Stop trying to sell me soup.

There is literally no product or service sell involved in most commercials today.

Stop Selling: The Real Secret Behind Commercial Voiceover

Stop trying to sell me soup. - 4:28

Guys—nobody likes a salesperson. Nobody.

Nobody wants to be deliberately sold to. So why do you keep approaching your commercial scripts like you're selling something?

This is one of my favorite topics because, as you might know, I’m a commercial voiceover actress. This is what I do—day in and day out. I’m one of those weird people who really, really loves commercials.

But anyway, that’s beside the point.

Let me say this clearly:

Stop trying to sell something.

I know that seems ridiculous. You’re probably thinking:

“But Gabby, if I’m reading a commercial, aren’t I here to sell something?”

No. You’re not. Stop it. Stop doing that. That’s not what we’re here for at all.

We’re not selling a product. We’re not selling a service. To hell with all of that.

There is literally no product or service sell involved in most commercials today.

So What Are You Selling?

Here’s what I’m talking about:

The thing you are actually selling is about two layers beneath whatever the literal product is.

This is psychology.

Let’s take toothpaste, for example. You think you’re selling toothpaste? Nope.

One layer down: healthy teeth, dental hygiene, right?

Still nope.

Go one more layer down.

You’re selling vanity. You’re selling a beauty product without even knowing it.

That’s the key—it’s understanding the real thing you’re selling to your audience. Because it’s usually a feeling, an idea, a belief, a lifestyle, or a luxury.

That’s what people actually buy.

Let’s Look at More Examples

We all know Campbell’s, right?

You might think you're selling the brand. Or, surface level—you’re selling soup.

Okay, one layer down: maybe convenience, because it’s in a can.

Wrong again.

You’re selling comfort, my friend.

That’s how we identify a brand like Campbell’s—it’s tied to nostalgia. You're literally selling something that reminds people of another time in their life. That’s powerful.

Tortillas.

On the surface? Sure, you're selling a way to hold food in a quasi-sandwich-like shape.

Go deeper.

Are you selling food? Not exactly. You’re selling heritage. You’re selling culture. You’re selling authenticity.

That’s the key. Stop obsessing over what’s on the surface. Get below it.

One More: Furniture

You could argue you’re selling a necessity—because we all need a place to sit, to eat, to sleep.

But again, that’s not it.

You're selling a lifestyle.

Because for most Americans, nothing says “I’m doing well” like having nice furniture.

These are the kinds of psychological ideas the advertising world taps into every single day.

This Is Where I Come In

This is also where my skills as a voiceover coach come in handy.

If you want to know more about how to dissect, break down, and get beneath the surface of a script—every script, every single time—come find me.

Check out my website: gabriellenistico.com

Stop reading like a salesperson. Start performing like a storyteller. That’s what books the gig.

704-674-8294 / GabrielleNistico.com / gabby@voiceovervixen.com

Gabrielle Nistico, Gabby Nistico, The Voiceover Vixen, The Business First VO Coach, #VoiceoverVixen #VoiceOnFire #BusinessFirstVOCoach Voiceover, Charlotte, North Carolina, Voiceover Demo, Voiceover Coaching Advice, new beginner voice actor