Galactic Activity 35

This activity is to create a spoken word, audio presentation, focused on a particular topic or theme, like cycling or startups. It will be recorded and played at the Rostrum meeting.

Activity 35 – Prepare a audio recording (like an episode of a podcast)

Duration: 6 – 10 mins
Applicable Streams: Sales, Workplace Skills, Technical Content, Education, Personal Challenge,

Aim

In this activity you are aiming to:

Persuade, inform or entertain an audience using only your voice.

Objectives

To do this, you will need to keep the following objectives in mind:

Decide on the message you want to convey—this can be anything from providing information about a specific topic or sharing a certain viewpoint.
To create a presentation with a logical flow, that leads to a desired conclusion
To record and edit the presentation using audio only.

The Why…

Whether for personal, educational, or professional purposes, audio recordings facilitate conveying ideas, stories, instructions, and knowledge to a wide audience. They transcend barriers of time and space, allowing listeners to engage on their own schedule. Mastering audio recording empowers individuals to create podcasts, lectures, tutorials, interviews, and more, fostering meaningful connections and expanding the reach of valuable content in today’s fast-paced, digital world. It’s a skill that is required more and more in this day and age in a range of contexts like job interviews and for work purposes.

If this doesn’t apply to you, as a variation you can record oral history – as an audio record for children or grandchildren about some aspect of your life that you wish to capture and pass on to future generations.

Where do I start?

Decide on your topic.
Ensure you have a good microphone (which could even be your AirPods or wired headphones with microphone attached).
Plan to record at a time of day that you’re most likely to not be disturbed or distracted by friends, family or work commitments.
You can record on your mobile phone, which should have fairly straightforward recording and editing software. If you’re unsure how to do this, google your phone make and module and watch an instructional video on YouTube about how to capture and edit audio on your device.

The How

Specific guidelines on how to tackle this activity.

Remember you will be playing a recording at the meeting rather than delivering it live.
Getting clear audio is a lot about the quality of your microphone and the room that you’re recording in. Make sure the room is free of external noise, and carpeted if possible to reduce noise rebound.
You only need to edit the recording if you weren’t able to get the whole audio in one ‘take’.

Tips and traps

TIPS:

Preparation: Thoroughly practice your skill to build confidence and minimize nervousness.
Know Your Audience: Understand the interests and preferences of the audience to tailor your performance.
Engage Early: Begin with a captivating introduction to grab the audience’s attention from the start.
Visualize Success: Imagine a successful performance to boost your confidence and calm nerves.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset; focus on enjoying the experience rather than fearing judgment.
Practice with Props: If applicable, practice with any props, instruments, or equipment you’ll be using.
Connect Emotionally: Infuse your performance with emotion to resonate with the audience on a personal level.
Interact: Engage with the audience through eye contact, smiles, and acknowledging their presence.
Stay Authentic: Be yourself; authenticity connects more effectively with audiences.

THINGS TO AVOID:

Overwhelming Complexity: Avoid attempting a skill that’s too complex for your current level of mastery.
Rushing: Avoid hurrying through your performance; maintain a steady pace.
Ignoring Feedback: Don’t disregard audience reactions; adapt if you sense disinterest.
Lack of Confidence: Avoid projecting insecurity; even if nervous, exude self-assurance.
Excessive Self-Critique: Don’t overly focus on mistakes during the performance; keep going.
Ignoring Timing: Avoid going beyond your allotted time; respect the audience’s attention span.
Ignoring Environment: Don’t disregard the performance space; be aware of lighting, acoustics, etc.
Overusing Nervous Habits: Steer clear of excessive fidgeting or other nervous gestures.
Inadequate Rehearsal: Don’t perform without sufficient practice; it can lead to errors.