If you want to build a podcast that sounds polished without expensive gear, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through selecting an AI voice, shaping it with SSML, and producing clean audio that’s ready to publish.
Define Concept
Decide your theme, angle, and audience, then prepare a simple 2–5 minute script. Keep sentences clear so the AI voice reads naturally.
Sign Up and Explore Voices
Create an account on ElevenLabs and browse the Voice Lab. Choose a built-in voice or upload a consented sample to clone your own.
- Test at least 2 voice options
- Save your best presets for future episodes
Convert Script to SSML
Turn your script into SSML to control pace, emphasis, breaths, and tone.
Example updated SSML snippet:<speak>
<p>
<s>Welcome to our first session.</s>
<s>Hi, I’m Altiam.</s>
<s>In this session, we look at how AI improves storytelling.</s>
<s>Let’s begin.</s>
</p>
</speak>Test and Refine Delivery
Generate short 10–20 second previews and adjust prosody, pitch, pauses, and punctuation until it sounds natural.
- Slow down the rate if speech feels rushed
- Increase emphasis if the tone feels flat
Generate Podcast Segments
Paste your SSML or text into Studio and create each part separately:
- Intro
- Content blocks
- Sponsor message
- Outro
This gives you flexibility to re-record parts and use voice variations for subtle emotion changes.
Edit and Add Final Touches
Download the audio files and use Descript, Audacity, or any editor to trim silence, clean artifacts, balance volume, and add gentle background music or transitions. Keep edits minimal but polished.
Export and Publish
Export as MP3 (or WAV for quality) and upload to Spotify for Podcasters, Buzzsprout, or Podbean. Add a short episode description and share your link across platforms.
Note: If a word is mispronounced, spell it phonetically in SSML or add a custom pronunciation rule in ElevenLabs.