Have you been online recently? Short videos like Reels and TikTok have taken over the throne as far as what style of content reigns supreme. Some of our favorite short videos are ones with voiceovers (of course). Of course, you may be slightly camera shy, and that’s okay! Voice-over artists can help you create engaging and valuable content for your page. But do you know how to pick a voice talent for your content needs? If you’re wondering, “Where can I find a voiceover for my project?” we’re here to help! Check out these five ways to pick a voice artist for your next project.
Define Your Project’s Parameters
So you’re ready to hire a voiceover for your project. Great! But first, what is your project? Do you need a funny voice? A serious one? Or maybe you just need it to sound like a friendly neighbor. Defining your project’s parameters can help you pick voice talent easier. Narrowing down what needs to be said, how the lines should be delivered, and how viewers should feel when hearing the voice are all crucial for picking a voiceover for your project.
If you’re new to this, you might even be confused about what you’re looking for. Here are three different types of voiceover artists you may want to consider in your project.
Voice Actor
Do you need a specific character to act as the voice of your potential consumer? A professional voice actor can pack emotion and personality into their voice. With a voice actor, you have flexible voices to choose from that can fit multiple roles. This might be great for someone who needs a soothing voice for a spa product or someone who needs a comforting voice to tell a heartwarming story.
Announcer
You know that powerful voice you hear on radio commercials? That’s an announcer. A voice talent that acts as an announcer is a classic voice that is perfect for delivering a medium or hard-to-sell product or service. Think of the kind of voices you hear in advertisements or movie trailers. These voices stir something in your soul and can be an excellent choice for many projects.
Narrator
Do you need a voice that sounds approachable but also knowledgeable and authoritative? A narrator can help you achieve this style of voice. This voice-over talent can draw in an audience and make them feel confident in what they are about to purchase or learn.
To determine which voiceover style is suitable for your project, you’ll need to clearly define which industry you are in and which industry you are trying to market to. Voice-over talents in beauty commercials sound different from talents in car commercials.
Listen to Voice Talents
How do you pick a voice talent for your project? Well, you have to listen to a few. When first starting, you might think you want an announcer, but after listening to examples, you might realize your project needs something a little more casual. Taking the time to listen to samples of different voice-overs for your project can help you hone in on the right sound. Here are a few things to consider while listening to other voice talents
Age
Is your audience younger? The age demographics of your audience will determine the type of voiceover talent you should choose. Young people typically want someone upbeat, excitable, and fun while older demographics tend to seek a deeper and more mature voice since that is what they are accustomed to hearing. It’s all about what emotions you want to impart to your audience listeners. Choose the wrong one, and you may alienate your audience unintentionally.
Gender Demographic
Gender is a hot topic right now, but it can have a considerable impact on your voiceover talent and their success in your project. Your campaign might be geared towards women, and having a man’s voice might be off-putting. Or, maybe you’re trying to target men, and having a soft woman’s voice wouldn’t really appeal to your audience for this particular campaign. Keep in mind that people find male voices domineering while female voices are soothing and nurturing. Take all this into account when deciding the best voiceover for my project.
Accent
Accents can be a fun addition when considering who and how to pick a voice talent. Selecting the proper accent makes your content not only more believable but more relatable as well. Whether you’re trying to appeal locally or to people from another country or culture, the accent can mean the difference between a successful campaign and an unsuccessful one.
Consider regional and cultural-specific accents as well. For example, US Southerners may not relate to someone with a Bostonian accent. At the same time, west coasters might find a southern accent too funny to take seriously.
Don’t forget to consider language as well. Many people in the Southwest speak both Spanish and English. They may relate better to a Spanish message or to Hispanic accented English instead of a native English speaker.
Consider the Artist’s Experience
Everyone has to start somewhere, but sometimes you need someone with more experience. When deciding how to pick a voice-over talent for your project, consider their expertise. Have they done voice acting in your industry? Do they understand what your audience typically likes to hear in a voice? An experienced voiceover for your project should make your project more accessible, not more complicated.
An artist’s experience will likely determine how much they charge. A more experienced voice talent might cost more than you budgeted for, but would be worth the additional expense.
Inquire About Turnaround Time and Availability
After considering all of the above, you’ll need to figure out their availability and turn-around time. You may need this project to get launched ASAP. While the above are all important when determining how to pick a voice talent, even more so is the turnaround time and availability of your chosen artist. You don’t want your project getting placed on the back burner because a voice-over for your project is not available in time.
Trust Your Gut
You probably don’t know too many voiceover talents near you. That’s okay! There are plenty of voiceover talents for your project that you can find online. However, because of the location barriers, you may be wondering, “Are they the right voice-over for my project?” This is the time to tune in and listen to your gut. Look for reviews or testimonials on their website, and don’t be too shy to ask questions when deciding on who and how to pick a voice talent for your project. When you find the right one, you’ll know!
Discover Your Voice Talent Today
Greg Thomas is an experienced voice talent ready to take your upcoming project to the next level. Learn how voice-overs can elevate your content and make it valuable, engaging, and competitive with today’s algorithms. Learn more online at Deep Warm Voice. We can help you start your project off right!
