Substack is now trying to like all the posts that are positive to get it on top of the negative comments 😂. Another way of shadow-banning negative comments. It’s always Stephen Fry everywhere, it’s like they can’t attract other popular celebrities so they keep pushing poor Stephen Fry who is irrelevant.
By negative comments 😂do you mean, if you do not agree with the Left, you must fall within the category of “S.I.X.H.I.R.B.” – Sexist, Intolerant, Xenophobic, Homophobic, Islamophobic, Racist, or Bigoted? Or if you don't promote the jab, you'er killing the chrildern?
Maybe I missed something here, because I stopped doing voiceovers specifically because it passed them TO my podcast, and I don't want that. My podcast is free, but I wanted the voiceovers to stay JUST on my substack.
A couple of the people I follow started doing voiceovers and asked their subscribers to let them know whether they appreciate them or not. In my experience, a post that is read at a good speed—not too slowly—is always preferable to reading the text version myself.
Yes. I'd gladly do voiceovers (or audio embeds) rather than podcast episodes if Substack had stats on them. I'm not an expert, but all it would take is a dedicated URL for each voiceover, so stats could be tracked?
Listen stats would be so welcome! I’m about to start recording, and didn’t realize there wouldn’t be any stats on it! Sooo important to be able to know whether the extra time and effort is actually yielding results
Agreed - I do voiceovers for my poems as I find it helps to develop the flow and music of them - but I’ve found it hard to listen to my own voice - be good to see whether they were being listened to or not!
I’ve been doing read-aloud versions of my newsletter for the past year. Now I’m publishing the read-aloud a as a podcast rather than embedding the Voiceover. Curious to hear how others that are doing the read aloud are publishing - only as a Voiceover, as both a Voiceover and podcast?
I'm doing the same as you! I wasn't planning to do audio, but my parents are both 85, and my family asked me if I could read them out, because they missed hearing my voice! I tried it and I actually enjoyed the narration part more than the writing! Who knew? I record it as an audio file, using Podcastle, and then publish it as a podcast via Substack, scheduled a few hours before my post goes out. Then I put a link to my podcast at the top of the post. I only email out the post, not the podcast, which would feel too spammy. I 'tag' my posts as "Essays" and my podcasts as "Podcasts" so they show up in different sections on my Substack page. I'm still not sure I'm doing it the best way, but it's kind of working. Thanks for kicking off this discussion.
I started off by using Photo Booth on my Apple. It was before they had the video option here on Substack. I read my story out and then uploaded it to my 'Stack page and that was it. I never thought about podcasts or anything else. I was happy with the way it worked out. I have yet to use the Substack App, or try it out in fact. Why ruin a good thing?
But I need to get word out about my 'Stack, and if I could get on Apple and Spotify, that might help in ways I never imagined.
I wondered about that. But I decided to keep the voiceover with the text. One reason is for the hearing impaired. I have a deaf sister. The other reason is for speed reading. I’ve read along with the voiceover and set it to a faster speed for the double benefit of listening and reading.
I really love that! Maybe I’ll publish both ways for more accessibility, as the audio already exists why not. The only disadvantage I see publishing both ways is potentially having less listeners on the podcast…however the big advantage With publishing as a podcast is then all the audio is grouped in one place and potentially binge-able. There is a bit more friction to access multiple Voiceover embeds.
Hi there! Yes you can do this! If you add a paywall to a post with a voiceover, it will make the voiceover audio a feature the reader has to pay to unlock — no matter where you place the paywall within the text of your post, the audio will be locked.
To make voiceovers for paid subscribers only, click “More” in the toolbar menu in the post editor and select “$ Paywall.”
Well, it's different from how the article puts it "...you have the option to paywall a voiceover and keep the text of the post free." I was elated! I thought we could finally paywall only the voiceover and all the respective text could be free with the comment section accessible.
I would love that! I really think that one change would invite so many of us to add paywalls in ways that still allow ample access for free readers (and the ability to be part of the community of a post) but add value to paid subscribers....all in the same post. Yes!
Unfortunately, you can't. I thought that also before I tried a paywalled post. As soon as you add a paywall, the comments are automatically paywalled. (You lose the option you're talking about.) The choices at that point are to allow comments from paid subscribers or "No one (disable comments)"
Yes. If your post is set for paid subscribers then the voice over is only available to them. But I include a voiceover sample for free subscribers as an audio clip. You are welcome to check out some of my posts for an example.
A while back I posted a video to thank readers for subscribing and to tell them what I was planning for my substack, The Jaggy Thistle. I noticed the other day this post has had four times as many hits as my other posts. People want personal.
That's very interesting. Four times the hits is definitely something we should all be paying attention to. That does suggest there is potentially a much bigger market here for audio content than for text content. I wonder if others have been seeing similar results? 😎
Can I get recommendations for software and setups for doing my own recording at home? I suspect that the best method is to do several takes, and splice together the best parts—and I doubt that the Substack voiceover tool allows this. (Or does it?) I'm prepared to invest in the right setup, but welcome suggestions.
For what it's worth, I read/listen to some folks who have a "one take" policy of plowing past errors and sometimes do off the cuff asides while they read, not only does it not bother me I quite enjoy the informal feel of it.
I started disliking podcast editing less when I got Descript, which is not free but makes editing way easier and more humane. So that's my software suggestion.
You could start with free software like Audacity. (There are lots of software choices out there - just take a look at software for podcasting.) Recording, editing, and removing, rearranging, and splicing and then exporting a final file is a good approach. You can upload the final file instead of using the in-app recorder.
Two software recommendations, Riverside and Descript. I find Riverside’s ability to neutralise poor recording environments brilliant. And Descript’s features that involve cleaning up filler words etc/edit audio by editing text, phenomenal. Not sure if you also meant equipment but the Rode NT USB with any halfway decent boom arm or a Rode Smartlav+ if you want a lapel style version.
I have been adding voiceovers for all my posts for several months now. Once when I was traveling in rural Vietnam, I had no good place to sit and record my audio, so I recorded while going for a walk down a country road. The sounds of nature barking dogs, passing motorbikes and trucks, as well as the occasional hellos yelled to me by children--and my replies, attempting to use my limited Vietnamese vocabulary--only added to the authenticity of that week's travel-themed post, How in the World, Part 2. I got a great response!
The following week, I recorded a post on trying to understand The Rules of Southeast Asian traffic patterns (as well as life), and I recorded from a patio table alongside a busy street. Again, the hum of traffic and beep-beeps of friendly horns only added to the post.
I went without audio one week, and got several complaints!
I do a voiceover of every post - it only takes ten minutes, helps me catch any errors and is hopefully useful for some readers. I’m not sure what the distinction is between a voiceover and a podcast episode though - or how to send the voiceovers through to Spotify.
As far as I know, you can't make a voiceover or audio embed into a podcast inside a Substack post. But you can create a podcast episode separately with Substack.
I come from a radio background so the augmented read aloud was a natural fit for me. I've gotten a lot of supportive messages from people who feel that the audio provides a more human layer to the text. I've also gotten messages that the audio helps with accessibility, as some people don't feel up to the challenge of reading a long post.
On my last essay I used musical textures and other elements to give it a more immersive feel, akin to a narrative podcast.
The 'narrative podcast' is a great idea. It felt weird when I first simply read out the post, since my writing is a bit academic, but music and other effects completely changes the tone. I feel it captures attention and helps deliver the information in a more digestible manner.
Thanks for the mention guys! Since I offer audio versions of writing specifically as a perk of paid subscriptions, I've also started doing an impromptu intro to these audio posts as a way of connecting more directly with the people who support my work financially. It's nothing major or scripted -- just giving them an update on what I'm working on or sharing news when I have it and the feedback has been really positive.
I like this feature BUT as someone whose voice is in a lot of media, I prefer not to feed bad actors' AI databases with more of my voice than I want. Thank you for making paywall possible for this feature.
Related: One of my publications has speech to text, but a newer one doesn't. I really want it accessible for my publication since its focus emphasizes communications excellence and that includes accessibility. Any way to speed up this being available? I love this Substack feature and promote it often!
Love this! I write The Sunday Stretch and once a month or so I share physical moves to help with something (sitting too long, neck stretches, moves to help you sleep). I've been adding audio versions of them for paid subscribers as a podcast and they've done really well. I do think I need to add a little intro since they also show up on Apple's podcasts. Any thoughts on this?
I wonder if Stephen Fry would be so kind as do voiceovers for all our substacks
Yes, he can read mine for sure.
Substack is now trying to like all the posts that are positive to get it on top of the negative comments 😂. Another way of shadow-banning negative comments. It’s always Stephen Fry everywhere, it’s like they can’t attract other popular celebrities so they keep pushing poor Stephen Fry who is irrelevant.
By negative comments 😂do you mean, if you do not agree with the Left, you must fall within the category of “S.I.X.H.I.R.B.” – Sexist, Intolerant, Xenophobic, Homophobic, Islamophobic, Racist, or Bigoted? Or if you don't promote the jab, you'er killing the chrildern?
Haha! Or Joanna Lumley. I think she'd be a great fit as well... 😎
Been adding voiceover to my filmmaking lessons for a year but no idea the impact... would be great to have listen stats, please!
Upvote on this! Another reason I switched from voiceover to podcast was the lack of stats. I felt like I was Voiceovering to the void
Maybe I missed something here, because I stopped doing voiceovers specifically because it passed them TO my podcast, and I don't want that. My podcast is free, but I wanted the voiceovers to stay JUST on my substack.
...am I doing this wrong??
Very true
A couple of the people I follow started doing voiceovers and asked their subscribers to let them know whether they appreciate them or not. In my experience, a post that is read at a good speed—not too slowly—is always preferable to reading the text version myself.
Yeah I’d like to know if my readers are actually listeners.
Yes. I'd gladly do voiceovers (or audio embeds) rather than podcast episodes if Substack had stats on them. I'm not an expert, but all it would take is a dedicated URL for each voiceover, so stats could be tracked?
Listen stats would be so welcome! I’m about to start recording, and didn’t realize there wouldn’t be any stats on it! Sooo important to be able to know whether the extra time and effort is actually yielding results
Agreed - I do voiceovers for my poems as I find it helps to develop the flow and music of them - but I’ve found it hard to listen to my own voice - be good to see whether they were being listened to or not!
A great accessibility tool AND I will always choose to read something over listening to it. I love the silence that accompanies reading.
Me too :). Although I love that folks have options.
All very well for people who can hear. If there's a transcript I am OK if not I will leave!
I read my stories out Loud, and offer the written 'transcript' as well. I like to offer my readers a choice.
Good for you. It's amazing how many people forget deafness!
Thank you.
Hearing impaired...
Deaf!
Thanks for the mention! I do love the voiceover feature, and how well implemented it is.
Hi Andrew!!
Oh hi Bailey! :)
Couldn't agree more. Extremely well put together feature.
I’ve been doing read-aloud versions of my newsletter for the past year. Now I’m publishing the read-aloud a as a podcast rather than embedding the Voiceover. Curious to hear how others that are doing the read aloud are publishing - only as a Voiceover, as both a Voiceover and podcast?
I'm doing the same as you! I wasn't planning to do audio, but my parents are both 85, and my family asked me if I could read them out, because they missed hearing my voice! I tried it and I actually enjoyed the narration part more than the writing! Who knew? I record it as an audio file, using Podcastle, and then publish it as a podcast via Substack, scheduled a few hours before my post goes out. Then I put a link to my podcast at the top of the post. I only email out the post, not the podcast, which would feel too spammy. I 'tag' my posts as "Essays" and my podcasts as "Podcasts" so they show up in different sections on my Substack page. I'm still not sure I'm doing it the best way, but it's kind of working. Thanks for kicking off this discussion.
That’s beautiful! I’m sure you bring your family so much joy with your narration!
Good idea with the tags! I will check out your page to see the layout. I’m definitely looking for tips here too
I started off by using Photo Booth on my Apple. It was before they had the video option here on Substack. I read my story out and then uploaded it to my 'Stack page and that was it. I never thought about podcasts or anything else. I was happy with the way it worked out. I have yet to use the Substack App, or try it out in fact. Why ruin a good thing?
But I need to get word out about my 'Stack, and if I could get on Apple and Spotify, that might help in ways I never imagined.
I wondered about that. But I decided to keep the voiceover with the text. One reason is for the hearing impaired. I have a deaf sister. The other reason is for speed reading. I’ve read along with the voiceover and set it to a faster speed for the double benefit of listening and reading.
I really love that! Maybe I’ll publish both ways for more accessibility, as the audio already exists why not. The only disadvantage I see publishing both ways is potentially having less listeners on the podcast…however the big advantage With publishing as a podcast is then all the audio is grouped in one place and potentially binge-able. There is a bit more friction to access multiple Voiceover embeds.
Can voiceovers be made for paid subscribers only? If such a thing were possible, I'd love to offer them as a benefit for my paying readers. Thanks!
The article says you can.
I’m fairly certain it can be. I have seen voice overs which are only for paid subscribers.
I'd love to learn how to do that; I can't figure it out!
Check out the section "Can I paywall a voiceover?" here https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/7265784112916-How-do-I-add-a-voiceover-to-my-Substack-post
Hi there! Yes you can do this! If you add a paywall to a post with a voiceover, it will make the voiceover audio a feature the reader has to pay to unlock — no matter where you place the paywall within the text of your post, the audio will be locked.
To make voiceovers for paid subscribers only, click “More” in the toolbar menu in the post editor and select “$ Paywall.”
I do this, but felt torn for free subscriber previews of paid posts. So I also embed a separate audio clip as a voiceover sample for free subscribers.
Well, it's different from how the article puts it "...you have the option to paywall a voiceover and keep the text of the post free." I was elated! I thought we could finally paywall only the voiceover and all the respective text could be free with the comment section accessible.
You can put the paywall at the end of the text, which will paywall only the voiceover.
But then comments are not available on the post to free subscribers.
Very good point! This is an unfortunate limitation, and something I hope we'll fix soon.
I would love that! I really think that one change would invite so many of us to add paywalls in ways that still allow ample access for free readers (and the ability to be part of the community of a post) but add value to paid subscribers....all in the same post. Yes!
I thought you could set comments to paid or all? (I don't have paid on so I don't know, but I thought that was the case.)
Unfortunately, you can't. I thought that also before I tried a paywalled post. As soon as you add a paywall, the comments are automatically paywalled. (You lose the option you're talking about.) The choices at that point are to allow comments from paid subscribers or "No one (disable comments)"
This is game-changing information. I will be doing this, and I suspect it will significantly increase my paid subscribership.
Yes. If your post is set for paid subscribers then the voice over is only available to them. But I include a voiceover sample for free subscribers as an audio clip. You are welcome to check out some of my posts for an example.
Feel free to message me if you have questions on how to do it.
how to add voice overs to published posts on Substack mobile App
I do all of my editing and publishing on the website not the app.
A while back I posted a video to thank readers for subscribing and to tell them what I was planning for my substack, The Jaggy Thistle. I noticed the other day this post has had four times as many hits as my other posts. People want personal.
That's very interesting. Four times the hits is definitely something we should all be paying attention to. That does suggest there is potentially a much bigger market here for audio content than for text content. I wonder if others have been seeing similar results? 😎
Can I get recommendations for software and setups for doing my own recording at home? I suspect that the best method is to do several takes, and splice together the best parts—and I doubt that the Substack voiceover tool allows this. (Or does it?) I'm prepared to invest in the right setup, but welcome suggestions.
For what it's worth, I read/listen to some folks who have a "one take" policy of plowing past errors and sometimes do off the cuff asides while they read, not only does it not bother me I quite enjoy the informal feel of it.
Hi Ted! We have a post that covers some of this with links to software options. Might be worth a read - "A primer on podcast production" https://on.substack.com/p/podcast-101-production
I started disliking podcast editing less when I got Descript, which is not free but makes editing way easier and more humane. So that's my software suggestion.
You could start with free software like Audacity. (There are lots of software choices out there - just take a look at software for podcasting.) Recording, editing, and removing, rearranging, and splicing and then exporting a final file is a good approach. You can upload the final file instead of using the in-app recorder.
Two software recommendations, Riverside and Descript. I find Riverside’s ability to neutralise poor recording environments brilliant. And Descript’s features that involve cleaning up filler words etc/edit audio by editing text, phenomenal. Not sure if you also meant equipment but the Rode NT USB with any halfway decent boom arm or a Rode Smartlav+ if you want a lapel style version.
I use Audacity - free and easy enough to get the head around!
I have been adding voiceovers for all my posts for several months now. Once when I was traveling in rural Vietnam, I had no good place to sit and record my audio, so I recorded while going for a walk down a country road. The sounds of nature barking dogs, passing motorbikes and trucks, as well as the occasional hellos yelled to me by children--and my replies, attempting to use my limited Vietnamese vocabulary--only added to the authenticity of that week's travel-themed post, How in the World, Part 2. I got a great response!
The following week, I recorded a post on trying to understand The Rules of Southeast Asian traffic patterns (as well as life), and I recorded from a patio table alongside a busy street. Again, the hum of traffic and beep-beeps of friendly horns only added to the post.
I went without audio one week, and got several complaints!
I do a voiceover of every post - it only takes ten minutes, helps me catch any errors and is hopefully useful for some readers. I’m not sure what the distinction is between a voiceover and a podcast episode though - or how to send the voiceovers through to Spotify.
As far as I know, you can't make a voiceover or audio embed into a podcast inside a Substack post. But you can create a podcast episode separately with Substack.
Thanks - I’m thinking of doing some longer podcast recordings in the future, so will release those as episodes rather than voiceovers.
I come from a radio background so the augmented read aloud was a natural fit for me. I've gotten a lot of supportive messages from people who feel that the audio provides a more human layer to the text. I've also gotten messages that the audio helps with accessibility, as some people don't feel up to the challenge of reading a long post.
On my last essay I used musical textures and other elements to give it a more immersive feel, akin to a narrative podcast.
The 'narrative podcast' is a great idea. It felt weird when I first simply read out the post, since my writing is a bit academic, but music and other effects completely changes the tone. I feel it captures attention and helps deliver the information in a more digestible manner.
Look at Dominic Perry's podcast The History of Egypt Podcast, it is both academic and immersive like a story.
Great recommendation, thank you!
I read my novel Henry Spark Is Stuck aloud on my Substack.
Thanks for the mention guys! Since I offer audio versions of writing specifically as a perk of paid subscriptions, I've also started doing an impromptu intro to these audio posts as a way of connecting more directly with the people who support my work financially. It's nothing major or scripted -- just giving them an update on what I'm working on or sharing news when I have it and the feedback has been really positive.
This is great Laura, and good to know :)
I like this feature BUT as someone whose voice is in a lot of media, I prefer not to feed bad actors' AI databases with more of my voice than I want. Thank you for making paywall possible for this feature.
Related: One of my publications has speech to text, but a newer one doesn't. I really want it accessible for my publication since its focus emphasizes communications excellence and that includes accessibility. Any way to speed up this being available? I love this Substack feature and promote it often!
Love this! I write The Sunday Stretch and once a month or so I share physical moves to help with something (sitting too long, neck stretches, moves to help you sleep). I've been adding audio versions of them for paid subscribers as a podcast and they've done really well. I do think I need to add a little intro since they also show up on Apple's podcasts. Any thoughts on this?