How to Find the Right Commercial Voice Actor for Your Brand
You need a commercial voice that fits your brand, sounds real, and turns a script into something that connects. The wrong voice can cost you time and money, while the right voice makes the spot. Here’s a super simple guide to picking the right voice.
New here Start with the Commercial Voiceover Guide for a deeper overview.
Step 1: Get clear on your brand voice
Before you listen to a single demo, write down what you’re looking for. Friendly, confident, down to earth, bold, energetic, playful, whatever fits. Keep it simple. If you’ve got a past ad that hit the mark, use it as a reference.
Quick prompts
- Who are we talking to and what’s the CTA
- How do you want viewers to feel
- What’s the overall energy of the spot
Step 2: Shortlist with your ears
Open three to five demos that match your vibe and ignore everything else. You’re listening for:
- Authenticity. Does it sound like a real person talking
- Clarity. Can you catch every word at normal volume
- Control. Do pauses feel natural, not rushed
- Fit. Does the voice sit next to your brand visuals
If you’re already nodding at a demo, add it to your shortlist.
Step 3: Check the studio and workflow
A great read won’t save bad audio. Ask for a 10 second raw sample. You want a clean noise floor, no hiss, and no echo or boxiness. Ask about:
- Delivery format and sample rate
- Turnaround times and availability for pickups
- File naming and splitting if you need versions
Want an easy path
Step 4: Request a short custom audition
A 20 to 30 second read on your script will tell you everything. Give one or two direction notes and let the actor show range. You’ll hear if the tone fits, if the pacing lands, and if the CTA is clear.
Ask for two takes with slightly different energy to see flexibility without a long back and forth.
Need one now?
Step 5: Make usage and scope crystal clear
Share where the spot will run, for how long, and how many versions you’ll need. Usage and scope drive pricing and time. The clearer you are about usage, the better the quote and the smoother the project.
What to include
- Markets and mediums like TV, streaming, paid social, pre roll
- Length of the run like 3 months or 12 months
- Versions and cutdowns like 30, 15, 6
- Any timed reads or exact frame hits
Step 6: Look for a communication match
It’s always great when you get along with the voice actor you choose. Pay attention to response times, questions, and how they handle small changes. Being easy to work with over email usually shows up the same way in a session.
Red flags to avoid
- Bad audio or heavy processing that hides noise
- Overly showy reads when your brand needs a real conversation
- Lack of knowledge when it comes to quoting
- Slow replies when your turnaround’s tight
Quick buyer checklist
- I have the notes I wrote down
- The demo feels real and matches what I want
- Audio is clean and broadcast ready
- Usage, scope, and pickups are clear
- Timing and delivery work for my schedule
- Communication is simple and easy
What it’s like to work with me
I keep things simple, easy, and enjoyable. You get an authentic read, broadcast ready audio, and quick communication. Need a script tweak or an extra tag for social That’s cool. I’ll take care of it quickly and keep the files organized so your editor stays sane.
FAQ
Can you record to picture
Yes. I can match a rough cut and hit exact beats. If you have a storyboard, I’ll pace to it.
Can you do quick pickups
Totally. Minor fixes and my errors are covered. Bigger script changes get a short pickup session so everything stays consistent.
What file format do you deliver
WAV at your requested sample rate and bit depth. Labeled takes and versions so your editor doesn’t have to guess.
Wrap up
Finding the right commercial voice actor isn’t a guessing game. Get clear on your vibe, trust your ears, ask for a short custom read, and make usage and scope obvious. You’ll land the voice that fits your brand and you’ll get a spot that actually moves people.
If you want a hand, I’m happy to help.