photo credit: re_birf

How do you write good copy for voice over?

Writing for the spoken word can be dramatically different than composing a piece that is meant to be read.  Take a magazine article or newspaper and read it out loud and you will quickly see what I mean.  You have to think about the context, the target audience, the speaker’s point of view… and on and on.  A lot goes into good VO copy.

I referenced good copy in my article “How to Hire A Voice Over” to some extent with the intention of addressing copy later in a separate post.  Digital Newsgathering has beaten me to the punch with a great  piece called “Say What? Best Practices for Writing Voice Over Copy” that you should read before sending that script off for the VO.

Its all good stuff but pay particular attention to the section on timing.  It can be very hard to condense your message into 30 seconds and keep the pacing at a good speed but it’s critcal to having a great voiceover read.

It is also good practice to read your script out loud after you have written it.  You’ll find things that may seem clear on paper but don’t translate well in speech.  We also tend to write rather formally and your VO may call for a more informal approach.  For example I might write  “We are all going to the store”.  However you might not say we are in casual conversation, you might say we’re.  It’s those little details that can really bring out the character and enhance your message in great copy.

In addition to being a professional voice actor Brian Hart also offers copywriting consults and services.

Brian Hart is the owner of Hart Voice Overs.  Brian has been recording voiceovers for broadcast and multimedia applications for over 17 years.  In addition Brian offers post production and copywriting services.

Brian has worked at a variety of radio stations since 1992.  Brian started out as a part time disc jockey on a radio station in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and quickly moved up to full time work as employers recognized his work ethic and natural talent.  Over the course of his broadcasting career Brian has worked as program director, operations manager, and production director at a variety of radio stations and broadcast groups from Alabama to North Carolina.

In 2004 Brian started Brian Hart Productions with an emphasis on producing radio station imaging for small to medium sized markets.  As Brian Hart Productions grew, Brian realized there was a growing need for voice over services in a wide range of areas outside of the broadcast industry.  Brian has built Hart Voice Overs with that in mind, serving a wider base of clients and delivering a broader range of voiceover demands.

Now Brian works full time as a Voice Over actor and audio producer from his home in beautiful Foley, Alabama on the Gulf Coast.  When asked why he chose to live in Foley Brian replied, “Because I am lucky enough that I can.  I’m 15 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico and within shouting distance of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Thanks to the internet I can work for clients worldwide while still enjoying southern hospitality and small town life.”

Brian Hart is also an amateur photographer and you’ll find many of his photos sprinkled throughout Hart Voice Overs.  Brian,  his wife Amy and their son J.D. like to go sailing and beach bumming in their spare time.

Contact Brian Hart today to discuss your specific project.