Preparing for Your Book Recording

Congratulations, you've scheduled your book recording.

Having helped record over 300 books, we've learned a few best practices that produce the best books and would like to share those tips with you.

As you know, your signature 90-Minute Book is created directly from your interview and as with anything, the better quality on the front end, the better product you will have on the back end. We want to make sure we capture your best thoughts.

This is an amazingly straight forward process and the following tips will make sure your book is the best it can be:

Tip #1: Make the Time 
You call will last around 60 minutes, but it makes sense to block out 15 minutes before and after the call as well.  The time before will allow you to review your outline and get in the right frame of mind. (It is also contingency for the inevitable last minute interruption or bathroom break). The time after is useful in case your call runs slightly long.

Tip #2: Find a Quiet Environment 
Your book recording should be done in a location where you won't be distracted or interrupted by those around you.
A closed office or conference room is ideal.

Tip #3: Use a Landline
For the clearest recording, use a landline if possible. If not, please find a place with the strongest possible cell service.
If your phone is cutting in and out, at best it is distracting, at worse, we could miss key pieces of your message. 

Tip #4: Turn Off or Mute Your Phone/Email
Like Pavlov's dog, we are conditions to respond and looking at our phone when we hear an email or text come in is a strong urge to resist. To get the best book recording, turn your phone off so you can stay focused on the recording.

Tip #5: Have Water Nearby
Talking for an hour can be tiring to your voice. Having something to drink nearby can go a long way to keep you feeling good and will help keep your energy up. 

Tip #6: No Walking While Talking
While everyone is different, it has been our experience that trying to walk and use a "stream of consciousness" for your book recording does not bring enough polish to the words you use.  This may work when discussing your outline, but the recording should be focused on delivering the message you've already decided on.
Stay close to your notes and keep the focus on your words. It should not need to be said, but absolutely no driving while you recording the book. 

Tip #7: Speak to Your Outline
The questions you're going to be asked in your book recording have already been identified in your outline. Don't just read from your outline though. Make sure you're prepared and elaborate your key points on the call. This is the opportunity to capture your best thoughts and share the most useful information.
Similarly, be careful not to stray too far from the outline. It's great to provide more depth, but if you start to veer away from the outline, it can be difficult to recover.
Just like you would for a presentation you should prepare for your recording so your thoughts are top of mind and you know what you want to say. Making a note of the key points for each section and the time you expect each to take is a great way to stay on track.

Tip #8: Imagine Your Target Reader is Listening
Because they are! They won't necessarily hear the audio from the recording but your exact words will make up the material for the book. The more prepared you are for the recording the better book you will have. 

We've helped hundreds of people get their best thinking into a book that engages their audience.

We're here waiting to help you too.