BEST PRACTICES FOR SHARING YOUR STORY THROUGH THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE

Think of it as your own personal radio show or podcast. To share your vision through audio-only storytelling, keep the following tips in mind.

If you are living with vision loss, we recommend asking a family member or friend to help you as you conduct your audio recording.

Poor sound quality can ruin an audio recording and make it difficult for your audience to access your words when dealing with low volume, intrusive background noise, or distorted sounds.

Ideally, an external or lavalier microphone that plugs directly into your mobile device would be the best practice to ensure high-quality audio, but there are other guidelines you can follow without using additional equipment to help ensure you capture the best audio possible.

Choose Your App

Most smartphones come equipped with a voice memo or recording app. If not, you can download a recording app in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Find Your (Micro)Phone

Most mobile devices feature microphones at the bottom of the handset (where you speak on the telephone) and near the cameras. Make sure protective cases or fingers and hands don’t obstruct the microphones before you begin recording, and always point the microphone directly at the person you are recording.

Select a Recording Location

Be mindful of potential interfering sounds (wind noise, chatter in the background, traffic, and/or environmental noises), and remember to keep the microphone 6-10 inches from your face throughout the recording session.

Before You Hit Record

Make sure your device is in airplane mode. This will ensure that you are not interrupted by incoming calls, notifications or phone vibrations while recording.

Review and #ShareYourVision

Listen back to your recording to make sure you can hear your voice clearly. Also, pay attention to noise pollution from the background.

When you are ready to share your recording, visit ShareYourVision.org and follow the audio submission prompts on the main page. Don’t forget to distribute your recording on your social media accounts and use the hashtag #ShareYourVision.