A guide to finding your perfect podcast voice tone and tips to sound more natural like a professional.
Podcast Essentials
Podcasting is revolutionizing the audio content space. Over some time, it has become a popular platform for content consumption as millions of people around the globe tune into their favorite shows each week.
If you are planning to start your own show or have already begun, then it's fantastic. Although, most podcasters find it challenging to find their unique language of podcasting.
It is not rocket science; with a few takes and practice, you can ace it. However, there are a few things that you should remember while writing the script and recording your episode.
In this article, we will talk about how to find a podcast tone of voice and the do's and don'ts of sounding like a podcaster.
Things to remember while shooting a podcast episode
Your audience is brilliant, and they have a sixth sense of knowing whether you sound fake or professional. So with the substance and content of your show, you need to work on your speaking skills for podcasting.
If you aren't shooting a video of your episode, it gets easier to ace the modulation and tone of your voice as you don't have to look at the camera. But remember to keep your body language relaxed and speak as if you are talking to a friend, which will take the tension off your voice.
Also, you should sound extremely natural on asynchronous podcasts where the host and guest record remotely and each on their own time.
Authenticity and comfort in your voice will come over time, but here are a few tips that will help you to reduce this trial-and-error process by sounding natural within no time.
Do's and Don'ts to sound like a professional podcaster
Maintain your Voice & Sound
While working on your speaking skills for the podcast, maintain your natural voice by accepting your tone and accent. If you try to speak differently, listeners can tell quickly.
For example, if you are creating a show for a global audience, you might feel that you should try and replace your Indian accent with other accents, but you won't be able to maintain authenticity. Always remember the strength of your podcast relies upon your unique voice.
Choose whom to Address
If your show has a format where you interview guests, decide whether you will address the guests or the listeners, which means you will talk from the second or third-person point of view.
Avoid switching between the two, like addressing the guest as "you" and then switching to a third person like "he/she/they" or their name. This mix will confuse the guests as well as the listeners. Decide this bit, as it will determine your language of podcasting.
Be Honest with your listeners
Part of finding the podcast tone of voice is to be true to your listeners. So try to be open and avoid lies at all costs.
Admit when you don't know something. The guests you call on your show might dive into topics you aren't familiar with. Instead, take the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, as your listeners will benefit from that.
Have a Conversation
The best speaking skills for podcasting are no secret. It's just focusing on a conversational tone. Even if you don't have a guest or co-host on the show, don't speak like you are giving a speech or preaching to your listeners.
Instead, visualize a friend in front of you while shooting the episodes. Tell jokes, take natural pauses, talk like you are narrating a story, and use metaphors and analogies while recording. Just remember your authentic voice is your best voice.
Listen to yourself
Include this step in your podcast voice training. Did you know Johnny Depp, Julianne Moore, and Reese Witherspoon are known for not watching their own films, and it is justified as one might be nervous or critical of their performances.
Even if you feel like cringing at the thought of listening to your first episode, studying your recording and correcting yourself will help you do better in your upcoming episodes.
Avoid Copying
We all have our favorite podcasters, and it is natural to try and replicate them. But in the process, you will not be able to find your language of podcasting. So instead, learn from them but avoid mimicking them. Find your podcast vocabulary as that will have your own angle. People won't be able to connect with you when you copy others.
Did you know that great artists from the past used to copy others while they were still apprentices, but that was the way to learn art. Once they understood it, they used to add their perspective to it. So learn from the best podcasts but don't stay in their lane for long.
Don't Ramble
A little introduction and small talk are fine, but ensure you get into your episode's "meat" quickly.
People have shorter attention spans, and new listeners have no loyalty or obligation to listen to the entire episode. So, if your episode doesn't justify the title, they will go elsewhere.
Avoid Fillers
We use a lot of fillers in our daily speech without even realizing it. Using umms and likes can be a habit that can be incorporated into your episodes too. This is more about breaking a habit, but you can be mindful of it while developing speaking skills for podcasting.
Understand that you have limited minutes to talk, so saving it for your message is better. Also, avoiding fillers multiple times in the same sentence will improve the tone and clarity of your podcast.
Grab your quick guide
Become a better podcaster with these podcast tone-of-voice routine tips
Find a narration style that SYNCs with your podcast's theme
Research podcast shows in your niche. See how other podcasters are talking. Does it sound nice, or can you take a better approach? Check if a more profound or higher voice fits your show.
Once you have decided on the style, start doing podcast voice training, where you practice the episodes in that tone. Also, work on the pace of speaking and determine if you want to sound like a mentor or friend.
Listen & CORRECT
To sound like a professional podcaster, you must modify your vocals to a certain extent. Your natural voice will lose some amount of warmth and emotions in the recorded version. So, working on your enunciation with modification will help you better.
Although, it is essential to find the right balance between your natural voice and enunciation. To do that, have a podcast voice training routine where you record and listen to yourself. Then, record a few takes before deciding on the podcast's tone of voice.
STAND while recording
Practice recording your episodes while standing. Although, this is possible if you don't have a guest on the show. In the beginning, you might feel uncomfortable, but you will see the difference in the quality of your voice.
Standing opens your breath and makes it easier to pronounce with clarity and consistency. Sitting compresses your diaphragm, while standing removes this pressure and allows deeper breaths.
Practice BREATHING
Include breathing in your podcast voice training, as audible breathing is unpleasant to hear. Listeners mainly accept it, but practicing it can improve audio quality.
You can eliminate big gasping breaths by being mindful and practicing silent breaths. Recognize sentences that will need faster delivery so that you can take breaths before or after the sentences. Also, position your microphone correctly. Avoid placing it in front of your mouth where the airflow is strongest.
Take PAUSES
Practice taking pauses while narrating your script. Pauses will capture your listener's attention and help them register and comprehend what you are saying. On the other hand, if you record at a constant pace, you might risk your listener's attention even if you aren't monotonous.
Have a routine where you practice taking natural pauses if you are a fast-paced speaker. Also, many people listen to podcasts while doing something else, so the chances of losing attention is higher.
Conclusion
You will eventually find your podcast tone of voice. Remember to practice and get out of your head. Also, don't try to follow everyone's advice, as you can ruin it for yourself while trying to remember everything everyone has told you about podcasting.
Record in a comfortable environment, which will allow you to be natural, and your authentic self will definitely reflect in your recordings. Start your podcast at ease.
If you need help finding your authentic tone or professional advice on your pre-recorded episodes, Book a Call with us. We can help you to launch, manage and grow your podcast show.