How to Hire the Right Voice Actor for Your Brand

Whether you’re a video production company in Utah or a worldwide corporation, hiring the perfect voice actor can prove quite a difficult task. It is very easy to hire the wrong person and waste money that could have been better used on other video production tasks. However, there are a few easy tips to follow to make sure that the next time your video production company hires a voice actor, it hires the right person for the job.

First off, it’s not only about the person you hire, it’s about your vision for that person before you even find him or her. Whether located in Utah or elsewhere, your video production agency should work together to create a voice profile—a list of required and suggested qualities for the voice. 

Should it be a female or male voice? Should it be high or low; childlike or mature; authoritative or comforting? It is very important that the voice reflect the brand and its associated messaging. As always, keep your audience in mind; what voice does your audience want to hear? You want it to be a seamless cohesion of voice and brand message to be memorable but also natural to listeners. 

Prior to the audition, look at the candidate’s past experience and portfolio. You should make sure to listen to whatever demos she or he provides. A familiarity with the candidate (simple things like if she or he is from Utah or the East Coast) will make the audition process more productive. It is typically recommended to use the most difficult part of the script for auditions. This way your video production company knows that the person you are hiring is up to the task. 

If you’re hiring in Utah or elsewhere, the person you hire should not only be able to perform, but be willing to fail. Make sure you give critiques during the audition, and have the candidate read the script through multiple times. It is important that you know that a candidate can handle criticism and improve accordingly. You want someone who is talented but also hardworking. 

It is also important to hire someone who understands your brand and what you want to communicate. Educate the candidate on what you are trying to say, and ask him or her questions to ensure understanding. You don’t just want a good voice, but someone who is able to internalize and tell your story with natural emotion, charisma, and confidence. 

Whether you’re recording in Utah or on the opposite side of the globe, make sure the person you hire is timely and professional. It may be smart to pick top three candidates and present them to the entire team so you gather a variety of opinions. If you follow these steps, you should be able to hire your best voice actor yet! 

Saja Chodosh writes for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. She writes for many other clients as well.