FUN FUN FUN
Okay, so the question is simple. Would you rather be bored to tears, or would you rather have fun? I know..."Duh" comes to mind. Fun is what makes life worth living. Those moments that just make you laugh uncontrollably or smile without reserve. Yet in this wonderful world of communicating verbally, apparently many believe that boredom is the best way to get your message across. If we can get you to a near comatose state, your brain is more receptive. And while this approach may have actually worked in a "quieter" era, today we have way too many other things vying for our attention. Listeners and viewers are quick to turn away the moment they're faced with a "mundane" message.
Believe me, since 1969, I've personally voiced some incredibly boring audio projects. Everything from internal corporate communications to on hold messages to training videos to radio and tv commercials. I've also voiced some of the driest material on the face of the earth that was written so as to be fun to listen to. Too many writers are afraid to offer an alternative approach to the old tried and true, "JUST THE FACTS" mentality that seemed to permeate those educational films from our youth.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! Come on, you're a creative genious. You're blazing new trails. You have the opportunity to redefine how your message is communicated in a brave new way. "But Steve", you say, "I wouldn't know where to begin". Well then, I suggest you find someone who can. Whether it be someone in your company or an ad agency with a good reputation for cutting through the clutter. It's not a sign of weakness. You have your strengths, or your company would be belly up by now. I, for instance, am not an accountant. My algebra teacher once told me I'd never be anything more than a factory worker. That's why the first person we searched for was a good accountant....to keep us sailing through the rough seas of finance.
HIRE THE RIGHT VOICE! Too many companies believe that the c.e.o. or Bob from accounting that gave that talk last year on maintaining the bottom line would be a great choice to represent the company on their latest promotional video. And some actually can. But the odds are stacked against you. Finding a person that can reach through the microphone and make contact with perfect strangers to make your message interesting or (dare I say it)...entertaining, is a real art in itself, and every bit as important as the script.
MAKE THE PROCESS FUN! Fun begets fun. Fact of life, no discussion here. Sitting in a stodgy board room and being told to have fun rarely works well. Find a casual spot, invite people with a good grasp of the material at hand, order pizza, maybe beer and let the ideas flow. Yes, you'll need one person with good organizational skills to keep this group on task. Maybe Bob from accounting that gave that talk. Hey, he likes to have fun too. And if you're in a company big enough to have a communications department, have them organize the meeting. I'm just guessing that they spent big money on that college education and would be biting at the bit to show off just how much they learned.
MORE FUN! In the coming days, I'll do my best to give you some examples of how a "fun" approach is far more effective and how to make it happen for your company or client. Until then, thanks for taking the time to read and we'll leave the mic on for ya. Oh yeah, and Have a Little Fun Every Day.
Believe me, since 1969, I've personally voiced some incredibly boring audio projects. Everything from internal corporate communications to on hold messages to training videos to radio and tv commercials. I've also voiced some of the driest material on the face of the earth that was written so as to be fun to listen to. Too many writers are afraid to offer an alternative approach to the old tried and true, "JUST THE FACTS" mentality that seemed to permeate those educational films from our youth.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! Come on, you're a creative genious. You're blazing new trails. You have the opportunity to redefine how your message is communicated in a brave new way. "But Steve", you say, "I wouldn't know where to begin". Well then, I suggest you find someone who can. Whether it be someone in your company or an ad agency with a good reputation for cutting through the clutter. It's not a sign of weakness. You have your strengths, or your company would be belly up by now. I, for instance, am not an accountant. My algebra teacher once told me I'd never be anything more than a factory worker. That's why the first person we searched for was a good accountant....to keep us sailing through the rough seas of finance.
HIRE THE RIGHT VOICE! Too many companies believe that the c.e.o. or Bob from accounting that gave that talk last year on maintaining the bottom line would be a great choice to represent the company on their latest promotional video. And some actually can. But the odds are stacked against you. Finding a person that can reach through the microphone and make contact with perfect strangers to make your message interesting or (dare I say it)...entertaining, is a real art in itself, and every bit as important as the script.
MAKE THE PROCESS FUN! Fun begets fun. Fact of life, no discussion here. Sitting in a stodgy board room and being told to have fun rarely works well. Find a casual spot, invite people with a good grasp of the material at hand, order pizza, maybe beer and let the ideas flow. Yes, you'll need one person with good organizational skills to keep this group on task. Maybe Bob from accounting that gave that talk. Hey, he likes to have fun too. And if you're in a company big enough to have a communications department, have them organize the meeting. I'm just guessing that they spent big money on that college education and would be biting at the bit to show off just how much they learned.
MORE FUN! In the coming days, I'll do my best to give you some examples of how a "fun" approach is far more effective and how to make it happen for your company or client. Until then, thanks for taking the time to read and we'll leave the mic on for ya. Oh yeah, and Have a Little Fun Every Day.
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