Home » Feature » Podcasting 101 – part 2 – It doesn’t matter what you say!

Podcasting 101 – part 2 – It doesn’t matter what you say!

Posted by Andrew McGivern on Apr 19, 2011 in Feature, Podcasting 101, Tips and Tricks | 0 comments

Bla Bla Bla – Podcasting 101

It’s not what you say but how you say it!

Ok, just kidding, it does matter what you say but…

No matter what topic you are covering in your podcast, what you say is not the only thing you need to focus on. What you say in your podcast is very important but how you say it is equally important.

If you have passion for what you are talking about this will come through naturally. We will be able to hear the energy and enthusiasm in your voice!

But for some of us (me included), passion isn’t enough because we still don’t naturally exude the energy and passion we have for the subject. We have to work a little bit on HOW we speak in order to keep our listeners interested in the show.

Check out this video I made to demonstrate that it isn’t what you say that counts but how you say it…

According to A. Barbour, author of Louder Than Words: Nonverbal Communication, the breakdown of how we communicate is like this…

7 percent verbal (words)

38 percent vocal (volume, pitch, rhythm, etc)

55 percent body movements (mostly facial expressions)

So, unless you are producing a video podcast your already going to miss out on the 55% of communication power because your listeners can’t see your body movements and facial expressions. According to Barbour, facial expressions dominate the non verbal portion of human communication.

Verbal vs. oral communication

Nonverbal communication can occur through any sensory channel — sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Nonverbal communication is important as: “When we speak (or listen), our attention is focused on words rather than body language. But our judgment includes both. An audience is simultaneously processing both verbal and nonverbal cues. Body movements are not usually positive or negative in and of themselves; rather, the situation and the message will determine the appraisal.” (Givens, 2000, p. 4)

As audio podcasters we are left with verbal and vocal aspects. Notice that verbal only accounts for 7% of total communication… So what words you are saying really are only a small portion of what you are actually saying! 38 percent of your communication is based on the pitch, rhythm and volume of your voice. So when you are speaking on your podcast keep this in mind… it’s not what (words) your saying that count but how you say it!

Verbal vs Vocal vs Non-Verbal

The bottom line is enthusiasm is contagious! If you have ever taken any basic sales training you probably already understand this. People don’t buy based on logic. The purchase decision is an emotional one and we use logic to justify it.

Consider these two senerios when your in a store considering a purchase

Sales Rep #1
The sales rep your taking to says all the right words and gives you all the correct information but speaks in a monotone robotic voice… do you think your likely to buy?

Sales Rep #2
What if the sales person your dealing with misses a couple points and doesn’t say all the right things but is totally passionate about the product and is genuinely excited and enthusiastic.

If your like me, chances are you’ll be more likely to buy from sales rep number two!

What does this have to do with podcasting?

Remember, every time your doing a podcast your selling something.

Even if you have no intention of monetizing your podcast, your still selling something
Your selling yourself.

Pat Flynn over at Smart Pasive Income Blog ran a video post challenge which provided the inspiration to post this one. Thanks Pat!

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this video and please leave a link to your video post if you have one. Or post a video response in Youtube. I’d love to see it!