FAQ et astuces

Professional voice-over costs vary widely, depending on usage, project type, and other factors. A short IVR recording can start at $75, while a national commercial airing on TV for 12 months can reach several thousands of Dollars. Factors like talent experience, script length, complexity, and post-production costs also affect voice-over rates.

• Suggested non-union industry rates in the US and Canada are typically based on the GVAA Rate Guide.
• Costs for non-promotional material are estimated based on word count, PFM (Per Finished Minute), hourly rate, or per project (i.e., flat project rate)
• E-learning projects are typically priced per word or per minute, ranging from $30 – $55 per finished minute.
• Corporate narration/explainer videos can range from $250-750+, depending on their length and usage.
• Audiobook narration is priced based on PFH (Per Finished Hour) and ranges from $200 – $500 per finished hour.
• Video game character rates range from $200 – $350+ per session, depending on the talent, and with higher compensation for iconic/lead roles.

Standard industry rates for 30-second commercials vary by country, market size, and usage duration. In the US and Canada, GVAA guidelines suggest $1,200-$1,500 for local TV broadcast (12 months) and $3,200-$3,500 for national campaigns.

• Digital and streaming rates are generally lower than TV broadcast, with pricing based primarily on projected impressions and reach.
• Non-union talent offers more flexible pricing and negotiable terms.
• The BSF (Basic Session Fee) compensates voice talent for recording time and is paid separately, even if the recording ultimately goes unused.
• Usage extensions beyond 12 months typically add 10% annually.
• Radio commercials in the US typically run 30-50% lower than TV rates.
• Adding web, social, or radio to TV campaigns increases total usage fees.

Usage rights or licensing fees are typically paid for voiceovers used with paid promotion, like ads broadcast on radio, TV, and/or online.

• Voice recordings used with paid promotion are typically limited to the length of the campaign they are used for.

• Licensing fees vary depending on geographic distribution (local through international) and media channels used (TV, radio, digital, social media).

• When extending voice-over licenses for revenue-generating content, such as commercials, they typically carry a 10% annual fee increase.

• Full buyouts allow perpetual usage, typically for non-promotional voice-overs used in e-learning, IVRs, or organic online videos (without paid ads).

Yes. Voice actors often go by a suggested rate guide (the GVAA Rate Guide in the US and Canada, for example). However, you’ll find most voice actors to be flexible with their rates to some degree.

• You can negotiate lower rates by accepting independent recording instead of directed sessions, raw unedited audio, flexible deadlines, or volume discounts.

• Voice Crafters can help facilitate rate negotiations with talent to find mutually beneficial arrangements.

• Voice actors’ professional-grade equipment, training, and overhead require sustainable rates. paying below-market rates risks compromising quality.

• Long-term partnerships often include custom talent pools with rate structures tailored to their needs.

Voice Crafters charges clients a 10% platform fee, and voice actors are charged a 10% commission on every project they are awarded. This model helps us maintain the platform and develop new features.

• For talent, this model is cost-effective than subscription platforms, where they pay regardless of project volume.

• Fees support dispute resolution and customer service.

• All fees are transparent, and there are no surprise charges at checkout.

Both word count and finished minutes can be used for pricing, though word count is a more accurate marker, because finished minutes include pauses and silence that inflate duration without adding script content.

• While word count/finished minutes help gauge the project’s scope, it’s ultimately the usage that determines the final cost.

• Medical, legal, or technical scripts will typically carry a higher cost than standard scripts of equal length because voice actors need extra research and prep time.

• For directed sessions, voice artists may charge an extra fee to account for recording retakes and additional versions.

• To get an accurate quote, Voice Crafters recommend sharing your script and specifying the intended use.

Typically yes. Most Voice actors include two or more rounds of revisions in the quoted price to ensure your complete satisfaction. This covers pronunciation corrections, direction adjustments, and technical issues.

• Script changes after the recording may incur additional charges, but it can vary from one talent to another.

• Significant script rewrites that change the project scope or duration usually incur an extra fee.

• Always make sure you check the voice talent’s revision policy before commencing the project.

• Voice Crafters recommend providing clear direction and reference materials in advance to minimize revisions.

• Be sure to consolidate all revision notes into a single request when possible as opposed to sending them piecemeal.

Hiring a voice actor on Voice Crafters is fast and simple. Either post a project to receive proposals, or search our database using filters for language, gender, location, and voice type. Listen to samples, get quotes from your top choices, and fund the project once you’ve selected your talent.

• Search or post: Browse voice actors with our search filters, or post your project and let talent come to you.
• Get FREE quotes and auditions: Upload your script and request custom auditions from talent along with their quotes, to get a good idea of what your voice-over would sound like.
• Hire and collaborate: Choose your voice actor, fund the project, and track progress directly from your dashboard.
• Stay connected: Communicate with talent throughout the project to ensure perfect results

Learn more on our How it works page.

Nous vous demandons de communiquer uniquement avec nos acteurs vocaux via notre plateforme.

If you’d like to direct a voice actor remotely, you may exchange contact information for this purpose once the project has been funded.

Our Terms and Conditions dictate that we would not be able to assist in case of a dispute when dealing financially with the talent directly.

Stay on the safe side, use our system to issue payment, and only release funds only when you’re happy with the voice actor’s work.

Yes. To invite more voice actors, click the “Invite More Voice Actors” button in the PROJECT DETAILS tab. You’ll be redirected to the search page.

From there, filter your results or type in the name of the voice actor you wish to add in the search bar and click the “Get my quote” next to them.

Cliquez ensuite sur le bouton "Terminé ! Demander des devis".

A request will be sent to the voice actor/s to send quotes, and these will be automatically added to your project’s PROPOSALS section.

Hiring independent voice talent can often feel risky when you have to pay upfront without a guarantee of quality. Paying through the Voice Crafters’ online platform provides a secure system that keeps your funds safe until you approve the final recording. This structured process protects both your budget and your project timeline by ensuring professional accountability from every talent.

• Secure your investment by pre-funding projects and only releasing payment once the audio meets your standards.
• Motivate talent to deliver their best work through a transparent review system that impacts their professional reputation.
• Access dedicated support to mediate disputes or resolve technical questions during the production process.

• Benefit from a trusted partnership that prioritizes your satisfaction and project success

Yes! Voice Crafters also have a pool of vetted translators to help you localize your script and adapt it to your target audience. We also offer post-production services such as professional mixing, mastering, sync-to-picture, subtitling, and more.

• Contact us to get a free quote on translations from native-speaking translators who understand cultural nuances and regional dialects.
• Our translators can help with script timing adjustments to match audio duration requirements, as well as proofreading and QA by secondary linguists.
• Get professional mixing, sync, dialogue noise reduction, and multi-track editing for complex projects with multiple speakers

• Find meticulously curated, royalty-free music in our music catalog at a great price.

Most voice actors deliver recordings within 24-48 hours, with shorter, simpler projects often completed in just a few hours. Turnaround time depends on script length, post-production requirements, and talent availability.

• Scripts between 300-500 words can be turned around within a few hours, while longer ones may need more time for basic editing.
• Voice Crafters recommends communicating deadlines upfront when requesting quotes so talent can confirm availability.
• Provide scripts with clear direction and a pronunciation guide for proprietary terms from the start to minimize revision delays.
• Allow extra time for projects requiring translation, sync-to-picture, or advanced post-production work.

• Try to book voice talent in advance for larger projects or ones with tight, non-negotiable deadlines.

Yes! When requesting quotes, simply check the custom audition option on the quote form. All invited voice actors will record a portion of your script so you can compare performances before making your final selection.

• Voice actors will typically not record the full audition script or add a watermark as a precaution.
• Note that you may receive the quote separately from the audition recording in case the talent isn’t available to record at that moment.
• You are encouraged to select a representative section of their script and include any specific direction notes about tone, pacing, or character.

• When browsing talent and choosing individual ones to quote, we recommend getting quotes from 10-20 voice actors for meaningful comparison without overwhelming yourself.

Yes. Most of our voice actors use Source Connect, Source Nexus, Cleanfeed, Zoom, Google Meet or other remote recording platforms, so you can direct them in real-time.

• Remote recordings ensure faster turnaround as there are no back-and-forth revision cycles, better creative control over the final performance, and multiple delivery styles in one session.
• Voice Crafters recommend scheduling live sessions in advance to ensure talent availability.
• Be sure to share scripts and direction notes ahead of time so talent can prepare.
• Test the connection in advance to ensure a smooth session, especially if multiple stakeholders are to join and chime in.

• If possible, designate one person to direct the voice actor and avoid conflicting feedback.

Voice actors typically deliver files in WAV or MP3 formats, but you can request any audio format needed for your project. Simply specify your preferred format when requesting a quote or before the recording.

• MP3 files are compressed audio files, ideal for web and e-learning, while WAV/AIF are lossless formats with no quality degradation, and larger file sizes.
• For video content, we recommend using audio files in WAV format (24-bit/48 kHz), while e-learning platforms typically use MP3 files for faster loading.
• Always archive master recordings in WAV format for future editing or repurposing.

• Multiple format versions are available upon request at no extra charge.

The marketplace connects you directly with voice actors. You can post your project, review quotes and auditions, select talent, and communicate directly until project completion. Our agency, on the other hand, does all the heavy lifting for you, from casting and auditions to recording and optional post-production work.

• Choose Voice Crafters’ marketplace for a hands-on, yet cost-effective solution for your creative project.
• Choose Voice Crafters’ agency for one point of contact to manage your entire project from start to finish.

• You can also use the marketplace to receive your voice recordings, then contact the agency for post-production tasks like sync-to-picture, mixing & mastering, captioning, etc.

With Voice Crafters agency, you get a single dedicated point of contact managing every aspect of your voice-over project. From professional casting and talent coordination to quality control and delivery, we handle the voice over recording and post-production work, so you get the final, ready-for-broadcast deliverable. We offer:

• Expert casting: Get talent recommendations tailored to your creative project’s brief, brand, audience, and budget.

• Complete project management: We coordinate all aspects: auditions, scheduling, revisions, and delivery.

• Time savings: No need to vet talent, manage multiple communications, or oversee recording quality.

• Quality assurance: Every recording is reviewed to meet technical and creative standards before delivery.

• Optional post-production: Full audio editing, mixing, music, and sound design available.

• Multi-voice/multilingual expertise: Seamlessly manage complex projects with multiple voice artists or languages.

• Industry knowledge: Benefit from our experience with usage rights, rates, and best practices.

• Single point of contact: One project manager handles all communication and coordination.

Voice Crafters agency typically manages projects of $2,000 and higher due to the resources and expertise involved in full-service project management. However, we’re flexible and happy to discuss smaller projects, especially for ongoing clients or campaigns with growth potential. Contact us to discuss your specific needs and budget.

• We can provide a custom quote for smaller projects on a case-by-case basis.
• Multi-project or retainer arrangements may qualify for agency services regardless of individual project size.

• Our team will recommend the best solution, marketplace, or agency, based on your project scope and budget.

Yes! Voice Crafters agency excels at multilingual and large-scale projects, supporting 80+ languages with full localization services. We handle everything from translation and cultural adaptation to casting native speakers and coordinating production across multiple languages. One point of contact oversees your entire multilingual campaign for consistent quality and on-time delivery.

• Professional translation and localization services ensure cultural accuracy.
• Native-speaking voice talent vetted for each target language and dialect.
• Consistent tone, pacing, and brand voice across all language versions.
• Full post-production services (editing, mixing, music, and sound design) are available for all language versions.
• Experience with complex projects: global ad campaigns, e-learning platforms, software localization, and video game localization

• Single point of contact eliminates coordination chaos across multiple vendors and time zones.

Yes, Voice Crafters agency is ideal for corporate and enterprise clients who need reliable, scalable voice-over solutions with dedicated support. Enterprise projects often involve multiple stakeholders, complex approval processes, and ongoing campaigns. Our agency provides the infrastructure, consistency, and account management these clients require. We become your partner in understanding your brand voice and delivering professional results every time.

• Consistent talent casting maintains brand continuity across campaigns, training materials, and communications.

• Handle high-volume or ongoing needs: quarterly campaigns, training modules, product launches.

• Enterprise invoicing and documentation: POs, usage rights contracts, and detailed project tracking.

• Scalability from individual projects to company-wide voice over programs.

• Professional quality assurance ensures every deliverable meets corporate standards.

Marketplace projects require upfront payment when you hire talent. Your funds are held securely until you approve the final recording and release payment to the voice actor. This protects both parties and ensures the voice actor can begin work immediately.

• Accepted payment methods: Credit card (via Stripe), PayPal, or bank transfer.
• Payment protection: Your payment is held securely, and you release funds tothe  talent after you approve the final recording.
• Invoicing: You’ll receive an invoice from Voice Crafters for your records upon funding of the project.

• Refund protection: Receive a full or partial refund through Voice Crafters’ marketplace when projects are not completed satisfactorily. Contact our support in case of a dispute.

If you need to add more funds to an existing project because of script revisions, additions, usage extensions, or anything else, first, agree on a fee with the talent.

Then, simply go to the Proposals tab for that project and click the Add More Funds button next to the voice actor’s proposal.

The voice talent will be notified of the added funds and will begin the recording immediately.

Q. What if I am not satisfied with the final voiceover?

Our voice actors are committed to providing the best possible performance for your project. However, if you’re not satisfied with the recording, discuss the issue with the voice actor and negotiate an appropriate refund. Click “Request a Refund” under their proposal to process it. If you can’t reach an agreement, contact our support for dispute resolution assistance.

• Communicate your concerns with the talent first and negotiate a fair refund amount based on the circumstances.

• Use the “Request a Refund” link under their proposal to initiate the refund request.

• Do not release funds until the issue is resolved.

• Contact Voice Crafters support if you and the talent cannot reach an agreement.

Yes. Voice Crafters offer professional voice over services by native voice actors in over 80 languages. Our platform makes it easy to find authentic voices for any language or dialect you need.

• Filter talent by language, gender, style, location and more.
• Get professional voice recordings in 80+ languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French, German, Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, Portuguese, and more.
• Find precise dialects such as Mexican Spanish, Swiss German, and Australian English.
• Use Voice Crafters’ agency for complex multi-language projects requiring coordination.
• Contact us for translation and localization support.

• Consistent quality across all languages.

Usage fees, or licensing fees, compensate voice actors based on where and how widely their voice is used. These fees apply to paid promotional content like ads and typically cover a specific campaign period (typically 12 weeks to 2 years). Buyouts grant unlimited usage rights in perpetuity and are commonly used for internal content or voice overs used organically (without paid advertising).

• Usage fees are added to the basic session fee (BSF), which covers the voice actor’s recording time.
• A buyout represent a “bundled payment” that covers both BSF and usage.

• Usage fees are affected by platform (TV, radio, web, social media), geographic reach (local, regional, national, international), campaign duration, and audience size.

• Fees increase when the same recording is used across multiple channels.

• Clients can renew expired usage rights with an additional payment, usually increasing by 10% each year.

• Usage agreements can be negotiated and customized based on your specific distribution needs.

Choosing between a voice-over agency and a marketplace often comes down to how much work you want to handle yourself. This comparison clarifies the unique benefits of each to ensure the right choice for your specific production needs.

• Agencies help clients by casting from a curated roster of vetted professionals to guarantee high-quality results.
• Marketplaces operate as self-service directories where you manage the casting and hiring process.
• Agency experts manage your project from start to finish, including casting and final quality checks.
• Online platforms allow you to work directly with actors to negotiate rates and timing yourself.
• An agency is perfect when you need a high-end result without the stress of managing the details.

• Go the marketplace route if you have a tight budget, the time to vet talent yourself, and manage your project.

Yes. Our platform supports file transfer of up to 5 GB.

Simply upload or drag your file in the Messages tab to send files back and forth. Download files from Messages or the Files tab.

Note that we keep files on our system for 30 days.

To optimize your script for a professional voice-over performance, you should create a structured document that eliminates ambiguity and directs the talent effectively.

A well-formatted script ensures the voice actor understands your creative vision, leading to a high-quality recording with fewer revisions.

• Organize your text into a three-column table containing the spoken script, corresponding visuals, and specific production notes.
• Include phonetic spellings in brackets or provide a separate audio reference for proprietary terms and complex abbreviations.
• Write out numbers and symbols exactly as they should be spoken to avoid confusion during the recording session.
• Insert clear emotional cues and tone directions at the start of each section to guide the actor’s delivery.
• Apply double spacing and a legible font size to help the talent read the text easily from a distance.
• Break down long sentences into shorter segments to provide the actor with natural breathing points.
• Use underlining or bold text to signal specific words that require extra emphasis.
• Include time codes for time-sensitive content (like ads, for example), to help the talent pace their delivery to the visuals.

Script preparation for professional results

Proper script preparation transforms a standard reading into a compelling performance. By providing technical clarity and emotional context, you empower the voice talent to focus on the nuance of their delivery rather than deciphering the text.

Review our downloadable script templates to streamline your production process and ensure your next project meets professional standards.