The Conversational Read Is Evolving—Are You?

Woman in plaid shirt holds a blank speech bubble, looking curious. Purple background enhances the focused, inquisitive mood.

The Conversational Read has evolved again, and voice actors must evolve with it...

Voiceover styles change with the times, just like fashion. The announcer read of the past gave way to the conversational style, which has ruled for years. But now, there’s a new layer—empathy. Understanding and incorporating this shift can set your voice apart, making your reads more authentic and engaging. Let’s break down the elements of conversational voice over and explore how to add empathy for a modern, compelling read.

Voice over has come a long way since the booming announcer styles of the 1950s. Back then, recording technology required forceful, projected voices to ensure clarity. That sound stuck around for decades until technology improved, and with it, a more natural style emerged.

It’s Time for a Chat

As consumers became more informed, the old-school salesy read started feeling fake and pushy. People didn’t want to be told what to do—they wanted to make their own choices. The conversational read became the gold standard because it felt natural, like advice from a trusted friend.

But today, we’re seeing another shift. The conversational read is evolving again, with an added layer of empathy. This subtle yet powerful change reflects a world where connection and authenticity matter more than ever. Let’s explore how to enhance your conversational reads with this new element.

First, Listen.

At its core, the empathetic read is still rooted in the conversational style, but with a key difference—it’s about feeling rather than just sounding natural. Before you can master this, you need to train your ear.

Try this: record yourself having a real conversation. Then, listen back. Notice the pitch, phrasing, and pacing. Compare that to your audition reads. Do they match? If not, you’re likely slipping into a performative style rather than a true conversation. Once you recognize these patterns, you can start weaving in the empathy layer.

Pitch Perfect

Woman with curly hair sings into a brush in a white shirt, showing joy, on a light gray background.

One dead giveaway of an unnatural read is an overly high pitch. Many voice actors unconsciously raise their pitch when reading aloud, especially when they’re trying to sound “polished.” But real conversations tend to be lower in pitch, relaxed, and natural.

If someone has ever told you your read sounds too “announcery,” pitch is often the culprit. Try this trick: start your read half a pitch lower than usual. It will help you settle into a more natural, grounded tone. And if you’re struggling, lead in with a casual phrase like, “So here’s the thing…” to help ease into a conversational feel.

Keep It Together

A natural read isn’t just about what you say, but how you group your words. In real conversations, we speak in thoughts and ideas—not in separate words. If your delivery is too choppy or disconnected, it immediately sounds like you’re reading rather than speaking.

Think of your phrases like books on a shelf. If you pull one out at random, the others collapse. In a script, the “bookends” are the natural pauses before and after complete ideas. Keep those phrases intact, and your read will sound much more fluid. If you’re not sure where to pause, mark up your script until you instinctively recognize these patterns.

Pace Yourself

Once you’ve nailed phrasing, the next challenge is pacing. In natural speech, we stretch important words and speed through filler words. We don’t emphasize by making words louder—we make them longer.

Imagine reading a telegram where you’re charged per word. You’d strip your message down to the essentials: “Stop Mail Gone Vacation.” The key words stand out. Now, think about applying that same concept to your voice over. Instead of using volume or pitch changes for emphasis, focus on elongating the most meaningful words in a phrase.

Let’s Add the Spice

Empathy is the final layer—the seasoning that takes a good conversational read and makes it great. It’s not about being overly emotional or dramatic. It’s about understanding the listener’s perspective and subtly reflecting that in your tone.

Empathy in advertising isn’t new. A great example is Procter & Gamble’s 2012 Olympic ad, which focused on the emotional journey of athletes and their families. Brands now fully embrace this approach, and with it comes a new expectation for voice actors.

The key to an empathetic read is offering emotion rather than forcing it. It should feel natural and effortless, not overly sweet or dramatic. Once you’ve mastered the foundational conversational techniques, start layering in just a hint of empathy. It takes practice, but it’s worth it—because this style isn’t going anywhere.