How to Make a Guided Meditation Video: A Comprehensive Guide

Do you dream of creating and sharing your own guided meditation videos? Perhaps you want to offer personalized affirmations or programs to your clients, or even provide a free recording as a lead magnet. This guide will walk you through the process of creating high-quality guided meditation videos that resonate with your audience.

A yoga teacher recently shared how her son preferred her voice to “some guy on a meditation app.” Yet, she wasn’t sure where to begin. Creating your own guided meditation video might seem daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s achievable, and can even be cost-effective.

This guide will cover everything from essential equipment to editing tips, helping you sound like a pro without breaking the bank.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Essential Equipment for Recording Guided Meditation Videos

If you’re new to video creation, avoid large upfront costs. A smartphone (like an iPhone) and its accompanying headphones can be a starting point. If your focus is on audio, you can use a static image or video during the meditation.

For a step up from iPhone headphones, consider a USB microphone. These mics offer a simpler plug-and-record experience.

Many recommend the Blue Yeti or Snowball, but the Audio Technica ATR 2100 is also a good option. It’s USB compatible and includes a headphone jack for real-time monitoring. A similar option is the Audio-Technica AT2005USB.

For professional-grade sound, a higher-end microphone like the Rode podcaster may be a worthwhile investment. Test microphones at a music store to find one that suits your voice.

High-end mics often require an XLR connection, needing a separate device and cables to connect to your computer, adding to the cost.

Here’s a list of microphones for recording audiobooks, podcasts, narrations, or meditations:

Budget-Friendly Microphones:

Mid-Range Microphones:

While the microphone is important, recording environment and audio production significantly impact sound quality.

Optimal Recording Environment for Guided Meditations

Find a quiet space to minimize background noise. While editing can remove some sounds, noises like barking dogs or sirens can be disruptive. A boxy room can also create echoes.

Closets are ideal due to their sound-dampening properties. Alternatively, use a small room with plenty of fabric, reducing sound reflections.

If using your phone, enable airplane mode to avoid interruptions.

Tips for Enhancing Audio Recordings

“Garbage in, garbage out” applies to audio. Better initial sound quality leads to better results. These tips will improve your recording without extra cost:

Preparation and Practice: Familiarity with your material leads to smoother delivery. While scripts can feel stiff, outlines allow for natural commentary.
Slow Down: Consciously slow your pace, allowing listeners to process your words. Silence can be a powerful tool.
Re-record if needed: Re-recording can be faster than editing.
Break into Chunks: For longer recordings, segment into manageable pieces for easier editing.
Add Buffer Time: Include extra blank time at the beginning and end for easier editing.
Close Unnecessary Programs: Recording and editing require processing power; close resource-intensive applications.

Sourcing Background Music for Meditations

If you are creating a video, then you will need to find background music for your meditation. Use licensed music to avoid copyright issues. Here are some resources:

YouTube Audio Library
Epidemic Sound
PremiumBeat

Remember to review licensing agreements to ensure you can sell your product with the music. Short music can be looped in audio editors like Audacity for longer meditations.

Recording Guided Meditations: Step-by-Step

Using an iPhone

Plug in headphones.
Open the Voice Memos app.
Record your meditation.
Review the recording.
Share the file via the three-dot menu.

Using a Computer

Connect your microphone.
Open Audacity (or another software).
Adjust recording levels.
Begin recording.
Save the audio file.

Recording in Your Browser

Use an online voice recorder like rev.com for direct recording and MP3 downloads. Bonus: transcription services are also available.

Guided Meditation Scripts: Jumpstart Your Content

Need a head start? Guidedmeditationscript.com offers scripts for yoga nidra, guided visualizations, relaxation, and body scans, addressing topics from busy parents to grief. Meditation lengths range from 5 to 30 minutes.

Find Guided Meditation Scripts here

Consider these script bundles:

Editing Your Guided Meditation Videos

While outsourcing is an option, learning to edit is invaluable. Editing involves removing “ums,” background sounds, and trimming files.

For audio editing, Audacity is a free option for both PC and Mac. GarageBand is another choice for Mac users.

Cleaning up audio files involves a few key steps.

Applying a Noise Filter

Use a noise filter to eliminate background sounds. Ensure the filter doesn’t negatively affect sound quality.

Normalizing Volume

Normalize volume to ensure consistent voice levels throughout the recording.

After these initial steps, you can use pop filters and “S” filters to reduce sound distortion.

Modifying EQ

Experiment with the equalizer (EQ) to fine-tune your voice’s tone. Use high-quality headphones to evaluate the sound, and then compare it with laptop speakers to find an optimal balance.

File Formats and Saving Audio Recordings

Phone recordings are often saved as .m4a, .aac, or .aiff, while computer recordings are typically .wav files.

.wav is preferred for its lossless quality. Convert to .mp3 for wider compatibility, understanding that this compression reduces audio quality (typically unnoticeable for voice recordings).

Saving Files from Audacity to MP3

Export your file as an .mp3 in Audacity via File > Export. Add metadata like track title, date, and artist name for display in media players.

Transcribing Meditations and Affirmations

Otter.ai is a tool for accurate and quick transcriptions. Export files as SRT for YouTube captions or as PDF/DOCX.

Check out otter here.

Sharing and Storing Guided Meditations for Free

Avoid hosting large audio files directly on your website, which can slow it down. Use cloud services like Dropbox or Amazon S3. Soundcloud.com is an option for embedding files and increasing discoverability.

Sharing Meditations as Lead Magnets

To use meditations as lead magnets:

Store your lead magnet in a cloud service. ConvertKit users can upload MP3 files directly.
If not using ConvertKit, add the cloud storage link in a welcome email or thank-you page.
Test the opt-in process.

Creating and Selling Meditations as Private Podcasts

Create a private podcast feed for paying clients:

Kajabi: This software can now create private podcasts, so users can access them through their podcast player.
Try it out for free for 30 days with this link.
Hello Audio: Create private podcast feeds for those who are already paying another way. This can even convert videos to audio files.

Selling Guided Meditations, Audiobooks, and Podcasts

Use Gumroad.com for digital delivery, even without a website. Choose between a free version (higher percentage) or a pro version ($10/month).

Selling on Gumroad:

Create a Gumroad account.
Upload audio files and set a price.
Add a cover image.
Add a product description.
Publish.
Share the link.

Using Soundwise

Soundwise allows you to securely sell and deliver audio products, monetizing private podcasts, audiobooks, and coaching materials.

Creating your own guided meditation video can be a rewarding experience. By following these steps and continuously refining your process, you can create content that resonates with your audience and supports their well-being. Good luck!