Voice Over Auditions: What Clients are REALLY Listening for
When it comes to voice over auditions, voice actors may wonder why, after sending out audition after audition, the only thing they hear back is crickets.
Fact is, clients aren’t just looking for a “nice voice.” They’re generally listening for something very specific.
And if they don’t hear it within the first few seconds, they’ll hit the pause button and move on.
But exactly what is it that clients are on the lookout for in voice over auditions? And how can voice actors stand out from the pack?
In this article, we’ll check out what clients are tuning into when casting, what they expect voice actors to know before they record their audition tape, and what voice over artists can do to get noticed—and booked.
Getting it Right—The First 10 Seconds of Voice Over Auditions
Voice over auditions for a big brand or with a well-defined description attached might make reading and recording the script seem like a straightforward task.
After all, most well-known products and businesses feel familiar because they have a certain style and sound.
But with any new voice over audition, it’s not always so simple. Focusing too much on the big picture can actually cause you to miss what the client is truly listening for.
American Voice Actor Matt B.
With voice overs, the devil is in the details, and, more importantly, the nuance.
As an experienced US voice actor, Matt. B., who’s voiced for top names like Discovery, BBC America, ABC, FOX, Paramount+, and Pandora, explains:
Clients are listening to see if you can pick up what they put down. You need to let them know you understand the themes, jokes, tone, and rhythm of the spot.
Figuring all of this out can take time. A good place to start is by following the punctuation cues (commas, line breaks, exclamation marks, etc), as they often dictate the rhythm and pace.
Doing this can also help you get a handle on the tone. Is it inspirational, playful, or matter-of-fact?
Once you’ve grasped it, don’t overplay it, though.
Speak as though you’re talking to someone real and don’t slip into an announcer-style voice (unless, of course, that’s specifically what’s wanted.)
British / Arabic voice talent – Hannah J.
Even if you don’t quite hit the nail on the head, showing that you’ve made a real effort to understand the flavor of the script, whether it’s a corporate promo or a podcast ad, can go a long way.
Voice actor Hannah J., whose versatility in British and Arab-accented English (along with her fluency in multiple Arabic dialects) has landed her projects with Pfizer, Casper Mattress (Prime TV USA), Alfa Romeo UAE, and Catrion Saudi, puts it this way:
I think clients have a creative vision, and I try to put myself in their shoes—reading the script like I’m bringing that vision to life. Even if it’s not exactly what they imagined, it shows creativity, authenticity, and that I can carry their story with my voice.
Adapt to the Genre by Asking “Who”, “What”, and “Why”
Voice actors clock in for a variety of different genres, from audio guides to political ads.
Knowing the difference between genres is a must, as that’ll help answer certain questions like who the spot is for and what the director wants them to take away from it.
For any voice over audition, Matt B. always reads the copy aloud.
That will always inform how it should be read. I read it out loud as many times as it takes until I think I hear what’s required. The common thread in all of those is that I am some character. I’m talking for a reason. Figure that out and you’re there!”
Hannah J. agrees. Knowing who you’re speaking to and why you’re speaking to them will help you stand out from other voice over auditions. She claims:
I have a very imaginative mind, so even with something like e-learning, I picture a specific person: who they are, what they’re wearing, what their role is; and I speak to them in the voice they need. I take the same approach across all genres.
By focusing on these elements, Hannah can adjust tone, pace, and delivery to suit the intended listener, just as an individual would do when speaking in person to a particular audience.
Whether it’s narration for medical professionals, self-learning students, or podcast listeners, this clarity of purpose can ensure the voice over audition punches all the right buttons.
Don’t Forget the Tech
The voice is obviously the thing when it comes to voice over auditions, but that doesn’t mean technical quality should be overlooked.
While clients may not consciously be on the lookout for examples of top tech, poor audio will definitely distract from your performance.
More than that, it points to a lack of professionalism.
After all, it’s highly possible that the paid job you deliver, if you’re recording it in your own home studio (which is often the prerequisite nowadays), will be of equally low quality.
Always play back your audition recording before sending it to the client to make sure it’s clean, clear, and professional sounding.
That means:
No hums or hisses
Minimal background noise
The recording should be as dry (no reverberation) as possible.
Remove mouth clicks (or don’t introduce them by drinking plenty of water before recording).
Edit the voice over audio file for breaths and process with EQ, compression (if needed), De-Essing, Limiting, etc.
The audio should be levelled so it’s at around -3 to -6 dB peak.
Of course, sometimes, no matter how great your voice over auditions are, you’re just not what the clients are looking for.
That’s okay.
If you follow the above pointers, you’ll find plenty of clients who will hear your voice and know it’s the exact voice they need to bring their product, service, or company into the spotlight.
And if you’re a client looking for a voice actor with that special something and dollops of professionalism to boot, then look no further than Voice Crafters.
Our carefully vetted talent stretches across 80 native languages. Browse the platform or simply post your project online.
Make sure you request custom auditions based on your script (it’s free!) to really hone in on the voice that’s right for your brand and message.
Or if you need help casting the right talent for you, drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help!
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