How to easily convert written documents into audio podcasts

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Podcasts can be a great way to conveniently explore complex topics without getting bogged down in pages and pages of text. The ease of listening to the content while commuting, walking the dog or even doing the washing up can make it a more viable option for many than reading a long document. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could easily convert your own written files into podcast-style audio that could help you work through the dense subject matter?

This might sound fanciful, as creating audio content has always been an expensive and time consuming business, requiring equipment, hosts, and a way of editing it all into something professional.

Well, Adobe is changing that, as it now offers a simple way to convert documents into full audio episodes, without the need for any additional equipment or expertise. Here’s how Adobe Generate Podcast utilises AI to give your message a voice.

Use AI to generate podcasts from documents

Usually, if you wanted to turn reports or write-ups into audio, it would be a complicated affair. You’d need to either outsource the process (at a not inconsiderable cost) or set up your own team, and most people simply don’t have the capacity or budget for this kind of endeavour.

That’s why Adobe Generate Podcast is something of a game changer, as all you need is a document and Adobe Acrobat to instantly turn written words into spoken ones. No voice talent, no microphones, just upload the file and let the AI take care of the rest.

This isn’t just a text-to-voice feature though, as the software analyses the PDF, report or other style of document, then reorganizes and structures the audio so that’s it built for listeners. Instead of a dry, verbatim reading of the text, you get a result that features characterful AI hosts conversationally presenting the information so that makes sense to the ears rather than the eyes. It means those long, text-heavy documents can be turned into easy-to-understand audio that people can listen to and enjoy.

If you want a short episode that summaries the information from the document, then there’s the Highlights option. Alternatively, you can opt for a longer, more detailed approach by selecting Deep Dive. Of course, you can have both and use the files for different purposes if you want. There’s even a transcript you can access to see what’s covered in the episode.

Quick to create and easy to share

You might expect Adobe Generate Podcast to be a standalone product with an additional monthly cost, but it’s built-in to Adobe Acrobat. So, if you’re a subscriber then the feature is already at your disposal. It also doesn’t require anyone to learn a new tool, as you just open the file you want to convert, select the ‘Listen to this document’ option, choose the style of podcast you want and the rest is done automatically. A few minutes later your episode will be ready.

As the files are in a standard audio format, you’ll be able to play or share them easily.

So, if you’re looking for a simple way to repurpose marketing briefs, company reports or want to generate training material for your team that won’t have them spending more time staring at a screen, then Adobe Generate Podcast could be a sound choice.

Adobe Acrobat is available with a 7-day free trial so you can see for yourself just how easy it is to create podcast-style audio from a document. The suite also boasts AI-powered tools that allow you to make and edit PDFs, generate infographics and social posts, pull summaries and insights from documents, plus plenty of other features. When your free trial is over, you can sign up for an annual subscription from only $24.99 p/m.