How to read a podcast script and not sound like you’re reading

If you’ve listened to my Trafcom News Podcast, you’ve probably heard me say that I’m not a big fan of reading in a podcast, unless you’re deliberately sharing the passage of a book or article. However, in the real world, we know that podcast scripting is not uncommon. Just recently, I’ve had to coach a few people on how to record audio that didn’t sound stilted or silly. This is more difficult than it sounds.

Here are the tips I shared, based on my experience in scriptwriting, voiceover and podcasting over the years.

• Prepare. Do not read the script cold.
• Let’s assume that the script is well written, but still needs to be tweaked for the ear. Look for too-long passages, complex sentences, or phrases that can only be understood by the eye, not the ear. Revise them.
• Next, mark up the script. If you can, print it out double-spaced and grab a red or blue pen. Using whatever kind of marks you’re comfortable with, add the following accents to your script: pauses, emphasized words, slower pace, faster pace. See the image for a brief example.
• Look up the pronunciation of any words you’re not sure of (for example, Ih-ROCK, not Eye-ROCK for Iraq) and write them out phonetically if you need to.
• Read your script – aloud. Don’t just mumble it. Say it. How do you feel when you read it?
• Slow down. Yes, I can almost guarantee that you’re reading too fast. Remember: we are listening to your words, not reading them.
• If you want to sound formal, go right ahead. If you want to sound conversational, be sure to pause occasionally and even make a mistake. Rare is the person who can speak for 10 minutes without an um, ah, you know or other misstep. Be human.
• If you’re not sure about how to approach a certain section, record more than one take. That’s the beauty of recorded audio; you can edit later. If you pause between takes, your edits will be easier to do.

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This might sound like a lot of work, and it can be. But think about the end result: do you want to move your audience or do you want to bore them? Text that sounds like it’s being read is often dull and lifeless. If you take the time to revise and mark up your script and practice, practice, practice, you’ll end up with a better piece of audio.

Have you ever read a script for a podcast? Please share your own tips in the comments section below.

Comments

[Omar Ha-Redeye]

This is a great post.

Most of the Canadian law firm podcasts out there are obviously scripted, which is not something likely to change with so many internal procedural requirements in place.

But with these techniques, hopefully they can expand their audience.

[Eden Spodek]

Donna, Great tips and perfect timing.We're just about to record the next episode of Community Divas and we have a couple comments to read, one of which is quite long.

This will come in handy.

[Donna Papacosta]

Thanks for the comments! Glad you found the post useful.

[Parker]

Great advice, Donna.
I remember when I used to read the news on the radio that I always did a WAY better job when I had time to read it out loud (and not, as you suggest, just mumbling it to myself) beforehand.

[Peter O'Connell]

Donna:

There is a trick that I learned a while back that I share with my voice over students and any clients who want to voice their scripts.

After they are done reading their script I ask them: "who were you reading to?"

Great puzzled looks appear, always making me wish I had a camera. They fumble for an answer which is almost always either "no one" or "I don't know".

One of the best ways to sound like you're not reading or to sound more conversational is to imagine you are speaking to one person. Pick a person that you know, make it real in your head and focus on communicating to THAT person only as you read.

It can make a difference. I hope this helps.

Best always,
- Peter

[Donna Papacosta]

Parker, thanks for confirming my advice.
Peter, thanks so much for adding a great tip! I've heard that some people actually pin up a photo of someone and "talk" to them as they read.

[Andy Donovan]

Sage advice Donna especially for the newbies in the crowd hoping to establish an audience for one and to keep them coming back for more for two.

Keep the tips coming. Cheers,

Andy