Why YOU NEED ME as Your Voice
I attended a local business networking event this evening. My first one ever. It was much different than I expected.
In introducing myself to local business owners and telling them my profession, many of them responded with, "Oh, I've always wanted to do that... how can I?" or "Oh, I do the narration for my company's videos... why would I need your services?"
I can understand these responses. It APPEARS that what I do is as easy as reading a story to a child, or reading a local newspaper article aloud to your spouse.
It's not though.
Not at all.
So, why do these folks need a professional voice over for their commercial or corporate narration? Why can't they just do it themselves?
These are questions to which voice over artists need to have answers, and these answers are the basis of your marketing.
Here are some of the answers:
1. I've had years of training - voice over classes, acting classes, workshops, private coaching with some of the best voice coaches in the country. Truly. And, I've had lots of "on the job" training, performing hundreds of commercials and narrations.
I've invested in my education so that I can produce a top notch product for my clients, take their direction and make it happen, and ultimately, deliver not only the sound they want, but the sound they NEED in order for their commercial or narration to sound BELIEVABLE... and not like someone's reading off the page.
And why is this important?
2. Believability = Credibility = Comprehension of what you're selling
Whether you realize it or not, using yourself (business owner) for your business's commercial is likely not the best idea. We've all heard those folks on TV and the radio... and they sound like they're reading. Do you really comprehend something when someone's reading to you? No.
People comprehend real life. Voice over talents are trained to bring your commercial or narration to life... real life.
3. While you just might sound fabulous reading a commercial for, let's say, high end furniture, you might NOT make a commercial about the benefits of a community college, or one about why folks should visit Walt Disney World, sound believable. But I have and I do. Yet, I wouldn't necessarily be the right voice choice for a high end furniture commercial.
Point is, everyone's voice is different, and one voice is NOT suited for all types of commercials or narration.
4. I've invested thousands of dollars in my studio and equipment in order to provide the best sound possible for your audio.
So, if you're a talent reading this, step back and think of some more reasons people should hire you... I'd love to hear them.
And, if you're a business owner considering my services, the points made above should convince you that YOU NEED ME for your voice over project.
In introducing myself to local business owners and telling them my profession, many of them responded with, "Oh, I've always wanted to do that... how can I?" or "Oh, I do the narration for my company's videos... why would I need your services?"
I can understand these responses. It APPEARS that what I do is as easy as reading a story to a child, or reading a local newspaper article aloud to your spouse.
It's not though.
Not at all.
So, why do these folks need a professional voice over for their commercial or corporate narration? Why can't they just do it themselves?
These are questions to which voice over artists need to have answers, and these answers are the basis of your marketing.
Here are some of the answers:
1. I've had years of training - voice over classes, acting classes, workshops, private coaching with some of the best voice coaches in the country. Truly. And, I've had lots of "on the job" training, performing hundreds of commercials and narrations.
I've invested in my education so that I can produce a top notch product for my clients, take their direction and make it happen, and ultimately, deliver not only the sound they want, but the sound they NEED in order for their commercial or narration to sound BELIEVABLE... and not like someone's reading off the page.
And why is this important?
2. Believability = Credibility = Comprehension of what you're selling
Whether you realize it or not, using yourself (business owner) for your business's commercial is likely not the best idea. We've all heard those folks on TV and the radio... and they sound like they're reading. Do you really comprehend something when someone's reading to you? No.
People comprehend real life. Voice over talents are trained to bring your commercial or narration to life... real life.
3. While you just might sound fabulous reading a commercial for, let's say, high end furniture, you might NOT make a commercial about the benefits of a community college, or one about why folks should visit Walt Disney World, sound believable. But I have and I do. Yet, I wouldn't necessarily be the right voice choice for a high end furniture commercial.
Point is, everyone's voice is different, and one voice is NOT suited for all types of commercials or narration.
4. I've invested thousands of dollars in my studio and equipment in order to provide the best sound possible for your audio.
So, if you're a talent reading this, step back and think of some more reasons people should hire you... I'd love to hear them.
And, if you're a business owner considering my services, the points made above should convince you that YOU NEED ME for your voice over project.
Caryn - very smart to think these things over in order to be ready with answers when required! We will never convince everyone, but one of the gazillion things that sets us apart from the people who want to do their own VO, without training, is our ability to deliver quickly - which is part of your "1)", above. We can "get" the sound that's needed, quickly, with little and sometimes no direction. We can edit the audio quickly and if needed, add music and sfx for a full production. It may take the amateur hours to accomplish what we can do in minutes, if they can do it at all (or it may require a team of people to do it without us). And again, the end result may be something that doesn't do what the company is hoping for - it may turn customers away rather than bringing them in.
Let's just hope that if they insist on doing their own VO, they ask for feedback before the piece goes live - and that they're prepared for what they're going to hear
Great post Caryn.
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Thanks for your input Mary.... good points all!
Caryn
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Interesting post Caryn.
This will be something that comes up more and more as commercials and other media search for that ever elusive "real" sound as opposed to announcers. But once that trend is through....or somewhat exhausted because it just doesn't work as well anymore, what will be the next trend? Interesting things to ponder.
My thoughts, most people think they can go in and record a spot and sound great because after all, you just be yourself right? Wrong....this is one of the hardest things to get amateurs to do. Be natural. It is just like sticking a camera in someone's face. Mic fright....camera fright....it's all the same. People think it is easy until they have to do it. Some may be able to do it perhaps because they have natural acting talent....most won't be able to pull it off. Especially when you add the ad agency, the client, the producer....you know the rest.
Okay, this is not my blog. Actually I don't have a blog. Thanks for the thought provoking post though. Sounds like you handled yourself like a real pro. Good for you Caryn!
All the best,
Ben
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Thanks Ben! You're right... what WILL be the next trend? Hmm....
Oh, and feel free to write as much as you want. I like the conversation!
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Caryn,
Bellissima ragazza!
You've really put it out there in terms accessible to people who hire (or should) hire voice actors and have also given your colleagues another way to explain what it is that they do and why it is a valuable, professional service.
I know what it's like to go out on a limb and speak your mind. Good for you! There needs to be more of this type of energy in the industry.
Take care,
Stephanie
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Stephanie,
THANKS for stopping by and for your comment!!! As I'm sure you know, in sales, it's called "overcoming objections." All sales people do this exercise and think of viable responses in order to overcome objections and explain why what they're selling is needed. Wven though we're voice actors, we're sales people too!
Thanks!!!! Caryn
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Hey Caryn!
Well said!
And I like your follow up about our being sales people. You're right. We have to be confident enough in our abilities to be able to overcome those objections without sounding sarcastic or haughty. I don't think we'll ever be able to convince those that are SURE that they can do it themselves without any training though. There's a lot of ego involved on their part!
(BTW: I just added your blog to my blog's blogroll!)
Peace!
Liz
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Excellent points Liz. Thanks for reading my blog. I will add you to my blogroll as well.
Caryn
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Nice going, Caryn
...and while I try to be careful to whom I say it, my other counter to the clients who "know" they could do just as well is, "just because you can read words out loud doesn't necessarily mean you can communicate a message".
Thanks for the extra ammunition! Just for that, I have to add you to the list of valuable voiceover blogs on my own page.
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Thanks Rowell! Yup, that's the message!
I'm honored you've visited my blog!! And, added it to your blogroll. THANKS!!
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