Podcasting Tools

Finding Your Own Podcast Voice

By Tim ‘Gonzo’ Gordon

Have you found your own podcast voice?

If you’re new to the podcasting world, chances are you’ll have a bit of a stutter-start to your podcasting career. Unless you’re used to speaking into a microphone and discussing your business or personal life, it takes a bit of getting used to.

Even once you feel comfortable in front of a microphone, count on more time to find your unique ‘voice.’

What do I mean by finding your own unique voice?

Simply put, it means being yourself – and letting go of any self-imposed restraints you may be putting on yourself!

Sometimes finding your unique podcasting voice might mean shouting or laughing uncontrollably. Other times it might mean whispering into the microphone to tell a heartfelt story. Whatever it means, you won’t find your true voice until you follow a couple of principles.

First: talk about what you believe in. REALLY believe in. I know, this sounds easy. But it’s easy to take some other writer’s information, create a few bullets points and ad lib your own version of the information. If you were to do that, ask yourself: do I really believe what he’s saying? Have I EXPIERENCED it? Does it work for me?

Second: disclosure. This is different from what you really believe in, because belief is a principle or an idea. Disclosure is part confession and part discovery. Other people are hearing you confess things you have discovered about yourself. When you disclose things about yourself it makes you more attractive to the people who like you. But disclosure also does something else: it can make you less attractive to the people who are not like you and may not agree too much with you.

And there’s nothing wrong with that! If you’re in business and you talk candidly about your style of business, you’ll attract those people who feel the same. You’ll also tend to repel those who don’t feel that way – and chances are you would not have really wanted to do business with them anyway. Those are the people that tend to be difficult customers, always making you work extra hard for your commission or fee.

So as you begin your podcast career, learn how to use your microphone – and don’t skimp on getting a good microphone – so that you’ll really bring out your personality and deliver your own unique podcast voice.

Remember, as you talk into your microphone in your studio, you’re only talking to ONE person. You’re not on stage in front of 500 or 1000 people, you’re not in a room full of friends and neighbors. You’re speaking to your microphone, and whoever is listening will take it in as if you’re speaking just to them – like an old friend.

About The Author:

Tim 'Gonzo' Gordon shows you how to create professional, high-quality audio on your home computer. With 25+ years of radio production, writing and voice talent, Tim can show you how to set up a small pro studio and create audio for fun and profit.

Learn how to podcast with Podcasting Adventures Online at http://podcastingadventuresonline.com.

Learn Public Speaking and Professional Communication with Tim Gordon and Roger Pike at Communication Steroids.