Vox Daily

With unfamiliar voice-overs!

Greetings on New Years Eve!

AT&T and SBC Communications Inc. just merged, and they're celebrating by launching a multi-million dollar advertising campaign in New York's Times Square, kicking it off tonight with an 'unfamiliar voice'.

Tommy Lee Jones, a well known celebrity who provided voice-overs for the company's most recent ad campaign, was passed over for a voice of the people.

AT&T wanted to change their current voice-over image to better serve all of their customers, whether large companies or startups, and that meant dropping their celebrity voice-overs. Their new voice talent has a "smoother, non-celebrity voice free of Jones' Texas drawl."

Sources say that most of the new spots will feature the slogan "Your World. Delivered." The phrase, officials said, lets both businesses and residential customers know that the company can deliver services tailored to meet their needs and that it will deliver on its promises.

"We didn't really want to go with a star," Roy Spence, president of the ad firm overseeing the campaign said, adding that the company wanted to emphasize its ability to serve customers' needs, no matter how small.

This proves that professional voice talent will always be in demand.

Have a safe and happy New Year,

Stephanie

The cage match!

Hi there,

When podcasting first came on the scene, there was a flurry of speculation concerning the future of radio and if podcasting would remain as a viable method of consuming audio content.

Critics were torn. Some said that podcasting would mean the death of radio, while others thought that podcasting would drop of the face of the Earth. A while ago in an interview, someone asked me what I thought about this subject. My answer to their question was that podcasting would not disappear and radio would have to adapt in order to compete with the new medium and its extraordinarily diverse content and time-shifting convenience for listeners.

It's now the end of 2005 and at least 4 months have gone by since that interview was conducted. What do you think? From my vantage point, podcasting has grown, has gained acceptance, and continues marching toward the critical adoption of the majority as a medium that can be relied upon for accessibility, variety, and most importantly, on demand podcast consumption. Mind you, Radio is catching up by podcasting some of their programs for free and an assortment of TV shows can be purchased in the iTunes store for a dollar a piece...

Maybe one day, the new debate will be "Podcasting or Broadcasting?" Currently, we're still working out as a people whether we would rather drink "Coke or Pepsi" and use a "Mac or PC", but this debate will start simmering and perhaps already has in some workplaces and water holes. I know that many of the podcasts that I currently subscribe to only have an online presence, and that being said, I wouldn't want to give them up, especially since they are so portable... Pop your MP3 player into your computer, update the playlist, and off you go, favorite programs that are enjoyable and available on demand.

There are some places though that listening to podcasts on an MP3 player with head phones on is either dangerous or downright rude (the same could be said for any device that employs head phones or your full attention, i.e. cell phones, hand held games, portable radios, etc.).

For instance, using head phones (most MP3 players need these in order to hear the audio properly) while operating a vehicle of any kind may have severe implications and cause undue harm to others or even death should an accident occur. Our friend the radio gets some points here. You can turn a radio down and it also doesn't inhibit your ability to hear sirens or distract nearly as much. Unless you've burned a CD of your podcasts or have a lap top computer as your riding companion, the likelihood that you are using head phones is very high. Other places to avoid using this solo technology, or a personal radio for that matter, include schools, churches, and at the homes of other people.

So far as I know, an iPod can't wake you up yet like a clock radio, so another point goes to the broadcast medium.

On the other hand, I've heard feedback that TV viewers are getting their podcast fixes using TiVo, an aid used to clear out commercials and program your own television viewing schedule. Another innovation to note is the flat screen, supersized computers that are starting to take the place of popular television sets. I've comfortably watched DVDs on a G5, but these new giants from Apple have an even higher definition and a more convincing Living Room appeal.

Let's check in on this in a few months and see where we're at.

Cheers,

Stephanie

A brainstorm about voice-over markets

Hi there,

I was just taking a look at our website and was inspired to write about the many applications for voice-overs. It's not hard to think of ways to use voice-over once you start to brainstorm a bit (well, this is off the cuff for me!). While you're reading, check to see how many of these voice-over goodies you are using.

Broadcast Voice-Overs

One of the most integrated and comfortable avenues for voice-overs to engage us is in the broadcast medium. Whether it's a DJ preparing us for the next uninterrupted set of music or a cartoon character's voice bellowing on a Saturday morning, broadcast voice-overs have definitely asserted their position and power where popular voice-over domination is concerned. It almost goes without saying, but these voice-overs are nearly always recorded by professional voice talent and voice actors. Broadcast includes commercials, imaging and station identification, promos, advisories, news anchors, DJs, character voices, narration, telephone, and more.

Podcast Voice-Overs

Another area that is developing quickly is the podcasting medium. Close to broadcasting, podcasting is a relatively inexpensive and widely accessible medium that can build communities of like minded people and can also be produced by anyone with a microphone and recording software. Although podcasts are for the most part dominated by amateurs and aficionados, the corporate world is taking hold of podcasting and have set a new precedent for others in their path: the professionally produced podcast. These podcasts use real voice talent and include solid production elements such as music, sound effects, and imaging.

Narration Voice-Overs

Narration is one of the most under-rated and useful voice-over tools. The diversity of the narration field is exceptional! You could hire a narrator to record documentary voice-overs, broadcast segments and shows, audio books, business presentations including Powerpoint and sales videos, training videos, narrations for kiosks, eLearning modules, Internet applications, audio tutorials, film voice-overs... you name it. If it needs a narrator, it needs voice-over narration :)

Telephone Voice-Overs

The list of telephone voice-over applications is nearly endless. If we start from the beginning, usually an auto attendant is the first voice (and representative of the company) that the customer will come into contact with. Talk about making a first good impression! After the auto attendant, we meet the Interactive Voice Response, or the IVR for short. The IVR often provides the 'next steps' for a caller, whether it be connecting directly with someone at the company or pressing a button for further options. Transferring... Oh, what's this? The customer is not left in silence, but has an audio companion for the duration of their time spent on hold, promoting products, services, or sharing courtesy messages. Finally, if the caller does not successfully get through to a live person, they are directed to a voicemail system and can leave a message for the company or party that they were trying to reach.

On another note, there are also voice broadcasts delivered by telephone. These can include promotional, service notifications, greetings, and confirmation messages from companies. Don't forget the voices that are in your own voicemail system that give you options to check your mail, save, delete, or record your telephone greeting. This is one of the biggest markets for voice-overs because everyone has a phone and a need to serve their customers in this way.

Talking Toys, Video, and Computer Games

Enter character voices. This is where the voice actor truly shines and is given a plethora of challenges including voicing multiple diverse characters, bending the limits of their voice, and digging deep to create unique and authentic voices that will resonate with their audiences on a large scale. Did you know that there are actually adult voice talent that specialize in crying like a 3 week old baby? From interactive DVD board games to learning aids for kids, the voice actor reigns supreme when it comes to character voice-overs.

These voice-overs are also some of the most memorable. Think back to your favorite cartoon or animated character in a commercial. Who can forget the jovial "Ho Ho Ho" of the Green Giant or the infamous talents of Yogi the Bear?

* This is also one of the most competitive fields of voice-over because of the caliber of talent performing and the prestige of the characters that they portray.

How many of these can you fit into your pic-a-nic basket? If you're a voice talent and haven't tried out some of the voice-over applications in this blog post, you may be on to something new and exciting to add to your career. If you are a business and have considered branding your company with voice-over to round out your marketing strategy, I hope you've found some great ideas here.

Best wishes,

Stephanie

Update so far

Greetings,

Our voice over blog is really taking off! We'd like to send out a quick thank you to our readers for your interest and support.

While I'm here, I'd like to talk about the purpose of a blog. A blog, an online journal or diary, allows the blogger (the writer), to express their sentiments and share ideas with a greater audience. Readers can leave comments for the blogger to participate and give feedback about articles or the commentary that they have read while at the blog.

The IV Blog is all about voice-overs and the voice-over industry from the perspective of InteractiveVoices, the voice-over marketplace. We all love to contribute to the company blog, putting our two cents in, and in turn, generating excitement and community amongst our readers.

Until tomorrow,

Stephanie

Check out what we've been up to this year!

Greetings,

Well, we've made it through another year of innovation and expansion! As is the custom, we'd like to share our InteractiveVoices.com 2005 "Year in Review" with you.

10. Interactive Voices Goes Podcasting In The Apple iTunes Podcast Directory

Earlier this year, we introduced the voice-over industry to podcasting and submitted the IV Podcast to the Apple iTunes Music Directory. The IV Podcast communicates directly to voice talents and clients, shares the Interactive Voices vision, and fosters growth in voice-over businesses worldwide.

9. VoiceOverTimes.com Chat Site Launched For Voice-Over Professionals

Our VoiceOverTimes site, a voice-over discussion forum, sent an official invitation to voice actors and voice talents to join without cost, providing opportunities to share, interact, and learn from one another in a friendly online environment. VoiceOverTimes.com is an open community for professional and beginner voice over talents to share knowledge and voice-over experiences with each other.

8. Telephone Voice-Over Boom

With a record number of telephony projects posted at the site, it was obvious that voices for telephone greetings, IVRs, on-hold marketing, and voicemail were needed to relay business messages while customers call into their phone systems.

7. Voice-Over Talent Knowledge Base Created at InteractiveVoices.com

We wanted to make our site as comprehensive as possible... What better way to do this than create a new and exhaustive FAQ database? Talents and clients looking for answers to frequently asked questions about the voice-over industry now have their own database to search through when inspiration, curiosity, or confusion strikes.

6. Voice-Over Script Collection, 1st & 2nd Editions, Released at InteractiveVoices.com

After a significant number of requests from voice talent for demo-worthy scripts to record, we thought we'd roll up our sleeves and get down to business writing a Voice-Over Script Collection including Commercial, Telephony, Narration, and Imaging scripts. These scripts (more than 50 original scripts and over 70 scripts all together) are perfect for voice-over talents looking to record or update their voice-over demo. Happily, the scripts are also organized by genre and subcategorized chronologically within each section.

Voice-Over eBook For Successful Voice Talent Careers Online

In March '05 (seems so long ago!), we released our 92 page voice-over eBook "The Definitive Guide to Voice-Over Success", designed to help professional voice-over talent conduct their voice-over businesses online. What a magnificent undertaking! Keep your eyes out for the 2nd Edition...

5. InteractiveVoices.com: A Meeting Place for Hiring Voiceover Talents, gained press in MSNBC, CBS MarketWatch, Dow Jones, Yahoo! Finance and Google News

Sometimes it's difficult to define all of the nuances of our business, but this time, I think we hit the nail on the head. We're a cross between social networking and recruiting that enables buyers such as radio and television stations, ad agencies and corporate marketing departments to search for and hire professional voiceover talents for their voice-over jobs. Eureka :)

4. The Podcasting Ebook, the Complete Guide to Podcasting

This summer was a busy podcasting development time for us. In September, ThePodcastingEbook.com, a division of InteractiveVoices.com was launched and made available to the public and podcasters alike. Aspiring podcasters will learn the ropes of podcasting quickly and easily, and even start making money from their podcasts within days. Main features include how to create, record, publish and promote a podcast. Readers have also liked finding little nuggets of information such as valuable product reviews, podcast directories, and tools to help them evaluate and improve their podcast.

3. Voice-Over Marketplace Interactive Voices Winner of New Voices DigiFest 2005

An exciting couple of days in Toronto let us know that we had made it in a big way at the Design Exchange. Our company was a New Voices winner at DigiFest 2005, an award recognizing Interactive Voices as an industry leader who provides digital media products and innovations that contribute to Canada’s economic and cultural future. What an absolute honour.

2. Podcasting more than the word of the year at InteractiveVoices

As I said before, we've had a busy podcasting year at InteractiveVoices. When we heard that the term podcasting had been integrated into general language and conversation and heralded as the word of the year by the Oxford Dictionary, we were tickled pink, not to mention thrilled. Clients actively use our site to easily find voice talent to record intros, bumpers, sweepers, and even host their business podcasts.

1. InteractiveVoices launches the fifth generation of it's web service

94% of Clients Agree: InteractiveVoices.com is the #1 site for Hiring Voice Over Talents

InteractiveVoices.com, the voice over marketplace, is the top ranked website for advertising agencies who need to search for, audition, and hire professional voice over talents. Agencies receive custom demos of their scripts and use tools that make their voice casting experiences easy, efficient, and cost-effective. A little direct marketing (and following up) goes a long way.

Okay, we're done! Those are some of the most notable achievements that we've been blessed with this past year as a company.

Have a Happy New Year with more exciting developments from IV coming your way in 2006!

Stephanie

Talking websites are all the rage!

Greetings,

We recently received a job posting for a company using a SitePal on their website. These jobs are usually exciting because not only can the voice-over content vary from company to company, but the SitePals themselves are also quite diverse.

Similar to "talking heads", the animated SitePal, paired with a professional voice-over, is able to convey the website owner's message to customers and prospects visiting the website.

Here's how SitePal describes their service to visitors that click on the "What is SitePal" tab:

"SitePal is an Internet-based subscription service that allows you to create a wide-array of animated speaking characters, which can be added to your website for a variety of professional and personal applications. SitePal provides a rich, easy-to-use to interface that makes the process of designing, managing and publishing your characters a breeze! Absolutely no programming knowledge is required to use SitePal. However, SitePal does interface with various programming languages for those who are technically inclined."

As I mentioned above, one of the best features is their diversity, including all ethnicities, social groups, ages, and of course, both the male and female genders. When a voice talent is hired for the job of voicing for a SitePal, their voice-over can be influenced by the SitePal's hair style, clothing, and even their very being - I've seen a leprechaun there, so the possibilities are endless! There's a SitePal for every company, and certainly, a voice talent for every SitePal.

Happy Boxing Day,

Stephanie

Some Yuletide Cheer :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This post is in honour of the birth of the Christ Child. Before we run off to church (and family turkey dinners) we wanted to share our wishes with you for a safe and blessed Christmas.

That's all (yes, a short post today!)

God bless,

Stephanie and David

A joint university study yields interesting results.

Greetings on Christmas Eve!

Have you found yourself innocently watching television only to be bombarded by famous voices sending you messages that may or may not agree with their perceived "image"? Celebrities have been known to endorse products or services by means of voice-overs, sometimes coupled with on-camera acting. While celebrities have notoriety and influence, their reputations from their acting careers or choices made in the public eye may also carry certain connotations or excess baggage that is not intended to coincide with the advertiser's marketing pitch.

Research by the University of Washington and Rice University suggest TV commercials featuring unfamiliar voice-overs are the most effective.

The study determined that when consumers didn't recognize the voice actor, they were more likely to listen to the message without judging the voice actor or their background.

When audiences heard famous actors performing voice-overs in commercials, their opinions of the product were based upon whether they liked the celebrities or disliked them. For example, viewers who liked David Duchovny responded more favorably to brands paired with his voice than did viewers who disliked him. Simply put, if the listener liked David Duchovny already, they also liked the product that his voice was promoting just because it was endorsed by him.

Let's look at the flipside. By hiring unknown or professional voice talents, companies can walk away with voice-overs that will sell and brand effectively without pre-formulated connotations and a Hollywood price tag. Think of it as the "anonymous voice-over security" that celebrity voices actors are unable to provide by virtue of their high-profile careers.

Consumers easily identify with the guy-next-door type or the mom-who-does-it-all character. This strategy works because individuals can immediately determine if the character is trustworthy.

The bottom line for advertisers: When casting a voice actor, ask yourself "Do they sound real?" It is great to work with a celebrity if they are right for the part, but it isn't advised to cast just anyone because they are a celebrity. Connect with your audience by working with real people -- professional voice actors who will positively convey your message to influence a mass market.

Have a Merry Christmas,

David

Recipe for marketing success.

Happy Friday!

The good folks at Gartner Research have come out with their list of tools that retailers should be taking advantage of in the New Year, one of which is, you guessed it.... Podcasting!

This may not be news to us audio geeks, but it IS helpful and encouraging to see that a research company with the authority of Gartner has come forward with a new recipe for retail success that includes our beloved podcasting medium.

Rounding out their list were other online tools such as blogs, RSS, Short Message Service (cell phone messages), VoIP, data sharing co-ops, and highly targeted paid search endeavors. The Blog is a convenient and accessible way to communicate online, which you are living proof of because we're talking to each other in a way right now, online.

The main message from Gartner was that we have to embrace and trust these new mediums in order for them to thrive, communicate their objectives, and assert themselves in our daily lives. One of the easiest of these tools to welcome into our homes and into the workplace is podcasting. Not only has Apple made podcasting mainstream through their iTunes Music Store, but recording podcasts becomes easier everyday with new recording software and distribution services.

Friends, this is where you can play an instrumental role in all of this. You are voice-over talents or keen supporters of voice-over services. It is our responsibility to preach this new medium to our families, friends, and co-workers. Have you ever been visiting with someone and discovered that they had not yet subscribed to a podcast or that you had to explain what one was?

This happened to me a couple of weekends ago at a family Christmas gathering. I introduced a couple of relatives to the iTunes store and got them hooked on The Secrets of Narnia, a podcast produced and hosted by Father Roderick in The Netherlands. Once they saw how easy it was to 'subscribe', they started finding more podcasts that intrigued them, and they're probably still at it two weeks later. I know that there are over 30 podcast subscriptions on my iTunes player.

We must work together to build a foundation of trust and acceptance for podcasting. Most people that are converted to podcasting as a new medium for entertainment and education are referred by a friend or family member, usually while in front of their computer for a hands-on experience with an informed guide close by to answer any questions that they might have.

For anyone interested in podcasting, we have an entire section of our website devoted to the how-tos, various audio samples of podcasts from talent at InteractiveVoices, and a Podcasting eBook that comes with a bounty of bonuses, one of which includes 10 fully produced podcast episode numbers, ready to add to any podcast.

Here's to a new year that gently integrates these extraordinary technological fruits!

Stephanie

Special page full of Christmas Cheer!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Season's Greetings!

It's almost the end of the work week (and only a few days before Christmas!), so I thought I would send our warmest wishes to all of you before the office takes a well deserved break during this most sacred and wondrous time of year.

A couple of days ago, we sent out our holiday wishes via email to all of our members. We took time to reflect on the past year, new innovations, getting to know you, and all of the blessings bestowed upon our company and families in 2005. There are more perks, features, and enhancements just around the corner for both our clients and voice-over talents. Keeping with the old adage that 'Good things come to those who wait', we'll keep the New Years surprises under wraps for now!

I would like to direct your attention to a special page on our site that is dedicated to Christmas voice-overs. This is great fun for anyone who is interested in hearing some holiday cheer, but is also a good resource for talents looking to record a Christmas / Seasonal voice-over demo for next year.

Take a minute or two to listen to some Christmas Voice-Over Demos at InteractiveVoices.com

The entire team at InteractiveVoices wishes you a heartwarming, restful and blessed Christmas followed by a Joyous 2006.

Stephanie & the InteractiveVoices.com Team

Sample script included!

Hi there,

One of the most exciting aspects of this blog is that we can introduce topics and write about them exclusively in a new medium! Today, I'd like to chat with you about recording a voice-over demo.

This may seem like old hat to some of you, but for aspiring talent, it's one of the most significant hurdles to getting started as a voice-over talent. Questions arise such as "how do I record a demo", "where can I record a demo", "do I need any special equipment?", "where can I find scripts to record from?", and "how much money does it cost to record at a studio?"... the list can be endless when an inquiring mind wants to know!

I'm going to try my best to elaborate on the questions above. Firstly, we have a How to Make a Voice-Over Demo Guide at InteractiveVoices.com. This will explain all of the nitty gritty when it comes to taking a crack at recording your first voice-over demo. Not only is there technical advice, but also a section that provides the most common demos that clients want to listen to. Primarily, these include the Commercial, Narration, and Telephone demos.

Suitably answering the "where" and "how" questions heavily depends on the resources that you have available, particularly financially and technologically. If you have a modest home studio setup and can record quality audio on your PC, the option to do so from home or at a friend's house is easily realized.

However, if you have a budget set aside for voice-over demo recording and want to make sure that a professional recording engineer is at the reins, I would strongly suggest that a visit to your local recording studio is a high priority on your list. In exchange for loyalty (as in using their studio to record every time you land a voice-over job), the studio may be willing to embark in a new relationship with you that may include discounts - if you are fortunate enough to go down this path, be sure to get the agreement in writing.

* Always make sure that you approach at least 3 studios when looking for quotes. That way you can compare prices and move ahead with the best studio for you.

Okay, so you've got the setup in mind, but you are missing.... egad, SCRIPTS! Don't panic, we can help you out with this. As you may know (and you probably do know if you know me :) ), I'm the copy writer at InteractiveVoices. One of the benefits to you at InteractiveVoices is access to a variety of royalty-free scripts penned by yours truly, either by using the sample scripts in the Resources section, or, if you want some extra mileage, "The Voice-Over Script Collection" (over 50 original scripts and an assortment of public domain works - over 70 scripts all together) can be easily purchased at our website or over the telephone. It's a really good investment if you are looking for Commercial, Imaging, Telephone and Narration scripts.

One of the ideas that I had recently, kind of a eureka moment (don't you just love those?), was to release a new script here and there on this blog for you to try out. A couple of months ago, we re-released the script collection which was revamped, rebranded and stocked with 25 new commercial voice-overs including scripts pertaining to Real Estate, Finance, Travel, Christian (religious), Events, and more. The overhaul was well worth the time and brain power :)

While we're on the topic, I'd like to get the ball rolling with one of the new scripts from the collection. This is from the Commercials section (Travel):

Looking for a reason to go to Holland in 2006? What better reason to go than to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt’s birth? As Holland’s greatest 17th-century painter, it is only fitting to dedicate the entire year to the Dutch Master of shadows and light. Throughout 2006, spectacular exhibitions and events will be staged in various cities in Holland. Experience Rembrandt’s Leiden, The Hague and Amsterdam… Join Holland in a toast to Rembrandt’s 400th birthday! Book your flight at a discounted rate ahead of time for 2006. See you soon / Gelukkige verjaardag (Happy Birthday – optional)

Gender: Male or Female
Length: 30
Target Demographic: Rembrandt lovers, Dutch émigrés, art lovers
Character / Narrator Description: Cultured Ambassador
Vocal Direction: Slight Dutch accent (optional), happy, proud, knowledge of Dutch language an asset
Suggested Music: Dutch, polka, folk
Suggestion Sound Effects: canal sounds (water), clog dancing (wooden shoes)

If you have any ideas about what you would like to see discussed on this blog or if you have any feedback, please let me know ~ I'm all ears!

Stephanie

Tod Maffin is the coolest podcasting / radio guy in Canada!

Greetings,

On Tuesday December 13th, we had the opportunity to attend the Great Canadian Podcasters Meetup in Toronto, Canada. There were podcasters, producers, radio, television personalities, and more, all looking to build a solid community during the early adoption phase of podcasting into the mainstream Canadian culture.

Independent audio podcasters and video podcasters were present, many of whom were quite colourful and came prepared with business cards. Round table discussions with Tod Maffin of the CBC and fellow Canadian podcasting movers and shakers, impromptu interviews, and jovial hand shaking set the tone for an evening of social networking at Casey's Restaurant.

It was interesting to note that many of the podcasting folk knew who we were and some were even hoping to snag us for a chat at the meetup. I would have to say that one of the most memorable moments for me was meeting one of our voice talents, Ryan Wiseman. Because we run our business online (and are also based out of London, ON - not a large metropolitan centre like Toronto), it's difficult for us to meet the majority of our talents and clients. After visiting Toronto, our appetites have be whetted to return to the metropolis to experience, meet and greet more of our talents and business partners.

One week has passed since that meetup, but the memories and contacts made at the gathering are still fresh in our minds (and in our email boxes / iTunes!).

Oh, one more thing... Don't forget to checkout the CBC radio podcasts at the CBC website! http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting

* If you haven't already, subscribe to the InteractiveVoices Podcast in the Apple iTunes Music Store (it's free, no strings attached!)

Bye for now,

Stephanie