How do I write the script for an audio guide in a museum?

Audio guides are an essential part of modern museum visits as they offer visitors a deeper insight into the exhibitions. A well-written script is crucial to engaging and informing visitors. In this article, you will learn how to create an engaging audio guide script for your museum that is both informative and entertaining.

5 aspects to consider when creating an audio guide:

• Create an overview of the objects and stations.
  
• Develop an arc of suspense - focus on the essentials.
  
• The focus is on the listening experience - texts should be optimized accordingly.
  
• If possible, integrate original recordings by curators or artists.
  
• Plan the total duration of the audio guide.

Before you start writing the audio guide, it is important to do thorough research and collect relevant information.

Target group
Define your target group: are they children, adults or international visitors? Adapt the tone and language accordingly.

Selection of objects
Create an overview of the objects to be presented in the audio guide. This selection is also an opportunity to draw visitors' attention to specific works. There are a few pointers for this:

• Highlights of the museum that are of particular importance.
  
• Exhibits that provide exciting stories and anecdotes.
  
• Curious objects that attract attention.
  

Our tip: We recommend that you also take your experience of personal guided tours into consideration here. Which works arouse curious questions and emotional reactions?

Duration
Think about the attention span of your visitors. Studies suggest 30 minutes of concentration and attention - after that, a certain amount of exhaustion sets in. When writing a museum audio guide, consider how long the tour should be. For example, if the average museum visit lasts 60 minutes, we recommend around 30 minutes for the audio guide. As a guideline, we recommend 60-90 seconds for the individual stations.

If you want to create an audio guide script, you need to develop an arc of suspense. The key here is that the text is intended to be listened to, not read. What does that mean in concrete terms?

• The focus is on storytelling: it's not just about conveying pure information. Entertaining anecdotes, fun facts and surprising narratives provide surprises and help visitors to remember things better.
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• Active verb forms: provide clarity and dynamism - this enlivens the text.
  ❌ "The picture is painted."
  ✅ "Picasso paints the picture."
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• Addressing the listener: stimulating them through questions and encouraging them to think.
  ‍✅ "Look up - what do you see?"
  ‍✅ "What do you think - what historical moment is the artist quoting here?"
  ‍✅ "Why is this series format called a soap opera?"
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• Foreign words and technical terms: avoid or explain.
  ❌ "procrastinate"
  ✅ "delay"
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• Useyear numbers sparingly: Only if necessary or helpful.

A well-structured script is the backbone of a successful audio guide. Start with a short introduction that arouses interest. A common thread helps to show connections. Whenever necessary, it is a good idea to briefly provide some context. The main section should be logically structured and contain exciting stories and interesting facts. Use common terms and explain technical terms (ideally, avoid technical jargon to save yourself the trouble). Keep the language simple and easy to understand.

If possible, integrate original recordings from interviews with experts, artists and curators. This creates an authenticity and accessibility that is otherwise almost impossible to reproduce. Visitors get a glimpse behind the scenes and get to know the people involved.

With these tips, you can create an effective museum tour that engages and informs your visitors. A well-designed audio guide makes all the difference by telling interesting stories and providing valuable information.

Use these audio guide tips to make your content engaging and accessible. This will create an unforgettable experience for your museum visitors. Plan the structure carefully, use clear and understandable language, and incorporate sound bites and music to bring the audio guide to life.