Let me do your talking
A great voice isn’t always the right voice.
The right voice understands the story, the audience, and what the script needs to accomplish. Sometimes that means warmth. Sometimes authority. Sometimes it means sounding like a real person having a real conversation.
When you’re choosing a voice for a project, what makes you say, “That’s the one”?
Getting hired for one project is good.
Becoming the person a producer calls again is better.
Talent may get someone through the door, but reliability, communication, and taking direction well are what build a lasting working relationship.
When you hire creative talent, what makes you want to work with that person again?
Awards and recognition can feel good.
But in voice-over—or any business—the real measure of success is earning a client’s trust, delivering what they need, and having them call you again.
A trophy may sit on a shelf collect dust. A satisfied client helps build a career.
What means more to you: recognition from your industry, or repeat business from your clients?
Since it’s Labor Day, I’ve been thinking about something my good friend Pete told me years ago.
I started working with people when I was only 18 or 19, running a trucking company with my brother. Later came the dry-cleaning business and the airlines.
Along the way, I learned to listen, speak plainly, use common sense, and never cut someone off while they’re talking.
But around 2004 or 2005, my friend Pete gave me another lesson. He said, “Bret, you’re working really hard. Remember this: get paid for what you know, not for what you do.”
It took me nearly 30 years to understand that.
I’m sure there’s a lesson you’ve learned over the years.
Let me know in the comments!
When the best training material loses its audience, it’s usually because it sounds flat, rushed, or robotic.
A clear, natural voice doesn’t just deliver information—it helps people understand it, remember it, and stay engaged.
What makes training content easier for you to follow?
If 70% of employees are multitasking during workplace training, is the problem really their attention span—or has the training failed to earn their attention?
Information alone doesn’t hold people. Good pacing, clear storytelling, and the right voice can turn required training into something people actually want to follow.
I’ve been through many training sessions during my aviation career. Some were interesting, and the entire class became involved. Others—not so much.
What makes a training program hold your attention?
A voice does more than deliver information.
A recent study found that trusted voices and thoughtful storytelling can improve recall, credibility, and even a listener’s willingness to take action.
That makes sense to me. Before people respond to a message, they first decide whether they believe the person delivering it.
Besides trustworthiness, what other characteristics do you look for in a voice?
You can learn a lot about a business in the first 30 to 60 seconds.
The way someone answers the phone.
The way you’re greeted when you walk through the door.
The feeling that the person helping you is genuinely glad you called—or walked into their shop.
Before customers know the quality of your work, they experience the quality of your welcome.
What makes you immediately feel that you’re in good hands?
The last day of the month isn’t only about looking back at what you accomplished.
It’s also a chance to decide what you’ll carry forward—and what you’ll leave behind.
Moving forward doesn’t require a perfect month. It only requires that you keep moving.
As for me, I’ll keep the momentum up and stay the course!
What’s one thing you want to carry into September?
Productivity doesn’t always mean sitting at a desk for eight straight hours.
Sometimes it means focused work, stepping away, clearing your head, and returning ready to go again.
What does a productive workday look like for you?