Voice actor for television ads

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Cliff Weitzman
By Cliff Weitzman Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify in VoiceOver on September 27, 2022
A good Voice Actor for Television Ads can make or break a campaign. Learn how to choose the right talent, communicate your vision, and create a memorable ad.

    Television commercials are an effective way for businesses to promote their products and services to a large audience. However, a commercial’s success relies heavily on its audio-visual components, particularly the voiceover.

    From the booming announcer voice to the soft-spoken narrator, the right voice can make all the difference when connecting with your target audience. They can breathe life into the commercial and make the brand message memorable. This article will explore the world of commercial voiceovers and provide tips to help you hire the best talent for your project.

    What it takes to become a commercial voice actor

    A commercial voice actor is a professional talent who specializes in providing voiceover work for a wide range of media, including television and radio commercials, e-learning modules, and video games.

    Commercial voice actors typically create commercial demos to showcase their skills and attract potential clients. These short recordings demonstrate their voice range and the ability to deploy different tones and emotions.

    To excel as a commercial voiceover actor, one must possess various skills and attributes. First, a strong and versatile voice is essential to enable the actor to convey various emotions and styles to the target audience.

    Second, excellent pronunciation and enunciation are essential. The voiceover talent should be adept at interpreting commercial scripts, understanding the context and tone, and delivering a compelling performance.

    Additionally, experience in the industry and familiarity with recording equipment and software are invaluable.

    When searching for the perfect professional talent for your TV ad, keep these qualifications in mind:

    • Vocal versatility A professional voice actor must be able to adapt their voice to suit different demographics, target markets, and emotional tones.
    • Language proficiency: Being fluent in the required language and possessing clear pronunciation are crucial for effective communication with the target audience.
    • Script interpretation: Understanding the nuances of the script and delivering an engaging performance are vital to creating a successful TV commercial.
    • Technical know-how: Familiarity with recording equipment, software, and industry standards ensures a smooth production process and high-quality output.
    • Demographic understanding: Commercial voice acting requires familiarity with the target market. The voice actor should tailor the message to connect with the specific audience they are trying to reach.

    Examples of celebrity voice acting in TV ads

    Morgan Freeman – Visa

    Morgan Freeman has lent his iconic voice to numerous Visa commercials, narrating and endorsing the brand’s services with his distinctive, soothing tones. His voice has become synonymous with Visa’s “It’s everywhere you want to be” campaign, and his contributions have undoubtedly helped elevate the brand’s market presence.

    George Clooney – Nespresso

    George Clooney has become synonymous with Nespresso thanks to his suave voice that perfectly complements the luxury coffee brand’s image. His humorous, tongue-in-cheek performances have made him a fan favorite and contributed to the brand’s ongoing success in the highly competitive coffee industry.

    Julia Roberts – Lancôme

    Julia Roberts’ elegant and sophisticated voice has graced Lancôme commercials, adding a touch of glamour and allure to the luxury cosmetics brand. Her natural, confident delivery has helped to establish Lancôme as a brand that celebrates beauty and empowers women.

    Jon Hamm – Mercedes-Benz

    Jon Hamm’s deep voice exudes sophistication and class, which are qualities associated with the luxury car brand. His confident delivery and authoritative tone also lend credibility to the car’s features, making the commercials more convincing to viewers.

    John Goodman – Dunkin’ Donuts

    John Goodman’s relatable, down-to-earth persona resonates with Dunkin’ Donuts’ target audience of hardworking, everyday Americans. His signature deep voice adds an air of authority and trustworthiness to the brand’s messaging.

    Susan Sarandon (actor) – Disney Parks

    Sarandon’s warm, friendly voice helps create a sense of magic and excitement that’s central to the Disney experience, especially among millennials. As a respected Hollywood actress and cultural icon, Sarandon’s endorsement of the brand lends prestige and authenticity.

    Kiefer Sutherland (actor) – Apple

    Kiefer Sutherland’s voice is one of the most recognizable in Hollywood, and Apple has taken advantage of his vocal talents to promote its products. Sutherland’s deep and distinctive voice command attention and give the commercials a sense of authority.

    Sutherland has also had gigs with several other major brands, including Verizon, CalorieMate, and Bank of America.

    How to find a TV ad voice actor

    Finding the right voice actor for your television commercial can be daunting. Here are some strategies to help you find the perfect match.

    Online casting platforms

    Numerous online casting platforms, such as Voices.com and Voice123, connect voice actors with clients. These platforms allow you to post your project and receive auditions from voice actors worldwide.

    Voiceover agencies

    Voiceover agencies represent professional voice actors and can help you find the ideal talent for your TV ad. They typically have extensive portfolios and can recommend actors based on your needs.

    Social media and networking

    You can also post voiceover jobs on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. To maximize the reach of your job postings, it’s essential to use relevant hashtags, such as #voiceoverjobs, #hiringvoiceactors, or #voiceovergigs. This will increase the visibility of your postings and make it easier to attract suitable candidates.

    Get perfect TV ad voiceovers with Speechify

    Speechify is an innovative text to speech service that leverages cutting-edge AI technology to produce premium-quality voiceovers quickly and easily. The platform is designed to simplify the production process to provide you with a hassle-free experience that yields outstanding results.

    Here’s how Speechify works: simply upload your script onto the platform, select the voice/accent you prefer, and let the AI-powered engine do the rest. The technology uses speech synthesis to analyze the script and generate a natural-sounding voiceover that matches your content’s tone, pace, and inflection.

    With Speechify, you can choose from diverse voice talents, including male and female voices in multiple languages and accents. Whether you need a voiceover for a TV ad, radio spot, or online video, Speechify has a natural-sounding voice perfect for the job.

    Perhaps most importantly, Speechify is available on all modern devices, including WindowsMacOSiOS, and Android.

    Why wait? Try Speechify today and discover a hassle-free way to generate premium-quality voiceovers that stand out.

    FAQ

    How much do you get paid to voice over a TV commercial?

    Industry rates for professional voiceover artists can range from $100 to $3,000 or more per 30 seconds of a TV commercial. The exact rate depends on the project, the voice talent’s experience, and the intended usage.

    Who voices NBC commercials?

    NBC has worked with well-known voice actors such as Jim Cutler, Randy Thomas, Michael Douglas Carlin, and Les Marshak.

    What is the difference between voice acting and voiceover?

    Voice acting involves performing a character’s role in a script or story, while voiceover typically refers to narrating or providing commentary for a video or presentation.

    What is the average length of a TV commercial?

    The average length of a TV commercial in the United States is typically 30 seconds.

    Recent Blogs

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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