How do I find a Voiceover Artist?

Are you looking for a voiceover artist for your project? If you are then there is certainly no shortage to choose from. And that in itself can be a huge problem; you could be completely overwhelmed by the choice of voice artists available on hundreds of websites. To say it's daunting is an understatement.

Because the voice you choose will reflect your company brand and the tone and style that your project with present, it is vital that you choose the right person.

Most websites will let you see and hear voiceover artists and their previous voiceover work. Just by looking at a website you will be able to tell instantly if you may want to do business with this person. If the website is too fussy, too garish or so hard to navigate, you will be very likely to just skip to the next one.

If the audio doesn’t play - or takes too long to load - you may give up at that stage too. And if what you hear is awful, whether it's a bad voice or not what you are looking for, you will move on quickly.

And if the voice talent you hear is not in good quality or sounds too "live" (like they are in a large open space) and not warm then you may question whether their home studio can really produce the quality that you are looking for.

Here are some other handy hints to help you during your search for a voiceover artist on the internet:

1. After you get in touch for the first time ask for some MP3 samples if you aren't able to download them from the voiceover artist's website. It's much quicker than asking for a CD in the post or an audition. How the voice artist responds - and how long it takes - will tell you as much about them as the audio

2. Ask for a voiceover demo. Any professional voiceover artist with their own home studio will be more than happy to supply you with a SMALL portion of your script to be recorded for you to check that their voice is right for your - or your client's project. But don't be surprised if they change the odd word or two or add tone or watermarks to it. There are just too many unscrupulous producers who expect a recording for a "demo" then use that as the real thing without paying.

3.Ask for the voiceover artists CV. Many will have a list of previous clients on their websites, but if they don't make sure you check them out with previous clients. Many voiceover artists will have testimonials from previous clients on their website; how about contacting two or three of them to check that they are real?

4. Talk money. Many voiceover artists will give you their fee for your project - based an their hourly rate. If you are trying to source a voiceover artist for a large project, many will give you a fee for the whole project. Some voice artists will invoice for payment after you have received the audio; others will require a fee upfront with the balance at the end; others will want the full fee upfront (especially if you are in a different country to the voice artist).

5. Call the voiceover artist. You will then be able to hear what they really sound like and if the audio samples on their website were twenty years ago or more recent.(We all sound different than we did five years ago, let alone twenty). You will also be able to tell if you can do business with this person by having a chat, see if they are friendly, brusque, stressed, more than willing to help you or arrogant

6. Ask the voiceover artist if they can provide all services digitally. Some voiceover artists have the equipment and skills to record the at their home studio, convert it into an audio file of your choosing and allow you to download it directly from their website. Oh and ask the voiceover artist when they will finish the project and if they charge for amendments.