Changing the cadence of the copy and also the punctuation ( moving the commas ) will help make it more conversational.

I totally agree with the other comments. This is not a conversational script. It's not at all how someone would tell someone this information and to make it conversational. I'd ad lib all over it.

I still find it very difficult to read announcer copy as if I'm talking with my friend in a kitchen. Reason is because that's not how people talk to each other. I've tried this exercise and I still sound like a commercial.

Grateful for the spot! I am an announcer on radio so there lies somewhat of a challenge, but it should not be too hard to execute! Thanks again.

Just be conversational. Listen to the first playback and adjust emphasis and tone as and if needed. As a voice actor you may have to take on a character persona such as a slight British accent, for instance, Rex Harrison. Relax and enjoy what you do best. And to Hugh, thank you.

Great summary of this technique. We teach something similar in our VO workshops as well!
www.digitalsoundmagic.com

Richard

Excellent advice, Hugh! Thanks for the article. We can all use a reminder like this.

I'm new to VO, but it drives me crazy when I read some of the terrible advertising copy. Maybe I should become a writer, too. Or, maybe the VO industry needs to go to the source of the problem -- the writers. Could some of our trade groups reach out to advertising schools and talk to them about writing copy that actually sounds like real conversation? I went to University of Missouri School of Journalism with a major in Broadcast News. Even in news, they taught us that if you wouldn't say it that way, don't write it that way. So, how do we get that across to the advertising industry???

I'm sure that whoever is facing this situation, putting in practice Mr. Klitzke's recommendations will improve the read of any script. Thanks for your advice and suggestions.