What does it take to stand out (for the right reasons) at a TV talent show audition? Here are some top tips on how to impress the judges.

Vocal coach Jai Ramage has worked behind the scenes on TV talent shows such as The Voice UK, Voice Kids UK and Little Mix: The Search.

She knows what makes producers and judges sit up and take notice – and the choices that can spell disaster for auditionees.

Here are Jai’s dos and don’ts of TV talent show auditions.

Don’t: Choose the same song as everyone else

“There’s always one song every year that everyone sings – it’s important to avoid that song,” Jai says.

“One year it was Shallow, another year it was Rise Up, and I think our most-heard song ever is At Last by Etta James.

“They’re great songs; I can see why people pick them because they’re great vehicles for the voice. But it’s hard to be objective when it’s the 30th time you’ve heard it that day.”

Do: Think outside the box

Choose a song that reflects who you are as a performer.

“The key to getting noticed is individuality,” Jai says. “Singing a song out of gender or out of style or having somebody play the guitar so it doesn’t sound like the original, things like that can be helpful.”

Don’t: Try and be something you’re not

Don’t over-analyse things and try to give the judges what you think they’re looking for.

“Just be comfortable in your own skin, you don’t have to fit into any box,” Jai says.

“Sometimes singers think ‘I’m going to fit into such and such a category’, but you don’t have to do that.”

Do: Understand what your unique selling point (USP) is?

If you’re struggling to understand your USP, ask yourself these questions.

• Who am I as a person and how is that reflected in my singing?

• What song can I choose that reflects who I am?

• How can I sing it to reflect who I am?

Don’t: Peak too early

While viewers may only get to see a few minutes of a singer’s audition, in reality the performers have been preparing for their big moment for months.

“It looks like we coach them for two minutes, open the door and shove them on stage,” Jai says. “But with The Voice they prep for months and months for that one minute and a half on stage.

“They’re really well prepped and can be a bit bored with their song by the time they get on stage. But you have to deliver the best version you can in the 90 seconds you have.”

Do: Have a flexible mindset

With a theatre gig, you know exactly what time the curtain will rise. However, TV running orders can be more unpredictable.

“The contestant might not know what time they’re going on because things have changed at the last minute,” Jai says.

However, you must be flexible, stay calm and maintain your energy levels.

Learn more

Listen to our interview with Jai on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast where she also discusses her experience in artist development and why she took on the role of artist manager.