The voice you choose for your business’s multimedia content is not a decision to take lightly. It can become the signature sound of your brand and influence the impression you make on your audience. Therefore, when it comes to hiring professional voice over services, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. Here are our top recommendations.

1.Understand Your Brand’s Voice

Before you even start searching for a professional voice over artist, you need to fully understand your own brand’s voice. Ask yourself, “If my brand were a person, what would they sound like?” The answer will guide you in selecting a voice over artist that matches your brand identity, be it authoritative, friendly, inspiring, or quirky.

2. Define Your Project Requirements

Every project is different, and so are its requirements. Identify the type of project for which you need voice over services – is it a commercial, e-learning module, explainer video, or a podcast? The project type will guide the tone, pace, and style of the voice over.

3. Research Thoroughly

Take your time to research various voice over service providers and individual artists. Look into their portfolio and experience, focusing on past projects that resemble your current needs. Pay attention to their reviews and testimonials to understand their reliability and professionalism.

4. Request Samples

Any reputable voice over service will provide samples of their work. These can give you a better idea of their range and versatility. Don’t hesitate to ask for specific examples that align with your project’s nature and requirements.

5. Ensure Clear Communication

A clear, comprehensive brief is essential to help the voice over artist understand your expectations. Include details about your target audience, the project’s purpose, desired tone, pace, and any pronunciation guides for brand-specific terms or names.

6. Consider Multilingual Needs

If your business caters to a global audience, you may need voice overs in different languages. If this is the case, make sure your chosen service can accommodate this requirement.

7. Check Technical Specifications

Confirm if the voice over service can provide the format you require (like MP3, WAV, AIFF, etc.) and whether they can cater to specific technical requests like timestamps, separate files for each line, etc.

8. Negotiate Rights and Usage

The rights and usage of the recorded voice over can impact your budget significantly. Ensure you discuss these aspects before finalizing the contract. Some voice over artists charge based on the duration of use, geographical location, or type of media where the voice over will be used.

9. Factor in Revisions

Even with a detailed brief, there may be a need for revisions. Check the service provider’s revision policy and charges. Some offer a certain number of revisions free of charge within the agreed-upon fee.

10. Maintain a Long-term Perspective

Finding a professional voice over services that fits your needs can be a time-consuming process. Once you’ve found the right fit, it can be beneficial to form a long-term relationship. They’ll become more familiar with your brand, leading to a smoother working process and consistent brand voice.

Conclusion

Hiring a professional voice over service is an important step in creating compelling audio-visual content. By following these best practices, you can ensure that you find a voice that truly represents your brand and resonates with your audience.