Professional Voice Actors Add Credibility to Marketing Efforts
Shreveport, LA (PRWEB) August 30, 2013 -- Successful actors and politicians study for years to become effective communicators, because how a message sounds is as important as the information it contains, writes On Hold Company in a recent blog post. "It's not just what you say, it's who says it – and how," CEO Bryant Wilson warns. A speaker's poor presentation can undermine the message, no matter how good the content.
Television news and sports organizations struggle with this when print journalists train to become television analysts. Persuasive communication via a recorded phone message or video voiceover requires a different skill set than in person or print communication.
Michel McQueen, an ABC News correspondent who previously worked for the Washington Post, explained the difference in an interview with the New York Times: ''Normal conversation sounds completely different when it's miked. P words pop and you suddenly hear all these annoying things about your voice that you never noticed.''
"The training people go through to become proficient is called "voice therapy" by industry consultants, and it can be intense," says Wilson. On Hold Company's voiceover actors work closely with diction coaches to learn the proper pacing, intonation, and pitch for effective voice presentation.
Pacing and pitch are two of the most important and difficult pieces to master, notes Wilson. "Speaking too fast makes you sound nervous, unprofessional, and it erodes trust." Listeners are more apt understand and remember a message delivered at a lower rate of speech, while a lower-pitched voice makes the speaker sound more caring and concerned.
"Nobody cares about your message if they're angry: they just stop listening," Wilson says, noting that many people become impatient when placed on hold for even a short time. A soothing voice that speaks at an understandable pace and offers useful information can help increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Still, companies with a product or service to market can't wait years for an employee to go through voice therapy training, so they turn to professionals. On Hold Company is one of the leading providers of custom on-hold messaging in North America. It serves over 13,000 clients and offers turnkey marketing solutions.
"Some of our customers initially don't understand the importance of using a professional voiceover artist," says Wilson. "After all, everyone talks, right? How hard can it be to read a script? But not everyone will sound professional, persuasive, and trustworthy when representing your company."
About On Hold Company
On Hold Company (http://www.onholdcompany.com) is a leading provider of custom telephone on-hold music and messages. The company has been in business since 1994 and provides on-hold marketing for more than 13,000 clients across North America. On Hold Company also provides digital signage solutions, telephone voice prompts and overhead music and messaging services.
Scott Anderson, On Hold Company, http://www.onholdcompany.com, +1 (800) 492-9030 119, [email protected]
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