How to Hire a Voice Actor for Your Business (2026 Guide)

Hiring the right voice actor can make or break your project. Whether you're creating a commercial, explainer video, e-learning course, or phone system, the voice you choose directly impacts how your audience perceives your brand.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to hire a voice actor, what to look for, and how to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.

Step 1: Define Your Project Needs

Before you even start searching, get clear on what you actually need.

Ask yourself:

• What is the project? (Commercial, YouTube video, corporate narration, audiobook, IVR, etc.)

• Who is your target audience?

• What tone fits your brand? (Friendly, authoritative, conversational, energetic)

• Where will the audio be used? (Online ads, TV, internal training, etc.)

The more specific you are, the easier it will be to find the right voice.

Step 2: Listen to Demos

A professional voice actor should always have demos & samples available.

When listening, pay attention to:

• Clarity and audio quality

• Tone and delivery style

• Versatility

• Natural vs overly “announcer” sound

Pro tip: Don’t just look for a “good voice”—look for a voice that fits your audience.

Step 3: Decide Where to Hire

There are several ways to find voice actors:

• Freelance marketplaces

• Casting platforms (like Voices or Voice123)

• Directly through personal websites (often the best option)

Hiring directly usually means:

• Better communication

• More flexibility

• No platform fees

Step 4: Understand Voice Over Pricing

Voice over rates vary depending on:

• Project length

• Usage (commercial vs internal)

• Distribution (local vs national vs global)

• Experience level

Typical ranges:

• Small online projects: $50–$300

• Commercial work: $250–$2,000+

• Audiobooks: priced per finished hour

Important: Cheap voice over often leads to poor quality, which can hurt your brand more than help it.

 Step 5: Ask for a Custom Audition

For larger or important projects, it’s perfectly reasonable to request a short custom sample using your script.

This helps you evaluate:

• How well the voice actor understands your tone

• Their ability to take direction

• Whether they’re the right fit before committing

 Step 6: Check Audio Quality & Studio Setup

Professional voice actors should be able to deliver clean, broadcast-quality audio.

Look for:

• No background noise

• No echo or “roomy” sound

• Consistent volume levels

Most professional voice actors work from treated home studios and deliver fully edited files.

Step 7: Confirm Turnaround Time

Turnaround can vary from:

• 24–48 hours (common for short projects)

• Several days for longer or complex work

Always confirm deadlines upfront—especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

Step 8: Clarify Revisions and Usage Rights

Before hiring, make sure you understand:

• How many revisions are included

• What counts as a revision (script changes vs performance tweaks)

• Where and how the audio will be used

Clear agreements prevent misunderstandings later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid ?

• Choosing based on price alone

• Ignoring audio quality

• Not defining your target audience

• Skipping the demo review process

• Hiring without clear usage terms

Hiring a voice actor isn’t just about finding someone who sounds good—it’s about finding someone who can represent your brand effectively.

Taking the time to define your needs, review demos, and communicate clearly will ensure you get a professional result that connects with your audience.

Need a Professional Voice Actor?

If you're looking for a reliable, broadcast-quality voice for your next project, feel free to reach out!

I provide:

• High-quality recordings from my home studio

• Fast turnaround times

• Clear communication and easy revisions

 Contact me today to discuss your project or request a custom sample.

10 reasons why you should hire a professional Voice Actor

Adding voiceover to a project can make a drastic impact and give the audience much more clarity into your vision. Hiring the right voiceover, especially a Professional, can elevate the project in many different ways.

1.    Script Interpretation:
A skilled Professional can understand how to interpret a script in the way that is exactly right for your brand.

2.    Breath Control and Stamina:
Just like singers, voice actors are trained in vocal control, giving the performer stamina to handle long scripts and complex dialogue.

 3.    Brand Trust:
A professional voice can be a recognizable face for your brand or project. That will setup familiarity for your audience creating instant bond.

4.    Adaptability:
You name it – we can do it! They can adjust their delivery to suit different demographics, tones, and styles.

5.    Audience Engagement:
A well-delivered message can captivate listeners and make your content more memorable and engaging.

6.    Audio quality
A professional typically understands all that there is to know about recording and getting the best sound for the project you need. 

7.    Quick Turn Around
We’ve done this before. That’s why we can typically get you that clean audio asap, or we can give you the exact time frame to get there.

8.    Professionalism
Communication, dedication, honesty, respect.
Professional VO actors want the best for you and your project and should always honor that. (That’s at least how I work!)

9.    Versatility
Not only will most voice actors be versed in other VO genera's, some may even be able to produce, edit, add music or even write copy.

10.  Creativity!
For me I love working through an idea with a client. If something doesn’t work, or is not feeling right... let’s get creative and make it the vision that you had seen! I think a lot of VO performers feel the same way 

The best thing I ate this week

 Being a mom and wife, most of the time I’m thinking of what I’m cooking... for the week, for snacks, for school lunches. You name it.

As most do, I’m sure, I try to plan meals for the next week at the end of the previous week… ahh it’s a never-ending cycle!
 We often see so much online about what we should and should not eat, it truly becomes so overwhelming. As a mom I want to introduce my daughter (and my husband) t0 new foods and flavors and reinvent some of our healthy favorites for new dinner opportunities.

I also LOVE reading different food blogs and learning about different flavors and creative cooking.

Some of my favorites include:

Joy the Baker

Love & Lemons

Yummy Toddler

 
This week I found this amazing dish that both my husband and daughter LOVED. Love & Lemons created this delicious lentil pasta, that was both so comforting and hearty – plus its packed with so much protein.

Check this out!

 Lentil Pasta

Prep Time: 15minutes mins

Cook Time: 15minutes mins

Total Time: 30minutes mins

Serves 4

This easy lentil pasta recipe is a hearty, delicious vegetarian dinner! A flavorful tomato and lentil sauce coats chewy ribbons of al dente pasta.

Ingredients

·       10 ounces pappardelle pasta

·       2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

·       ½ medium yellow onion, diced

·       1 medium carrot, finely chopped

·       8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped

·       3 garlic cloves, chopped

·       ½ teaspoon sea salt

·       Freshly ground black pepper

·       1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

·       1 teaspoon tamari

·       1½ cups cooked green or French green lentils, from ½ cup dry

·       24 ounces marinara sauce

·       ½ cup Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, for serving

·       Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1.              Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the package instructions, cooking until al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

2.              Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mushrooms are tender.

3.              Stir in the balsamic and tamari, then add the lentils and marinara. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the sauce is well-combined and heated through.

4.              Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Portion onto plates and serve with Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish.

Where to begin?

One of the most common questions I receive on Instagram is:
 “How do I get started in Voiceover?”

I think one of the most important ways to get started is TAKE A CLASS.

This not only gives you the opportunity to work on the craft and learn the business but also see if you like it! There are so many different genera’s of voice acting and the more versatile you are the better. Some of the best schools even offer classes online via zoom!
My favorites include:
Actors Connection
And Real voice LA

Another important part of voice over is setting up your home studio.
Having a quality sounding home studio is so important for submitting auditions, being able to offer a quick turn-around, direct sessions and so much more! Your basic studio should include a computer with recording and editing software, quality microphone (with a pop filter) and an audio interface. You will also need a space to record that is quiet and you feel absolutely comfortable and you can give your best takes!

Next maybe dip your toes in!
Market you and your services to local business or if you have the funds sign up got one of the pay to play platforms and take a swing at some auditions. Some of the more popular P2p’s include:
Voices
Voice123

To read more about starting a career in voice over check out this great article from Voices.com!

Heartsongs the Podcast!

My @heartsongsthepodcast episode is out!

Around my “big” birthday this year I got the opportunity to work on this project.
It was so timely to record my story and string together so many moments in my life .. while thinking about the music surrounding it
(at the risk of sounding a little dramatic and slightly cringy haha.)
If you know anything about me you know how much music means to me. It has always been a constant in my life. Through times of bliss, celebration, confusion and heartache. This is such a great idea for a podcast!

Thank you again to Adam for the opportunity!

Listen to this episode everywhere podcasts are played or click the link below.

Listen to Heartsongs The Podcast

She’s got personality babe!

So often as voice actors we are asked many ways to read and deliver copy. “Can this sound more comedic, more directive, more approachable?” I think one of my more favorable vocal qualities is how you can make your voice sound more authentic.
 I think before you dive to deep into the copy, the best way to bring out more authenticity is to make the read more personable. I tend to think as if Im speaking to a family member or a friend. If this is a commercial read, I always like to figure out who the commercial is directed to, who is the company trying to reach. Even better? Think of someone specific – your friend Sarah or your Dad and speak directly to them. The read will automatically sound more authentic and at ease.

Happy recording!

Are we there yet?

I have been working on this website for quite some time now and it seems to be continuously changing. It’s a labor of love – and yet I believe it always will be?

I think as a creative person it’s hard to “finalize” something, especially as a performer. There’s also something extra to share, new clip to add, SEO to edit…and the list goes on.

This is a quote from a Martha Graham poem that I love (and Sara Bareilles used it as inspiration for one of her fantastic Albums of the same name)

Blessed Unrest

“… No artist is ever pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.

--Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille

I can’t wait to figure out more ways to be Creative with this site. I love having an outlet to chat about voiceover, performing, the arts and maybe even some mom stuff!