These are just a few of the many questions you’ll need to answer. But don’t worry.
We’re here to walk you through the 7 most important things to do when seeking a professional voice over.
1. Get Organized
Before you can even think about hiring a voice actor, you need to get organized.
This starts with the following three items:
Script
A finalized script gives you a clear project scope, ensuring that both you and the actor will know exactly what’s expected.
You’ll also need excerpts to share with potential hires so they can record auditions.
To make the process easier, consider using Voice Crafter’s FREE AI copywriter tool to create a sharp, succinct, and professional script.
Remember to also format your script properly, simplifying the recording process and reducing the need for retakes.
Budget
You should come in with a rough estimate of how much you plan to pay for voice acting.
It’s important to provide this information to candidates upfront so that there’s transparency for both sides.
Artistic Direction
While the voice actor will contribute a unique flair, you should still have an idea of the tone, style, and pacing you’re looking for.
This will help you connect with voiceover artists who match your project goals.
You don’t need to have everything figured out in advance, but working out the basics will make the rest of the process that much easier.
2. Compare Your Options
There are virtually infinite options when it comes to finding voice over talent.
It can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re new to the world of voice acting.
To get the best results, look for providers like Voice Crafters, who pre-screen their talent.
Working with a professional voice over provider that vets its voice actors ensures that you’re choosing from a pool of talent with verified experience and high-quality equipment.
You’ll also avoid wasting time listening to candidates who should have been filtered out by the agency.
Instead of spending several hours reviewing auditions that don’t meet your needs, with a company like Voice Crafters, you can focus on selecting the best fit from a carefully curated list of qualified professionals.
That’s because a company like ours will go through your brief so as to help you narrow down your choices before even getting to the audition stage.
These demos contain snippets that showcase each voice actor’s style and delivery.
You can also visit their profile page to find more voice demos in different categories like narration, e-learning, Interactive Voice Response, video games, animation, and more.
If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a perfect fit that you want to hire immediately.
In most cases, it’s better to come up with a shortlist and ask them to submit auditions.
American Voice Actor John S.
Demo tapes are great, but there’s no replacement for hearing an actor read from your script.
Remember that there’s no such thing as a perfect voice actor — just perfect fits for particular projects.
The right voice actor will make the script “pop” and help you engage with viewers or listeners.
The video below showcases our very own John S. in a commercial for Opel Astra.
John’s strong, sleek voice is an ideal match for the brand’s luxurious image.
One of the most common mistakes we see from clients is coming in with a vague or unclear project concept.
If you don’t know how you want the finished product to look and sound, you’ll have trouble finding a voice actor who can bring it to life.
4. Ask About the Recording Environment
Ideally, professional voice overs should be recorded in a soundproofed studio with acoustic treatment, a high-quality microphone, and top studio monitors.
In practice, most voice actors record from home, and there is lots of variation between setups.
Don’t be shy to ask about the voice actor’s studio (or raw samples from recent recordings).
Audio editing software can improve recording quality, but it’s much easier to edit a recording that’s free of background noise and other imperfections.
Again, by choosing to work with a bona fide professional voice over company like Voice Crafters, they’ll vet their talent to ensure they can produce broadcast-quality audio from their home studio.
5. Consider Availability
As football coach Bill Parcells said, the best ability is availability.
Finding an actor with the perfect voice is great, but you need to make sure they can commit to the required workload and reliably meet project deadlines.
Make sure you check the voice actor’s schedule, whether they can make sessions at your desired times, and align on the total commitment so your project can run smoothly.
Remember that you also have responsibilities as a client.
If you’re not fully prepared for a session, you may just waste each other’s time and find yourself paying for retakes later on.
You wouldn’t choose a restaurant with a two-star Yelp rating.
Similarly, you should go through a voice actor’s reviews, testimonials, and references before hiring them.
It’s important to know whether previous clients were satisfied with the recording itself as well as the collaborative experience.
This will help you learn things about the voice actor that won’t necessarily be clear from a demo reel or audition tape.
If past customers have negative things to say about their communication, for example, that’s a big red flag.
Can’t find any public reviews? Feel free to ask for references to contact directly.
7. Understand Rates and Pricing
Last but not least, you’ll want to have a good grasp of standard rates and pricing.
If you’re not sure how much to budget, start by checking this industry rate guide.
Of course, there are voice actors who will charge you far more (or less) than the standard guideline.
If you go for a cheaper option, they may or may not offer the quality you’re expecting.
On the other hand, if you choose to pay top dollar for a professional voice over service, you’ll need to make sure the actor can deliver what they say they can—and what you need.
Like hiring any other professional, it’s up to you to compare different voice actors and determine which one offers the best overall value.
These are usually the ones who look out for the actors’ best interests and are more deeply involved in the industry.
Remember that there’s nothing wrong with making counteroffers and negotiating with actors and agencies.
Getting multiple quotes will put pressure on candidates to offer lower bids, which ultimately helps you save money.
Hire a Professional Voice Over Artist Today
That’s it! Now that you’re armed with everything you need to hire a professional voice over artist, you’re well on your way to bringing your creative project to life.
Don’t forget that hiring and working with voice actors can take a significant amount of time.
You’ll need to decide what to look for, compare options, listen to audition tapes, agree on terms, schedule and complete recording sessions, edit the audio, and finally integrate it into your content.
Make sure to start your search early on in order to avoid delaying the project.
Ready to get started? Take a listen to our voice actors and start requesting quotes + audition tapes!
If you still need some guidance, feel free to get in touch, and we’ll help you source the right professional voice over to make your project a stand-out success.
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