Who hates the sound of their own voice? We feel you, but just because you cringe when you listen to yourself on a voicemail, doesn’t mean that you can’t make podcasting work for you and your business. The truth is that podcasts aren’t going anywhere. In fact, 55% of Americans have listened to a podcast, which is a growth rate of 37.5% over the last 3 years. So instead of cowering at the thought of a mic, give your audience what they’re asking for already!
Get out of your head
Talk slowly, stop breathing so hard, don’t say the wrong thing… you can ruin it for yourself from the beginning if you try to remember everything that everyone has ever told you about podcasting. Be in the moment and try to clear your head of all the advice that you have rounded up over the past few months. It’s better to be present and make a small error than to be so careful and guarded that your podcast is void of life and personality. I promise that you’re better than you think you are.
Create, don’t replicate
We all have our favorite podcasts that we live for, but if you try too hard to mimic your idol, your podcast won’t match your brand and it probably won’t live up to your favorite host anyway (or at least that’s how you’ll feel). Just be yourself and know what type of podcast you’d like to model, but don’t focus too hard on cloning it. The whole point of creating a branded podcast for your company is to provide fresh insight; so why would you want to repeat something that is already being done? Your audience wants to hear your voice, not someone else’s.
Have a conversation
Stop the dry monologue and the long list of statistics. The tone of voice that you use on your podcast should reflect the conversational manner that you use when talking with a friend or colleague. Use metaphors and analogies, tell jokes, take natural pauses, and share stories. Your authentic voice will be your best voice. Every industry has a story to tell and you’ll find that your information will be better consumed when it’s written for your audience in a conversational tone.
Listen to yourself
That’s right; it’s part of the process. Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, and Johnny Depp are known for not watching their own films, and we get it. In fact, many well-known podcasters would probably cringe at their very first podcast they ever recorded, but when you’re just starting out, it won’t hurt to see how you’re doing. Study your first podcast recording, correct yourself for the next one, and you’ll get better every time. Then one day, you’ll be the Johnny Depp of podcasting, and you won’t have to listen to yourself if you don’t want to.
Practice makes potential
No, that’s not a typo. When you think about it, we love our favorite podcast hosts, not because they’re perfect, but because they share valuable information in an authentic and personable way. You don’t need any fancy equipment to start practicing right now. Start recording yourself with your phone and be your own critic. Don’t shoot for perfect; aim for potential and strive to find your true voice. There’s no shame in talking to yourself for a few weeks before you hit record in a more professional way.
Like check, 1, 2
There are so many fillers out there that sneak into our daily speech, and yes, you guessed it, our podcasts! Umms and likes can become such a habit, that we don’t even realize that we do it. While this is more about breaking a habit, refraining from using fillers multiple times in the same sentence (we’re all guilty!) will improve the clarity and likeability of your podcast. You only have so many minutes to talk; save your time for your message, rather than cluttering it with a bunch of words that don’t matter.
Podcasts are for everyone. Introverts, extroverts, men, women, the finance industry, and whatever your world is can all benefit from one of the top marketing tools for small and large businesses. Everyone has a unique voice; it’s up to you to find it, record it, and share it with your loyal followers. They’re waiting to hear from you!
Need help with starting, recording, and producing a podcast? Contact us at Lillian James Creative so we can help you with all of your podcasting needs!
Like what you’ve read? Want to share similar content with your organization at your next virtual event? Aaron Fulk, CEO of Lillian James Creative, has graced many stages and speaks about finding your creativity, storytelling, personal branding, and more. Book her for your next get together!