Being a voiceover artist is easy….right?

Being a voiceover artist is easy….right? 




By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Being a voiceover artist is easy….right? 




・You don’t have to be on camera. 

・You don’t have to learn your lines - one one will mind you having your script in front of you.
・They can’t see you, anyway! 

・You don’t have to be on a set or work long hours.

Right? Well, no, actually. 
Not quite, I’d venture. 


Being able to tell a story as a voiceover artist - whether you’re in front of a camera or not - means you have to convey all your emotions and your journey as a performer, through your voice alone. 

Making sure that you can be clearly understood when speaking, means countless breathing exercises, articulation drills and tongue twisters - which all need to be done before you get anywhere near a microphone. 


Once you’re in the studio, getting that right take in the bag that the director will be happy with, can take many (and I *mean MANY) different takes. 



It takes a lot to make the listener keep listening. So you definitely want someone who knows what they’re doing to tell your story. 



#VoiceOver #StudioLife #ItTakesWork

Hey documentary filmmakers and producers - are you tired of the same boring narration?

Hey documentary filmmakers and producers - are you tired of the same boring narration?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

[smooth sexy voice] Hey documentary filmmakers and producers - this blog post is for you 👇🏼

Are you tired of the same boring narrations? Give your film the spark it needs with a voiceover that's bold, funny, and full of life. Or dead and dark, like Dracula.

Yes, this is a shameless sales post, and the voice I’m ‘selling’ is mine.

So, where were we? Oh yes: Are you tired of the same boring narrations?
That's where I come in!

I'm all about bringing energy and excitement to your documentaries. No more monotone narrations, it's time to bring your story to life in a big way!

My goal is to help you create a film that not only informs, but also captivates and inspires your audience. So, let's make some magic happen together…

Who's ready to elevate their documentary game with me? 🎙️

End of salesy post. Now, please form an orderly line towards my DMs. Thank you.

#voiceover #narrator #documentaryfilm

Don’t look at what your voiceover competitors are doing

Don’t look at what your voiceover competitors are doing

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Don’t look at what your voiceover competitors are doing.

Actually, ignore that.. LOOK at what your competitors are doing.

‘He must be crazy’ ‘This guy sounds unhinged and confused’

Yes, you might be right. But hear me out:

Look at what your competitors are doing - and then do things completely differently to them.
Because, how do you expect to stand out when you’re trying to emulate what everyone else is doing?

Especially when you’re copying what your competition is doing. You’re making it way harder for yourself than it needs to be.
Your competition might be miles ahead of you, their audience is used to their style, and they’ve spent months if not years building trust and brand recognition.

What works for them may not work for you at all.

I’m not suggesting to completely ignore your competition. Keep an eye on what they're doing, but don't copy them.

Stand out, be unique and make a name for yourself.

Are you more of a 'copycat' or a 'one-of-a-kind-unicorn'?

#unicorn #copycat #competitors #voiceover

On the hunt for the perfect voice for your next audio book project?

On the hunt for the perfect voice for your next audio book project?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Are you on the hunt for the perfect voice for your next audio book project? (say yes, and read the rest 👇🏼)

Here's why you should give the job to an experienced voiceover artist:

Versatility: Voiceover artists have the ability to bring a wide range of characters and emotions to life through their voice. They can easily switch between different accents, ages, and genders to give your audio book a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

Professionalism: we are trained professionals who know how to use our voice to its full potential. We can hit the right notes, use the right pacing, and give the right inflections to bring your story to life in a way that will keep listeners engaged.

Attention to detail: Voiceover artists take their craft seriously, and they will pay close attention to the script to ensure that every word is delivered with precision and accuracy. This means your audio book will be of the highest quality, with no mistakes or mispronunciations.

Save time and money: Hiring a voiceover artist will save you time and money in the long run. Instead of having to spend hours recording yourself or others, a voiceover artist can do it in a fraction of the time and with better results.

Branding: I can also help to create a consistent and professional tone for your audio book, making your brand more recognisable to your listeners.

Bonus: Because let's face it, you don't want your audio book to sound like a bad karaoke performance. Hire a pro and make sure it sounds like a hit! 🎶

So let me help you take your storytelling to the next level. Click on the button bellow to start 👇🏼

#audiobook #audible #voiceover

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Enter: explainer videos

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Enter: explainer videos

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Are you ready to take your business to the next level?

Enter: explainer videos.

Let me explain explainer videos..

Not only do they increase website traffic by an average of 20%, but they also boost conversions by 30%.

And with the rise of video content all over social media, it's no surprise video marketing is becoming a must-have for businesses of all sizes.

Don't believe me? Check out these stats:

• 85% of businesses use video as a marketing tool (HubSpot)
• 90% of consumers say that product videos are helpful in the decision-making process (Animoto)
• 64% of consumers make a purchase after watching a branded social media video (Tubular Insights)

Investing in explainer videos can help set your business apart and give your audience a clear understanding of your products or services.

But guess what else you need? A convincing voice to narrate your video. Can you see where I’m going with this?

Answers in the comments 👇🏼

#ExplainerVideo #corporateVideo #voiceover

Feeling petrified about your upcoming podcast guest appearance?

Feeling petrified about your upcoming podcast guest appearance?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Feeling petrified about your upcoming podcast guest appearance?

These simple tips will help you sound confident and composed on air - even when you're not feeling it 👇🏼


1. Practice beforehand: familiarise yourself with the topic you will be discussing and practice speaking about it out loud. This will increase your confidence and reduce the chance of stumbling over your words.

2. Speak clearly: use a moderate pace and a strong, clear voice. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly, and pay attention to your volume and inflection.

3. Take deep breaths: breathing deeply can help you relax and calm your nerves, which can improve the sound of your confidence. Take a few deep breaths before you begin speaking to feel more composed.

4. Use good posture: Sitting up straight and keeping your head up can help you feel more confident.

5. Speak with conviction: believe in what you are saying and don't be afraid to show your passion and enthusiasm. This will help you sound more confident and engaging. The listeners will really buy into you...


And a bonus tip: use vocal variety. Varying your pitch, volume, and pace can help keep your audience engaged and make your words sound more convincing.

For example, you could use a softer, more thoughtful tone when you are presenting a nuanced argument, or a louder, more energetic tone when you want to convey excitement or enthusiasm.

Experiment with different vocal techniques to find what works best for you and the message you are trying to convey.


Are you planning to make a podcast guest appearance soon?

Time to get my crystal ball out... Here are my predictions for the voiceover industry

Time to get my crystal ball out... Here are my predictions for the voiceover industry

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Happy 2023! Time to get my crystal ball out...

The voiceover industry has seen significant growth in recent years and this upward trajectory is expected to continue.

Here are my predictions for the future of the voiceover industry:

Voiceovers will become increasingly important in the marketing industry, for brands to tell their stories and connect with their audiences.

More people will be using voiceovers to advertise, market, and promote their products or services.

There will be an increase in demand for high quality voiceover artists who can deliver a professional sounding product in a timely manner.

There will be more opportunities for voice actors to work remotely and freelance, allowing them to have more flexibility in their lives while also increasing their earning potential.

Voiceover and AI technology will continue to merge, allowing for more sophisticated and seamless audio creation. (this is a big one!)

Voiceover will become even more common in video games, allowing players to interact with in-game characters and environments. This will open up new opportunities for voice actors to work on various projects within the gaming industry.

More and more products, services, and apps will be created for voice-based interactions. This means that there will be an increased demand for voiceover actors to create the audio content used in these products and services.

Do you work in audio, gaming, or voiceover production? I'd love to hear your own predictions in the comments.

Are you planning to release an audio book in 2023?

Are you planning to release an audio book in 2023?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Are you planning to release an audio book in 2023?

Then, perhaps you're after the perfect voiceover artist for your project?

Here are a few tips to help you find the right fit:

1) Research and listen to demos: Listen to voiceover artists who have experience narrating audio books, then determine which one sounds the most appealing for your project.

2) Consider the genre:
When choosing a voiceover artist, select someone who is comfortable and skilled in narrating the type of book you have written.

3) Look for versatility:
A good voiceover artist can adopt a variety of vocal styles, from character voices to accents and emotions. Find an actor who has experience performing in different roles.

3) Consider availability and turnaround time:
It’s important to choose a voice artist who can complete your project on time.

4) Don't be afraid to ask for references: It's important to find a voiceover artist who is both reliable and professional. Ask for references from previous clients so that you can get an idea of the quality of their work.


Choosing the right voiceover artist for your audio book can be a daunting process. Make sure to research and consider all these factors when selecting an artist, so you'll have a successful experience from start to finish!


Can I help you with your audio book voiceover? Send me a message to find out how it works.

#audiobook #audible #voiceover

Can your business afford NOT to join in on e-Learning?

Can your business afford NOT to join in on e-Learning?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Can your business afford NOT to join in on e-Learning?

Here are some statistics that show why your company should have already implemented this training method like, yesterday!

• e-Learning typically requires 40-60% less employee time than learning the same material in a traditional classroom setting
• e-Learning increases retention rates by 25-60%. In comparison, face-to-face training retention rates are significantly lower at 8-10%
• with e-Learning, participants learn nearly 5 times more material, without increasing time spent in training
• 42% of businesses implementing e-Learning say that it has led to a 26% increase in revenue
• an Open University study found that producing and providing e-Learning courses consumes and average 90% less energy, and produces 85% fewer Co2 emissions per student than face-to-face training. How’s that for green credentials?!


And this is just a few from the lengthy lists of positives for e-Learning I’ve come across.
Did you know, you can employ the help of a voice actor to record your eLearning narration?

It’s especially tricky for anyone narrating an online course to keep interest over a long period of time. The key is to deliver a likeable, interesting voice with personality to keep all your employees fully engaged.

Would you like to have a chat about working with a voiceover artist for your e-Learning project? Let’s talk!

#elearning #etraining #corporatetraining #employeetraining

What's the best online course you've done?

What's the best online course you've done?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

What's the best online course you've done?

Mine was Ali Abdaal's on video editing in Final Cut Pro.

In just over two hours, I went from novice to someone who could actually put together something that looked - alright.

Yes, it took a lot of subsequent practise.
But getting a clear overview of the key features, and learning those CRUCIAL keyboard shortcuts was a game changer.

The course led to the creation of my Youtube channel,
my own courses on Skillshare,
my video case studies,
my Linkedin video,
my Tiktok account (56k?!)

Learning some basics about video editing also made me a better voice actor. Understanding the logic behind cuts from a production perspective informed choices I would make in my vocal delivery.

And the best thing about it? I watched it all for free on a trial for Skillshare - though I'm now a subscriber and teacher on there too.

So what course would you recommend?

#onlinelearning #videoproduction #elearning #videoediting #skillshare

Can the people you surround yourself with make you a winner?

Can the people you surround yourself with make you a winner?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Can the people you surround yourself with make you a winner?

Ask yourself these question:

• Are there people in your life who support your decisions and help move things along?
• Do they help you dream?
• Do they believe in you and give you the confidence to keep going?
• Are they the kind of people who will challenge you to think bigger, work harder, be better?
• Do they help you set goals?

If so, then you have a winner’s circle of people around you!

Those are the people you want to keep in your life. They make you a better person and they will help bring out the best in you.

If not, it’s time to find them.

Because it's difficult to do it alone...

You need people who believe in you, support your dreams and want to help you achieve them.

They will be there with open arms to cheer you on when things are going well - and they will hold your hand when life throws a curve ball at you.

What's your relationship with your voiceover competitors?

What's your relationship with your voiceover competitors?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

What's your relationship with your voiceover competitors?

You know, the ones who are always trying to outdo you and get ahead of you. The ones who are constantly trying to get their foot in the door before you do.

Or you think they do...

Well, here's a thought: maybe those voiceover actors are not your enemies.
Maybe they're just another person who wants what you want — to succeed, to be happy, to create something meaningful in this world.
Maybe there's room for both of you to succeed, and maybe there isn't.

But what if it wasn't about one of you winning and one of you losing?
What if it was more like a dance?
Or like a conversation?
Or a game where everyone wins but no one is really sure how?

The truth is we don't have much control over our competitors — but what we do have control over is the way we interact with them.

• We can choose to see them as enemies
• or we can choose to see them as allies,
• we can choose to fight them or we can choose to help each other;

Ultimately, no matter what happens, we will always be responsible for our own actions and results — not anyone else's.

So, try approaching your competitors with genuine curiosity... You might even learn something from them.

#business #competitors #voiceover

Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive Thoughts

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Intrusive thoughts…

We all have them.
Especially when it comes to ‘content’.

I’m not interesting enough
I’m not talented enough
I’m not entertaining enough

Each post risks showing up our imperfections.

But I’d argue that THAT is what makes the most interesting content.

If your content is just all about the ‘wins’, you’re gonna have problems:

1) Posting wins gets repetitive quickly
2) It stops people getting to know the real YOU.
3) It makes you LESS memorable.

The best content isn’t about you.
It’s about allowing your audience to see THEMSELVES within your story.

The ups and downs
The lessons learnt
The battle - the drama - picking yourself up and going again.

I’m not saying post only for pity or feel like you have to overstate.

But don’t be afraid to share the journey.
It will inform other people’s journeys.
Assure them that THEY are not alone.

That’s what carries real value.

#contentcreation #socialmedia #voiceover #storytelling #personalbrand

Do your voiceover clients give you room to breathe?

Do your voiceover clients give you room to breathe?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Many people come to me knowing exactly what they want.

- They’ve written the words.
- Chosen the music.
- They might even have recorded a temp voiceover to signal pace, tone an inflection.

The more of these things in place, the clearer the brief, the quicker the job.

All things for which I’m sincerely grateful

But it’s almost always leaving something on the table.

My most interesting work?

That’s done when all the information has been processed - then we forget it.
Leaving room for instinct to play.
Rather than plotting how a project will go line by line, I’m allowed to focus purely on the moment, the audience, the emotion - and then I play from there.

Unexpected things happen.
Inflections, pace and emphasis might not always go where they were ‘designed’ to be.
But an audience doesn’t respond to design - they respond to emotion.
And when every little detail is micro-managed, that can be the first thing squashed in a creative project.

I’m not advocating dispensing with briefs at all - quite the opposite.
But I love those clients who allow time for just one take with the handbrake off during a session.
It shows a willingness to be open, to engage creatively, to be surprised.

It makes me feel seen as a creative, not just a nice voice.

So how do you carve out a creative space?

#creativity #videoproduction #creativeservices #voiceoverartist #clientrelationships

7 Life Skills That'll Pay off Forever - not just for voiceover artists

Here are 7 life skills that will pay off forever - and not just if you’re a voiceover actor

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

I’m no guru, I admit that.

But I’m old and wise enough (I think) to realise, some areas are really worth investing your time in:

1. Public speaking
Public speaking is a skill you can work at to get consistently better. The benefits of nailing it will last for years to come.

2. Time management
Busy doesn’t mean effective. Challenge your schedule and ask yourself if you’re truly effective.

3. Having empathy
No explanation needed here.

4. Positive self-awareness
What you think of yourself matters more than what others think of you. It takes time to build that level of confidence to just simply believe in yourself.

5. Stop complaining
Practice a life of no complaining, and no criticising. See how your outlook changes once your master this.

6. Being present
There’s a direct connection between happiness and the ability to live in the present moment. You can’t change the past, and you don’t want to miss what’s happening right now by worrying about the future.

7. Being consistent
Life is a journey (cliché moment). Success is not a one-time action, nor a destination, but a continuous process.

I’d like to see what your own list of life-skills look like.

#Motivation #PositiveVibes #SelfDevelopment

Let's Go From 10 to Zen - Voiceover Style!

Let’s Go From 10 to Zen - Voiceover Style!

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Let’s go from 10 to Zen 👇🏼

Monday got you all revved up to anxiety level 10?

Me too. Life stresses… work worries… - we all want to kick them up the derrière.

I don’t profess to have all the answers, so I'm not going to lie and sugar coat this.
Occasionally, I can be quite a stressy person - but only because I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to work and wanting to succeed in life.

Everyone gets stressed on a day to day basis, it's just part of life, and sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't kick that stress/mood away. It's just a bad day.

Often though and 99% of the time, there are ways to beat that pressure and just blooming enjoy life and this beautiful world that we live in (easier said than done, I know).

Here are some simple ways I deal with stress:

- Start your mornings with a workout - they're energising and kickstart your day the right way

- Go on runs or walks - a very effective way to clear you mind

- Socialise - the amount of times I've had to prise myself away from my studio to socialise… but trust me, you'll feel a million times better for getting up and having a break. It’s the little things: like popping to your local deli, and having a natter with your neighbour you happen to bump into.

- Have a laugh - laughing and smiling release endorphins which are proven to make you feel happier/are natural pain and stress fighters. So, Google funny cat videos, or go grab a bar of chocolate - they both get the endorphins working!

- Speak to someone - having someone you can speak to about your stress really helps; you should never keep it hidden away. Also, sometimes talking to other people really puts your stress and worry into perspective.

- Music - listening to music is such a mood changer. Find a nice upbeat playlist and have a daytime dance if you feel like it! I guarantee that will release some stress.

And a final reminder: you're only human, you don't have to have it together every single second of every single day.

Do you have any stress fighting tips? What are your favourite ways to combat worry and pressure?

#mondaymood #nopressure #mentalhealth

Are Your Standards Different

Are Your Standards Different?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

Tom Hanks seemed to be in every other film in the 1990s.
He worked with all the big directors.
He won consecutive Oscars for Forrest Gump and Philadelphia.

Yet in a recent interview, he said that he made just four 'pretty good' films.

Such a statement needs to be taken with a huge pinch of salt. Film stars rarely come as self-effacing as Hanks.

But that little line chimed with me about the creative endeavour.

Your clients can be delighted.

Your collaborators can be be blown away by your contributions.
(or not).

But when building a body of work, it's vital to have your own set of standards to hold yourself to.

Tastes may change.
Styles go in and out of fashion.
But you need to work from a place of awareness as an artist.
You need to be constantly interrogating your work.

How are you growing?
Are you stretching yourself?
What are your weaknesses and are you working on them?

It's this aspect of the creative life that keeps my own fire burning. I never want to be satisfied with doing the same thing again, just because it worked last time.

Because if you're not growing, you're stagnant.
Do you have a personal set of standards you hold yourself too?

Battling the Online Noise

By Christopher Tester - British Male VoiceOver Artist

You're wasting your life in screen-time 😨

That's one of my greatest fears.

Almost every aspect of my working life involves the internet.
But even when the working day is done, I know where my phone is at all times.

That little screen that offers just one more update,
one more like or news item 😳

I'm aware of how the internet has changed my life for the better.
I couldn't do what I do or meet the people I've met without it.
My life would be profoundly different, almost certainly poorer.

But keeping a healthy relationship with it is a constant battle.

The below video, all about this subject, is currently doing some numbers on Tiktok, and it's interesting to see why. So many comments on a social media post are from people lamenting their addiction to a social media app.

And now I've opened a different app to share the observation here!

- I've set timers on my apps.
- I monitor screentime.
- I have a no phone rule from 9pm onwards.

How do you maintain a healthy relationship with the internet?

How to Sound Human?

By Chris Tester - British Male Voiceover Artist

You might have heard some of these:

✅. People buy from people
✅. Get your audience to know, like and trust you
✅. Talk TO, not AT

As a voiceactor, the direction is to be CONVERSATIONAL as a result. And that's totally fine - but it's not the same as being realistic.

In real speech, we umm, we err, we suspend thoughts and find words. These can be subtly incorporated into a script to humanise it, but conversational speech still hits keywords and has a forward momentum to it more often than not.

I love this speech from Midnight Mass - if you have Netflix, watch it. Throughout this recording I'm using one of my most straight forward humanisation techniques - looking away from the page. This is the closest I as a voice actor get to memorising the lines for a voice job - not looking at the words when speaking makes the read inherently less 'ready', and thus more grounded and realistic as a result.

Let me know if you agree!