It’s estimated that the human voice accounts from as little as 9% of the process in human communication, one person to another or one person to a group of people in everyday situations. When that communication is through the medium of radio, for very obvious reasons, it can increase to as much as 100%. The human voice in any radio broadcast is the main element that helps the listener construct their own image and picture of the person behind the microphone.
Paint the Picture
How often is the person on the other end of the telephone, on meeting face to face totally different to the picture created in the listener’s mind? How opposite of the picture created in the listeners’ imagination, is their favourite radio personality in real life? If radio is to make the most of this advantage, there are some who maintain that radio presenters should only be seen and never heard!
The phrase ‘a perfect face for radio’ is considered by many in the radio industry to be a compliment. The listener’s imagination is a blank canvas, and with a few simple tools, and techniques that are in the main, easy to learn and do, a skilled radio broadcaster can help their listeners paint some very interesting and exciting images.
The Human Voice as an Instrument
Some initiates into the world of radio feel they have to adopt another voice. They don’t. There is a stereotypical radio presenters voice that some adapt because they feel it’s the way radio presenters should sound and the more they try to achieve it they quicker they just lose their own voice. The best radio presenters have learned some simple techniques and developed and practiced them to great advantage for themselves and their listeners. Simple techniques like:
- Slow Down. Most people talk far quicker then they imagine
- Be Clear. Take the time each word deserves
- Breathe Properly. Learn the various breathing techniques
- Stand up, or at least sit up straight
- Smile. When appropriate of course, it comes across
- Be natural
Think audience
It’s very easy to forget, in the comfort and confines of a radio studio when often there are no windows or contacts to the outside world, to forget that there is actually an audience listening. Most good radio broadcasters have some idea in their own head of typical listener, one person they will talk directly to in their own imagination. This helps the presenter make the conversation and delivery more real.
It’s an imaginary one to one conversation that aids them and makes their listeners feel the presenter is directly to them. There are radio presenters who construct elaborate ‘dummy’ listeners who take a place in the studio, and they deliver the presentation to them. Studio guests beware! Each radio presenter with a bit of practice and a lot of imagination will find the best way for themselves but it’s imperative for good radio delivery to think audience first.
Voice Quality
The type and delivery of a voice, and how one human connects with another is often down to personal opinion and choice, but a few key points in the back of any radio presenter’s mind whether reading serious news or a light hearted entertainment presentation should be:
- Be excited (or at least interested)
- Be an individual, be human
- Learn to talk person to person
Most radio is consumed on an individual basis. The better radio broadcasters understand this and develop such techniques that enable them to use their own voice as a powerful instrument of communication.
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
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