Tips for Writing and Recording YodioTours
First, decide what format of tour you'd like to create:
- Informational Tours - traveler will listen to it either before leaving for their trip (on their PC), or on an MP3 player in their hotel, or any other time on their trip.
- Virtual Tours - traveler will listen to it on their MP3 player as a step-by-step guide while they are touring a location.
There's no limit to the type of informational tours you can create. Talk about what you love about a city or area. Give the rich history of a place. Tell of your personal travel experiences - where you like to stay, what you like to do, how to save money, what "not" to do while you're there, etc.
A tour usually consists of a series of stops or views. So plan sequential points that flow with path typically taken by tourists visiting these locations and sights.
Have a theme (examples: time period, neighborhood, historical figure, historical period, historical event, movie shoot locations, club tour, etc.)
Select an easy to identify starting point for each mini tour. The point should be easy to describe, so listener can easily confirm their location. (intersection, building entry, storefront, sign to stand under, etc.)
For each single tour or change of position, give a reference point, such as:
“ when standing with your back to ______________, you should see straight ahead __(name of object)_____describe ___(height, width, color, exterior, next to, etc.)________. Once you’ve clearly developed focus on correct view, then cover relevant information. (The challenge is to give the listener confidence that they are looking at what you are talking about, and that they are seeing it the way you are thinking of it as you talk.) The key is visual references in your recorded tour to substitute for your absent ability to physically point at some object or building.
At end of a stop in the tour, you would reference walking or driving time to the next point. If a true walking tour, then it is advisable to describe points of reference to confirm the right path is being followed and additional sites are incorporated. This helps confirm that the right path is being followed,
Tips:
- what surface are they walking on?
- What road are they crossing?
- What building are they next to or in the shadow of?
- What is on the left or right, if they are standing in the right spot and looking ahead at a building, site, etc.
Reminder: Be visual in comments and descriptions.
Walking tours: recommend that you walk through as you record, so you can insure your commentary fits the walking pace. You can re-record after the timing is established.
Give perspective – surrounding setting, surrounding objects, lighting, historical markers, street signs, etc.
Enunciate clearly – very important to be easy to listen to and easy to understand.
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