How to Use Your Voice as a Podcaster

Want to start a podcast but don’t think you have the right voice for it? Don’t worry, the trick is actually not to engage in deejay-speak, talk very loud or constantly spout esoteric lingo. Using your normal voice and speaking as if you’re talking to a friend is always the best approach. Guest-blogger and radio DJ Sander de Heer is here to talk shop again.

Keep Your Listeners in Mind

A podcast is a very direct way to communicate with people. Your voice goes straight to your listeners’ ears, who may be taking a stroll in the forest or lying in bed, but that’s not to say that you should speak extra softly. Needless to say, raising your voice also doesn’t cut it as the proper tone of voice. Keep your listener in mind at all times, even when you’re talking with a guest that you’ve invited onto the show. In other words, be careful not to shut your listeners out. Another tip would be to have a friend or family member listen to your podcast so they can assess whether or not you’re using your ‘natural’ voice.

Less is More

The fewer words you use, the better. This gives you the time you need to emphasise important bits and leave room for short pauses. Silence can help promote tension, just like a single word can have more impact than a slew of words with overemphasised syllables. Also, try to use words that evoke mental images, so words that bring a written text to life. Convey feeling and emotion instead of just listing facts.

Off the Top of Your Head

When you’re trying to sound natural, reading from a piece of paper isn’t going to help. Try to tell the story based on a few keywords or, if you insist on being a bit more prepared, at least write down the words in the same way as you speak them — and use big letters! Rehearse the line out loud, preferably in front of a friend, family member or the mirror. You could also record yourself and listen back to the recording. Rinse and repeat until you sound as natural as possible, then record the podcast.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

A glass of water is always better than coffee, let alone milk which is said to increase the mucus in the back of the nose and throat and can make your voice less clear. Stick to belly breathing and try to keep filler words to a minimum. If you have a tendency to speak under your breath or very fast, try to pay attention to that as well.

What makes a voice satisfying to listen to for you? Let me know in the comments!

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