So, you want to hire voice talent. Hiring voice talent doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, the process can be simple if you start with a little research, preparation, and keep the right goals in mind.
Voice talent can be hired for many different industries, and there are a variety of voices to choose from. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of available options, follow these 5 steps to hire the right voiceover talent for your project. You’ll learn the process is actually simpler than you may think, and you’ll be well on your way to hiring the voiceover actor you had hoped for!
1. Define Your Voice Talent Needs
Why do you want to hire voice talent? What need will the voice talent fill? The first step to hiring voice talent is to determine your needs and the project scope.
- Evaluate your project scope. What is the purpose of the voice talent? Will the project need to be informational, entertaining, or something else? How long will the script be? How long will the project audio air or be on social media? That could be three months, six months, a year, five years… determine your timeframe.
- Consider the industry you are hiring for and the tone and style that fits that industry. Are you looking for a warm voice? What about confident or authoritative? Does the voice need to be energetic?
- Decide your demographic needs. Does the voice talent need to fit a certain demographic?
Once the project needs and details are established, you can move on to determining your budget.
2. Set Your Budget
The next step to hire voice talent is to decide on your budget and what requirements you have for the project deliverables.
Your budget should be set based on the length of your script, project type, and usage rights. Decide what your must-have items are for the scope of your project and set a budget around those items. While many talent use the GVAA Rate Guide as a barometer, talent often are willing to negotiate depending upon your budget. I always ask what your budget is, because I know budgets vary so wildly.
3. Search for Voice Talent
This step in the process may seem the most daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Sure, there are many options for searching for the right voice talent, but that just means the right voice talent is out there that would be perfect for your needs!
So, where should you begin? There are a few avenues you could take to find the right talent for you:
- You can use an agency. Agencies often have set processes and a plethora of diverse voices to choose from. You will pay additional fees and higher rates, but they do a lot of the leg work for you.
- Freelance platforms can be a great way to discover talent you might not otherwise find.
- My personal favorite is direct hire and referrals. If you find great voice talent yourself or know the contacts who can point you in the right direction, working directly with voice talent has many benefits. You can work with the talent directly without the middleman and can receive a personalized experience. Need more convincing? Check out 5 benefits of booking voiceover talent direct.
Once you have voice talent in mind, now it’s time to make the connection!
4. Review Demos
Oftentimes, a big factor in hiring the right voice talent is reviewing demos and the voice talent’s previous work. Take a listen to their portfolio and take note of their delivery and pronunciation, technical sound quality, and more. The voice talent might even be able to record a custom demo for you featuring part of your script! (I am always happy to record an audition for you!)
Once you have pinpointed the voice talent you would like to hire, it’s finally time to seal the deal.
5. Finalize the Deal
Communication is crucial for this stage in the process. You want to ensure that all parties involved are on the same page.
Not only is a contract important for finalizing the deal, but communicating specific details is, too. If you have pronunciation guidelines or pacing and emphasis preferences, now is the time to let your voice talent know. Of course, you’ll also want to agree on deadlines and file requirements as well.
After you go through these 5 steps to hire the right voice talent, now you can watch the magic happen! Once all parties have agreed on the terms and details, your booked voice actor will handle the rest. Voice actors are experienced professionals, and oftentimes, they would be happy to check in with you at every stage of the process so you can focus on what you do best while they do theirs!
Did these 5 steps help you hire the right voice actor? Once you determine your project details, set your budget, search for voice talent across different platforms, review demos, and finalize the deal, you will be well on your way to completing your project with the voice talent that aligns with your project idea.
Are you still on the hunt for the right voice actor for your project? Contact me, and let’s see if my voice fits your project needs! I’m currently booking new clients and would be happy to discuss your ideas.
