Cameron Thomas Voiceovers

So, we’ve been through many online meetings through Zoom, Skype, etc., and we’ve seen many folks on TV speaking from their homes. And I’m sure you’ve seen the varying quality with shaky video and garbled audio – this can be a BIG distraction right?

Now, I am not knocking everyone with general remote laptop setups – for the situation we’re in right now, we’re just trying to get by with what we have for now.

But – BUT – if you spend a lot of time in online meetings and plan to do so for the long haul, poor audio and video quality CAN BE A DISTRACTION TO YOUR VIEWERS and may interfere with your messaging.

But let’s say that you’re not ready to upgrade everything at once and just want to start small and piece things together slowly. That’s fine, but there is one you may want to start with – AUDIO!

Humans are more in tune with what we HEAR than what we SEE.

For example, a video that looks pretty good but with poor audio quality may not be as well received as …..

…..one with mediocre video but good sounding audio!

Having good audio may be LESS of a distraction to your viewers even if your video is not good.

So to avoid the risk of your viewers being distracted and losing their attention due to poor quality, you may want to consider upgrading your audio first.

Using an inexpensive dynamic or condenser microphone, say anywhere from $50-$150 and an external audio interface, $50 – $100, you can dramatically improve your audio from a garbled mess to clear, pleasant-sounding audio. This is more pleasing and receptive to your audience.

If you’re curious, I posted a video on my home studio setup for my voiceover recordings on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube pages, but if you’re interested in improving the viewing experience for your meetings and videos, and not sure where to start…..start with your audio.

CTV – Tried and True!

I hope folks have enjoyed my voice quotes this past year. I’m having a lot of fun highlighting the funny and inspiring quotes posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media pages and bringing them to life a little.  Ever since I started, I wanted to eventually start posting the video version of them.  After working through some technical issues and getting the studio set up, I have finally started posting CTVideoQuotes! I will try to post close to every day as my schedule allows. I’m also going to post topics other than quotes – I’ll explore the voiceover world a bit and offer tips and advice that I’ve gathered over the years.  Videos will be posted on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages but the archive will be housed on my Youtube page where you can also view some of my previous voiceover video work.

Click on over to my Youtube page here!

Enjoy!

Here is the August collection of daily CTV Voice Quotes!  I’ll continue to randomly select quotes from social media and put them to voice for you and post them on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!  Monthly archives can be found on the right-hand side of the page.

8-24-2019 – Carol

8-22-2019 – Mandi S.

8-21-2019 – Kelli

8-20-2019 – Suzie

8-19-2019 – Maegan

8-16-2019 – TJ

8-14-2019 – Kayla M.

8-13-2019 – Gael

8-12-2019 – Wendi

8-10-2019 – Tony

8-9-2019 – Andrew M.

8-8-2019 – Lisa

8-7-2019 – Heather Z.

8-6-2019 – Kaylea

8-5-2019 – Pam

8-3-2019 – Frank B.

8-2-2019 – Emily B.

8-1-2019 – Milford Town Page

July had some really great social media posts that I put to voice.  These are all posted on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.   Check them out below! Enjoy!

7-31-2019 – Milford Town Page

7-30-2019 – Rob B.

7-29-2019 – Milford Town Page

7-27-2019 – Josh J.

7-26-2019 – Steve St. L.

7-25-2019 – Donna D.

7-24-2019 – Linda P. and Paul

7-23-2019 – Jessica

7-22-2019 – Bill T.

7-21-2019 – Gail S. K. and Sara H.

7-19-2019 – Milford Town Page

7-18-2019 – Jim M.

7-17-2019 – Stacey A.

7-16-2019 – Jim M.

7-15-2019 – Ken J.

7-13-2019 – Angie C.

7-12-2019 – Yuki C.

7-10-2019 – Amy S.

7-9-2019 – Erin D.

7-8-2019 – Maegan, Shari, Ben, and Heather

During my weather/skiing broadcast days, creating the forecast was one thing, but bringing it to life through the microphone was an incredibly fun challenge, and that passion carried over into voiceover work.  I get a kick out of reading all of the funny and positive quotes on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  So I figured I would bring that same spirit to social media and create the audio version of what you see on Facebook and other sites!  I’m going to randomly select quotes and put them to voice for you!  I’ll post the voice versions of them here and on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!  Monthly archives can be found on the right-hand side of the page.

6-30-2019 – Congrats TJ!

6-29-2019 – Dave C.

6-28-2019 – Carol H.

6-27-2019 – Kim L.

6-26-2019 – Caryn C.

6-25-2019 – Cindy G.

6-24-2019 – Suzie

6-22-2019 – Jackie H.

6-21-2019 – Denise A.

6-20-2019 – Kimberly Anna

6-19-2019 – Trish S.

6-17-2019 – Ellen M.

6-16-2019 – Pete D.

6-15-2019 – Amherst Town Page

6-14-2019 – Paul G.

6-13-2019 – Milford Town Page

6-12-2019 – Steve S.

6-11-2019 – Dr. Jeff C.

6-10-2019 – Milford Town Page

6-9-2019 – Melissa H.

6-8-2019 – Denise

6-7-2019 – Paul L.

6-6-2019 – 75th Anniversary of D-Day

6-4-2019 – Erin M.

6-3-2019 – Patrick

6-2-2019 – Karla M.

During my weather/skiing broadcast days, creating the forecast was one thing, but bringing it to life through the microphone was an incredibly fun challenge, and that passion carried over into voiceover work.  I get a kick out of reading all of the funny and positive quotes on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  So I figured I would bring that same spirit to social media and create the audio version of what you see on Facebook and other sites!  I’m going to randomly select quotes and put them to voice for you!  I’ll post the voice versions of them here and on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!  Monthly archives can be found on the right-hand side of the page.

5-31-2019 – Maureen M.

5-30-2019 – Amber D.

5-29-2019 – Heather C.

5-28-2019 – Tzietel H.

5-27-2019

5-25-2019 – Christine N. & Milford Town Page

5-24-2019 (bonus) – Erin M.

5-24-2019 – Shanita W.

5-23-2019 – Raya

5-22-2019 – Gael

5-21-2019 – Jim C.

5-20-2019 – Amherst Town Page

 5-19-2019 – Cierra S.

5-18-2019 – Kathleen K.

5-17-2019 – TJ, Amanda, and Milford Town Page

5-16-2019 – Stephanie K. A.

5-15-2019 – Sue C.

5-14-2019 – Dave C.

5-13-2019 – Jenna C.

5-12-2019 – Andrea B.

5-11-2019 – Carol H.

5-10-2019 – Deb P.

5-9-2019 – Heather M.

5-8-2019 – Paula

5-7-2019 – Mary P.

5-6-2019 – Aimee L.

5-5-2019 – Heather Z.

5-4-2019 – Lisa C. G.

5-3-2019 – Becca L.

5-2-2019 – Donna D.

5-1-2019 – Nikki M.

I’ve been following the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) for over 25 years.  Just as in any sport, a lot more goes into “just throwing a ball” for example.  In NASCAR, there are many components and behind-the-scenes aspects go into a fast car. Teamwork, technical precision, engineering, data analysis, endurance, marketing, risk management, motivation, competition, and, of course, the sheer heart-pounding horsepower.  It’s a little more than just “cars going around in circles.”

But years ago while watching a race, I recall hearing the venerable Mark Martin (retired now) radio to his team, “you have a real good car here”.  “You” have a good car?! But, Mark, you’re the driver – don’t you have a good car?  I realized at that point, that to Mark, the sport wasn’t just about getting himself into victory lane, but getting the car into victory lane.  To him, he was just the driver. To him, the car represented his team and his sponsors. His job – the same as the tire changers and engine builders – was to get the team’s car into victory lane.

So what the heck does this have to do with voiceovers?

Well, one may think that just hearing our voice on the radio or TV is the end goal.  While the voice is one aspect to it, the goal is to get the client and their product or service across the finish line.  So, if we’re reading some words just because we have a decent voice, then we’re missing the point.

The client has a reason for their product or service, and it is my goal to help deliver that need to the consumer.  We’re reading stories, feelings, and emotions. Finding that backstory helps with the delivery and feel.  This is what connects the script to the audience and helps “drive” a marketing campaign. I constantly strive to find the message sweet spot which takes considerable thought beforehand.  And practice, too – that’s why I enjoyed posting daily CTVoiceQuotes – and now CTVideoQuotes – so that I can have fun with the nuances of funny and inspiring quotes on social media. (click here for my YouTube video archive)

We are also part of a group effort, including marketers, producers, directors, audio engineers, and accountants, to help the client win the trophy.  The work isn’t just reading the script.  Quality audio recording, editing, and delivery are needed.  Coordination with producers and clients on production is needed.  How well are you at receiving and understanding direction from clients and producers? Production changes need to be managed on tight deadlines and communication needs to be prompt and professional.

I consider it a privilege to have worked with many incredible clients, but approaching voiceover projects is not about me and just reading words.  I focus on the overall marketing effort, message, and team. It’s not about hearing myself, it’s about helping the client and our team to the checkered flag.

During my weather/skiing broadcast days, creating the forecast was one thing, but bringing it to life through the microphone was an incredibly fun challenge, and that passion carried over into voiceover work.  I get a kick out of reading all of the funny and positive quotes on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  So I figured I would bring that same spirit to social media and create the audio version of what you see on Facebook and other sites!  I’m going to randomly select quotes and put them to voice for you!  I’ll post the voice versions of them here and on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!  Monthly archives can be found on the right-hand side of the page.

4-30-2019 – Gary K.

4-29-2019 – Cindy G.

4-27-2019 – Paul C.

4-26-2019 – Renee S.

4-25-2019 – Sara H.

4-24-2019 – BRUINS!!!!

4-23-2019 – Melissa H.

4-22-2019 – Will Z.

4-21-2019 – Paul

4-20-2019 – Josh

4-19-2019 – Bruce

4-18-2019 – Jen K.

4-17-2019 – Jen W.

4-16-2019 – Jan

4-15-2019 – Milford Town Page

4-12-2019 – Tough Ruck Shout Out

4-10-2019 – Pete

4-9-2019 – Jordyn

4-8-2019 – Jenny

4-7-2019 – Kathleen

4-6-2019 – Jenn

4-5-2019 – Milford, NH Town Page

4-4-2019 – Nicole

4-3-2019 – April

4-1-2019 – Milford Town Page

4-1-2019 – Yuki

During my weather/skiing broadcast days, creating the forecast was one thing, but bringing it to life through the microphone was an incredibly fun challenge, and that passion carried over into voiceover work.  I get a kick out of reading all of the funny and positive quotes on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  So I figured I would bring that same spirit to social media and create the audio version of what you see on Facebook and other sites!  I’m going to randomly select quotes and put them to voice for you!  I’ll post the voice versions of them here and on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!  Monthly archives can be found on the right-hand side of the page.

3-31-2019 – Kim

3-30-2019 – Robyn

3-29-2019 – Chuck

3-28-2019 – Greg

3-27-2019 – Wendy

3-26-2019 – Paul

3-25-2019 – Tracy

3-24-2019 – Yuki

3-23-2019 – Dave

3-22-2019 – Shell

3-21-2019 – Moe

3-20-2019 – Steve

3-19-2019 – Crystal

3-18-2019 – Donna

3-17-2019 – Jenn

3-16-2019 – Michelle

3-15-2019 – Allison

3-13-2019 – Kaley

3-12-2019 – Josh

3-11-2019 – Jackie

3-10-2019 – Jewelie

3-8-2019 – BLOOPER REEL!!!- From my ski reporting days

3-7-2019

3-6-2019 – Autumn

3-5-2019 – Steve Irwin

3-4-2019 – Jenny

3-3-2019 – Patrick

3-2-2019 – Gail

3-1-2019 – Trish

During my weather/skiing broadcast days, creating the forecast was one thing, but bringing it to life through the microphone was an incredibly fun challenge, and that passion carried over into voiceover work.  I get a kick out of reading all of the funny and positive quotes on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  So I figured I would bring that same spirit to social media and create the audio version of what you see on Facebook and other sites!  I’m going to randomly select quotes and put them to voice for you!  I’ll post the voice versions of them here and on my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.  Maybe I’ll read one of yours!  Enjoy!

2-28-2019 – Karyn

2-27-2019 – Scott Davidson – LinkedIn

2-26-2019 – Maegen – Facebook

2-25-2019 – Elizabeth Jean – Facebook

2-24-2019 – Angie – Facebook

2-23-2019 – Maurice – Facebook

2-22-2019 – Carol – Facebook

2-21-2019 – Paul – Facebook

2-20-2019 – Amanda – Facebook

2-19-2019 – Snoopy – Facebook