How to present your podcast when you’re on your own
There’s nothing natural about sitting in front of a cold lifeless microphone trying to perform to a listener you can’t see. So how do you get the energy you need in your voice when you’re presenting your podcast to no one?
Imagine someone in your mind
Conversational energy is easy to harness when you’re sitting across from a warm body. But when you’re presenting your podcast solo you have to find a way to make it feel like you’re talking to someone else.
A good way to do this is to imagine someone in your mind. This might feel silly but it’s something professional podcasters and radio presenters do all the time.
Once you’ve had a lot of practice you’ll do this without thinking. But when you’re starting out you need to actively use your powers of imagination.
Present your podcast in front of a mirror
If you’re having difficulty conjuring someone up in your mind you can always give your brain a little help by sitting in front of a mirror.
You’ll be surprised at what a difference it’ll make to the energy in your voice, just seeing another person (even if that person is you).
This may feel silly but that’s one of the joys of presenting your podcast on your own…no one will know!
Talk to one person
When you’re talking to your podcast audience it’s important each person listening feels like you’re speaking directly to them.
When someone chooses to listen to your content it’s very rare they’re listening with someone else so if you talk to them like they’re part of a group it’ll disconnect you from them.
Using the word “you” whenever you refer to your audience is the easiest way to do this. And think about talking to a single person rather than a bunch of people en masse.
If each individual listener feels like you’re doing the show just for them they’ll feel more connected to your show.
And that’s how you turn listeners into fans.
Put more energy into your voice than you think you need
Energy in your voice is essential to keep people engaged but what feels energetic to you when you’re speaking can often feel much lower energy to someone listening.
This is because some of that energy burns off by the time it reaches the listener.
You don’t want to sound so OTT you come off as insincere. Instead, think about being you with 25% sprinkled on top.
Trying to harness the energy required to sound like you’re having a relaxed, natural conversation in a podcast requires much more energy than if you were actually having a relaxed, natural conversation in a cafe or at the pub.
You want the energy in your voice to be strong enough to meet your listener where they are rather than them having to come to you and sometimes that sweet spot takes time to find.
So make sure you’re listening back to the content you create so you can work out the right performance energy for you.
Got a burning podcasting question you’d like answered? Send me an email.
Want to start your own podcast but need a little help? Download my “How To Start A Podcast” guide or sign up for my online podcasting course, PodSchool.
