Writing is formal. That’s the problem. When we write, our instincts from school kick in and the next thing you know, you’ve written an essay, not a podcast script. Writing for speaking on the mic is a different ballgame. When you’re writing for podcasting, it’s all about making your sentences flow like thoughts, not properly structured sentences, often in all their messy, meandering glory. Especially if you want to sound conversational and natural while still keeping things clear and engaging.
Here’s how to write your next podcast script so it sounds like it’s coming straight from the heart, not an academic research paper:
1. Write by speaking
Get your phone out, open a transcription app (or the dictation mode on notes) and just speak what you want in your episode. Sure, it’ll be messy and badly structured and you’ll probably forget stuff. Once you’ve got the first draft, you can tidy it up and add in the bits you need. You can make a few bullet points to work from to keep you on track. But you’ll end up with sentences that match your thought patterns and have a much better conversational flow. Plus they’ll be the right length for your breath too.
2. Read It Aloud
After writing, read it out loud to yourself. Does it sound like “you”? If not, tweak it. Throw in some of your glorious idiosyncrasies, dialect and slang words. Writing for speaking should feel effortless and sound just like you, so hearing it aloud is the best way to make sure it flows naturally and feels authentic. If it doesn’t sound like you, it’ll be harder to put all the feeling behind it to get that emotional impact for your listener.
3. Keep Your Language Casual and Relatable
Podcasting is all about connection – making your listener feel something – so make sure your writing speaks directly to your audience. Know who you are talking to and match your language use to suit them. Complicated jargon can make your audience tune out. So imagine you’re chatting with a friend over a brew and a biccy—this will help keep your tone casual and conversational.
4. Break It Up
If you decide to work from a script, smaller chucks of text are easier to read so break your writing up. When you’re recording, the last thing you want is to get lost in a big auld dense block of fecking text. Use bullet points, subheadings, or even numbered lists or colours to keep things moving and avoid sounding like you’re just reading.
5. Use the You
Remember, you’re always speaking to one person. Using “you” and “your” as much as you can, will help your listener feel spoken to individually which is fab for creating lasting relationships and getting them to keep coming back for more!
6. Add Some Personality
You and your voice are your only real USP when it comes to podcasting. So don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your writing. Get some jokes in there if you’re funny, use casual phrases, and even colloquial language or dialect from your heritage (eg: “wee” or “feck” come right from my Irish background) to make your content feel authentic. This is your podcast. Your listeners want to hear you, not some robotic, trying to sound good, pordcast version of you.
By writing for speaking, you’re setting yourself up to sound more relaxed and natural on the mic, making it easier to connect with your audience. Keep your writing conversational, clear, and relatable, and watch your listeners keep tuning in!
Want more tips for sounding your best on the mic?
Check out my podcast The Voice Coach Podcast for more practical advice, or grab a copy of On The Mic to get your voice in top form before every recording.
Visit onthemicbook.com to get your copy today!
