What you say matters just as much as how you say it
A good podcast presenter is engaging, entertaining, relatable and most of all someone who can build a strong connection with their audience.
That’s easier said than done when you consider effective communication is made up of…
So, when you’re presenting a podcast you’re basically communicating without the bit that has the biggest impact…body language.
Body language is one of those things we don’t often think about but it’s so important when you’re building rapport and connecting with people.
If you’re sitting across from someone who’s fidgeting and looking at the floor while saying “this is the best fun I’ve had all year” you probably won’t believe them.
Conversely, if you’re on a first date you’ll know if you’ve got a connection with someone just by the way they look at you, even if they don’t utter a word.
When you’re presenting a podcast none of these social cues are available, so it’s even more important to give serious thought to what you say and how you say it.
Good podcast presenting sounds like it’s easy
People enjoy listening to podcasts where presenters sound relaxed and in control.
When you listen to shows like this it’s easy to think podcast presenting is a piece of cake because if it’s done well it sounds like it’s really easy.
But it takes a lot of hard work to sound that way.
A professional presenter is not only prepared when they hit record they’re also a couple of steps ahead of their audience because they’re always thinking about where the show is going.
This eventually becomes automatic the more experience you have but when you’re starting out you’ll have to put a bit more thought into what you’re doing to get it right.
Language tips when podcast presenting…
Always use conversational language
Sitting behind a microphone is a big deal for some people, especially if they haven’t had much podcasting experience. It’s easy to feel like there’s a need to formalise your language or “oversell” what you’re talking about.
Obviously, there’s more weight in a moment when it’s being recorded or being listened to by random ears but it’s important to remain cool, calm and collected.
You need to find the balance between being familiar but not overly familiar, being relaxed without sounding lazy and loosening things up while still sounding like you’re in control.
You have to talk to your audience like they’re old friends, not strangers and relaxing your language is a huge part of that.
Paint a picture in your podcast listener’s mind
“Theatre of the mind” is a wanky radio term that means using the kind of words and descriptions that put your listeners exactly where you are.
When you’re presenting a podcast the only way people can connect with something you’re talking about is if they can relate to it and the only way to do that is if they can see it in their mind. To do this it’s important to choose words that describe a situation, place or experience so your listeners can be there with you.
You want them to see it, feel it, get emotional about it and to do that you need to be descriptive.
Don’t use jargon
Obviously, jargon means different things to different people and will depend on who you’re talking to.
If you’re presenting a podcast for rocket scientists you’re obviously going to use a few words us regular peeps don’t know but that’s why it’s important to always have your audience top of mind.
You never want them thinking “I don’t know what they’re talking about” because if someone feels left out or confused they’ll turn off.
No one likes feeling like an idiot and using unnecessary jargon doesn’t make you sound smart, it makes your listeners feel excluded.
Create a show language
Don’t be afraid to use language that makes your listeners feel part of a club but make sure you do it in a way that means people can catch on quickly.
As you grow your podcast audience new listeners will almost always start with your latest episode and work their way back so if you’re heavy on in-jokes and people feel like they need to listen to all 300 episodes to work out WTF you’re talking about you’ll lose them.
Using words that make your listeners feel part of your team is a great way to bring them into the show and build a lasting connection.
On my old podcast, Paul and Rach, we called all our listeners “Mad Rooters.”
This started when Paul and I were on radio together and slowly crept into the show until listeners were calling us Mad Rooters and next thing you knew, a club was born. If you were a Paul and Rach listener, you were a mad rooter.
Having a shared language with your audience builds a connection that lasts long after the show is finished and even now, over a decade later, old fans of the show still call us that. That’s a magical thing.
Got a burning question you’d like answered on the podcast? 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.
Yaaaas im starting my own podcast and i really needed this thank you ♥️
Awesome Article!
Thanks Gary!