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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

When I mention that I do voiceover work, a very common question follows….”How did you get into voiceovers?” Well, it just so happened to be…weather. Yup, weather. Let me explain.

Years back when I served in the Air Force, I worked first as an aircraft maintainer, but then later as a weather forecaster. I provided base weather forecasts and provided weather briefings to commanding officers, flight crews, and even the Thunderbirds. It just so happened that all of these briefings and presentations were the building blocks for a broadcasting career.

When I got out of the military, we moved to my home state of New Hampshire and started the job hunt. It just so happened that I saw a newspaper article about local weather forecasting outfit that provided radio station weather forecasts. Later that week, my wife and I were having breakfast at local diner talking about jobs, and I thought about checking into that weather company. So, I decided to give them a call.

It just so happened that we were the ones in the diner, so I asked to use the phone (the corded kind) and found myself — in the middle of a diner — speaking with the business owner. When speaking with anyone in the broadcast industry, they are evaluating your voice, so any phone call is essentially an interview, whether you’re ready for it, or sitting in front of a plate of bacon and eggs. He invited me for a visit.

It just so happened that I was hired as a radio broadcast meteorologist. Oddly enough, I had no formal communication training. I just had to get used to speaking into a microphone and then listening to myself real quick.  And I had to get used to listening to myself.  Not many people like hearing themselves. But you need to get over that real quick so that you can catch any voice or audio flaws, gauge energy levels, and learn how to stretch your voice to find new vocal ranges. I recorded well over 100 radio station forecasts daily – this equated to speaking non-stop between 1 – 1.5 hours…a day. And that’s AFTER the time spent analyzing weather charts to produce the dozen or so regional forecasts. Yes, those were our own forecasts – no rip and read forecasts from weather sites. The rapid-fire recording experience continued to shape my broadcast career.

After a while, I ended up moved away from the weather forecasting biz. Before doing so, it just so happened that a broadcast friend of mine mentioned that he did voiceovers on the side. Hmm…interesting. And that’s when I got started into voiceovers.

You may be asking yourself how you might get started. It most certainly doesn’t have to start with being a weather forecaster! It just so happened that these were the events in my life leading up to it. Perhaps you have some acting experience or enjoyed the drama club in back in high school. For some of my friends, it started with the daily announcements back then! Maybe you’re experienced in public speaking. Maybe you don’t have any experience at all and are just a natural at it. Everyone’s path to voiceovers is different but it does take considerable practice and effort – in many different areas too. I’ll talk about the next steps diving into a voiceover career in another blog.