Audio Blogs: Review of BeyondWords

I never really thought much about adding narration to my blog posts until a friend told me he was not much of a reader. It made me realize that reading is not easy or enjoyable for everyone. Some people struggle with focus. Others might deal with dyslexia, low literacy, limited education, or just not enough time in their day.

For me, it has always been the lack of comprehension. I read words well, but understanding and retaining what I have read has been a lifelong challenge. It really had me thinking seriously about accessibility. That is why I decided to add narration to each of my blog posts. Unfortunately, I am not able to add audio on some of the main pages.

I signed up for a plan that allows up to 50 narrations per month, with each one covering up to 5,000 words. Posts that are longer will use more than one slot. If I have to regenerate the audio for any reason, it uses additional slots. I have about 250 completed posts already, and I add between 5 and 20 new ones each month. With only 50 uses per month, it will take over six months before every post includes audio.

One thing I like about BeyondWords is the variety of voices available. This is especially helpful for my language posts, since I cover languages from all around the world. I can choose region based voices that add a small touch to the content. I am genuinely excited to bring this feature into my blog. Here is a general review of BeyondWords from Aeris. Overview

BeyondWords is a text-to-speech platform that allows users to convert written content into audio using AI-generated voices. It is designed for publishers, bloggers, marketers, educators, and anyone who wants to offer audio versions of their content without recording their own voice. The platform offers a web-based interface, a plugin for WordPress, and an API for developers.

User Interface and Setup

The interface is clean and simple. You can either paste your text directly or upload it from an integrated platform like Wix, WordPress, or Blogger. Setup takes only a few minutes. Once your account is created, it is easy to add and manage projects. The layout does not feel overwhelming, and most of the features are where you would expect them.

Voice Quality and Options

BeyondWords offers a wide selection of synthetic voices. These are categorized by language, region, and gender. Some voices are more natural than others. Certain voices have expressive features like pauses, pitch changes, and emphasis. These allow for more control over tone and pacing.

Voice quality varies depending on the voice chosen. Some voices sound robotic. Others are much closer to human narration. The most realistic voices are labeled "premium." These are only available on paid plans. It is worth testing several options before committing to one.

Customization and Control

You can adjust pitch, speed, emphasis, and add pauses. These are controlled through tags placed in the text. This gives the user flexibility, but the tagging system can feel technical. If you are unfamiliar with markup-style inputs, this may slow down your workflow at first.

You can assign different voices to different parts of the same article, which is useful for interviews or fictional dialogue.

Integration and Embedding

The WordPress plugin works reliably. Once installed, it adds a player to each post. Or you can embed a code into the blog post. Readers can click and listen instantly. The player is minimal and does not clutter the layout. Audio files are hosted by BeyondWords, so they do not slow down your site.

The platform also provides an API for developers, which allows more technical users to integrate audio dynamically. This is helpful for large-scale publishers or apps.

Analytics and Monetization

You can track how many people play the audio, how long they listen, and where they drop off. This is useful for evaluating engagement. You can also add pre-roll or mid-roll audio ads, though this feature is aimed more at enterprise users. For small publishers, monetization options are limited.

Accessibility and Listening Experience

The audio player is accessible. It works across devices, including mobile and screen readers. You can customize how it looks to match your website. The listening experience is smooth. Playback is fast. There is little buffering. You can adjust volume, speed, and skip ahead or rewind.

Pricing

BeyondWords offers a free tier with limited features and voice choices. Paid plans are based on character count and access to premium voices. The pricing model is fair, but it can get expensive if you publish frequently or use long texts.

For occasional use or smaller blogs, the free plan may be enough, but it is only 5 narrations per month. For professional use, especially with branding needs or high-volume publishing, the premium plans are necessary.

Strengths

• High-quality AI voices

• Wide selection of languages and accents

• Smooth integration with WordPress

• Useful analytics dashboard

• Good accessibility across devices

Limitations

• Premium voices locked behind paid plans

• Some voices still sound synthetic

• Tag-based editing has a learning curve

• Monetization is limited for small users

Final Thoughts

BeyondWords is a strong platform for anyone looking to turn written content into professional-sounding audio. It works well for blogs, articles, and educational content. While the free version is very limited, the core functionality is reliable. The free version also gives you the opportunity to try before you buy. The ability to add natural pacing and change voices adds depth that many competitors do not offer. It is not perfect. But it is one of the more mature and polished text-to-speech solutions available today.

Conclusion I am glad to offer this audio option for people who prefer to listen. I hope that for some people, listening will be easier than reading, and that this small change will help them connect with what I write in a way that works better for them. I hope it makes my blog more accessible to everyone.

Proverbs 31:8

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."