did you find this guidance helpful? Let me know!

Written by Eva Geimer

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Jony Studios is a content marketing agency specializing in B2B podcasting and audiobook services. They have worked with many clients, from startups to larger organizations such as Penguin Random House, Amazon, University of Waterloo, Freakonomics Radio, and many others.