Why talking to one person builds stronger connection
When you sit down to record your podcast, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking about your audience as a group.
You start sentences with “Hey everyone,” or “Hi guys,” because you know there ‘s (hopefully) more than one person listening.
But the truth is, these people aren’t sitting in a room together.
They’re usually listening alone, through headphones, while they’re walking the dog, driving the car or folding washing.
And that means they’ll feel a much stronger connection if it sounds like you’re talking just to them.
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Why you should think of your audience as one person
Even if you have a million listeners, every person pressing play is having an individual experience with your show.
When you say “you,” you make that experience personal.
When you say “you guys,” it instantly creates distance.
That’s why thinking about your audience as one person is one of the simplest ways to sound more natural and engaging behind the mic.
It’s also a trick used by professional presenters because it helps you connect on a deeper level by making your listener feel like they’re in conversation with you, not just listening to you.
How to make your delivery sound more natural
If you’re recording solo, it can feel awkward at first to talk to an invisible audience so make it easier for yourself by trying a few of these tricks…
Picture someone specific
Think about a friend, colleague or ideal listener and imagine you’re speaking directly to them.
Look in a mirror
It might feel weird but seeing a ‘person’ while you talk can help you sound warmer and more conversational (even if that person is you).
Use the word “you”
Avoid collective terms like “you guys” or “everyone” and just use the word “you” as if you’re sitting down talking to one person.
Smile when you talk
Some people can go a bit over the top with this so be careful, but you want to bring warmth into your voice when you’re trying to connect and sometimes a slight smile (if it suits your content) can help with this.
What if you’ve got a co-host?
If you’re co-hosting, your primary job is to talk to your co-host but you don’t want to forget your listener while doing it.
You want your audience to feel included in the chat, not like they’ve accidentally walked in on someone else’s conversation.
That means explaining inside jokes, avoiding too much “you had to be there” energy and occasionally turning your focus back to the listener.
Even a simple “You know what I mean?” can make them feel part of the moment.
Why this subtle shift matters
Talking to one person might seem like a small change but it makes a huge difference.
When someone feels like you’re speaking directly to them, they’ll be more engaged, more loyal and more likely to recommend your show.
So, next time you hit record, forget about the crowd.
Picture one person who loves what you do and talk to them.
That’s how you’ll create a podcast people connect with.
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