Some time ago I received a piece of voice over advice that, once implemented, proved its worth: "Don't try to be all things to all people."
Yep, nice advice. There isn't a voice talent in the world that can give a client every single solitary style or delivery. Take it from yours truly. When I first started my voice over business, I tried being "all voices." Naturally, I thought the more I could offer people, the more business I might get. But that didn't work out as well as I thought it would. Why? Well for one, there isn't enough time in life to become an expert at all styles of delivery. Don't bother arguing -- there just isn't. Also (and this is the most obvious reason), it is simply impossible to alter your pipes enough for, let's say, a male with a deep voice to sound like a high-pitched female. Can't be done.
Pick one voice. Pick just one style you're comfortable with and stick with it. Practice it, nurture it, perfect your craft! If you attempt to blanket all possible styles, you might get to the point one day to be "OK" at those different types, but that's it. You'll never be an expert on all of them. Another common problem is that if you try to cover too many styles, you'll often find yourself accidentally "spilling over" from one style to another in the middle of a voice over project. Bad play. For example, have you ever done a high-energy spot, then turn around and do a low-energy spot only to find that you're still too quick or excited from the high-energy one? It happens a lot.
Take note that the truly successful voice over talents out there usually have one distinct style or sound that sets them apart from the rest. You wouldn't hear Don LaFontaine, the "movie guy" (R.I.P.) doing a funeral home spot and you wouldn't hear James Earl Jones doing a high-energy, hyped-up Toyota ad. Unless it's for comedy purposes, you usually don't hear female voice talents trying to do male voices or male voice talents trying to cover female voices. Also, you don't hear young voice actors (again, unless it's comedy) doing older male voices and you really won't hear older male voice talents trying to sound young. It just doesn't work.
The long-standing voice over professionals working today stick to one voice and only a few styles of delivery (if not just one). They've narrowed themselves down and they've focused their practice on just that one so they can be considered an "expert" at that one style. It's a lot easier and more productive to prefect your craft when you limit yourself to just one.
And don't be worried about a lack of or slow-down in business when you limit yourself. If you want to grow your business and offer more styles or voices, try bringing some other voice talents on board. Post their demos along with yours on your website and give them a fair cut from the fee the client gives you. Remember, there are more than enough gigs out there and if you focus on just your chosen style, you can become the expert in demand!
New York Voice Over has been providing quality voice over services for the great New York area for many years.
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