This Shouldn’t Be So Hard — But It Is
It is very easy to write something that is impossible to say out loud!
I learned this by writing and recording scripts for video presentations (Camtasia). The presentations that I do have narration over slides and software demos. It’s not TV.
Here is how I handle it. First, just write the script for each slide. I use the notes section in PowerPoint for this. You do use the notes section in PowerPoint don’t you? If not, you should.
The next thing I do is read it out loud. If you read it silently you won’t know how hard it is to say it. Edit the dialog for that particular slide until you are satisfied. Move onto the next slide and repeat.
You would think that that would be enough, but it isn’t. Once you have all your slides and scripts ready you need to fire-up your recording tool. Load your slides and record your script. Hitting that record button makes it real. If you have trouble reading portions of the script then rewrite. Repeat this until you make it through your presentation.
Listen to the recording
Here is the hard part: now you need to listen to the recording. Expect to do a lot of starting, stopping and rewinding. As you find dialog that you don’t like rewrite it. The pause button is your friend.
Once you are satisified that it is passable have a friend, someone who will tell you the truth, listen to it and give you feedback.
Listen to the feed back. Take notes. Listen to the recording again with those comments in mind. If you need to make changes then make them and repeat the recording process.
The trick is to sound like you are carrying on a conversation and not reading a script. It is harder than it sounds. Pretend that you are an actor. Use your voice to convey emotion. This applies even if you are talking about Teradata;) In fact, your voice is really important. Learn to use it well.
If you are interested in giving this a try you can download the recording software the Internet. At work we use Camtasia. I like it a lot but it does cost $299 (you can get a 30 demo license for free).
For you Toastmasters out there — one day spent doing this will teach you a great deal about using your voice and pausing. I bet you learn more in two days than you will in 20 club speeches. Give it a shot and let me know if I am wrong.
PS: Why do I write out exactly what I am going to say? Two reasons.
One: It makes the recording task easier and I can really focus on how I say things.
Two: The videos that I do are sold and must have exact transcripts. This is to comply with federal handicap access laws. I find it easier to do the transcripts before I record.
