If you’re exploring narration or looking to sharpen your long-form performance, here’s one of the most common mistakes I see:
Over-emoting.
On the flip side?
Under-emoting.
Over-emoting can feel dramatic. Under-emoting can feel flat. Both pull the listener out of the story and that’s the one thing you never want!
So what’s the goal?
To hit the emotional truth without over-the-top performances. The magic of audiobook narration lies in staying connected while keeping the spotlight on the story, not the narrator. These audiobook narration tips will help you stay grounded, authentic, and engaging across long-form projects.
3 Core Audiobook Narration Tips to Strengthen Your Delivery
Whether you’re narrating fiction, non-fiction, or memoirs, these are the top areas to focus on if you want to create immersive, listener-friendly performances.
1. Emotion: Identify the Feeling Behind the Words
What’s really happening in the scene? Is the character feeling betrayed, hopeful, tense, or amused? Go beyond the surface of the text and ask: How would I feel if I were in this moment?
To apply this:
- Use an Emotional Wheel to help pinpoint the specific feeling instead of defaulting to general moods like “sad” or “happy.”
- Write a quick note in your script: “This line feels frustrated but trying to stay polite.”
- Visualize the moment by tapping into a personal memory can make the read feel more honest and less performed.
Your job is to let the listener feel the emotion with you, not because you’re forcing it, but because you’re genuinely connected to it.
2. Pacing: Keep it Smooth and Steady
Pacing is how fast or slow you deliver a line and it’s crucial for listener immersion. Too fast and it feels rushed. Too slow and it starts to drag.
To improve pacing:
- Read out loud with a metronome to feel the rhythm.
- Try marking your script with slashes (/) where natural pauses should go.
- Record a paragraph at a slow pace, a fast pace, and then your natural rhythm. Listen back and compare which one feels most comfortable and clear.
Smooth pacing builds trust. It tells the listener: Relax, I’ve got you.
3. Intention: Guide, Don’t Perform
Instead of trying to “act” your way through a story, think of yourself as the narrator who knows what’s coming and is carefully guiding the listener there.
What this looks like:
- Decide what the line is doing. Is it introducing an idea? Releasing tension? Building curiosity?
- Before each paragraph, ask yourself: What do I want the listener to feel or understand here?
- Match your tone and inflection to that intention without exaggerating or dramatizing.
Narration Practice Tip:
Record a short scene twice: once reading for performance, and once reading with calm, confident intention. Listen back. The second version is almost always more immersive.
Want to Get Better at Narration?
Right now, my FALL-ow Your Path: Narration Coaching Package is 30% off!
You’ll get 3 one-on-one coaching sessions designed to help you:
- Deliver reads that are clear, connected, and listener-friendly
- Practice emotional nuance without overacting
- Build consistency for long-form narration that keeps listeners engaged
Whether you’re building your audiobook demo or trying to land more narration gigs, this is a focused, actionable path forward.
Ready to Improve?
Grab the 3-session narration coaching package and get a bonus Voice Over–specific Emotional Wheel! This tool will help you quickly identify the right emotion for each moment, so you can step into your character’s shoes and let those feelings come through naturally in your reads, especially in long-form narration.
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Final Thought
These audiobook narration tips are simple, but powerful. Mastering emotion, pacing, and intention will set you apart as a narrator who doesn’t just read… but truly connects. And remember – when it comes to narration, it’s not about how much emotion you show, but how much of the story you let your listener feel.
If narration isn’t your jam and you want to chat about where you fit in the VO, leave me a message and let’s chat about it! My door is always open.