How to hire voice actors online: voice project tips and tools

Voice acting can be applied to various projects, from dubbing an animated series to narrating your social media posts. However, to make sure your project is the best it can be, hiring a good voice actor is crucial.

This article will tell you what voice actors do, their essential requirements and responsibilities, and direct you to some of the best voiceover websites where you can find great voice actors for hire.

What do voice actors do?

Voice actors are performers who provide their voices to various forms of media, such as movies, TV commercials, jingles, podcasts, or for dubbing cartoons and video games. However, voice acting doesn’t only include the ability or talent to speak in different types of voices. It also requires a great deal of knowledge, technical skills, experience, and training.

Qualifications: A degree in acting, theater, broadcasting, and similar isn’t mandatory to become a professional voice actor. Voice actors are often trained on the set of the job, but it’s preferred to have at least three years of experience in performing in front of an audience, and certifications and licenses are always a plus.

Skills and responsibilities: There are several sets of skills professional voice actors need to have. Acting skills are the basis of every successful voice actor. They include the ability to portray different emotions, get into character, employ various dramatic techniques, and memorize lines.

Good communication skills are also needed for a voiceover talent. On the set, you need to communicate openly and collaborate with the crew. Moreover, you need to know how to provide and receive feedback and apply it to your acting.

The last skill set involves knowing what voice recording equipment includes and how it works. Voice actors are expected to know how to record and mix audio files, especially if they’re working independently outside a recording studio. To master these aspects, having a home studio where you can learn the process of audio and video editing comfortably is beneficial.

Identifying the right voice for your project

Now that you understand the importance of voice acting, it’s time to identify the perfect voice for your project. This involves defining your project’s voice acting needs and looking for specific characteristics in voice actors. With the rise of post-production and production services available online, it’s easier than ever to find and hire voice actors online. Let’s break it down.

Defining your project’s voice acting needs

Before embarking on your search for voice talent, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your project’s voice acting needs.

Consider the genre, tone, and target audience of your project. Is it a comedy that requires a lively and energetic voice, or a thriller that demands a voice with a mysterious and suspenseful quality? Defining these needs will help you narrow down your search and find a voice actor who can deliver exactly what you’re looking for.

For example, if your project is an animated children’s series, you may need voice actors who can portray a range of colorful and engaging characters. The voice actors should be able to capture the imagination of young viewers and bring the characters to life with enthusiasm and creativity.

On the other hand, if your project is a documentary, you may need a voice actor with a calm and authoritative tone to narrate the story and engage the audience in a compelling manner.

Additionally, consider the language requirements of your project. If your project is targeting a specific region or demographic, it may be beneficial to find voice actors who are fluent in the relevant language or dialect.

This will ensure that the voice acting resonates with the intended audience and adds authenticity to the project. There are several voice acting websites and platforms where you can find popular voice actors and free resources to find the perfect voice for your project.

Characteristics to look for in a voice actor

Firstly, versatility. Look for voice actors who can transform their voice to suit different characters and moods. A versatile voice actor will be able to adapt to the unique requirements of your project and bring a diverse range of characters to life.

Experience is another important characteristic to consider. Seek out actors with a track record of delivering exceptional performances. Look for voice actors who have worked on similar projects or have received recognition for their voice acting skills.

Their experience will bring a level of professionalism and expertise to your project, especially if they’re among the popular voice actors in the industry.

Furthermore, professionalism is key when selecting a voice actor. A good voice actor not only has the talent but also the ability to meet deadlines, take direction, and collaborate effectively. They should be reliable and committed to delivering high-quality work. Look for actors who have a reputation for being easy to work with and who have a strong work ethic.

It’s also worth considering the technical capabilities of the voice actors. Do they have access to professional recording equipment and a soundproof recording space? This will ensure that the audio quality of your project is top-notch and free from any unwanted background noise or distractions.

Keep these characteristics in mind as you review portfolios and conduct auditions. Take the time to listen to samples of the voice actors’ previous work and assess whether their style and tone align with your project’s needs. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or seek recommendations from industry professionals to ensure you find the perfect voice for your project.

Online resources for hiring voice actors

If you need to hire voice actors for your projects, there are plenty of sources you can turn to. This section will outline some of the best websites for finding voiceover jobs and voice actors for hire.

Voices.com

Voices.com is the number one marketplace for voiceover jobs. It offers over 2,000,000 professional voiceover actors from 160 countries worldwide. You can easily find a voiceover talent by creating an account for free and posting the job description.

You can also find work on this website by creating an account and uploading voice samples. You can be a guest member for free, but Voices.com offers a Premium membership for those who want to unlock more options.

Voice123

Voice123 is a voiceover marketplace that has hosted more than 25,000 projects. You can hire a voice actor by posting a project or manually searching for one. You can filter them by language, union, purpose, gender, and age. The website allows you to listen to voice samples of professional voiceover artists from all around the world. Book the right voice actor for your project and pay them directly on the platform.

Voquent

Voquent is an app that offers both voiceover services and voice actor positions. If you’re a voice actor, narrator, broadcaster, or performer, you can sign up for free, post samples of your work, and get hired within minutes.

If you’re looking for a voiceover talent, you can browse over 80,000 demos and cast your pick for free. The website also offers additional paid services like recording, audio editing, dubbing, subtitling into 600 languages, and localization of e-learning courses, videos, and apps.

Backstage

Backstage is the way to go if you’re looking for a voiceover talent database with an easy filtering system. You can choose between genders, different voice ages, voice styles, languages, and accents. You can even add a keyword, search by location, or see whether they own a home studio.

You can message the voice actors directly on the website or send invitations for them to apply to your audition.

Fiverr

Currently, Fiverr has nearly 34,400 services in its voiceover section. It might be the best option if you’re looking for variety and want to quickly filter the services by budget, delivery time, seller details, language, accent, gender, tone, age, and purpose. You can also sort the actors by the best-selling, newest, or most recommended.

Voiver

Voiver provides the fastest way to reach voiceover actors and finish the job within hours. Register as a content producer, type in the number of words, seconds, minutes, or hours, and select one of the many languages and accents the website offers.

You can check how much each voice actor charges and how long is the recording time. The voice actors will record the audio in their home studios, so you can just send them the script and wait for the recording to be done. There are no hidden costs, and you can even ask for revisions for free.

Get quality voiceovers easily with Speechify

If your project includes voiceover work, but you don’t want to spend time searching for a professional voiceover actor, Speechify is a perfect choice. Speechify is an AI voiceover service that provides seamless, natural-sounding narration in over 200 high-quality voices and more than 20 languages and accents.

You can use Speechify to narrate books, videos, presentations, or any text. Try it for free today.

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a voice actor?

The cost of hiring a voice actor will depend on the project, the length of the script, and how many words it contains. A script that lasts 30 minutes and has around 3000 words can cost between $500 and $700.

What are the benefits of hiring voice actors?

Voice actors make your content more appealing and engaging to new users, make your website more visible, give your brand authenticity, and make it more familiar and recognizable.

Who are the best voice actors?

Some of the best voice actors earned that title mostly for their work in famous cartoons. The number one voice actor on many such lists is Mel Blanc, often called the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” Other notable actors are Frank Welker, Robin Williams, and Tara Strong.

What is the process for hiring voice actors online?

If you want to hire a reliable and high-quality voice actor, there are several steps you need to follow. First, create a detailed script with additional services you’ll need. Post the job description and review the auditions. Give your potential voice actors feedback before you decide which one has the perfect voice for your project.

What is the difference between a voice actor and a voiceover artist?

Voiceover artists are usually hired to narrate audiobooks, explainer videos, documentaries, and IVR voiceovers. On the other hand, voice actors specialize in providing their voices for characters in video games, radio dramas, and dubbing foreign-language movies and cartoons.