Top 10 Tips for New Audiobook Narrators

Breaking into audiobook narration is exciting and rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between understanding pacing, tackling technical skills, and developing your unique storytelling style, there’s much to learn. 

If you’re just starting out, don't worry! Every narrator began where you are now, with a mic in hand and a passion for storytelling.

To help you navigate the waters, we’ve compiled our top 10 tips for new audiobook narrators. These practical tips will not only boost your confidence but also set you up for long-term success in the audiobook industry.

1. Invest in Professional Coaching

Working with a professional early on can help you unlock new skills, correct bad habits, and give you a fresh perspective. Coaches can help you with everything from performance coaching to creating samples and genre selections to networking and marketing.

A well-treated space will elevate your audio quality from the start.

Pro Tip: Don’t jump into this industry blind. Find a coach that works with new narrators and have them help you get started on the right foot. 

2. Master Your Home Studio Setup

If you want to succeed as an audiobook narrator, your home studio is your lifeline. 

Creating a sound treated space with minimal distractions is key. A good quality microphone will not do you any good if your space isn’t treated properly. Then invest in a quality microphone (not USB) and audio interface. 

Pro Tip: Engineers like Georgethe.Tech spend time helping new narrators get their space in order. Book an appointment with an experienced audiobook engineer to evaluate your recordings to make sure it stands up next to the pros.

3. Develop Consistent Vocal Care Habits

Your voice is your greatest asset as a narrator, so maintaining it should be a top priority. Hydrate, warm up before recording, and avoid excessive strain. And regular vocal rest is just as crucial as exercise—your cords need time to recuperate.

Pro Tip: Try vocal warm-ups like lip trills, humming, and breath control exercises before hitting record. They can prevent strain and improve your stamina for long narration sessions.

4. Script Preparation is Important

Don’t dive into recording without preparing your script. You don’t want to be almost done with recording the book and find out a character had a German accent the whole time and you didn’t know! Marking up your script with characters, emotion changes, and pacing adjustments will save you time in the booth. 

Pro Tip: Use Pozotron’s Script Prep Tools to help you keep track of your characters and find pronunciations. 

5. Pacing is Key

One of the most common mistakes new narrators make is pacing. Audiobooks are meant to be savored, with pacing that lets listeners absorb the story. 

Practice slowing down, pausing appropriately and only speeding up when needed. Afterall, the listener has control over the speed they listen. 

Give the story the pace it needs.

Pro Tip: If narrating fast is something you struggle with, then practice slowing down by reading aloud slowly every day outside of the booth.

6. Embrace Mistakes—And Learn to Catch Them

Narrating an audiobook isn’t about being perfect in one take. Mistakes are part of the process. 

Be aware of yourself and the text while recording and try to catch misreads in the moment. While you might not be editing your own recordings, it’s important to keep post-production in mind as you narrate and deliver clean punch-and-roll files.

Pro Tip: Learn punch-and-roll. Clean PnR files are required by all the major publishing companies. If you choose to do the clicker method or an open roll, be sure to go back and edit out your double takes before sending to your editor or publisher.

7. Learn to Embody Different Characters 

Get to know each character in the book so you can bring them to life in a real and authentic way. You are not simply creating ‘voices’, you are breathing life into a character. 

These changes to your voice don’t need to be big —subtle variations in pitch, tone, and accent are often very powerful if they are fueled by the character’s description. 

Never give an accent to a character that doesn’t explicitly say they have one.

Pro Tip: Many narrators keep sound clips for each major character so they can reference them again before recording. Our Character Voice Guide can house your character notes and voice samples in one place.

8. Breathe—Literally

Breathing might seem basic, but it’s often overlooked. Take controlled, quiet breaths between sentences, and use diaphragmatic breathing to maintain energy and vocal control throughout your recording session. 

Do not edit out your breaths, breathing is natural. If they are distracting, they can be reduced in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) but it’s best to fix them at the source before they happen.

Pro Tip: If you tend to run out of breath in long sentences, practice reading aloud while focusing on where you take your breaths. Use punctuation as a guide but also don’t be afraid to breathe regardless of the punctuation.

9. Accept Constructive Feedback

Whether you're submitting samples for auditions or working with a director on a project, be open to feedback. It’s how you grow! Everyone starts somewhere, and constructive criticism will help you refine your craft. 

Pro Tip: Take the time to develop relationships and a community of experienced audiobook narrators. By surrounding yourself with experienced narrators, you’ll gain constructive feedback that can help refine your performance and elevate your skills.

10. Stay Consistent and Keep Learning

Audiobook narration is a long-term commitment to growth, so staying consistent is crucial to improving your skills and building your career. 

Regular work will lead to gradual improvement. The best narrators didn't become pros overnight—they put in hours of practice and learned from every project.

Pro Tip: Join online communities or take workshops to connect with other narrators. Join the Audio Publisher Association (APA) to get access to webinars, networking opportunities and more. Surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals will keep you motivated and help you pick up new skills. 

Final Thoughts

Starting your audiobook narration career can be daunting, but with the right mindset and these tips in your toolkit, you’re well on your way to success. Remember, every narrator has their own unique voice and style. 

As you hone your craft, focus on what makes you stand out while remaining open to learning and growing along the way.

If you’re just starting out in your career (or even well on your way) and want to learn more about how Pozotron can help, book a demo with us here.