Do I REALLY sound like that?
People often tell us that one of the biggest hurdles that stands in their way of producing their own content is that they don’t like the way they look or sound when they are recorded.
And it’s not necessarily low self-esteem that makes us feel this way – We actually feel uncomfortable listening to a recorded version of our voice at first because we don’t sound the same way recorded as we do in our head.
In the latest episode of Elevating Experts, Andy and Louise drop some science on you to help you get more comfortable making your own content!
Today’s Tips:
♦ Our recorded voice is actually what other people hear.
♦ Focus on delivering your message with confidence above all else.
♦ Listen to your recordings more frequently to de-sensitise yourself to the different sounding you.
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About Elevating Experts:
Elevating Experts is an Australian short form podcast series, with episodes running less than 5 minutes, released 3 times a week, giving you the insights that elevate you as an expert in your field. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Snackable, bite sized episodes, under 5 minutes each that deliver hints, tips and coaching to help you with: Content Creation, content planning, business branding, personal branding, brand voice, podcasting, social media tips, building a brand, digital marketing tips, digital content planning, presentation coaching, batching tasks, boosting your engagement, building relationships, growing an online community, brand values, brand voice, brand positioning, evergreen content, perishable content, brainstorming content, creating content calendar, podcast planning, podcast marketing, podcast social media, brand consistency.
About the Hosts:
Created and hosted by Louise Poole and Andy Le Roy.
Louise has worked in Australian commercial radio, media and broadcasting for over 20 years, in on air and brand management roles. Her CV includes hosting 973fm Brisbane, Queensland, morning radio announcer and music director for 8+ years, Content Director of Darwin, Northern Territory radio stations MIX 1049, Hot 100. More info about Louise Poole here.
Andy has over twenty years leadership experience, across a range of fields including broadcasting, aged care and telecommunications. His CV includes Darwin’s top rating drive-time radio program to managing a successful community radio station in Adelaide, South Australia, helping it to expand its community appeal by leading the station to innovate its content. More info about Andy Le Roy here
About Welcome Change Media:
Welcome Change Media is about inclusiveness, empowerment and inspiration. As a media company, we are committed to creating programs that educate, inform and entertain.
More than a podcasting company, Welcome Change Media is also here to support your business in the marketplace by strengthening your brand’s presence and pitching you as the expert in your field.
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Contact us today to discuss how we can help you better connect with your customers and help them to understand that yours is a premium brand worth investing in.
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That Entertainment Podcast | Adelaide Edition | Brisbane Edition
Episode Transcript:
Getting Comfortable With Your Voice:
Almost everyone you know hates the sound of their own voice. Let’s change that!
I’m Andy Le Roy and I’m Louise Poole, and giving you the insights to elevate you to become the expert in your field
Elevating Experts!
Andy:? So, you’ve recorded yourself, thought it was great when you did it, but then you played it back and uggh… Do I really sound like that?
Louise: Yes! But also No! I’ve spent 20 years in radio. I’ve heard a lot of voices. And I’m about to spill some tea.
Andy: People often tell us that one of the biggest hurdles that stands in their way of producing their own content is that they don’t like the way they look or sound when they are recorded.
Louise: Yes! This isn’t exclusive to recording a podcast – it applies to all mediums where you are reflected. Ever looked at a photo of yourself and thought – I don’t look like that!
Andy: Or videos! Especially when I get caught staring at the video of me in the zoom call instead of the person I’m talking to!
Louise: And when I was working in radio, the single most common comment I would get from any listener that I spoke to after they heard themselves on air was ‘I sound terrible. It doesn’t sound like me at all’.
Andy: You know, I thought that about myself when I was on the radio at first too. I didn’t recognise me.
Louise: And when I first started I used to think I sounded like I was bouncing around on a trampoline the whole time.
Andy: But did you?
Louise: I certainly wasn’t as polished as I am now, but no. It didn’t sound anywhere near as bad as I thought it was. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all. I’m about to drop some science on you Andy.
Andy: Go ahead Doctor Poole!
Louise: We feel uncomfortable listening to a recorded version of our voice at first because we don’t sound the same way recorded as we do in our head. Literally.
Andy: So, it’s not just in my head?
Louise: No, it’s in your ears. Your inner ears. External sounds, like a recording, are interpreted entirely through your ears via sound waves and air. But when you speak your vocal cords, muscles, bones etc are also conducting sound and sending it to your inner ears.
Andy: Then the recorded version is actually what I sound like and no one else can hear the way I think I talk?
Louise: Exactly. So when you first start hearing you recorded voice it sounds bad to you because it’s not how you are used to hearing it.
Andy: But what about when I see myself in a photo or video Doctor Poole? Why does that feel bad?
Louise: Well, leaving aside the psychological reasons you might be judging yourself negatively – from a scientific principle it’s similar to your voice. The only way you ever really see yourself is in a mirror. Which is a reversed reflection. So again you never see yourself as the real you until a photo or video that isn’t flipped.
Andy: All the recorded me’s are really me though as I appear to everyone else and the problem lies in me being unfamiliar with that and my brain seeing it as wrong.
Louise: Do you remember what technique you used to get used to your own voice when you started in radio?
Andy: I consciously tried focusing away from my self perception and instead on the content I was creating. Making sure it was valuable and delivered with confidence.
Louise: Same. Eventually you get used to hearing or seeing yourself and then you can evaluate your presentation without it becoming a negative attack on your self worth.
Andy: Ok Doctor Poole, to recap – We don’t actually sound or look the way we think we do because… science.
Louise: And the way to get comfortable with it is to expose yourself to more of what you really sound and look like.
Andy: Take more photos! Record those videos!
Louise: Show up on your social media as the face of your brand and sell your product and yourself!
Andy: Your confidence will grow as you do it.
Louise: And I promise you that everyone whoever told me they thought sounded bad – actually didn’t.
Andy: If you want detailed info on the science we’ve left links in our show notes.
Louise: And you can reach out to us and let us know what other ways we can help build your confidence so you can grow your brand!
Andy: Next time on Elevating Experts we’ll help you to identify your expertise.
Elevating Experts with Welcome Change Media, giving you the insights that elevate you as an expert in your field. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Check our show notes and website for more information on today’s topic.
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