How to Work with a Voice Actor: A Guide for Clients

Whether you're producing a commercial, an e-learning module, or a corporate video, working with a voice actor is straightforward when you know what to expect. This guide covers what clients should prepare, how to select the right talent, and how to communicate for the best results.

Finalize Your Script First

Before reaching out to voice talent, get your script as close to final as possible. Changes after recording mean additional time in the booth, re-editing, and usually additional charges. Most voice actors include one round of minor revisions in their pricing, but significant rewrites are a separate cost.

A few things to check before sending your script:

• Pronunciations: Flag any unusual names, technical terms, or brand-specific pronunciations. Include a pronunciation guide if needed.
• Timing requirements: If the audio needs to fit a specific duration (like a 30-second commercial spot), note that upfront. Word count directly affects read time.
• Tone and context: Where will this audio be used? A corporate training video calls for a different delivery than a social media ad. The more context you provide, the better the first take will be.

Select the Right Talent

Voice actors specialize. Some focus on warm, conversational commercial reads. Others do character work, audiobook narration, or hard-sell radio spots. Hiring the wrong type of voice for your project wastes everyone's time.

How to find the right fit:

• Listen to demos before reaching out. Most voice actors have samples organized by genre (commercial, narration, character, etc.) on their profiles or websites.
• Be specific about what you need: "American male, conversational, mid-30s energy" is much more useful than "professional voice."
• On platforms like Fiverr, you can search by category and listen to samples before ordering.
• For larger projects, request a custom audition or short sample read. Most professionals will record a brief sample of your actual script so you can hear how they interpret your material.

Communicate Clear Expectations

The single biggest factor in getting a great voiceover on the first take is clear direction. Don't assume the voice actor will "just know" what you want.

Include in your brief:

• Desired tone: Friendly and conversational? Authoritative and professional? Energetic and upbeat?
• Pacing: Fast-paced and punchy, or slow and deliberate?
• Target audience: Who will hear this? Executives, students, consumers, kids?
• Reference examples: If there's an existing voiceover, commercial, or style you want to match, share it. A 30-second reference clip communicates more than a paragraph of description.
• What to avoid: Sometimes knowing what you don't want is just as useful. "Not announcer-y" or "not overly salesy" helps the actor calibrate.

The Typical Process

Once you have your script and your talent selected, the process usually follows these steps:

1. Submit your script with direction notes, pronunciations, and any timing requirements
2. The voice actor records and delivers raw or edited audio (depending on what you ordered)
3. Review the delivery and request any revisions within the agreed scope
4. Receive final files in your preferred format (WAV, MP3, etc.)

For longer or more complex projects, you might want a directed session where you listen in real-time and provide feedback as the actor records. This is standard practice for broadcast commercials and larger productions.

What Good Clients Do Differently

The clients who get the best results from voice actors tend to share a few habits:

• They provide complete information upfront instead of dripping details across multiple messages
• They trust the professional's interpretation while giving clear guardrails
• They respond to questions quickly so the project stays on schedule
• They leave honest reviews that help the voice actor build their reputation

A great working relationship with a voice actor often turns into repeat business. Many of my longest-running clients started with a single small project, liked the experience, and kept coming back.

Need a voice for your next project? Listen to my demos or get in touch to discuss your needs.