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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Been adding voiceover to my filmmaking lessons for a year but no idea the impact... would be great to have listen stats, please!
A great accessibility tool AND I will always choose to read something over listening to it. I love the silence that accompanies reading.
All very well for people who can hear. If there's a transcript I am OK if not I will leave!
Thanks for the mention! I do love the voiceover feature, and how well implemented it is.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?