RADIO STATION IMAGING VOICE TALENTS
In addition to voicing radio commercials and other forms of radio advertising, I do a lot of radio imaging.
Many people call it “Radio Station Imaging,” or as I like to call it, “Promotional Branding and Station Identification.”
In this realm of the business, it is important to make sure that you’re set up as a proper company, that you’re a business. It is not a fly-by-night deal by any stretch of the imagination.
You’d better have the equipment. You’d better be prepared to work a lot and take care of your voice, because radio stations like to use you a lot.
In a contract, traditionally you’re committed to recording a page or two a month, whatever your agent negotiates, or whatever you negotiate for yourself. They’ll try to get the most for their money. They will try to get as much from you as they can with that one page. So radio station voice imaging is little bits and pieces and stuff and there is a page and stuff.
Typically, on a Monday or Friday a bulk of stuff will come in. You can count on that.
The business has changed over the years, especially because of the Internet. There’s not as much money flowing around as it used to be. Some of the big companies are changing hands. That’s had a dramatic effect on the business. The economy has changed. But stations still are spending money to hire the voice of the station. They are still going out and searching for them.
When someone listens to the radio station, in their head they’re hearing the imaging person the voice as the owner. The voice of the radio station equals the voice of the radio station “owner”. You personify that station. You need to treat it as a serious responsibility. It’s not simply, “I provide the voice.” No, that’s the sound of the station. So you should imagine yourself as the boss of the radio station.
So if you’re going to be voicing stuff for radio stations, note that, first of all, the business has changed. with satellite radio, there are even more opportunities. Lots of voice over artists don’t think of that.. Internet radio stations are another venue.
You can do a lot of marketing on your own on the Internet to radio and TV stations. But be prepared to be a business. You are a businessperson. They want to be do business with your business. They want you available. They want you versatile, and there is a certain style you need to keep in mind.
There are perimeters to being a radio imaging voice. So that means listening to what’s out there now, listening to what’s out there in the past, and maybe developing your own style…but within the perimeters. You’re selling the station. You are the station’s voice. A big responsibility comes with that.