| Writing for the ear is different than writing for the
eye. Listeners cant stop to re-read a sentence
to clarify its meaning. The message has just one shot to get through before the
narrative continues and the thought is left behind. In order to be grasped
quickly, an audio script has to be crystal clear and very simple.
Audio scriptwriting is not a skill were commonly taught, but whether you are creating
tape sets, audio newsletters or a recorded welcome message for your web site, it pays to
know a few scriptwriting tricks.
Listen to the way people talk in everyday conversation
We rarely talk as formally as we write. We tend to talk in short sentences, even
sentence fragments. We use contractions and simple words. Use this style in your writing,
even though it may contradict what youve been taught about proper writing.
Remember, it doesnt matter what it looks like on paper as long as its easy for a
listener to understand.
Build a connection
Audio products are a chance to create a bond with people as they listen to the sound of
your voice. Invite them into your world by using inclusive language such as 'we' and
'our.'
Keep it short
Convey ideas in short, self-contained chunks. Use short sentences so that listeners can
easily follow the thread of your words. A good rule of thumb is to keep sentences
under 25 words.
Pay attention to rhythm
Be careful about running together too many sentences that are all the same length. A
bit of variety will hold a listeners attention longer.
Use silence
Listeners need time to absorb what youve said. Work pauses into your script by
indicating where you (or your voice talent) will stop for a moment during the recording.
Frequent pauses also make it easy to edit your audio recordings later since youll have
clean breaks between sentences and ideas.
Round off numbers
Instead of mentioning a figure such as $11,768 say "about $12,000." Round
numbers are far easier for the ear to grasp and understand.
Watch out for words that sound alike
Listeners cant see whether you wrote "two" or "too." Make sure
the meaning of your homonyms is clear from the context of your sentence, or remove them
altogether.
Practice reading the script out loud
Do you have to stop for a breath in the middle of a sentence? The sentence is too long.
Do you repeatedly stumble in your reading when you get to a certain point in your script?
The idea or wording isnt clear.
Spend some time listening to radio news broadcasts
Record and transcribe a few of them, then analyze their structure. You will begin to
notice they use many of these techniques. Modeling their style will help improve your own
audio scripts.
About Juiced Consulting
© 2004 Juiced Consulting
Turn your expertise into money-making information products like books, audio tapes and
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www.juicedconsulting.com. |
