Rasheed
Feb 20th, 2008, 07:39 AM
I don't know about you, but I always get nervous when I know I'm going to record a podcast. I choke all up, and suddenly I don't know what to say or talk about, even if I've prepared something. The only thing I see is that microphone pointed at me. I need to redo a lot before what I've recording is somewhat passable for publication. I'm sure I'm doing a lot of things wrong and that I haven't the right mindset while recording.
So, to remedy this, I've done some reading online about how to approach your listeners. I couldn't find much directly related to podcasting, but I could find something related to radio, theater performance, student and work speeches, and such. The important points of interest seem to be:
talk slowly and clearly, like you're addressing 5000 people
use an introduction to wet people's appetite, before diving into your main subject
use simple language, and repeat often
don't forget to breathe and be calm; focus on what you're doing, instead of what might happen; don't let negative thoughts control what you're saying; you are you, and you have your voice talent, and that's what you're going to use right now
address your audience with "you", instead of "I" or "we"; this automatically puts you in the shoes of your listener (what would s/he experience or do)
don't try to reason away your nervousness (because that makes it only worse), but, instead, find the reasons why you're nervous and adjust your expectations to what is achievable, instead of trying to reach for some unreachable goal
be practical and work with what you have; we can't all be Adam Curry or Leo Laporte and talk ad lib, so don't try to be like them; be yourself, be prepared, and enjoy the experienceThis is by no means a complete list, or even a well thought through list, but it's a start.
So, to remedy this, I've done some reading online about how to approach your listeners. I couldn't find much directly related to podcasting, but I could find something related to radio, theater performance, student and work speeches, and such. The important points of interest seem to be:
talk slowly and clearly, like you're addressing 5000 people
use an introduction to wet people's appetite, before diving into your main subject
use simple language, and repeat often
don't forget to breathe and be calm; focus on what you're doing, instead of what might happen; don't let negative thoughts control what you're saying; you are you, and you have your voice talent, and that's what you're going to use right now
address your audience with "you", instead of "I" or "we"; this automatically puts you in the shoes of your listener (what would s/he experience or do)
don't try to reason away your nervousness (because that makes it only worse), but, instead, find the reasons why you're nervous and adjust your expectations to what is achievable, instead of trying to reach for some unreachable goal
be practical and work with what you have; we can't all be Adam Curry or Leo Laporte and talk ad lib, so don't try to be like them; be yourself, be prepared, and enjoy the experienceThis is by no means a complete list, or even a well thought through list, but it's a start.