Tips for Recording a
Customized Audio Program
Customized Audio Program is the perfect way to inform and educate
current & potential clients about your product and/or service.
Click here for more information about Customized Audio Programs.
Studios charge by the hour, so be prepared. Good preparation
translates to savings because you’ll spend less time recording and save
on editing fees. The following information will help you prepare a
polished script to get the most from your studio time.
Intros & outros are important and typically recorded by a voice-over
artist. Running at the beginning of your program, an intro welcomes and
educates listeners about the content & goal of the program and who you
are – education, credentials, experience, etc. Running at the end of
your program, an outro includes your final thought(s), contact &
marketing information and a “thank you” to the listener.
Write your script with tracks in mind and title them, like chapters
in a book. This helps break up the program by subject matter and gives
listeners the flexibility to listen to the entire program or access
specific information on demand. Track intros, added at the beginning of
each track, introduce the next track number and title. For example:
“Track 5 How To Get Started,” “Track 6 Necessary Equipment,” etc.
Typically, a voice-over artist records them, but you could do it as
well.
Don’t continue a sentence from one page to the next. In other words,
end each page of your script with a period. This is very important
because the microphone picks up the sound of turning pages. If you’re
speaking while turning the page, it will be on the recording. It’s much
easier to end your thought on the page you’re reading, pause, turn the
page, then continue at a natural starting point.
Make sure your script is written from the listener’s perspective. For
example, referring to demonstrations or illustrations from a textbook is
not useful to the listener. Remember, this is an audio program, so
unless you include a workbook as part of the program, the listener can’t
see what you’re referring to.
Read your script aloud. Do this to edit your presentation for run on
sentences, illogical statements or use of words and overused or missing
punctuation. This will also help you determine the way you want your
script delivered, e.g. tone, inflection, pacing & mood.
Some of our clients record their script on a portable cassette player,
before coming to the studio, giving them an idea of what it will sound
like.
Always make an extra copy of the latest version of your script for
the recording engineer. They will use the script for editing notes and,
more importantly, to make sure you deliver the script accurately and
avoid overlooking or mispronuncing words.
Things to keep in mind the day of your recording session
- Be rested – If you’re rested, you’ll sound better. The voice is
a muscle that needs rest to work properly. Be sure to get a good
night’s sleep before your recording session.
- Be relaxed – If you’re not used to speaking before crowds and/or
have never done a recording, you may be a little intimidated. Being
relaxed helps you to stay focused and confident. After all, if
you’re disseminating important information, you want to come across
as the authority.
- Stay hydrated – Speaking for an extended period may dry out your
mouth and throat.
- Stay away from loose fitting or noisy jewelry – Jewelry makes
noise and the microphone will pick it up.
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