What are your opinions on voice actors for sales videos?

So really what you mean is, it depends on the actor, not the offer, right?

When the voiceover talent seems "off" or unnatural, what normally happens, at least in my work, is there is a disconnect or breakdown between the copy and the way it's delivered and by who it's delivered.

Here's how I try to overcome:

I read through the copy myself, literally dozens of times, out loud. Most times, with the Client. It sounds laborious and tedious and it kinda is, but it's fun too. We enjoy the collaborative process. Word by word, point by point, together, we refine. Little by little, piece by piece.

Until it rings true and natural. We want it to sound like someone was talking. Like we were having a conversation. Tonality, pauses, inflections, breathing even.

We'll trade off. They do a little, I do a little. Until it sounds authentic. And accurately represents the piece.

However, PERSONALLY I normally have a monotone voice. Or when emotional, a "sing songy" voice and candidly, I stammer (not stutter) a lot. I repeat words, a great deal. But that's just me. So personally, I'm not good voiceover talent.

But what I do is I record the script, once I think it sounds "right." The recording doesn't have to be technically "professional". It can be ugly to the ears.

Then I take that audio file and I go into an audio editor, Sony Sound Forge is what I use, and I edit out all my personal voice imperfections, nuances and errors.

(There are free audio editors, ones like audacity, which you can get at download.com) For a three minute piece, it takes me about two or three hours. I could spend a couple of days on a 30 minute piece, but it's worth it.

Then I send a copy of the video/audio script with as much "delivery" annotation as possible and a copy of my audio file to show how it's to be delivered by the voiceover talent. I want the voiceover folks to clearly and fully be informed how we want the piece delivered. Otherwise, the voiceover talent may take "creative license" and do what they think is best.

You're right, Nick. There is a disconnect at times. That's because, I think, the video copy is not written like people talk.

And: If you're doing it yourself and you're concerned about your accent? I think you should be grateful for your accent.

It's an asset. It "becomes" you.

I'll tell you why: If you do tests on voiceover talent, you'll frequently find accents like a US southern drawl for instance, will out perform "normal" or professional voiceover.

It's more natural. More real. More connective.

An accent is compelling and engaging. It forces the listener's ear to pay attention. Think about it this way: What if I was to whisper?

That's what an accent does by default. You can't help but listen harder.

Especially when you use colloquialisms of the country or region. For instance I was working with a UK Client the other day and he used the words "spot on." Oh man, a phrase like that is a keeper!

- Rick Duris

PS: I say all this because I am severely auditory.

Thanks, Nick.

Here's another couple of ideas that may help.

I was working with a Client the other day and they said "Ricky, when you say it spontaneously and it just comes out of you? It sounds different than if you read it. I like the one that's spontaneous."

And I thought "Sheesh, he's right! How could I have been so blind?"

So now what I want to do and I've only tried this on one project since, is memorize the piece by heart.

Again, this sounds like a lot of work and it is. If you don't believe in the piece? If you don't believe in the product or person? It probably won't work out.

But if you do, there will be an absolute conviction and naturalness to your words and voice and inflection. It will "ring true."

And even better, it will inspire the voiceover talent to do their best.

I'll tell you why.

Because when you're working with the quality voiceover talent, they will naturally want to best you.

Here you are, an amateur and now you're requesting their professional help. In other words, they realize this is a serious piece. And they should give their best efforts.

Last month I was working on a piece, and we sent it over to the voiceover talent. That piece ended up tripling conversions compared to their previous piece.

Now, it may have been the copy, or it may have been the voiceover talent (like their voice itself) or it may be the delivery, I don't know.

What I'm saying is even reading the piece and recording will change the inflection, tonality, delivery as well as the tempo and pitch.

So on important projects, once you go through the process I described, you may want consider memorizing the piece. Then reciting from heart and recording.

I was amazed when this was pointed out to me.

- Rick Duris

PS: Of course, for this type of attention to detail, you're going to pay extra to the voiceover talent. This not inexpensive.

But if you're particular, if you know exactly what you want and the way you want it, it's a good way to go.

That's a great idea. And I'm trying it. To have someone come off as Billy Mays, Ron Popiel, the house builder guy, the Sham Wow guy--that would be cool.

- Rick Duris