6 Ways to Stand Out as a Voiceover Artist

As the digital era races forward, the need for voice-over professionals will increase exponentially. Today there are thousands of specialized YouTube channels, countless podcasts, educational videos, digital newspapers, video blogs, online radio stations and ebooks all competing for a piece of the listening audience. Naturally, this creates a great deal of demand for successful voice-over artists in the video publishing business.

Whether you are a star voice-over artist or are a freelancer just breaking into the business with a website and a few social media accounts, it is critical that you differentiate yourself from your competition.

It is very typical for a producer to audition hundreds of voice over artists before choosing the perfect one. Your job is to be professional, be remembered and get the job.

Below you will find 6 ways to stand out as a voice-over artist:

1. Remain Calm at All Times

As with all artistic endeavors and business, your state of mind can greatly impact your voice over performance. Therefore, it is critical that you remain calm at all times, especially during your voice-over sessions. As a professional, you must train yourself to separate your emotional state from your work. Although it is normal to feel a bit nervous about the first few recordings, you will need to find a way to calm yourself. Otherwise the audience will hear this excited state in your voice. Many professionals find that they are able to calm their nerves through simple, counting exercises or repetitive deep-breathing exercises.

2. Speak Clearly

When recording a voiceover, it is imperative that you speak very clearly and enunciate every syllable properly. You must not mumble or speak too quickly. Keep your voice loud and clear. Eliminate any extraneous noises that can be heard during a recording session such as chewing gum, swallowing a drink, etc. You will also find that reading aloud several times each day will help train you to deliver messages in a loud, clear professional manner.

3. Match Your Tone of Voice With the Script

Always study the script thoroughly before you start your recording session. This is important because your knowledge of the script will determine your performance. During your recording session, the tone of voice that you use needs to deliver the exact emotion that is intended in the script. If the script requires a professional tone, then that is the only tone you can deliver. The more familiar you are with your script, the more you are able to perfect your delivery.

4. Be Yourself

Finding a unique tone of voice that sets you apart can seem like quite the challenge. However, most of the time, voiceover artists realize their success by just being themselves. For obvious reasons, your everyday voice will always be the the most natural for you to perform. Occasionally, however, video scripts may call for a different type of “character” to deliver the message. In this case, have fun experimenting and choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

5. Train With a Coach

Many voice-over professionals spend some time and money training with a professional voice coach.
Voice-over coaches are there to provide valuable tips and feedback on your performance. They can help with all aspects of voice over work: script interpretation, inflection, emotion, enunciation, delivery, etc. Your coach will be happy to work with you on your specific needs and learn new skills. The name of the game is quality; not quantity. The more quality work that you can produce, the more clients will seek your services. This can be one of the best investments for your business.

6. Master the Use of Microphone

Too often, people are afraid of the microphone and tend to shy away from it. As a voice-over artist, the microphone is your only friend. It is time to master the use of microphone. There are many different types of microphones on the market these days: hand-held, wireless, lapel mics, boom microphones and lavaliere mics just to name a few. The best way to get comfortable with microphones to to experiment with the various types. Some professionals find that using a handheld mic is helpful as it gives their hands something to do with extra nervous energy. On the other hand, many people like the freedom that a wireless or lapel mic provides. As a voice over professional, you will find that you spend a great deal of your time with a microphone. Therefore, your success depends on your ability to be comfortable and natural with a microphone.

In today's fast-paced digital age, videos have become the preferred method of communication. While this creates the need for freelance voiceover professionals, this also creates a great deal of competition for these jobs. By following the 6 tips above, you will be able to successfully differentiate yourself from your competition and increase your business.

ABOUT L. SCOTT HARRELL

I am the founder of VideoToOrder.com, an online marketplace where buyers can find freelance video professionals who create, edit and market all types of video content for them.

I am also the Executive Editor of Video Entrepreneur Magazine, an online magazine for freelance video professionals who want to make money by making videos, editing, marketing and related business services.

My primary interest is meeting the burgeoning demand for video content; specifically, custom video content creation across a sweeping range of needs and budgets.

I can be found on LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and other social media networks.