Improving Your Podcast Host Skills: Techniques for Better Vocal Performance
As a podcast host, your voice is your tool. Hone your skills to ensure you sound great in every episode. This guide provides actionable techniques, backed by expert advice, to improve your vocal performance and host presence.
Key Steps to Improve Your Podcast Voice
Voices require practice, much like any other skill. Investing in courses by expert vocal coaches is highly recommended. Roger Love and other training programs for voiceover artists can be invaluable. These courses offer practical exercises that help you refine your voice and delivery.
Self-Talk with a Mic
One of the best ways to sound natural and engaging is to talk into the microphone as if you’re speaking to a friend. This approach ensures authenticity, making your content more relatable.
List and Learn
Paying close attention to your own voice is crucial. Listen to your recordings and correct the minor mistakes you notice. Strangers can also give valuable, honest feedback. Ask someone to listen to a portion of your podcast and ask for their thoughts.
Continuous Improvement
Improvement comes with practice. Your early episodes may not be perfect, and you may never be “truly happy” with your performance. But getting better over time is the goal. Start with self-practice, and keep refining your technique.
Relax and Embrace the Conversation
Think of your podcast as a casual conversation rather than a formal performance. You are talking to a friend or a listener, not being judged. This mindset will help you speak in your natural, relaxed voice. Remember, even the most polished episodes have room for improvement.
Technical Considerations
High-quality audio is essential for a professional-sounding podcast. Aim to record at a quality of at least 192kbps. After editing, you can use a lower quality version to reduce bandwidth, but it’s crucial to start with a good recording.
Light Editing for Clarity
Experiment with different levels of editing. Some hosts prefer a raw, unedited podcast, while others heavily edit to remove filler words and awkward pauses. Editing can make your voice sound more polished and coherent. In our case, we heavily edit because we want to save our audience’s time. However, too much editing can also make your voice feel forced.
Preparation and Planning
Planning can make a significant difference. Use a podcast outline for each episode, whether it’s a simple bullet-point list or detailed notes. Ensure everyone involved has access to the outline so that you can reference it and stay on track. This helps maintain a consistent and polished episode.
Planning for Interviews
For interviews, prepare your questions in advance and let the interviewee do most of the talking. As they respond, follow up with questions that your audience might have. Put yourself in their shoes to anticipate their needs and concerns.
Talking at an Appropriate Speed
Most of your audience will listen to your podcast at a speed faster than the human voice can naturally speak. Therefore, talking slower might not be necessary unless you notice feedback from your listeners. If you do notice that your audience prefers a slower pace, consider speaking slightly slower in those instances, but maintain clarity in the audio.
Final Thoughts
Leverage your natural voice and authenticity, practice regularly, and take advantage of the resources available to improve your skills. With dedication and the right techniques, you’ll undoubtedly elevate your podcast experience to the next level. Good luck, and may your podcast journey be filled with growth and engagement.