#BeHeard

If you’ve ever wanted to narrate an Audiobook or if you have interviewing/facilitating experience and want to host a Podcast, then this is for you 🙂

Hello to you 🙂

In 2020, Amazon sold more Audiobooks (through Audible) than Kindle ebooks. That was the first time these two graphs crossed, and I believe it’s unlikely this steady trend will ever reverse. We’ve also seen podcast audiences growing massively around the world and the great rise of the ‘home speaker’ devices (like Google Home and Alexa). Remember when we still had to explain around a braai what a podcast was? Now we’re recommending our favourite series and episodes instead. It seems we humans like the Spoken Word after all.

So what does that mean
for us here in South Africa?

While global growth is phenomenal, South Africa is still a little ‘tardy’ relative to many regions. This likely relates to high mobile data costs, distinct metro/rural divides, and the high cost of smartphones. Notwithstanding these retarding factors, we are still on a similar path to the rest of the world, albeit a handful of years behind their curves. This means we can already see the path we’re likely to follow and here’s what it looks like:

Audiobooks:

Historically, the cost of producing Audiobooks in SA has been prohibitive. This has been largely influenced by two factors: the cost of recording/editing, and the ‘standard rate card’ for professional voices and usage. These have now been considerably addressed through us building more affordable studios and the implementation of smarter recording strategies we’ve developed, as well as the rise of ‘proficient voices’ (this is where you come in.)

Branded Podcasts:

Let’s try a little experiment quickly. Grab your phone, open Google Search and type in something unusual or even obscure that interests you and add the word ‘podcast’ before click ‘search’.

Let’s try ‘koi breeding podcast’ and this is what you’re likely to see

Now swipe sideways through those boxes below the word Podcasts and see what the future looks like. You’re now one click away from listening to content that answers your questions.

Currently (but not for much longer) we usually (but not always) add the word ‘podcast’ to the search phrase for this to appear. Over the coming months and years, this need will fall away and Google will deliver relevant podcasts as part of any search phrase.

Think about what that means for any Company…

If they’re not making Spoken Word content, sometime soon they’re going to be left off SRPs (Search Result Pages). Yes, really! Then think about what that means for people with great hosting, facilitating, and interviewing skills. (*ahem* that’s you again)

Right, now onto some
practical things…

Firstly, let me be clear – it’s still early in these spaces for us!!!! And whilst these trends are going to unfold, it won’t be tomorrow. So some planning, preparation and patience is required.

To assist our Clients, we’ve started gathering together people who can help with this coming work. Currently, the vast majority of Audiobooks we produce are author-read. But we’re anticipating Clients asking if we know someone who could read their book for them. Then we direct them to Audiobooks.org.za

In a similar vein, whilst most podcasts are hosted by someone from within the organisation, we’re starting to see more and more Clients ask us for a professional host to lead the conversations. Then we direct them to Vox.org.za

If either (or both) of these sound like something you’d love to do… read on!

Just #BeHeard

We are not Voice/Talent Agents and we don’t want to be. We love helping people #BeHeard and we understand that sometimes this entails helping Clients find the right Voice for a job. We assist people just like you to be listed on our two platforms so you can be found.

When a Client chooses you to narrate their Audiobook or Host their podcast, we’ll contact you to open negotiations on the scope of work and your price for this work. Once these are agreed and the job is complete, we’ll invoice the Client and, upon receipt of their payment, pay the fee to you less a nominal charge of 15% for our contribution.

If this sounds like what you had in mind, then the last thing left to do is discuss how to make it all happen. That means you have to now prepare a little script or two and then record. We’ll edit those clips to match our preferred format before publishing them. We also need a cool headshot you love please.

Find Us

If you’re not too far from us (map to Solid Gold) then you can schedule a session to come and record your clips (and we have good coffee.) If you’d prefer to record at home, go for it. Once done, WeTransfer.com the files to Gavin@SolidGold.co.za.

NB! If you don’t already have a home recording studio, please take note of the handy tips at the end of this document. And consider investing in a decent microphone. We’re using the Rode USB mini for remote work and it’s amazing quality and value for money.

Sample Scripts

Now, onto the sample scripts before the $10,000 question of costs.

Lastly, “how much should I budget for this adventure?” you ask.

Well I have good news for you. There are no annual or repeat charges.

Our usual fee for getting listed is a once-off charge of R650 ($45) for each service, or R950 ($65) for both

I do want to stress what I said above -

It’s still early in both these spaces. What we’re doing here is laying the groundwork for what is coming and it’s very likely to take a while before your phone starts ringing with bookings.

That’s it! That’s all you have to do to get your voice added to Audiobooks.org.za and Vox.org.za

If you have any questions not covered above, or if you’re ready to join, you can: