Other Articles in Make
Podcasting Blog
8 step guide to podcast marketing
6/28/2008
Podcasting leader Christopher Penn has published a short PDF guide, 8 step guide to podcast marketing, that seeks to help you jump start how you’re marketing your own podcast. This is a very short PDF and covers topics that include whether your podcast is worthy of buzz, is easily found and how you’re measuring your success. The … Continue reading »
Publishing a Podcast with ExpressionEngine
6/24/2008
If you’re a user of the wonderful ExpressionEngine CMS (this site has been running on it for more than 2 years) and want to easily and efficiently publish a podcast with it, I just released a new screencast you might be interested in.
The latest episode of the ExpressionEngine Screencasts covers … Continue reading »
Voice Over Training
5/10/2008
One of the obvious aspects of podcasting is using your voice. And using it properly. If you’re looking for some more information about how to improve your voice technique in your podcast, I’d suggest checking out the Voice Over Experts Podcast from Voices.com.
Hardware Recommendations
- Kustom KM4 Mic with Cable
- Behringer XM8500 Microphone
- Shure SM58 Mic
- MXL MXL V63MBP Computer Desktop Recording Kit
Masthead
Contact
Ryan Irelan, Editor - listen@podcastfreeamerica.com
Training Your Voice for Podcasting
I can be a total marble mouth. If I’m not cautious, I can slip back into old speaking habits, which included talking too fast, poor diction and a very lazy mouth. In highschool I was referred to a speech therapist by the drama coach (I fumbled by way into a leading role in a theater production) because my bad speaking habits. I’m better now than I used to be - most of this has to do with now being fluent in German - but I can still slip back into garble mode.
When behind the microphone recording your podcast, your listeners don’t have the benefit of seeing your expressions, mouth and gestures. So, if you mumble your way through a podcast, it can be very difficult to comprehend what is being said. Good dicition is key.
- Enunciate your words and hit the consonsants crisply.
- Overcompensate. You’ll probably think you sound weird, but that’s when you’re doing it correctly.
- Open your mouth. Don’t talk with just your tongue, your mouth is there for a reason.
- Slow down!
Run a test. Record yourself as you would “normally” speak and then using your new diction skills. Compare the two and make any necessary adjustments. The key to being a good recorded speaker is to listen to yourself.
This is part of the series ABC of Podcasting from Podcast Free America.
Discuss
Lend your opinion and thoughts on this article. Join the discussion »
If you find this content useful, won't you consider subscribing to get regular updates? (It's free!)