The Life Changing Importance of Voice Development

Voiceover artists, actors and all professionals have many skills to learn. Perhaps one area that is overlooked or doesn’t get enough focus is voice development.

Our Voice is the Engine that carries all of our ideas, thoughts, and  plans to everyone we come in contact with. Voice development benefits not just voiceover artists and actors, but everyone. People with superior speaking skills have an enormous advantage over others who are less polished. All great athletes have workouts and its not because they don’t know what they are doing. It is because in this competitive world communication skills need to be honed to the highest levels. A trained voice is more responsive to a persons intent in a conversation. Having control over ones tone of voice and breathing is not only an asset in voiceover work, but also critical in communications both professional and personal.

Voiceover Artists Have To Know The Difference Between Screaming and Yelling - To Survive

There has been a lot of discussion about voice actors standing up for themselves when doing extreme voices for video games and other media. All those points are well taken.
Having said that, It is my opinion there should also be much more discussion about how to develop a well produced voice that just doesn't rely on "making hamburger" out of ones self to create a theatrical vocal effect.
A persons voice is the engine that does all the work. Developing it and fine tuning technique is very important. I have actually had some agents tell me that they don't want their actors learning voice development because it will make them loose their"naturalness" Well of course it does if you do it incorrectly and don't understand vocal production. They are reacting to some classes where actors do "voice exercises" that involve screaming until they're hoarse to "build up the muscle".
Yes there's a lot of stupid out there, it just takes some common sense to avoid it.
Voice development and breathing exercises give the voice greater range, sustainability, nuance and yes improved naturalness and believability.  The more control a person has over their voice, the more creative freedom they have because they aren't fighting vocal exhaustion. A voice is a powerful instrument that deserves to be developed and the best of care.

- It's Never Just About The Words in VoiceOvers or Life

I think maybe the most important thing people taught me when I was starting out, was the absolute importance of "tone of voice". It was emphasized that first contact with clients and casting directors and everyone in ones world use tone of voice to figure out what we mean and if they want to engage with us. Words are important of course, but they are only a small part of the communication at best.
We naturally want to tip a personable server in a restaurant more because it contributes to our experience. It's the same when a salesperson is helping us that seems present and engaged; we are more likely to make a purchase.

The same principle applies not only to doing great voiceover work, but also to getting voiceover work. People hire the people that they like the best. The most important talking you do occurs before the job is even offered. Always take time to listen to new clients needs and to make sure the conversations are centered on them. Being easy company that is well spoken with a tone of voice that is attentive can do a lot to improves the number of jobs one gets.

- The Fuzzy Logic of Getting Voiceover Work

So, how the heck do some people get so much work? It's all extremely competitive of course. How do people find their way in a trade that has so much stuff going on? One must remember that the only thing that you have control over is your skill level and how you behave.

Big opportunities will not present themselves every day. When they do, you must be able to perform at the highest level in order to take advantage.

You do not start training after you've been invited to the Olympics, you train so you will make it to the Olympics. Being able to read awkward or difficult copy in a natural way can win friends in a session. Even if the copy is great, being able to personalize the copy in an authentic ways can separate you from others who would read very well. It is not so much about how competitive the industry is, it's really about your own skill level. Train like you're going to the Super Bowl, because thats what you're trying to do. Be casual, be friendly, be good company and prepare like your livelihood depends on it, because it does:)

- Be Nice and Don't Talk too Much:)

I hear from engineers and booth directors periodically that voiceover actors sometimes simply talk too much during a session or seem annoyed when given multiple directions. It's important to remember that clients are spending a lot of money to create their advertising media. We really must be good, socially adept voiceover artists to help them maximize their efforts. Don't start "babbling" on their time. Give them your best effort with positive energy to help the get what they want:)