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Articles written by me and my team all to do with Voice Over things! I hope you enjoy...xxx
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As the curtain has just come down on the year just gone, I find myself filled with immense gratitude and reflection, mixed with a sprinkle of disbelief at how fast the time has flown—seriously, it seems like it was just yesterday I was trying to remember which Zoom button to press! It’s been a whirlwind journey, full of creativity, fun, collaboration, and growth. The tapestry of experiences and connections has been richly woven, and I owe much of this year's success to the incredible people around me.
First and foremost, my professional network on LinkedIn has been a cornerstone of my journey. The connections I've made there have been like threads of gold—if gold could post inspirational quotes and awkward selfies. Each interaction has been a valued reminder of the power of community and the boundless potential when like-minded individuals come together. Your support has been instrumental, and I am deeply thankful for each of you. A special mention to Theresa C. Ho - Voice Actor, David Gilbert - A Friendly Voice for Your Next Project, Trecia Lovering, Karen Esposito, Yukiko Fujimura, James Sutherland, Liza Noche, Haeley Porter, Debs Wardle, Alicia Hiller-Mahmoudov, Justine Harris Brad Shaw Voice, Marwa Khalil. Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Among the most cherished influences this year have been the friendships that have fuelled my creativity and drive. Romi Santosh for her encouragement and guidance and Donna Paget for her inspiration and support. They are my “Lovely Marketing Ladies." with whom I meet regularly and almost daily. Their energy and commitment have been infectious, keeping me motivated and focused. With their guidance, I have learned so much about advancing my business, even if some days I still confuse SEO with a new dance move. Seriously though, you have kept me focused even though at times we found ourselves Amazon shopping instead of marketing. Or were we doing market research? My reading partners in the world of VO, SimonWellsVO and CP Engelbrecht have been invaluable. Their dedication and collaboration have sustained a steady flow of e-learning projects, contributing significantly to my growth and portfolio expansion. Our camaraderie has been a delightful aspect of my professional life and I am grateful for their patience and kindness - because I have on occasion forgotten to press record which could have caused them to produce steam from their ears! They have been most gracious and for that I shall be forever thankful! I must also shine a spotlight on the extraordinary Soul Band that I am in. The Soul Brothers Syndicate. I turned up at the first rehearsal with a very nasty black eye and when I introduced myself to everyone I told them that my husband beats me up! In reality it was a fight with a mini trampoline but my 'fib' was to subtly influence their decision into keeping me in the band by making them feel sorry for me. Baking chocolate brownies was a ploy as well. Did it work? The brownies were enjoyed by all and I have perfected my baking skills throughout the year and yes, I am still in the band and officially now a Soul Sister! But seriously the Soul Brothers Syndicate experience has been amazing and Sam Johnson’s arrangements have challenged us to push our boundaries and the results have been nothing short of magical. Collaborating with him has been an enriching experience, and I am eager to see where his creativity will lead us in the future. This year with the band has been a journey—a journey of exploration, learning, and artistic expression. Each performance, recording session, and rehearsal has been a stepping stone towards achieving our dreams. The chemistry and camaraderie within the Soul Brothers Syndicate are palpable, and it is this connection that has fuelled our success. We’ve more planned for this year and I carry with me the lessons learned and the memories made. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my bandmates, whose talents and professionalism have been instrumental in our achievements. In closing, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone that I have worked and trained with and with each member of the Soul Brothers Syndicate. Your talents and dedication have made this year unforgettable. Together, we have created something beautiful, and I am excited for what the future holds for us. Here’s to another year of soul, passion, and music that moves the heart and soul. Here’s to another year of voice overs, e-learning, exciting projects. I am filled with anticipation and excitement for what the future holds. In closing, I am profoundly grateful for the incredible individuals who have shared this journey with me. Each one has contributed to my growth and success, and I eagerly anticipate our continued collaborations. What have I learnt? Don't mess with a folding trampoline! Here's to a future filled with creativity for you all! Enjoy the journey xxxx
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 I sometimes get asked what I do and I proudly answer that I am a voice over artist and I do voice overs. Often a blank expression appears on my fellow friend and they ask me " what is a voice over artist?". You may have found this website by chance and are unsure of what it is about and what sort of services I offer. So please read further for a brief summary of what a voice over artist does and the type of services that I can do for you.
Understanding Voice Over Services Voice over services play a crucial role in various industries, from entertainment to education. They involve recording vocal performances for use in media such as:
Here’s a closer look at what these services entail and how they can benefit different sectors. What Are Voice Over Services? Voice over services involve hiring professional voice actors to read scripts aloud. These actors can bring characters to life, narrate stories, or provide clear information, depending on the project's needs. The recorded audio can then be integrated into various media products. Types of Voice Over Services Voice over services can be categorized into different types based on their application:
Benefits of Voice Over Services Voice over services offer numerous advantages:
Choosing the Right Voice Over Artist When selecting a voice over artist, consider the following:
The Process of Voice Over Production The production process typically involves several steps:
The Future of Voice Over Services With advancements in technology, voice over services are evolving. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are beginning to play a role in creating synthetic voices, which can be customized for various applications. However, the human touch remains irreplaceable, especially for projects requiring emotional depth and nuance. In conclusion, voice over services are an invaluable asset across many industries. By understanding their potential and how to effectively utilize them, businesses and creators can significantly enhance their communication and storytelling capabilities. I hope that this has been useful to you and if you would like to know more, then please do get in touch. I shall be happy to record your script for free so you can be sure that the voice you have is the right one for your project. You will be able to hear that the audio has been made in a professional studio with top notch equipment by a professional trained and experienced actor. What can be better than that? I look forward to working with you soon. xxx  Imagine a world where every training module sounds like your high school chemistry teacher droning on about covalent bonds—yawn-worthy, right? Enter the voice over artist, the unsung hero of e-learning! With the charisma of a seasoned orator and the versatility of a linguistic chameleon, a voice over artist can transform dull content into an auditory masterpiece. They wield their vocal cords like a maestro conducts an orchestra, infusing life, emotion, and even a touch of humour into the most mundane topics. Whether it's explaining intricate compliance regulations or navigating the exciting world of corporate ethics, a professional voice over artist ensures that your training session is not just heard, but truly listened to. So, why settle for the monotonous hum of a machine when you can have a virtuoso of verbiage making your content sing?
 Leveraging a voice artist can be a game-changer for small businesses looking to boost their sales so let's look at some innovative ways to do just that.
Professional Voicemail Greetings: First impressions are crucial, and a professional voicemail greeting can set the tone for your business. A skilled voice artist can create a welcoming, clear, and informative voicemail message that embodies your brand's character. This approach can make potential clients feel appreciated, increasing the likelihood that they will leave a message or return your call, thereby enhancing the chances of converting leads into sales. In-house Announcements: In-house announcements can be an effective tactic for increasing sales in a retail setting. By strategically deploying these announcements, retailers may instill a sense of urgency, notify customers about special discounts, and improve the overall shopping experience. Announcements can highlight ongoing deals, discounts, or unique events that would otherwise go undetected by customers. Phrases such as "for the next hour only" or "today only" can instill a sense of urgency, encouraging fast purchases. Announcing the availability of new or popular items can increase customer interest and direct traffic to specific portions of the store. Furthermore, alerting clients of best-sellers or staff selections might help them make purchasing decisions, especially if they are hesitant. Announcements can also be used to offer helpful information. Engaging Commercials: Whether for radio, internet streaming services, or social media platforms, a professionally voiced commercial may capture attention and successfully express your message. A voice actor can bring your script to life with the appropriate tone, emotion, and pacing, making your advertising more memorable and engaging, ultimately generating more visitors to your business or brand. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Systems: Using a high-quality IVR system with a professional voice artist can enhance the customer experience. Clear and straightforward instructions can help clients explore your services more efficiently, resulting in increased satisfaction and potentially more sales. A pleasant and helpful tone of voice can also lessen frustration and boost overall perception of your brand. Narrated Product Demos and Tutorials: Using a professional voiceover to create product demos and tutorials can have a major impact on how people view your products. A professional voice artist can describe features and benefits in a clear and interesting manner. This can assist potential customers understand the value of your products or services, making them more likely to buy. Podcast and Webinar Hosting:Hosting podcasts or webinars with the assistance of a voice artist can help your firm position itself as an industry authority. A professional tone can make your podcast more engaging and easier to understand. By offering important insights and information in a polished and professional manner, you may reach a broader audience, gain trust, and eventually convert more listeners into devoted customers. Incorporating a voice artist into your small business strategy can not only enhance the quality of your customer interactions but also create a more polished and professional image for your brand. This multifaceted approach can lead to increased customer engagement and higher sales. If you would like to know more about how a voice artist can improve your business please do get in touch. My email address is [email protected] and I shall be happy to help.  Advertising your business on the Radio may seem at first to be rather costly and confusing. Therefore you might not consider going down this route of advertising on the air waves but as it turns out, it really is the most cost effective way to advertise and more and more people are listening to audio content in more places and more ways than ever before from traditional digital radio services, streaming platforms, music streaming apps like Spotify to podcasts. So here is a brief overview of the benefits of radio advertising which is a powerful tool for increasing sales, growing your brand awareness and ultimately growing your business.
When you listen to the radio, you’re essentially hearing advertisements on a one-to-one basis, as if someone is speaking directly to you. Radio commercials can take various forms, including jingles, voiceovers, and sound effects. Advertisers purchase airtime from commercial radio stations, which in turn broadcast the advertisers' commercials to their listeners. Radio advertising is also one of the most affordable methods of reaching people and also one of the most effective. Television provides a vision for the audience, while radio gives the listener the power to create their own vision. This is an opportunity to convey impactful messages at a time when your audience is most receptive. According to CNS Media ( a marketing company) for every £1,000 spent on radio advertising, you are likely to achieve an increase in sales of £7,000 and a 65% increase in brand awareness. Results from radio advertising are swift, with more than half of the responses occurring within 24 hours of the advertisement's broadcast. This leads to increased awareness of the advertised companies among listeners, who are then more inclined to consider these companies in their purchasing decisions. To make a radio ad you would be wise to approach a marketing company that would have experience of making radio ads. They would be able to give you an accurate quote and would be experienced in knowing what radio stations would be good to advertise on or whether to advertise on many different stations. Different radio stations all have different coverage areas and the exact number of ads per week will vary depending on the station you’re buying into. More bandwidth stations offer more frequency based on your media buying strategy. According to the Rajar Q1 2024 audience survey analysis, commercial radio reached 39,670million listeners in a week and digital audio campaigns are able to be tracked allowing you accurate insight into the benefits of the ad. The radio stations at the heart of the national commercial sector are Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakson and Amanda Holden whose audience reach for this is 4,166 million, it's competitor, Greatest Hits Radio reaches 2, 939 million listeners and in third place comes Capital Radio which reaches 2,547 million listeners. Radio ads are sold by the cost per 1,000 listener impressions (CPM) or cost per point (CPP). The cost of individual 60-second radio ads averages at around £587. It is between 30 to 60 seconds and you are usually charged each time the ad plays. The radio station usually decides which parts of the day and which programs your ad will be featured or you can opt to choose a day of the week the radio station airs your ads all day long which is a great option if you have a small advertising budget. National Stations Reach National Network Classic FM 4,440 Heart Network talkSPORT 3,390 Greatest Hits Network Magic 3,069 Hits Radio Network LBC 2,547 Capital Network Kiss 2,295 Smooth Radio Network The essentials for a radio advertisement vary with the ad's style, but generally include a voice-over artist, background music, a concise script, and recording equipment. The message should be clear and designed to engage the listener's auditory senses and imagination. It's important that the audience grasps the message effortlessly. Therefore, the script should be brief, captivating, and direct. The advertisement must stand out, driven by a focused idea that evokes emotion. Lastly the advertisement must have a call to action at the end. What do you want the listener to do? Find you on Facebook? Visit your website? You need to tell the listeners what you want them to do next, whether the action is a phone call, ordering online or visiting a store. A good voice over artist can deliver your message effectively and therefore it is important that you choose one that matches your brands identity and fits the brief. Advertising and marketing agencies work with their own roster of voice over artists and will generally offer a variety of voices for you to choose from and these artists will be trained to deliver your message in a compelling and effective way. Radio advertising offers numerous benefits, such as broad reach, targeted audience selection, affordability, and enhanced brand recognition. It serves as an efficient channel to engage with listeners and to deliver your message compellingly. Whether through a memorable jingle or an impactful voiceover, radio advertising remains a potent tool for engaging potential customers. If you're contemplating advertising, consider the influential impact of radio.  It's the start of a New Year and so it is the perfect time to think about what it is you want to achieve this year. It's the perfect time to think about your goals in your life, your work and in you. Setting goals is like having your own personal treasure map - it's key to achieving success! But, like all great adventures, it's important to have a clear plan with specific steps. Here are some tips to help you reach your goals:
 This is me in my oodie!
 I am sometimes asked what the difference is between a voice actor and a voice over artist or voice artist. There is a subtle difference and it is a great question to address here. Voice actors often work on animated shows, movies, and video games, using their voices to bring characters to life. They are typically expected to develop distinct and realistic voices for each role they play, as well as to bring emotion and personality into their performances. Voice over artists, on the other hand, usually provide their voices for commercials, radio and television announcements, and documentaries. They are frequently asked to offer a clear and succinct narrative that is instructive and easy to follow. While they must exhibit emotion and individuality in their performances, their primary focus is on delivering the goods. My work so far has been diverse, covering both genres. I am often asked to play a varied array of characters for animation and games that require specific voices and therefore when I approach this work I use my acting ability to bring the characters to life adding a certain amount of entertainment and personality to the voice. My acting training and experience in the theatre really helps here and I find myself exploring the various "onion" layers of the characters and what it is that makes them unique. This is when I wear my Voice Actors hat. However, on the other end of the spectrum in the world of voice artistry, I also frequently work on e-learning and explainer videos which are more serious in tone and require a friendly and personable character for the part. There is always an element of voice acting in both roles, in the serious narration or documentary script I might be a lecturer, a teacher, an instructor. I never play me , whatever genre I am working in, just a version of myself. I do love character work. I love to play and experiment and I love to create characters that are lovable, funny and entertaining. So if truth be told I am a bit of a Voice Actor and a Voice Over Artist. Dipping my toes into both genres and enjoying the ride. (Sarah J the VA. uk stands for Sarah J the Voice Artist. The J and the VA rhyme with the UK you see so I thought it would be a memorable name for the website. That is all and it was thought up by my dear tutor, AJ Mckay at Gravy for the Brain - so he is to blame!! xxx ;)   Successful business folks have a secret something that sets them apart from the crowd. These habits are the foundation of their success and can be adopted by anyone who desires to make a splash in the world of business. Here are ten of their power moves and ones which I strive to incorporate into my world of VO. It's how I strive to run my voice over business and ultimately create that perfect voice over for my clients. Step 1 Goal Setting. Successful business people have a clear picture of what they want and devise specific goals to achieve them. They break down these goals into manageable chunks and work towards them daily. Similarly, I work with a small bunch of fellow Voice Artists and together we set our goals for the year and check on them regularly, kindly making sure that we are each making steps to achieving those goals. Each day has its agenda set by a specific goal which we work towards. These goals include a whole host of marketing, auditions, networking, training and holiday planning. Proverbs 21:5 says "The Plans of the diligent surely lead to success". Step 2 Making decisions. Successful business people make decisions swiftly and confidently. They gather all the necessary info, weigh pros and cons, and make a choice. They know that indecisiveness can lead to missed opportunities. In the world of VO a voice artist has to make decisions quickly and be able to self direct. I love self directing and also working with my clients on their project and taking direction from them. Knowing when is a good take and when to do a retake takes experience. At the end of the day I have learned to become more confident in my decision making and because I am always learning new skills and training, my accumulated knowledge gives me the confidence to make the right decision. Step 3 Discipline. In order to be successful one has to be disciplined. Successful business people possess an ironclad work ethic and are disciplined in their approach to work. They prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first. Having a great work ethic really helps to achieving those goals and that is why I like to spend as much time as I can in the booth and in the studio. When I'm not at home in the studio I am often walking my dog Messi and while I do this I work on breathing and voice warm-ups. Having a good routine helps too and an early morning walk and voice and body warm up gets me ready for the day ahead. You could say that the whole of my day is devoted to something voice related within my business. Step4 Adaptability Successful business people can adapt to changing circumstances. They are flexible and open-minded and willing to change their approach if it is not working. My voice over business started during lock down COVID times. I was unable to perform at weddings on my violin with my string quartet and so needed to look for an alternative way to provide for the necessities of life. I suppose you could say that I adapted to my change in circumstance. Another area in my business that shows I am flexible is my ability to offer alternative reads and to take on board ideas and suggestions from my clients. When you are ordering a voice over from me you can be assured that you will get the voice over that you want, done to your specifications and I am more than happy to adapt to your direction and suggestions. Step 5 Communication. Successful business people can articulate ideas clearly and effectively. They inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal. Good communication is key and by working with a group of fellow VO's we help to inspire and motivate each other along the way. I am always ready to communicate with my clients so be assured of clear communication during the making of your voice over and I also offer video zoom calls so you can be in the studio with me and we can communicate directly. Step 6 Innovation. Successful business folks are always on the lookout for new ways to do things better. They are not afraid to take risks and try new things. Learning how to be a successful Voice Over Artist has been a steep learning curve, the learning of which does not stop as there are always new ways of doing things especially in the studio and working on the computer with digital work stations. However, the recording set up is basically unchanged and once you are set up you are good to go. But then there is the technical side to delivering your lines and learning how to do this takes practice and training. I have been very fortunate to have been able to attend one of London's top Drama Schools and my acting training and 11 years experience in the theatre has stood me in good stead. I have also trained with Gravy for the Brain and industry leading voice artists to guide me on the right path to VO. There are also different trends in voice overs that change over time so it is good to be aware of these and to adapt to them accordingly. Step 7 Being savvy with money. Successful business people know the importance of financial management. They keep a close eye on their finances and make informed decisions based on financial data. When I first started in VO I sold my old violin to a pupil of mine and used that money to buy a microphone and an audio interface. I invested the money also in further training and a website and with money generated by those initial voice over jobs I reinvested the money on getting professional demos. Slowly the business has built up over time and I make sure that I am reinvesting the money into the business whether it is on training or new equipment so you can be assured of the best sound quality for your voice over. Step 8 Persistence. Successful business folks don't give up easily. They are tenacious and keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity. I like to think that I have a certain tenacious spirit but I really don't find doing voice overs all that hard work because I love it so much. I just love to keep on doing the THING, whether that is in the studio or in the booth. Marketing or voicing, I'm doing my favourite thing so it doesn't feel like a drag at all especially when I am helped along the way by my lovely fellow VOs. It is a creative job and I love being creative. Step 9 Learning. Successful business people are constantly learning and growing. They seek new information and ideas and are willing to invest in their personal and professional development. I can relate to this as I love to watch webinars and take workshops with Gravy for the Brain an online training company that specializes in all things to do with Voice Overs. Training gives you the confidence to know that what you are doing is of industry standard and I am looking forward to going to London next year to The One Voice conference to learn more about VO. Step 10 Being Ethical. Successful business people operate with integrity and uphold high ethical standards. They treat others with respect and honesty, knowing that their reputation is their most valuable asset. Building up a good reputation is important and also setting prices that do not undermine the work by other voice over artists is most important too. I base my prices on the rates that are suggested by Gravy for the Brain. To give you an idea of the prices set by Gravy for the Brain you can view their rates by clicking this link here Rate Guide - Gravy For The Brain - Rates. So there you are. My 10 steps to being successful. I hope you can incorporate these into your business and daily life and I hope too that you will be successful in your chosen career. Now to planning that holiday! Go on.. we deserve it! xxx   Read on to find out just exactly what is needed for a great recording studio If you are looking to become a voice over artist or podcaster, you will need a few essential pieces of equipment. The quality of your recordings can make or break your success in these industries, so it is important to invest in the right tools. The Tools of the Trade First and foremost, you will need a good quality microphone. A condenser microphone is the preferred choice for most voice over artists and podcasters, as it is highly sensitive and captures a wide range of frequencies. Some popular options include the Neumann tlm 102 or 103, a Sennheiser MK4 or a Rode NT1. There are many to choose from and some shotgun microphones work really well too especially if you are recording in a slightly noisy environment because they pick up mainly your voice and less background noise. Condenser microphones are a popular choice for recording studios and live performances due to their ability to capture detailed and accurate sound. They work by using a thin diaphragm that vibrates in response to sound waves, which creates an electrical signal that is then amplified and recorded. One important aspect of recording with condenser microphones is the use of XLR cables. These cables are designed to provide a balanced connection between the microphone and the recording equipment, which helps to reduce unwanted noise and interference. XLR cables also have a locking mechanism that ensures a secure connection, preventing accidental disconnection during a performance or recording session. It's important to note that not all XLR cables are created equal. Higher quality cables can make a significant difference in the sound quality of your recordings, with features such as gold-plated connectors and low capacitance wiring helping to minimize interference and signal loss. When choosing XLR cables, it's important to consider the length of the cable, the quality of the connectors, and the overall construction of the cable to ensure the best possible sound quality. In addition to a microphone, you will need a pop filter. This is a mesh screen that attaches to your microphone and helps to eliminate popping sounds and plosives that can occur when you speak. A pop filter will ensure that your recordings sound clear and professional. Another important piece of equipment is a mic stand. This will allow you to position your microphone at the optimal distance and angle for recording. A stand can also help to reduce unwanted noise from handling the microphone. Headphones are are a critical tool for audio professionals, musicians, and music enthusiasts alike. They provide an accurate and detailed representation of sound, making them ideal for recording, mixing, and mastering music and I like to use studio quality headphones. One of the main reasons studio headphones are so good is their ability to reproduce sound with a high level of clarity and detail. Unlike consumer headphones, which are often designed to enhance bass or treble frequencies for a more enjoyable listening experience, studio headphones are designed to provide an accurate and balanced representation of sound across the entire frequency spectrum. This makes them ideal for critical listening, allowing you to hear every nuance of a recording and make informed decisions about how to adjust the mix. Another advantage of studio headphones is their ability to isolate sound. They are often designed with closed-back ear cups that seal around your ears, which helps to block out external noise and prevent sound from leaking out. This makes them ideal for recording, as it allows musicians to hear themselves and the other instruments without interference from outside sources. Overall, studio headphones are a valuable tool for anyone who wants to create or enjoy high-quality audio. Their accurate sound reproduction and ability to isolate sound make them an essential part of any recording or listening setup. I searched on the internet for a second hand pair of studio headphones and they are magical. The next piece of equipment you will need is an audio interface. This is crucial for creating high-quality audio recordings. An audio interface is a device that connects your computer to your audio equipment and allows you to record and playback audio with excellent sound quality. It also supplies 48v to your microphone. A microphone converts acoustic sound waves into electrical signals. In order to do this, the microphone requires power to operate its internal electronics. Some microphones are designed to be powered by a 48V electrical current, also known as phantom power. This is a standardized voltage used in professional audio equipment. The reason why a microphone needs 48V to power it is because it requires a higher voltage to operate its internal amplifier circuitry and to produce a strong enough signal to be recorded. This voltage is typically provided by an external power source such as a mixer or audio interface, which sends the voltage down the microphone cable to power the microphone. It's worth noting that not all microphones require 48V phantom power. Some microphones operate on lower voltages, while others are designed to be powered by batteries or external power supplies. It's always important to consult the manufacturer's specifications for your specific microphone to determine its power requirements. One of the most significant benefits of an audio interface is that it reduces the latency that occurs when recording audio with a computer's built-in sound card. Latency is the delay between the time you speak or play an instrument and the time the sound is recorded. This delay can be frustrating for musicians and podcasters, as it can disrupt their performance and make editing more difficult. With an audio interface, you can record audio with very low latency, making it easier to get a good performance. An audio interface also provides better sound quality than a computer's built-in sound card. It allows you to record at higher sample rates and bit depths, resulting in audio that is more detailed and accurate. Additionally, most audio interfaces have high-quality preamps, which help to amplify the signal from your microphone or instrument and ensure that your recordings are clear and free from noise. If you are serious about creating high-quality audio recordings, investing in an audio interface is essential. It can help you reduce latency, improve sound quality, and make your recordings sound more professional. With the right audio interface, you can take your music or podcast to the next level and achieve your creative goals. I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Generation. Different audio interfaces colour the sound differently but the Scarlett 2i2 is simple to use and creates impressive results. . Finally, you will need a recording device. This could be a computer with recording software, a digital recorder, or a smartphone with a recording app. Make sure to choose a device that is compatible with your microphone and allows you to record in the format you need. Some great recording software or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) includes Pro Tools, Reaper, Ocenaudio and Audacity. There are also very good teaching videos on how to use them, you just need time to take in the knowledge and time to put your skills into practice. Your Environment If you are recording in a noisy environment, you may also want to invest in a soundproofing solution. This could be as simple as a blanket or duvet draped over your recording area or as complex as a dedicated soundproofing booth. Soundproofing can help to eliminate unwanted background noise and ensure that your recordings sound clean and professional. If your studio is in a quiet space then you probably only have to treat the sound rather than sound proof it. I have made my own sound treated studio out of thick curtain material, duvets and carpets attached to a wooden frame in the shape of a large changing room. Inside I have acoustic panels and lights, a bookshelf desk and electricity for all my equipment. It was easy to put together and came to about £200 altogether. It treats the sound by stopping unwanted sound reflections and absorbs the sound so that your recordings are clean and crisp, free from echo or reverb. All of the surfaces in the studio are covered by thick material and my chair is covered in material too which prevents the sound from reflecting off of the hard surfaces. Overall, becoming a successful voice over artist or podcaster requires dedication, talent, and the right equipment. By investing in a quality microphone, pop filter, stand, soundproofing, audio interface, a pair of headphones and recording device, you can ensure that your recordings will sound professional and will help you stand out in the competitive world of voice over and podcasting. I wish you luck with your recording endeavours.   Here are a few steps you might consider when hiring a voice over artist:
 Life can take an unexpected turn, one that you wouldn't expect you would likely travel down. This is true in my lifetime and how I ended up doing voice overs has ultimately led me back to my beginnings and to my very first interest and it leaves me feeling immensely satisfied. "Your voice is lovely and you should be on the radio" said a dear brother and friend from my congregation a few years ago. How kind of him to say so. I thought nothing of it for many days and weeks after I had thanked him for his encouragement and then it suddenly occurred to me that I had been an actress for 11 years before my responsible days of being a mother and wife. I had never gone down the voice over route during my time, treading the boards. I briefly had a taste for it early on in my acting career but was caught up in the wonderful world of auditioning for theatre shows and going on tour, West End performances and travels to the Lake District up and down the motorway and so I never ventured down the path of voice overs. Realising that I now had the space in my life to explore the possibility of starting a new career after motherhood, the idea of making a living from doing voice overs made me come alive again. My zeal for life suddenly erupted and I was excited to wake up each day. I remembered who I had been and was again, a creative soul with joy and a purpose not just a mother doing the cooking and the cleaning each day and so I searched for the best microphone I could buy to make a start in my new career. I also suddenly remembered my childhood and the joy I had recording my voice into the small tape recorder we used to have and the stories and characters that my brother and I would create which were inspired by a record my grandfather gave to us called "Bugs Bunny Goes to London". So this new career change into the world of voice was the perfect thing to do. An old but very good violin I used to play on was not being used as I was playing on another and so I sold it to a former pupil of mine and had just the right amount of money to buy a microphone. I quickly transformed an old wardrobe into a recording booth by covering the walls and doors with carpet and joined an online talent agency. It was a basic setup but it was a start. My first role playing a mother in a student audio drama came to me and I started to record... and do everything wrong! The sound was boxy, there was a hum in all the recordings and I didn't have a clue as to how to fix it or who to contact to ask for help. However, I did not panic, I turned to the internet for help and guidance and there I found a lovely lady, Karen Barth who kindly pointed me in the right direction. She mentioned many training websites and people to contact and I joined an online training company for voice over artists called Gravy for the Brain. It just so happened now to be during our first lockdown and the weather was good. I took to learning all to do with voiceover with Gravy whilst "relaxing" in the garden watching many webinars and taking all the online courses I could find. The old boxy sounding wardrobe/vocal booth was demolished and with the help of my husband and friends, we designed and built an excellent sound treated studio fit for purpose in the 21st Century with superb acoustics for recording. I started to work on my voice again, doing voice exercises and I took classes. I practiced reading each day and still do and slowly I started to build my voice over career. Step by step. Marketing courses, social media, Instagram, website building, LinkedIn, contacting clients, list building, auditioning, audio engineering, website building (I built 3 websites, the first two were not so good and the third is this one, which is better and more me) etc...But the best thing about all of this is, that I love it all. I love the work and I can't wait for each day to begin at home in my studio with my dog by my side, doing really what I was born to do, and what I did when I was three...recording my voice and telling your story.   We all need a holiday don't we? Of course I hear you say and some say that it's not good to work when on holiday as you don't get enough down time to actually benefit from the holiday. That is true to some extent but as a dedicated voice over artist I think it is always a good idea to take along a few bits of equipment to record with just in case. In case of what I hear you say? Well, there might be an audition that is just right to submit for or a job might come your way that you could not afford to refuse. So I think it makes sense in my opinion to always be ready for being able to record a high quality audio file. Maybe in a few years time I might think differently but please read on to learn about my holiday set up and what I do to deliver great audio and have a happy holiday recording time.
The most important thing to consider when recording away from your studio is to find a quiet place to record in. I suppose that sounds obvious but it can be hard to find somewhere. No good if there is traffic noise outside or children playing (not that I don't dislike children playing it's just that their screams of delight can be picked up by the microphone and another take has to be made.) Also, you might find yourself working next to a refrigerator. Turn it off. It won't hurt for a few hours. Air conditioning? Switch it all off when you are ready to record. Next, build a booth. A sound treated booth. Although it doesn't look great, it works brilliantly at soaking up sound reflections which you don't want going down the microphone. Here's what I do:- I place two chairs on their side and position in a V-shape on a table, then I find cushions ( a sun lounger cushion works great) and I place inside the chairs. I find a broom handle or something long and sturdy and place that over the v-shaped cushions and drape a duvet over the top. Inside the new V-shaped den I place my microphone inside my IsoCube Microphone Isolator, pop it on a table mic stand, plug into my Scarlet 2i2 audio interface and plug into my laptop. If it is very hot, I place the laptop on two chopping boards with an ice pack in the middle to cool the fan's so that they do not come on during the recording. This has worked brilliantly. Then, when I am ready to hit the record button I cocoon myself under another duvet behind and over me which is supported by the broom handle. Although it doesn't look great, ( this depends on how pretty your duvets are or course) it works brilliantly at soaking up sound reflections which you don't want going down the microphone. Lastly, you need internet access which can be purchased online before you go away. Bobs your Uncle and you're good to go. Just be careful not to move too much under the duvet and in between takes you can take the duvet down allowing for some fresh air! It's a little cosy under there but it works and your sound is amazing. No one will ever know!  If you're considering marketing your business, you've probably thought about branding and what your brand voice is? You would have thought about different adjectives to describe your business? And you might be considering how you'd like your business to come across? Have you thought about the core values of your business? And if you were to use a voice artist to voice your marketing adverts, or e-learning courses for example, have you thought about the type of voice you would use? It's something important to consider because choosing the right voice for your business is crucial when it comes to marketing because you would want to create the right impression and reach the right people with your marketing efforts and your voice artist will be the emotional connection between you and your customers. The Tone - Formal vs Informal As a trained voice actor (training with top professionals) and having studied different accents, dialects and characters I am versatile in producing reads in a variety of ways. So if the tone does not quite seem right then I would be able to offer alternatives. For example, your business may have the brand voice of quality and luxury and therefore I would deliver my lines using the warm deep tones in my voice by lowering my pitch and using my chest voice. I would speak with perfect diction using received pronunciation or RP and just a hint of a smile or two to colour each word. However, you might want to appeal to a wider audience and create a more casual tone. The girl next door type appealing to a younger generation. For this I would liven my voice up and use the middle to upper register of my voice, perhaps a local dialect could be chosen and a less pronounced, more relaxed articulation of each word would be used to appeal to a younger generation. The varieties and ways to deliver lines are endless and I am always happy to produce alternative reads because I believe that people buy from people that they can relate to and therefore, it is important to get the tone of the read just right. Behind the Lines It is not just a question of speaking lines. A voice over artist is trained to communicate those lines to speak directly to the listener, evoking an emotion in the listener so that the message reaches the heart and arouses a response. They get behind the script, connect with the script and demand that the listener makes that response, goes out and buys your product for example, or pledges a monthly direct debit to a certain cause. Its the way they 'tell 'em' that is important here. Free Script Read So when it comes to choosing a voice for your brand, you would want to hear a sample of what your voice artist could do for you so that you are sure they can deliver in the style most suitable to represent the brand of your company. I am all for voicing your script for you for free so that you can really take your time to decide if my voice exceeds all expectations and is the right one to represent your brand. With your free audio sample, you would then be able to take your time to discuss with your colleagues if my voice is right for you. Your business brand and the way that you present your company is just as important to me as it is to you and therefore if my voice is not suitable and does not suit your brand and its core values, I would be more than happy to suggest and recommend another excellent voice artist. Everyone has a voice that is unique, a voice 'stamp' as it were. I hope you will be very happy choosing my voice and the many colours and timbres it can present and I will be delighted to record for you from my fully equipped, top notch home studio where I spend my days with my dog by my feet. He is very quiet, I have trained him well!   Do you have an e-learning project and are looking to hire a voice artist? Need to know how much to budget for this? Are you wondering if the cost of having a voice over artist for your e-learning would be worth the added costs? And can a voice over make your e-learning more effective anyway? Reasons for Hiring a Voice Over Artist If you are wondering if a voice can be more effective for your e-learning course then consider the following. Studies have proved that including voice over in your training materials reduces the cognitive load on your learners allowing them to focus more of their attention on the message itself. Producing an e-learning course with a professional voice over artist is extremely beneficial. Let’s be honest, nobody really wants to sit and scroll through 2,000 words of health and safety training on a mobile device. It's no fun! The text is tiny and it’s hard to read. Using voice over will make for a far more comfortable experience, especially for learners on the go. Do you have drivers or staff who travel a lot? This could be the ideal way to deliver your internal communications to staff who aren’t office based. Adding voice over to your explainers makes the content far more accessible to your audience who might struggle with text and it provides another channel for them to absorb all of that crucial info. One only has to look at the use of radio and podcasting to know how popular and easy this way of taking in information and retaining it has become. Also another reason to use a voice over artist in your e- learning project is that it provides your learners with that human connection and might help the learning feel more genuine. In today’s struggle to keep learners engaged you should be employing every tool to help them stay focused. You could even help deliver your next learning module by Podcast? There would be no need to be sat at a computer and it would give your learners the freedom to choose a comfortable and convenient time to take part. So here are the top 5 reasons you should use a professional voice over artist in your e-learning course:-
What goes into the finished audio So now that I have persuaded you into saying yes to the use of a voice, what would you expect to pay for one? And what goes into creating your finished audio file? When asking for a price for your project, most voice artist will quote by the finished word, per finished minute or per finished hour. By finished means that the audio will have been cleaned from extraneous mouth noises and background noise. Extraneous mouth clicks are picked up by the microphone when recording and these have to be edited away which is time consuming. If you have an hours worth of script then editing that script would typically take another 2 hours to clean. It really is very time consuming. Another aspect of work which goes into finishing your script is compressing and normalizing the audio. This ensures that the volume and quality of the voice is maximised and it takes skill and patience to achieve this from RAW audio. A compressed file lessons the dynamic range between the loudest and quietest parts of the audio signal. The quieter audio troughs are boosted and the louder signals are lessened. Then when it is normalized the squashed audio file is made louder. This is an important step in producing finished audio. It is a process which takes time but is crucial to creating a professional sound to the voice. Lastly another facet of finishing the audio would be to edit the breaths. Some engineers would take out the breaths completely and some would soften them. I personally like to soften the breaths so that the audio sounds as natural as possible without the breaths being prominent. However, editing each breath takes time and a certain amount of skill and patience is involved in this but the end result is worth it and creates a professional audio file that anyone would be proud of. So this is what is meant when the audio is describe as being finished. It will have been processed so that it is ready to be used directly into your programme and can be delivered either as a WAV or mp3 file. Or any format that the client may wish. Pricing for E-Learning So how much would a finished audio cost for an e-learning project? There are a few resources that voice over artists refer to, in order to give you an accurate quote for your project. “Gravy for the Brain” (a world class resource for voice over artists) is one of them and offers a rate guide that is considered to be industry standard. You will find that a lot of voice actors will refer to it in order to give a price that is fair. You could expect to pay anywhere between 15p per word to about 60p per word with the higher end being for more complex medical narration. This is due to the words in medical narration being far more complex and more challenging to pronounce and therefore it would be charged at a higher rate. E-Learning scripts that are usually charged per-scripted-word may often have a minimum fee that is included (e.g £150 to make small jobs worthwhile) Some voice artists use a sliding scale, e.g. 0- 1000 words = £0.60 per word, 1001-2000 words = £0.40 per word, so this is something to bear in mind. I hope this article gives you an idea of what to expect to pay for your e-learning scripts so that you can budget accordingly. Having a professional voice actor for your e-learning project really is a solid investment. It is quite possibly one of the best insurance policies that you can have for your e-learning because you want to make sure your audience is listening and you want to make sure that they are engaging in your course. Hiring a professional voice over artist is the best path to follow. Cutting corners at this stage by using Eric from your accounts team recording into his phone would leave your listeners bored to tears and throwing paper aeroplanes around because it didn't sound great and nobody wanted to listen to it. Your hard work creating the course would be futile if you didn't invest properly at this stage. So be confident about hiring a professional. If you would like me to record your next e-learning project for you I would be delighted as it is an area that I specialize in. Please reach out to me and I will be happy to give you a quote based on the rate guide quoted above. If there are more than one e-learning scripts then I am always happy to offer a discount and offer a buy three get one free offer! I can also send you a sample of your script for free so that you can be confident my voice is right for your project. You can contact me at [email protected]. I promise there will be no paper aeroplanes flying over you!  Look at how engaged this young girl is here in her work. She is likely listening to a professional voice over artist delivering a great e-learning module. No paper aeroplanes there!
 You may be wondering why you should use a Voice Over for your business and if you need a real voice and not a computer voice? Isn’t a computer AI voice just as good? Well I don't think so and here is why... It would be vital that you would want your customers to relate to your service, product or training video and also quickly recognize that it is you or your company's brand. So whether it’s a radio commercial, TV commercial, eLearning or Explainer video, a professional human Voice Over can... * deliver your message quickly and clearly. * communicate emotion and feeling. It can touch the heart of the listener. * reach millions of listeners and move them to take action. * persuade your listeners to take action quicker. * inform your listeners quickly without the use of video. * Connect with the audience on a subliminal level. A real Voice Over is great to listen to. It can have a calming effect, a stirring effect, a soothing effect. Since it’s from a human, its message reaches the heart. A computer voice (although pretty sophisticated these days) can not relate emotion. Its voice is soul-less. Cold and clinical. There is something about it that leaves its listeners feeling cold. It is also important when it comes to marketing your business therefore, to have a human voice and also the same human Voice Over for all of your videos or commercials. The same voice used throughout becomes the voice that is easily recognized to represent your brand and it will help to drive up your sales and increase productivity. Recent studies have proven that people are able to remember words better when they are spoken by a voice that is familiar to them. So choosing the right voice over artist is crucial and you would want to use one that has been professionally trained to deliver your message the way you want it delivered. A trained voice over artist can do this. They have spent time and money perfecting their art.  Male vs Female? So which voice would you choose? A male or a female? and does it really matter which? According to a recent study by Harris International a female voice is more likely to come across as being more trustworthy, soothing and calming than a male voice and therefore is the more preferred choice to have as a voice over. The female voice is perceived as more emotional and intimate. Studies have shown that the human brain has evolved to trust high-pitched voices more than lower-pitched ones. That is not to say that you should not choose a male voice. A male voice comes across as being more authoritative. So it is an important point to consider when you are thinking of choosing the right voice. One of the most important points to remember about using a professional voice over is that the trained voice artist will instinctively know how to target your audience with their voice. Adapting and using different tones in their voice they are able to engage your listener, giving your video a personality that is relatable and keeps listeners interested. Interestingly the most crucial aspect of your e-learning video or explainer video is the voiceover. It is the part that cements the whole presentation together and adds an air of professionalism with a human touch. Voice in Social Media Businesses are using video now more than ever in their marketing strategies to reach their target audience. With the increasing number of sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Tik tok, Instagram, You Tube, etc., it is now the norm now to advertise on these platforms. It is easy to upload video to them and they are accessible and affordable. But not everyone has the time to watch these videos which is why adding a voice to the video is all the more important because your message can be communicated while your listener is actively doing something else. Passion in Communication Also hearing a voice that is engaging and emotive touches the heart of the listener far more effectively than the use of visuals. For example listening to the radio, the listener does not have to be actively watching the screen to understand the message and identify your business brand. One of the reasons why Radio has been so successful is that the listener just has to listen and upon hearing a human voice the message immediately transports directly to the heart of the listener. It's the human touch here which is important. So hire a human! If you have a story to tell or a product to sell and you need a voice then I would be delighted to send you a free demo of your script. Having spent 11 years working as an actress after training at Drama Studio London and continually training with Gravy for the Brain I am well placed to bring your story to life the way you want it. Do get in touch today to order a free voice sample to see how your story will sound. It's more affordable than you think. This article was respectfully submitted by Sarah Jackson and her team! What sort of information does a voice over artist need in order to get started on your voice over?1/20/2022  In this article you'll learn about what a voice over artist needs from a client. From the very start of your job as a producer, it is important to plan everything before jumping straight into action. This includes finding a skilled and reliable voice over artist for your videos or commercials. You may want to hear samples of work that they have previously done and also look at the training that they have undertaken to know that you are getting a quality voice over service. The following section will help you understand what the artist needs in order to get started. A vast amount of work is underdone by the voice artist, so let us determine what information they require to get started. The following information would be useful for the voice artist to have.
The Script. It's important that the voice over artist has a script from which to work with. If you already have one, great! If you don't, please do get in touch and I will be happy to help you. Alternatively there are many online free script writing tools to assist you. Include in the script the pitch and pace of the read. This is very useful for the voice over artist to know. The pitch of your voice over depends on how high or low you'd like it to be. The higher pitches are very clear and also a bit faster. This could work if you're selling something very fast paced. The lower pitches are slower, and they are great for narrating something very serious or romantic. You can send the pitch to your voice over artist when you send them the script, but it's ok if you don't know what pitch to set just yet! It might be a good idea to record a video of yourself reading the script and then pitching it up or down until you find a sound that fits your brand. You can then send this video to the voice over artist along with the script. Background music? You may wish for your voice over to have background music. Music has a significant impact on the tone of an audio clip and therefore it is important to have the right kind of music and important for the voice artist to know what sort of music you intend to use as they will be able to match the pace and tone of their delivery to the music. If you have an idea of what sort of music to use, do let your voice artist know and if you do not have music, talk to your voice over artist as they would be happy to source the music for you to create the right atmosphere and tonal background for your voice over. Script length in minutes and seconds... The next thing that you should do is state how long your script is. Find out how many words there are in total and what their average length should be. It would be a good idea to time yourself reading your script and also have a good idea how long you intend the script to be. be. Let your voice over artist know how long they have to read the copy in terms of minutes and seconds. Once your voice over artist has these details, they can start to work on it right away. Describe the type of delivery. To give your voice over artist an idea of what you want to convey with your video or commercial, you can choose a few adjectives to describe it. It's very important that you choose the right adjectives because they will help your voice over artists immeasurably. Is it upbeat or relaxed and casual, serious or conversational and witty? For example, a commercial about coffee could contain words like "bold", "direct", and "strong". A commercial about chocolate could contain words like, "smooth", "soft", "gentle". Try to give your voice actor some direction but just enough otherwise it can be confusing for the voice artist and if you are unsure about what you would like, try a few different ways and the voice over artist would be able to deliver the lines differently so you can choose what you like best. Accurate pronunciation of names, places, technical words & brand names. Additionally the voice over artist would appreciate the correct pronunciation of names and places, technical words and brand names. It is a simple message but it will help you and your voice over artist work together to get the perfect product. Creative video projects often feature a lot of new, fancy or technical words that make the viewer think "Wow, I'm going to remember this!" And in most cases, they do. So when your voice over artist reads these words out loud, it needs to sound natural and not forced. This is important because it will make the video more dynamic for your target audience to watch. Giving the voice over artist an accurate read of any technical words, names or places would be most helpful. Characters for animation. When I work on creating a character for an animation, for example, I find out as much information as possible about the character. Their age, profession and build. (Heavy, thin, strong, weak or feeble). Their class status and dialect or accent. Any information you can give to your voice over artist is invaluable. For example, I voiced a "grandma" character for an animation. One of the descriptions about the character included the fact that grandma wore dentures! This was a valuable piece of information and allowed me to bring that character to life the way the client wanted. It also enabled me to voice in a way I had never done so before. You could give it a go and try voicing with pretend dentures to see the effect! Give your voice-over artist as much information as you can so he or she may bring your character to life. It also might be a great idea to ring your voice over artist and talk to them on the phone about your project. This will allow you to form a connection with them and it is easier to explain what kind of voice or tone you need for your product if you can actually hear the person's voice. A directed recording session. It is possible nowadays to be present in the recording session via audio platforms such as zoom or skype, cleanfeed of source connect. Let your voice over artist know that you would like to direct them live and dial into their studio and most would be happy to arrange this for you. There might possibly be an extra charge for this but it would be worth the extra cost as it might save you a lot of time since you will receive exactly what you want during one session. How will the audio be used? The voiceover artist needs to know how the audio will be used in order to price the job correctly. A corporate video that only internal employees may see will be charged differently to that of a TV commercial that will be seen by millions of individuals. Make sure you include as much information as possible, such as which platforms a video will be played on, how long you want the audio to run for and how large you intend the audience to be. The voice over artist will ensure that the price for your voice over is correct from the start in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises regarding usage of the audio you didn't disclose up front. Give Feedback. Once the voice artist has recorded your script and sent it to you, it would be most helpful for you to give them feedback on their first draft as soon as possible, otherwise it might take a little longer until they can submit a finished product. They will also value your opinion a lot!You could say for example: "I think you captured the mood of the commercial perfectly! I'm really happy with your voice over and can't wait for the final version. Thank you!" Or if you're not satisfied, then do say so and the voice over artist would be happy to give you an alternative read. You could say for example, "I honestly think that the casual tone of the commercial is too slow for a coffee commercial that's meant to be energetic and modern. Please can you give me an alternative read with more energy?." And the voice over artist would be happy to do this. They will only be happy when you are completely happy with your finished audio. Deliverables. You can add the deliverables to the script. Deliverables are the file type you would like your voice over artist to deliver back to you. Most audio is delivered as an mp3 file or a WAV file, however, you may want a smaller file such as an aiff. file. You may want the files RAW or compressed and normalised. If you are not sure what type of file you need then have a chat with your voice over artist who would be happy to help explain the differences. Your voice over artist may be extremely good at editing audio and would be happy to deliver your voice over in your chosen format, however, you may have your own sound engineer to do this for you so it would be best to let your voice over artist know what sort of files you would like delivered. Almost always all audio is cleaned and corrected of any mistakes before it is sent out. And Lastly - Have fun! After all, you have hired a voice over artist because they have the exact skills that you need for your project. So have a little chat with them and share some laughs. Allow your voice over artist to give you a friendly, professional service and by giving your voice over artist the correct information to begin with will allow him or her to deliver exactly what you need for your project. And then you can just sit back and enjoy it! If you would like to know how I can deliver your voice over, let me record your script for free. Call me today on 07967 662886. Grandma voices with dentures are a speciality!!   The phone rings... what do you do? Answer it of course, but what if you are not there? Do you leave it to transfer to your answer phone message? And what if you don't have an answer phone message? Well, if you have a business, with no voice messaging system, you could loose your customers if you're not there to pick up the phone. And if you were the client ringing, could you imagine the frustration of having no one to answer your call? You would be certain never to ring that business again! Whatever line of work you are in, your business cannot afford not to have a professional voice mail service on your phone system. A friendly voice message that answers promptly and professionally, directs the caller to the right department, or informs your client of the latest deals or offers and changes to opening hours is key to your business success and plays crucial role. The voice you choose for your phone system becomes part of your company's brand. A trustworthy calming voice that takes your client on a journey of positivity and understanding. So.. is it necessary to have a professional voice message?It's the first impression that potential customers will receive of your business. Callers instantly form an opinion of your business based on the voice that they hear. What message about your brand will they hear? The way the message is delivered to your client is important. Is your greeting informative, professional sounding and consistent with your brand? If not, you could be sending potential clients to your competition. Maintain your Brand.The sound of your brand is equally as important as its look. You work hard on your brand colours and logos, etc. and they reveal to your clients how you want them to feel when considering your products or services. So, of course, is the voice and music on your phone system. You can continue to project your brand identity directly where customers experience it – in their ear! Increase sales with an on-hold message.According to a national study published by The North American Telecommunications Association 90% of callers hang-up in less than one minute with silence while they are kept on hold and the survey found that when callers were presented with On Hold Messaging verses silence or a radio commercial they would stay on hold longer and were more likely to exhibit interest in the product advertised. They were also more likely to retain information and were less agitated. Callers stayed on the line up to 25% longer when provided with on hold messages verses silence or even background music. When you consider that a single recorded message could drum up more business for you, it just doesn’t make sense to not leverage this quality time with your customer. Professional recordings vs your secretary or office temp?It is tempting to record yourself, or ask your office temp who has a nice voice. But would you have the right recording space in which to record in? Without the right recording space your audio would have lots of reverb. It would of course be cheaper, right? but remember you are presenting your business to potential customers. A professional voice over artist would not only sound better, have the perfect recording space and the right tone of voice to advertise your business, they would also be contactable at any time should you need the message updating. Your office temp on the other hand would have moved on and you would have to record a different voice thus breaking up the continuity of your brand. Using a professional voice artist means knowing that you’ll have access to the same talent for future needs. Who has legal rights to the recording?For example, say the employee who created the voice recordings later quits or is terminated. Who has the legal rights to those recordings? The ex-employee could cause legal issues for the company without some kind of concrete contract. You may have to remove them. Such legal issues could be avoided with professional voice recordings done by a third party. Make your phone message leave a lasting impression.Callers have noted that a high-quality telephone greeting shows that the business they’re calling is reputable, stable and professional. This sets the right tone for customer interactions, adding credibility and hopefully increase sales. You don’t have the advantage of a personal, face-to-face interaction, so it’s even more important to deliver a super-efficient, brand-consistent, customer-oriented brand image.  So what tone should your Phone Message convey?Let’s not overlook the personality that your phone system conveys. The business messaging program draws prospects in, builds trust, and participates in the sales conversion process. Your branding, including your phone message, should convey the same professional quality and attention to detail. A professional voice over recording cannot be overstated. It will project to your callers that the way you communicate with them is on point for your brand and that they deserve the highest level of service possible. There is no getting away from the fact that the sound quality of a professional voice recording is dramatically better than an in house recorded message. Professionally mixed and mastered phone system recordings are optimized for the specifications of business phone systems and this also means no garbled voices, background noises, reverb, or cut off messages. If the voice in the phone message is not engaging and recorded correctly your client would switch off and hang up.
A voice over artist worth their salt would have been trained and would have experience of performing and reading scripts. They would bring an air of professionalism to the message and therefore to your business. They would have a high quality recording space or studio, acoustically treated and free from background noise. They would have quality equipment to record with using a professional microphone and DAW so that the voice would sound resonant and clear and they would also know how to add music to your recording to keep your listeners engaged further. They would also be happy to help you help you write your phone message for you and would be competent in delivering your message in a variety of different ways to match your branding and business type. They would be able to sound serious, business-like or up-beat and relaxed, matching the tone of the voice to the type company. The culmination of which would result in having a voice message that would be able to make your clients feel looked after and comfortable thus building a sense of trust between the listener which would be beneficial in increasing repeat buyers and boosting sales. And it's not that expensive to hire good voice artist. Please contact me here or listen to my on hold message here. It's more affordable than you think. This article was written by Sarah Jackson and DL Merlin. |
AuthorSarah Jackson is a trained professional voice artist living in the UK. She loves playing the violin as well and walking her "Long Haired Lurcher from Liverpool" dog who doubles up as her booth buddy! Archives
January 2025
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