Hey Reader,
I’m so glad you chose ‘Open’ (makes you look smart)
Today, I want to talk about why your voice sounds weird and other lies.
Your voice sounds weird in recordings.
That stranger talking back at you from your headphones?
That can’t possibly be you. You sound like a completely different person – maybe someone who inhaled helium or got their tongue stuck in a blender.
Welcome to the bone conduction effect, where your brain has been lying to you your entire life about how you actually sound. Your skull has been acting like a personal sound system, making your voice seem deeper and richer inside your head. Then reality hits when you hear that first playback.
Most new podcasters panic at this point. They start over-enunciating like they’re auditioning for a Shakespeare play, or they go the opposite direction and mumble like they’re ordering coffee at 6 AM. Neither approach works.
Then there’s the silence situation.
New hosts treat pauses like they’re radioactive. The second a guest stops talking, they jump in with “um, so, you know, that’s really interesting” just to fill the void. They’re terrified their audience will think something broke.
But here’s the secret about those pauses – they’re not awkward unless you MAKE them awkward.
They give your guest time to think of something actually worth saying instead of just word vomit. They let your listeners process what they just heard instead of getting buried in a verbal avalanche.
The guy hitting millions of downloads, talking about his breakfast routine?
He’s not succeeding because of his perfect voice or zero awkward moments. He’s succeeding because he knows how to guide a conversation and keep people listening.
Stellar Marketing Quotes
“In a noisy world, a podcast is the whisper people actually lean in to hear.”
Mark Schaefer
“If dogs don’t like your dog food, the packaging doesn’t matter.”
Stephen Denny
Sometimes it’s fun watching someone sweat, especially when they have no clue what’s happening.
That’s exactly what happened to Craig Johnson, a veteran newscaster on his “final day” on our station.
For years, Craig had delivered the same 5-minute Noon newscast, always throwing it back to the DJ who sat in the Control room, visible through the studio window.
The DJ had a routine too – as soon as news started, he’d slip out for a quick break, always returning before Craig finished.
But on Craig’s last day, we decided to have some “Fun”.
We rerouted Craig’s studio to absolutely ‘Nowhere’!
(Well, except a secret tape recorder) and told the DJ to ‘Stay Gone’.
So there’s Craig, wrapping up his newscast, looking up to see… an empty studio. But thinking he’s still “live” on air, he keeps going. And going.
He stretched lifestyle stories, rambled about upcoming promotions, praised the amazing staff, all while staring at that vacant Control room.
After what felt like forever (7+ minutes!), he finally announced,
“Apparently, we’re having some technical difficulties. I’ll be right back.”
He walked out to thunderous applause from the entire staff who’d been listening to his improvised marathon.
And realized he’d been broadcasting to “no one”!
That’s the mark of someone who truly understands their craft. Whether you’re hosting a podcast, running an event, or leading a presentation, knowing how to fill space and keep people hooked is everything.
That’s exactly what I cover in “How to Keep an Audience” – 50+ pages of interview secrets and presentation techniques I’ve gathered from 30 years in Major Market Radio.
From research tricks to creating excitement to handling those awkward moments, it’s all in there. (Link below)
Diversions
Your Thoughts
PS. If you know anyone who’d benefit from being a participant in this ‘journey’ into Marketing and Interviewing skills, hook ’em up!
You can share this link: https://voiceofroyce.kit.com/2fc99b9667
(And prove you’re a “Giver”)
