DJs-Turned-VO Talent

Most DJs and radio performers have an extensive amount of exposure to VO and it only takes one client to pay you for your voice before you realize, "Hey, I can make some extra money." So, what does it really take to go from a radio career to a VO career?

The first thing you need to realize is that voiceovers for local radio and professional VO are very different. Since most radio voiceovers are provided as a free service, the standards tend to be lower. It's unlikely that your radio company hired a professional coach to train you in the ways of voice acting. You were probably left to your own devices to figure out what to do.

As a result, radio does have a sound all its own. The proverbial "radio voice" is alive and well, although not looked upon highly in most entertainment industry circles. Almost daily we hear voiceover clients say, "I don't want a typical radio announcer or someone who sounds like a DJ."

Professional voiceover talents are actors. They are masters at reaching their audience, no matter who the audience is comprised of. Radio folks, for the most part, are taught to announce. Yes, radio talent knows how to appeal to the lifestyles of their listeners; but can you appeal to ALL formats? If you have been a Top 40 jock for 10 years, can you suddenly be a genuine voice of interest to, oh, let's say a Gospel station's audience?

Gaining entry into the voice-acting industry starts with acting. Take some acting classes and get involved in local theater and improv performances. Seeing how physical performance can help and affect your voice is a very positive experience.

Also, there are three things you will likely have to start doing on mic from now on.

* Read slower.
Scripts from high-end clients are usually more comfortably paced than the average radio read. Your instincts will likely be to motor-mouth every script you encounter. There's no fire, so slow down.

* Be conversational.
Pro VO requires a natural, relaxed delivery. Not the hyper, over-sold style of most radio ads. Less is more; you don't need to sell so hard.

* Be you.
Your voice IS good enough. You don't need to put on a phony or perfect voice. VO talent are raw and real ... you must find your natural voice.

Retraining your performance may take time. Most radio folks will train for up to two years in order to "beat the radio out of their read." To further this process along, you will also need to become very critical of your own voice again. Much as you did when you first started in radio. You'll also need to find new role models. Forget about other local radio talent. Start becoming familiar with the million-dollar players in the voiceover industry. Study and emulate their performances. Strive not necessarily to be like them, but to understand their techniques.

An ego check will be in order, too. You're going to be the new kid on the block. Your radio days have prepped you for much of this industry, but you may have a lot more to learn. You need to be humble in order to grow. You may have been at the top of your game in radio, but you might come to find (that for a little while) you're going to be at the bottom in voiceovers.

When you think you are ready, you'll need to have a professional demo made. It will likely be very different than what you're used to in radio. Learn the ropes of professional demos - the do's and don'ts - there are many of both. A professional demo has many standards you must follow - including that you never write your own copy or produce your own demo. If you mistakenly market a Radio VO demo, you'll only attract low paying radio-type clients.

Can you find success in voiceovers? Most definitely. It will require proper planning and training. You don't want to make rookie mistakes that will give you away as a radio talent-turned-voiceover wannabe. Instead you want to be a professional voiceover talent who used to be (or also has a career) in radio.