The obvious advantage to getting good at cold reading is that it builds CONFIDENCE. And that’s something you want to rely on in the heat of the moment when you’re in the booth. The more you read out loud, the better you get at… reading out loud. Which… is what voice-over, like, is.
So: Once you read the copy cold, go BACK to the top and give it a good silent ONCE-over read. Then ask yourself: What parts worked and what parts didn’t?
Where did you stumble (EVERYBODY stumbles…) and where did you just sail effortlessly?
How could you have read various lines better? Did you UNDERSTAND what you were reading? Might there have been a better interpretation of your read that would more effectively communicate the writer’s intention to your listener?
Remember that the art of voice-over is… ACTING! It’s a performance that’s meant to be as effective as possible in reaching your listener so that he or she gets the essence of what you’re saying and does so in the most satisfying way – whether that’s to get motivated to buy that fabulous new widget or to get the pants scared off of them during a monstrous video game chase.
How do those questions strike you? And how will they affect the reading of the copy you just tried Cold. Only one way to find out: Read it again!
Take out a pencil. Underline the important parts. Practice saying the phrase you’re having a bit of trouble saying clearly. Ask yourself if the interpretation you’re trying is the best one for your listener – and then — try it another way. Spend a few minutes getting comfortable and confident with your reading out loud and then, RE-read out loud again.
This is your new skill. This is your new commitment. This is SUCH a cool business because of the incredible diversity that opens up to those who Do the Work and become skilled at reading out loud and finding the meaning and interpretation that make those words come alive.
And you won’t get there unless you jump and do it – so quit reading this piece silently and get to work! We’ll get far more specific on the ART of the read in future entries, but for now, enjoy the ride, especially if these are your first steps.