How to Create a Listening Habit with Audiobooks

TL;DR

Voiz FM, a Vietnamese audiobook app, aims to foster a habit of listening to books by leveraging AI voice technology and strategic partnerships with publishers. Despite initial challenges, the app has seen significant growth, particularly during the pandemic, by offering free content to users. CEO Lê Hoàng Thạch emphasizes quality over quantity and plans further expansion.

Transcript

Gradually, some partners have raised that issue with Voiz, and thanks to the pre-preparation, we feel completely welcome toward those issues. And beside, I think a small part, When we first entered this market, we didn't separate between big partners or small partners, big or small bookstores, big time authors or small time authors. If anyone has c... Read More

Key Insights

• Voiz FM is focused on creating a listening habit among Vietnamese users through audiobooks.
• AI voice technology is used by Voiz FM to overcome production bottlenecks and ensure consistency.
• Voiz FM faced initial challenges with user adoption and revenue, particularly during the 2020 pandemic.
• The app saw significant growth in 2021, with user numbers and revenue increasing sixfold during the pandemic.
• Voiz FM's AI voice is developed in-house to meet specific needs, unlike third-party solutions.
• The company emphasizes the importance of quality content and user experience over rapid user acquisition.
• Voiz FM plans to reach one million users by the end of the year and is preparing for a major transformation.
• CEO Lê Hoàng Thạch values maintaining core values and promises to early investors over accepting large investments.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Voiz FM use AI voice technology?

Voiz FM utilizes AI voice technology to address production bottlenecks and ensure consistent quality in their audiobooks. The AI voice is developed in-house, allowing for customization to meet specific needs that third-party solutions cannot. This includes maintaining a consistent voice throughout a book and addressing issues like mispronunciation and emotional delivery.

Q: What challenges did Voiz FM face during the pandemic?

During the 2020 pandemic, Voiz FM struggled with user adoption and revenue as digital behaviors were still unfamiliar to many. However, by offering free content and capitalizing on the increased digital consumption in 2021, the app saw significant growth, with user numbers and revenue increasing sixfold compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Q: Why did Voiz FM develop its own AI voice technology?

Voiz FM developed its own AI voice technology to meet specific production needs that existing third-party solutions could not address. The in-house AI voice is tailored to ensure high-quality audiobook production, maintaining consistency and addressing issues like mispronunciation and emotional delivery, which are crucial for non-fiction and content that doesn't require emotional nuance.

Q: What is Voiz FM's growth strategy?

Voiz FM's growth strategy focuses on quality content and user experience rather than rapid user acquisition. The company aims to reach one million users by the end of the year and is preparing for a major transformation to enhance features and infrastructure. This approach helps maintain user satisfaction and loyalty, crucial for long-term success.

Q: How does Voiz FM maintain user engagement?

Voiz FM maintains user engagement by focusing on high-quality content and consistent user experience. The app offers a variety of audiobooks and podcasts, leveraging AI voice technology for seamless delivery. By providing free content during the pandemic, Voiz FM increased user engagement and loyalty, contributing to significant growth in user numbers and revenue.

Q: What are the core values of Voiz FM?

Voiz FM's core values include a commitment to quality content and user experience, maintaining promises to early investors, and prioritizing long-term growth over short-term gains. CEO Lê Hoàng Thạch emphasizes the importance of maintaining these values, even when faced with attractive investment offers, to ensure sustainable development and success.

Q: What future plans does Voiz FM have?

Voiz FM plans to expand its user base to one million by the end of the year, with a major transformation in the fourth quarter to enhance features and infrastructure. The company is also exploring further development of its AI voice technology to improve emotional delivery and potentially offer the technology to other industries in the future.

Q: How did Voiz FM achieve growth during the pandemic?

Voiz FM achieved growth during the pandemic by adapting to changing user behaviors and offering free content to increase engagement. The app capitalized on the increased digital consumption as people stayed home, leading to a sixfold increase in user numbers and revenue. This strategy, combined with a focus on quality content, helped Voiz FM thrive during challenging times.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Voiz FM aims to cultivate a listening habit in Vietnam by offering audiobooks with AI voice technology. Despite early challenges, the app has grown significantly, especially during the pandemic, by providing free content. The company prioritizes quality over quantity and plans further expansion.

• AI voice technology helps Voiz FM overcome production challenges, ensuring consistency and quality in audiobooks. Developed in-house, the AI voice is tailored to meet specific needs, unlike generic third-party solutions.

• Voiz FM's CEO, Lê Hoàng Thạch, emphasizes the importance of maintaining core values and promises to early investors, choosing quality content and user experience over rapid user acquisition and large investments.