Friendster’s Professional Voice Overs

A solid voiceover script is the key to success for your podcast or your radio and television commercials. Writing voiceover scripts that are compelling and persuasive is very different from writing print ads and small blurbs that appear on online advertisements.

Peter Drew, an experienced voice over artist who provides voiceovers via the Internet and for several radio networks, highlights the importance of ‘writing for the ear, not the eye.’ That is, you will want to write very short, concise and succinct messages that sound like a real conversation. At first, this can sound like a very unnatural style of writing - especially if you’re used to creating marketing copy for print ads - however, it is the only way you will truly develop a compelling and realistic voice over segment.

Listed here are some techniques you can immediately apply to improve your voiceover copies and get results out of them.

1. Make sure everything is in the active voice. Voiceovers need to take place in the present time, as if they were a real conversation. Make sure the whole script is written in the active voice so that the audience can identify with the messages easily.

2. Attach a windscreen to your microphone. A lot of unwanted noise are produced if your script is filled with words beginning in ‘T’, ‘P’ and ‘B’. A windscreen protects your mic from catching these unwanted noises. This will free your voiceover artist from worrying about sound quality and instead focus on delivering the meaning behind your message.

3. Highlight inflections or nuances in your copy. Marking up significant words or phrases in your script will help an artist understand and convey the subtleties of your message. You need to read out aloud the script first then identify significant words or phrases that needs to be stressed. Then you can either underline, italicize, or mark those important words and phrases in your script.

4. Write down phone numbers in word form. Numbers are also words that would need to be read. Spell each number so that you can detect if there are any blockages to your script’s overall impact. Be prepare to edit your script if any part sounds inappropriate.

5. Use your headline effectively. Listeners will hear your headline first so make sure this is interesting. A headline should be no more than ten words and declares a minimum of one significant point.

A script should always be compatible with the voiceover talent. A script writer should therefore always bear in mind the personality of the talent when composing the script. You can also adjust the script once you have chosen a voiceover talent. Fine-tune the script so that it matches the talent’s positive and even negative features. In addition, provide ample time for your talent to practice. Follow all of these tips and you’ll be producing effective scripts in no time.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, MN and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since’91.

As you develop a successful marketing and advertising plan, your creative strategy may include multimedia channels such as audio and video segments. Many companies continue to use radio and television as their primary sources of advertising, but now there are even more options with web-based advertising such as podcasting, webinars, and video commercials broadcast across the internet.

All of these outlets offer ways to deliver your company’s most important messages, but creating a visual impact isn’t your only option. It’s become even more important to develop a key slogan or message that customers can link to your brand, and voice overs are one way to make your advertising stand apart from the rest.

In nearly every marketing situation, there is something to be said for hiring voice over talent to speak directly to potential customers. Below, I have list just six of the myriad of reason to hire a professional voice actor or actress for your campaign.

1. Voice overs make your brand more memorable. Associating a unique, likable voice with your marketing is a great way to give your brand a more recognizable, human element. Since potential customers are exposed to so much faceless advertising each day, unique touches like the perfect voice can set you apart.

2. To polish the appearance of your marketing. Marketing is always concerned with portraying a product or service and the organization that provides it in the best possible light. A good voice over can do a lot to increase both the professionalism and relatability of your ad campaign, making your product or service palatable to wider audience.

3. Voice overs differentiate you from your competition. For marketers attempting to sell a product or service in an already-crowded market, the only way to position yourself as a leading member of your industry is to immediately evoke a unique, powerful presence. Professional voice overs are a great way to achieve this.

4. Professional voice talent will render your message more powerful. While so many advertisements concentrate on flashy visuals and text, you should keep in mind that human speech has always been our basic method of commuhnication. For this reason, people listen when they hear someone speaking, particulaly someone possessed of a convincing, polished voice.

5.To drive up website hits. In the marketing world of today, it is becoming more and common for everything to point back to one’s online presence. In your marketing campaigns, it’s a great idea to incorporate messages that lead back to your website, and voice overs, whether contained in podcasts, webinars, or other, more traditional media, provide a great opportunity to do this.

6. Voice overs can cost less than other forms of advertising. Both radio and podcasts can cost much less than other advertising mediums such as television and online video production. If you’re working with a tight marketing budget, you can invest in quality voice overs to create the biggest impact with your marketing dollars.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, MN and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Dozens of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.

Voice overs are quickly becoming one of the most important elements of any marketing strategy and advertising campaign, and are a valuable way to persuade your target market consistently, and effectively. By adding a human element to your marketing messages, you can encourage people to pay attention, boost sales, and most importantly, create a positive brand connection with all customers.

If you’re considering adding a voice over element to your business’s marketing plan, here are some of the key industry terms, definitions, and terminology you’ll come across:

Audition Tapes: Prospective voice actors and actresses will submit their audition tapes as they apply for the job. In addition to allowing you to judge the abilities of each actor, these tapes also can be kept on hand to help you keep track of the numerous applicants you will be interviewing.

Demo Tapes: As part of the interview process, you will want applicants to, in addition to submitting an audition tape, complete a demo tape recording of a sample script that you have picked out. If you choose the right sample script, these demo tapes can be a great help in picking the right actor or actress for the job.

Recording Studio: In order to obtain a demo tape, audition tape, or other vocal performance, you’ll need a studio in which to records. If your voice actor or actress has a recording studio setup in his or her, you may be able to save on renting a space for your project.

ISDN: ISDN recordings, which have greater clarity than recordings produced by the average recording studio, are generally used by professional voice actors and actresses.

Commercial Voice Overs: Intended to push a service or product, commercial voice over scripts take a direct sales approach. With the right actor or actress, a commercial voice over can make your campaign much more effective and memorable.

Narrative Voice Overs: These often accompany a film, video, or story and are scripted to entertain and inform, rather than sell. However, you may require a narrative voice for a portion of a commercial or sales segment.

Impressions: These are the types of voice overs that impersonate a famous person, celebrity, or imitate an historically famous personality. Impressions are a great way to make your message stand apart from the competition, and you can find many royalty-free scripts with this distinguishing feature in mind.

Performers’ Unions: Voice actors and actresses are often part of these professional organizations, which assist them in developing their craft and negotiate market rates. The Screen Artists Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) are the unions you will most frequently encounter in working with voice talent.

Actors: The voice industry is full of actors and actresses with a knack for drama, who entered the field because of its unique nature and potential profitability. The voices provided by professional talent can help give your marketing a human flavor.

No matter what the project is that you are hiring for, you should take an organized approach towards searching for talent. Knowing the lexicon used to discuss voice acting affairs will help you fit in with professionals and find the right fit for your job.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, MN and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.

When you’re searching for the right match in voice over talent, there are a few key traits that set apart the good from the great. Hiring great voice over talent means you can count on professional services and enhance your advertising for maximum impact. Whether you’re creating slogans, delivering a narration, or just need a voice over artist to stage a mock conversation, finding the right fit is an important part of your marketing plan. Voice over talent agents can work with you to narrow down a few choices, but the final decision rests in your hands.

Here are some of the key traits of great voice over talent:

1.A natural sounding voice. Unless you’re advertising an upcoming monster truck rally, you’re going to want a voice actor or actress who can speak in a manner that sounds natural. Just about anyone can speak in an exaggerated cartoon voice, or imitate the wooden diction of a newscaster - the real test of vocal skill is whether one can perform in a natural, fluid manner.

2.He or she demonstrates a mastery of tone and pitch. It isn’t simply chance that makes the voices of professionals stand out - voice over artists work hard to cultivate their vocal styles in order to create a unique and musical effect.

3.The voice over talent has quality demo tapes. Demo tapes are generally requested as part of the interview process, and you’ll need these to evaluate the talent after the interview and testing is over. Professional voice over artists will have these items prepared and ready for your review.

4.The voice over talent can change and adapt to different types of readings. You can ask the artist to read from different styles of literature to gain an understanding of how flexible and adaptable they are. This is especially important if you’re marketing to different types of people and need varied voices for each segment.

5.He or she exhibits a good vocal flow. In everyday speech, most of us stop and start erratically, and do not have much control over our speed. In the case of a professional voice over artist, this should not be so - a voice actor or actress should be able to speak in a fluid manner.

6.References. Checking into the references that you receive from potential hires is an essential part of the hiring process, as it will give you an invaluable chance to see whether or not your candidate truly is the seasoned professional he or she claims to be.

7.The voice over artist has a high energy level. You need to work with someone who can withstand the stresses and pressure of recording, re-recording, and in many cases, starting from scratch. Try to determine if they can articulate and develop a strong voice even when they may be tired or repeating the same piece for an extended period of time.

Interviewing potential voice talent may, at times, feel tedious, but in reality it is a key factor in the success of your project. If you can find a voice actor or actress with all of the aforementioned traits during the interview process, you will save yourself a lot of time and trouble down the road.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Dozens of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.

The sheer number of voice actors vying for jobs today can be a little overwhelming when you’re looking for the one perfect candidate to represent your project.  Take your search online can be a great way to streamline the process of finding the right voice actor for the job.

The internet offers many resource and options for putting together your multimedia project.  You can locate scripts from a database, or create a script of your own and find just the right tone and theme by reviewing samples of other companies in a few clicks.  The web allows you to view artist portfolios and samples with ease;  many professionals upload clips of previous projects as samples which saves you time during your hiring process, and can help you narrow down your search.  From reviewing resumes to conducting online interviews, the internet is making the voice over talent search much easier and effective.

Though the web can definitely make your search for talent quicker and more efficient,  without the appropriate strategy it can turn into a gigantic waste of time. Potential voice actors you find online, for example, may not be as reliable as they first appear, and may delay your progress by failing to submit their samples in a timely manner. These kinds of obstacles can be easily surmounted, however, with a little bit of know-how.  Here are some valuable tips on hiring voice talent on the web:

1. Ask for web-based samples after initial contact.  Professionals will be able to send over an .mpeg sample or direct you to samples they have available online; this can make it much easier to distinguish the professionals from the amateurs, and save you time in sending and receiving demo tapes, or setting up an audition.  You can use this step as the first part of your screening process.

2. Request a formal resume.  All potential candidates should be able to submit a professional resume that includes references and experience working with various clients.  Don’t be afraid to contact previous clients for a testimonial or reference, and be sure to pick at least two different companies for a fair assessment of the talent’s ability to deliver on the project.

3. Ask the candidate for a preferred rate.  You should make sure you understand how much the actor would like to be paid, and when.  Actors may want to be compensated either per hour or per project, and though some do not mind being compensated on delivery, others may want a portion up front.

4. Conduct a telephone interview.  Telephone interviews are best for any talent you may not have the opportunity to meet with in person.  Telephone interviews can touch upon previous work, a brief script reading, and to gauge the confidence level of your candidate.

5. Ask if they can provide all services digitally.  Some professionals have the equipment and skills to record the voice over in their home studio, convert it into a media file for review, and allow you to download it directly from the web.  Find out what your options are, and plan accordingly to save on mailing fees, travel expenses, and other costs typically incurred for projects of this scope.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, MN and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.

Hiring a voice over actor or actress means that you must go through a process that involves scheduling interviews, listening to demos of the various applicants, and having potential hires read from a sample script. The right sample script will help you to get more out of your interviews than you would otherwise; your applicants’ readings will serve as helpful examples of the kind of work they will produce if you ultimately choose to hire him or her.

You don’t need to give applicants too long to prepare for a sample script reading, as there is generally no line memorization involved. The applicants can make use of the script as they perform their reading, so they should only need an hour or so to get comfortable with the script before going into the studio.

Many companies struggle with determining what type of tone and style they are looking for. The best way to start is to narrow down who you are marketing to. Learning the demographics of the target market will help you narrow down the different types of voices that would be most appropriate for your advertising or other promotions. This approach can also help eliminate most of the voice over talent applicants during the initial stages, making your hiring process much easier.

In order to decide what sample scripts you will use, you will need to think about several different factors; you will need to select scripts that will give you a good idea of the breadth and nature of your applicants’ talents. To make sure that you choose voice talent that is a tonal and stylistic match with what your business is trying to accomplish, you will also want to consider what type of marketing you’re trying to create. What are the general themes you’re looking to tackle? Will the tone be authoritative, or do you want to make listeners laugh? These decisions will guide you in the selection of your sample scripts.

Finding voice over scripts is easy with a simple search online. Many script databases are available free of charge, and give you a chance to search by keyword, theme, or subject. Look for scripts that are similar in scope to your field, or pick something that challenges the applicant to try different styles and themes. Many voice over script collections are royalty-free, affordable, and from trusted sites and projects. These can also be a great resource for developing and adapting your own scripts, and give you some more ideas for making different types of scripts with your key goals in mind.

Last of all, you are going to want to obtain a demo script of each applicant. These demos should allow yourself to compare and contrast the performances of the applicants side by side. To this end, you shouldn’t just have your potential voice actors read one script; have them real several, with varying tone and subject matter, so that you can judge the versatility of your applicants, and the styles to which they are each uniquely suited. If you do not want to record these demos in your studio, you can request that applicants submit them with their initial applications.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Artist from Minneapolis, MN and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.

Did you know that there are chemicals that we consume on a daily basis that effect our throat, our nose, and our ability to speak and sing? There are. And if you are in the business of using your voice talent often to present sales material, sing or otherwise perform vocally, you may want to know what they are so you can always have peak performance.

If you are ill, for example, you may have symptoms of stuffy nose, scratchy throat and decreased lung capacity. Much of these symptoms may be managed with lemon, lemon-water and/or hot teas – preferably herbal. However hot works much better to expand tissue including the vocal area of your throat and loosen any phlegm or mucus build up as the result of your cold or flu. For more tenacious phlegm, fill a sink full of boiling hot water and mix in any menthol-containing substance you have: Vicks Vapor Rub, Tiger Balm, melt a couple cough-drops, whatever. Put your head and face directly over the sink and a towel over your head and breathe in the steam for at least 10-15 minutes. When you are done you may have to clear some of the loosened material, but you will feel – and sound – much better!

Also, if you are perfectly well but want to cleanse your head before a performance use lemon or lemon water to accomplish this, again, the hotter the better. This will give you a clear throat and crisp clean performance.

On your “avoid” list, put all dairy, especially if you are already lactose intolerant or have blood types A or O. Your body will naturally react with the products and form a mucus material in your stomach lining and throat. And that oooey-gooey goop can affect the sound of your voice for up to 24 hours.