Breaking Into Voice Over Commercials

By Marci Glover


There are many aspects to advertising which most people never take into consideration. The audience may be drawn in by the visuals and catchy tunes but one of the most memorable parts of any ad is the vocals. Doing work on voice over commercials is a great opportunity though it takes patience and persistence to become truly lucrative.

One big misconception is that all a person needs to make it in this business is to sound appealing when speaking naturally. However, along with that pleasant timbre, one should also be able to use proper diction, enunciate clearly and have the capability to act through vocal expression. A big part of the job is using inflection and timing to create a believable and sincere narrative.

This vocal talent is very commonly used in projects like documentaries, movies, animations, audio books, multimedia and video games. Radio, television and internet ads are perhaps the more frequently heard pieces in this field. Realistically, they are played so often that a majority of the audience has no idea exactly how much they are exposed to this type of advertisement throughout their day.

Advertising of this sort is basically broken down into three main categories. On the first tier are those ads that reach a very localized audience such as civic events and area car dealerships. The second level consists of those covering a regional zone and the third are the ones, often by well known organizations or brands, that are broadcast nationally.

It is quite common for celebrities to fill the majority of national level spots, mainly because their voices are easily identified by the general public. There are literally thousands of jobs available in each of the three categories. One should never diminish the benefits of performing at the regional and local levels as those ads are more frequent and offer a lot of versatility.

It is quite rare that an actor becomes successful simply due to their pleasant sounding speeches. To become a marketable product, one must take the time to build their talent and make themselves desirable to the production companies. This process begins by seeking out a vocal coach who is qualified to instruct in the best ways to improve techniques, hone skills and control breathing.

The next step is taking what has been learned and using it to have a demo tape professionally produced to serve as an audio audition. Copies should be sent to multiple advertising agencies, talent brokers and production companies within one's target working area. As with most job applications, following up on a mailed resume' with a phone call or two may be necessary.

Building success in this field requires one to exercise patience with a fair amount of persistence. Though many of the ads on the national level are reserved for seasoned performers and celebrities, there are still plenty of opportunities available. Working at either the local or regional tiers can be a great way for the novice to gain valuable experience while learning the tricks of the trade, and could become quite lucrative as skills are honed.




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