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These recording tips are provided by Holdcom’s Audio Production team and contributions from our worldwide voice talent roster.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Holdcom Voice Talent Roster
The Holdcom Team
Step 1: Proper Equipment
Microphone: • Directional Polar Pattern
-Eliminates background noise.
Windscreen: • Omits “pops” that can happen when recording a ‘p’ or ‘b’ sound.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Microphone Directional Characteristics
Step 2: Keep your Audience in Mind
Before you begin writing your script,
ask yourself…
• Who is this being recorded for?
• Think about how your target audience
thinks, sounds, acts, and listens.
• What is the ultimate goal for your
recorded message?
Script Tips:
- Write your script with a clear message.
- Make your script simple, straightforward, and
easy to understand.
- Know what you are trying to accomplish with
each idea you are writing.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Script Tips “Greatest Hits”
How does your audience speak?
Think about regional differences in pronunciation and accents.
For example: Data
Do your customers pronounce it with a short A or long A?
If a client wants a short A, you would write “DAT uh.” If your business prefers
a long A, write “DAET uh” in order to direct voice talents on pronunciation.
If a word is pronounced “incorrectly,” your listeners can become distracted by the sound of the word being mispronounced, steering them away from the intent of the message.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
www.forvo.com- Pronunciation dictionary can determine the right articulation for your business’s recording.
Guide to Effective Scriptwriting for Message On Hold & Telephony Applications
Pronunciation Resources
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Blog: How to Direct Voice Talents for Successful Recordings
Step 3: Record Correctly
-Position yourself 6 to 12 in. away from the microphone.
-Speak directly into the microphone.
-Place your script at the same level as your microphone and just to its side.
-Use a music stand to hold and position your script.
-Print your script on one-sided pages to eliminate paper shuffling, and lay
pages out sequentially.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Blog: How to Direct Voice Talents for Successful Recordings
Step 4: Smile!
Why Smile? When you smile your voice instantly becomes more warm and likeable. How do I record with a smile?
- Before you record, do something
that will put in a good mood like
watching a funny YouTube video.
- Make sure your mood sticks
throughout your recording. If you
become tired or frustrated take a
break.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Step 5: Breathe
Breathing correctly is important when recording. Make sure you don’t sound rushed or
like you are running out of breath. You want to sound natural and calm in your recording.
- If you’re having trouble mastering where to take a breath, record your script once and
listen to it. If you find that a section sounds particularly awkward, see if you’ve placed a
breath in an unusual spot.
Breathing correctly enhances your voice
“Riding your breath,” as many producers refer to it, gives your voice a soothing
sound and makes your subject matter sound easy. Don’t overdo it, or your
recording might not be appealing to you or your audience.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Step 6: Pause
Punctuation marks are small but important points in a recording script. Pausing allows you to
slow down your pace and remain conversational and natural.
A properly timed recording will allow the listener the chance to process the information without
the distraction of an unnatural or irregularly spoken recording. Correct pauses will sound natural
and authentic, like a regular conversation.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
• Read your script “out loud” in your head and take note
of where you pause. Mark it on your script to
remind you while you are recording.
• Using a pause to emphasize a word can be
ideal when you want to make it really stand
out without having to change the tone of your voice or raise your volume.
Pausing Tips:
Step 7: Speak at the Appropriate Volume
-Let the microphone do the work. It is not necessary to
raise your tone of voice while recording.
to do the sound amplifying.
-Make sure to directly in front of
the microphone.
The microphone may
have trouble picking up your voice and make the editing
process more difficult.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Step 8: Smooth it Out
If you blend your words together while delivering your
script, you will create a conversational and natural
flow to your recording.
If you speak word-by-word you will sound robotic,
choppy and unnatural.
For Example:
The sentence “He is either out of the office,
or with a client” can be read as “He yiz
eithe routta the office…or with a
client.”
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Step 9: Emphasize the Right Words
Adding emphasis to your recording will make it sound more dynamic and interesting.
Which words do I emphasize?
Adjectives- Describing words
Ex.) “Our services include a serene spa atmosphere, with
lavish pools, and luxurious accommodations.”
Quantifiers- Words that express how many or how much
Ex.) Always, number one, 2.3%
Why do I emphasize these words?
- These words highlight your products and services.
- Two of the same sentences can have a different meanings depending on which
words you emphasize.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Step 9: Emphasize the Right Words cont.
How do I correctly create emphasis?
Never raise your volume!
Instead,
• Raise your pitch
• Pause slightly before or after the words
• Lengthen the word.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Blog: Emphasizing the Right Words for Professional Recordings
Step 10: Edit & Perfect Your Audio File
a. You will need computer software that will edit audio files.
b. Normalize audio levels.
c. Cut out background noise from recording.
d. Eliminate the “Umm”’s from the recording.
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
File Formats for Message On Hold
Additional Recording Resources
Holdcom | www.holdcom.com | 800.666.6465 | [email protected]
Holdcom's Audio Marketing Resource Library
Sound Communication Blog
LinkedIn- Audio Marketing|Sound Communication Discussion Group
Contact Holdcom
