How to Hire a Voiceover Artist for Your Business
Step-by-step guide to hiring a voiceover artist for commercials, corporate videos, eLearning, and business content. From brief to final delivery.
How to Hire a Voiceover Artist for Your Business
Whether you need a voice for a commercial, corporate training video, promotional content, or customer phone system, hiring the right voiceover artist can make or break your project. The process doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require clarity about what you need and how to evaluate the talent you receive. This guide walks you through each step.
Start by Defining Your Project Needs
Before you search for voiceover talent, be clear about your project's requirements. Vague briefs lead to poor auditions and wasted time. Spend 10 minutes answering these questions:
- What is the purpose? Is this a 30-second radio spot, a 10-minute corporate training module, a phone greeting system, or something else? The format affects pacing and delivery.
- Who is your audience? A B2B tech company sounds different from a children's animated video. Age, profession, and demographic shape tone and accent choices.
- What tone do you need? Friendly and conversational? Professional and authoritative? Warm and reassuring? Energetic and upbeat? Be specific.
- How long is the script? Word count helps artists estimate their effort and quote accordingly.
- What language and accent? English is most common, but specify: American, British, Australian, or another variant? Or do you need a different language entirely?
- What is your deadline? Rush jobs may affect availability, so be realistic about when you need the final file.
- How will the voiceover be used? Commercial broadcast, internal training, social media, website, phone system? This affects licensing and usage rights.
- Do you have a script ready? Artists can work with rough copy, but a final script saves rounds of revision.
Know What Information to Include in Your Brief
When you post your project, your brief is how artists understand your needs—and it's also where you communicate the project details before any artist is selected. Be thorough but concise. Include:
- A summary of the project and its purpose
- Target audience and tone (with examples if helpful: "like a friendly expert" or "authoritative news anchor")
- The script itself, or at minimum a clear description of what will be voiced
- Language and accent requirements
- Expected delivery timeline
- Usage rights (is this for internal use, broadcast, commercial, one-time use?)
- Any other details unique to your project (background music style, technical requirements, genre)
The clearer your brief, the more relevant auditions you'll receive and the faster you can make a decision.
Review Auditions and Compare Artists
Once you post your project, artists will submit auditions—recordings of your script (or a sample of it) performed in the style you've requested. Listen carefully. Consider:
- Does the tone match your vision? Does it sound authoritative, warm, energetic, or whatever you specified? Or does it miss the mark?
- Is the pacing right? Is the delivery too slow, too fast, or just right for your audience and purpose?
- Is the audio quality professional? You're hearing the artist's work environment and equipment. Is it clear and broadcast-ready, or muddy and amateur?
- Does the artist's voice suit your brand or project? Even a technically excellent voiceover can feel wrong if the voice doesn't match your product or message.
- Check the artist's profile. Look at their experience, other work samples, and any available details about their setup or specialties.
Don't automatically pick the first or cheapest audition. Listen to at least a few options and compare. The right fit saves revisions and delivers better results.
Understand Artist Terms Before You Commit
Each artist works differently. Before you place an order, review the terms and details that artist or their listing makes available—this might cover delivery timeline, number of revisions, file formats, usage rights, or other specifics. Read these carefully so you understand what you're paying for.
If an important requirement isn't clear—for example, how many revisions are included, or whether the artist can meet your deadline—contact BookVoiceover support before placing an order rather than assuming or trying to negotiate with the artist directly. This protects both you and the artist and ensures the order starts on solid ground.
Place Your Order
Once you've chosen your artist and reviewed their terms, you'll place an order through the platform. Payment happens at this point. After your order is confirmed, direct communication with the artist becomes available—this is when you can discuss specifics, share final scripts, or clarify any project details in real time.
Manage Revisions and Delivery
Work with your artist to finalize the recording. If revisions are needed—adjusting pacing, re-recording a section, changing emphasis—communicate clearly and directly. Revision policies vary by artist, so know what's included in your agreement before you start.
Once you approve the final recording, the artist will deliver the files in the format you need (usually MP3 and WAV). Download and test them immediately in your video editing software, website, or phone system to make sure everything works as expected.
Common Questions
How long does a voiceover project take?
Timelines vary widely depending on the artist's availability, the scope of your project, and how many revisions are needed. The best way to understand timeline expectations is to check the terms the artist you're interested in has already published, and ensure they align with your deadline before ordering.
What if I'm not happy with the first audition?
You'll receive multiple auditions from different artists. Choose the one that best fits your vision. If you'd like to hear more from the artists who auditioned, you can compare their work before selecting anyone. Once you've placed an order with a specific artist, you can discuss revisions directly with them.
Do I need a finished script before hiring?
A completed script is ideal, but not always required. Artists can audition with a rough version or sample of your copy. However, you should have your final script ready before placing an order, so the artist can deliver exactly what you need without multiple rounds of revision.
What formats will I receive?
Most voiceover artists deliver MP3 and WAV files. Confirm the file formats in the artist's terms or in your project brief—specify what your editing software, website platform, or phone system requires.
Can I use the voiceover in multiple projects?
Usage rights depend on what you agree to with the artist. Some artists include broad commercial rights; others restrict use to a single project. This should be clear in the artist's published terms or your project brief. If it's unclear, ask before ordering.
Ready to Get Started
The key to a smooth voiceover hire is preparation and clarity. Define your needs, write a clear brief, listen carefully to auditions, and review the artist's terms before committing. When you're ready to post your project and start receiving auditions from qualified artists, registration is free.