When it comes to creating a podcast, one of the most important decisions you'll make is the tone of your show. What are you trying to achieve with your podcast? What's the vibe? Is it serious or funny? Friendly or abrasive? The tone of your podcast will set the stage for everything else - from the way you record, to how you treat your guests, to how your audience perceives you. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what podcast tone is and why it matters.
How to determine the right tone for your podcast?
There are many things to consider when starting a new podcast. The tone should be dictated by the type of show you're trying to create. If you're aiming for a light-hearted, fun show, then your tone should reflect that. On the other hand, if you're looking to produce a more serious podcast, then your tone will need to be more reserved. There are no right or wrong answers here - it all depends on what you're trying to achieve with your podcast.
Once you've decided on the tone of your show, it's important to be consistent with it. Your audience will come to expect a certain type of content from you, and if you suddenly change things up, they may be confused or turned off. For example, if you've been producing a light-hearted podcast about pop culture for the past year, and then suddenly switch gears and start interviewing politicians, your audience may not know what to expect from you anymore.
Why is a podcast's tone important?
The tone of your podcast can have a big impact on how your audience perceives you. If you're trying to build a large following, it's important to be aware of how your tone comes across to listeners. A podcast with a negative or abrasive tone is likely to turn people off, whereas a show with a more positive and friendly vibe will be more inviting.
Your tone can also affect the way you're perceived by potential guests. If you have a reputation for being difficult to work with, you may have a harder time landing high-profile guests. On the other hand, if you're known for being easygoing and fun, people will be more likely to want to come on your show.
The bottom line is that your tone matters - for a successful podcast your audience needs to be engaged. Be aware of the way you come across, and make sure that it's in line with the type of show you're trying to create.
The Right Tone for different podcast Genres?
Journalistic
A journalistic podcast has a similar tone to that of a news program. The focus is on delivering accurate and impartial information. This type of podcast is typically informative and objective, with little room for personal opinion or bias.
Gossipy
A gossipy podcast is all about the latest rumours and scandals. This type of show tends to be light-hearted and fun, with a focus on entertainment rather than news. Gossipy shows often feature interviews with celebrities or other high-profile guests. A good example of this is the podcast, Call her daddy, which has a light-hearted and gossipy tone.
Serious
A serious podcast is typically more reserved and formal in its approach. This type of show is usually informative or educational, with a focus on providing useful information to the listener. Serious podcasts often feature experts or professionals as guests and may have a more interview-style format.
Funny
A funny podcast is designed to entertain the listener. This type of show is typically light-hearted and humorous, with little serious content. They will often feature sketch comedy or other comedic elements to make your podcast fun. Examples include "The Adam Carolla Show" and "My Favorite Murder."
Intimate
An intimate podcast is personal and relatable. This type of show often feels like a conversation between friends, with a focus on sharing stories and experiences. Intimate podcasts are usually quiet and introspective, with little to no background noise or music.
Reassuring
A reassuring podcast is designed to provide comfort and support. This type of show is typically calm and soothing, with a focus on helping listeners relax and de-stress. Reassuring podcasts often feature soft theme music or nature sounds in the background.
Informative / Educational
An informative or educational podcast is designed to teach its listeners. This type of show is typically straightforward and to the point, with a focus on delivering useful information. Informative podcasts often feature experts or professionals as guests and may have a more interview-style format.
Inspirational
An inspirational podcast is designed to motivate and encourage its listeners. This type of show is typically uplifting and positive, with a focus on helping people achieve their goals. Inspirational podcasts often feature success stories or interviews with motivational speakers.
As you can see the list goes on and on, but these are some of the most common podcasting tones. It's important to choose the right tone that fits the type of show you're trying to create. If you're not sure which one is right for you, take some time to listen to other podcasts and see which ones you enjoy the most. Experiment with different tones until you find one that feels natural for you and your show.
What are some tips for recording my podcast?
When it comes to portraying your tone through your recording process, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips for recording your podcast:
- Use high-quality equipment. This will help ensure that your podcast sounds professional and polished.
- Find a quiet place to record. Background noise can be distracting and ruin your audio quality.
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. This will help people understand you and stay engaged with your podcast.
- Use inflexion and emotion in your voice. This will help bring your content to life and make it more engaging for your podcast listeners. However, ensure that you are still coming off as confident and don't make your statements sound like questions.
- If you have multiple segments, use transition music to stop dead air.
Following these tips will help you create a high-quality recording that sounds great and engages your audience.
Presenting a problem to your audience – & Solution!
If you want to keep people engaged in your podcast, it's important to present a problem and then offer a solution. This will give people something to think about and help them see the value in your content.
For example, if you're doing a podcast about self-improvement, you might present the problem of not knowing how to get started. Then, you would offer a solution by sharing some tips and advice for getting started. This type of format is engaging and helpful for listeners.
Review the script – boost your confidence and eliminate stuttering
If you're feeling nervous about recording your podcast, it's important to review your script beforehand. This will help you boost your confidence and eliminate any stuttering or filler words.
When you review your script, pay attention to the tone of your voice. Make sure that you're speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. Then, practice inflecting your voice and adding emotion to your words. This will help you sound more natural and engaging when you record your podcast.
Finally, don't be afraid to make changes to your script if you need to. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to change it. The goal is to create a podcast that you're confident in and that sounds great.
Warm up your vocals – don't sound tired when you record
It's important to warm up your vocals before you record your podcast. This will help you sound more awake and energetic.
There are a few things you can do to warm up your vocals:
- Drink plenty of water. This will help keep your throat lubricated and prevent you from sounding hoarse.
- Hum for a few minutes. This will help loosen up your vocal cords and get them ready for recording.
- Sing a few scales. This will help stretch out your vocal range and get you ready to use your voice.
Taking the time to warm up your vocals will help you sound your best when you record your podcast.
Use these tips to record a great podcast that sounds polished and professional. With a little preparation, you can create a podcast that you're proud of and that engages your podcast audience.
Re-recording – avoid it but make notes of the original setup just in case
It's important to try to avoid re-recording your podcast. This is because it can sound unnatural and forced. If you make a mistake, it's usually better to just keep going and edit out the mistake later.
However, there are times when re-recording is necessary. For example, if you flub a line or forget what you were going to say, it's usually better to re-record that section.
If you do need to re-record, make sure to make notes of the original recording setup. This includes things like where you were sitting, what microphone you were using, and any other details that might affect the sound quality. This will help you recreate the original recording as closely as possible.
Eliminate fillers – you can easily do it with a bit of practice
We all have a tendency to use filler words when we speak. However, these words can make your podcast sound amateurish and distract from the content.
Some common filler words include "um," "like," and "you know." These words add nothing to your podcast and can make you sound nervous or unprepared.
The best way to eliminate filler words is to practice speaking without them. This can be difficult at first, but with a bit of practice, you'll be able to do it.
Slow down your narration
Give the listener time to process. When you're recording your podcast, it's important to speak at a moderate pace. This will help your listeners understand what you're saying and follow along with the content.
If you speak too quickly, your listeners might miss important information or get lost. However, if you speak too slowly, your podcast might sound boring.
It's a good idea to practice speaking at different speeds before you record your podcast.
This will help you find the right balance between being too fast and too slow.
Practice breathing
Breathing is essential for good vocal production. When talking you need to breathe properly, it will help your voice sound clear and strong.
There are a few breathing exercises you can do to improve your vocal quality:
- Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. This will help expand your lungs and improve your airflow.
- exhale slowly and evenly. This will help you control your breathing and avoid gasping for air.
- Repeat this exercise a few times. This will help you get comfortable with deep breathing and improve your vocal quality.
By practising these breathing exercises, you'll be able to record a great podcast with clear and strong vocals.
Eliminate vocal inflexions
When you're recording your podcast, it's important to talk in a clear and confident voice. This means eliminating any vocal inflexions that might make you sound nervous or unsure of yourself.
Vocal inflexions are the rise and fall of your voice as you speak. For example, you might raise your voice at the end of a question or statement.
Eliminating vocal inflexions can be difficult, but it's important to do if you want to sound confident and professional. The best way to do this is to practice talking in a monotone voice. This will help you get rid of any vocal inflexions that might be affecting your recording.
What should I include in my podcast intro?
Your podcast intro is your chance to make a good first impression on your listeners. It should be brief, engaging, and informative. Here are a few things to include in your podcast intro:
- The name of your podcast
- A brief description of what your podcast is about
- Your contact information (email, website, social media, etc.)
- A call to action (subscribe, rate & review, etc.)
Your intro should be around 30 seconds to 1 minute long. Keep it short and sweet so that people will stay engaged. Include a brief description of your podcast so that people know what they can expect. And be sure to include your contact information in case people want to get in touch with you.
Finally, it is good practice to end your intro with a call to action. Tell people what you want them to do after they listen (subscribe, rate & review, etc.). This will help increase engagement and grow your podcast audience.
What about pre-recorded podcast intros and outros?
Podcast intros and outros are a great way to add polish to your podcast. They can help you set the tone for your show and make it sound more professional.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing pre-recorded intros and outros. First, make sure that they match the tone of your podcast. Second, make sure that they're high-quality and sound professional. You may also want to source voiceover talent to add a different tone for your show.
Tell me the best way to end a podcast.
There are a few things you can do to make your podcast sound professional and engaging. First, experiment with different ways of ending your show. For example, you could try having a short outro that sums up the main points of the episode. Or, you could try having a longer outro that includes interviews with guests or listeners.
A call to action is a great way to engage your listeners and encourage them to take action. For example, you could ask your listeners to subscribe to your podcast, leave a review, or share the show with their friends.
By including a call to action at the end of your podcast, you'll be able to encourage your
listeners
Where to Buy Great Podcast Intros & Outros
If your podcast has an intro or a video production, there are several possibilities. It's a links site that earns a small commission from your purchases without any fees or charges to you.
These include :
- Music Radio Creative
- The Jingle Punks Hipster Orchestra
- Intro and Outro Songs
- Podknife has a great list of where to buy podcast intros and outros.
Check out this Udemy course on How to Make Great Podcast Intros & Outros That Engage Your Listeners. Or if you would prefer to leave it to the professionals you can drop us a message here.
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