When I tell people that I’m a Voice Artist, I get various reactions. One of the most common is incredulity: “Voiceover – what, is that actually a job? It’s just talking, isn’t it?”. Which is, of course, true to a degree. We talk over stuff. That’s the nature of the job. 

And because talking is something most of us do every day, it seems an easy kind of job. We read bedtime stories to our kids, we relate funny posts to our partners, we stand up in meetings and explain stuff… We talk out loud in a myriad of ways.

But it’s an interesting reaction. There are many things we do daily that seem straightforward – running for a bus, writing emails or driving cars. But we don’t imagine that we’re all professional athletes, successful novelists or Formula One drivers. 

Take cooking. We all have to rustle up a meal once in a while. At one end of the scale, there’s scrambled eggs on toast (which is a small step up from a pot noodle). At the other end, there’s that tricky Ottolenghi recipe that you might try to whip up on a free weekend. But there are times when home cooking isn’t enough. So we head to a restaurant and get the experts to cook up something super-special. And where we head is different, depending on the occasion. We may want a family meal with toddlers in tow or we could be treating the teenagers. Are we planning a romantic night out – perhaps even a proposal? Is it a quick pizza, a big birthday bash with our mates or an elegant, extravagant work do? It might be something major – a wedding or birthday with a zero in the number. In which case, time to get the caterers in for the ultimate celebratory menu. So yes, we can cook but we’re not really chefs (unless you are a chef – in which case, go you!).

Well, that’s pretty much like Voiceover. When the stakes are high, you need to bring in the professionals. If you want to advertise your business, sell your ice cream or explain how your dishwasher works – you need an experienced Voice. One that talks directly to the right people. A Voice that connects and keeps people engaged will have a real impact. 

Voiceover Artists are booked to sound exactly right for a particular company, product or book. Or whatever it is that needs a Voice. People don’t just hire someone who can read out loud (well, sometimes they do but that’s a different post!) – they’re looking for someone who encapsulates their brand. A Voice that sounds absolutely right for John Lewis or Moonpig.com or a particular brand of cider.