Hiring the right voiceover talent is critical to any successful audio production project. Whether you're creating a commercial, explainer video, or audiobook, the voiceover can make or break the final product. However, finding the right voice actor and ensuring a successful project outcome can be daunting, especially for those new to the process. In this article, we'll cover seven mistakes when hiring voiceover talents and provide practical tips on how to avoid them.
Failing to provide clear instructions
When working with voiceover talent, providing clear instructions about what you want is paramount. This includes providing a project brief outlining your goals, target audience, and any specific requirements or preferences for the voiceover, like diction and type of voice. Failing to provide clear instructions is the number one reason for sub-par results. At the same time, it is the easiest mistake to avoid: All it needs is three minutes of your time to outline the goals of your project and the parameters of the voice you are looking for. Always remember: The better voice talents understand what you are looking for, the more relevant the auditions will be.
The #1 mistake: Not providing clear instructions to the voiceover talent.
Focusing only on price
Another common mistake is focusing solely on price when choosing a voiceover talent. While price is, without a doubt, an important consideration, it's not the only factor to have in mind. Voiceover talents with experience, professionalism, and the right sound for your project may sometimes cost more, but they will also deliver better results and save you time and money in the long run. This is especially true for long-time projects where the voice actor will also become part of your brand's or product's identity.
Rushing the process
These days, all deadlines seem to be "yesterday." We hear you. That's why bodalgo's online casting process focuses on finding the perfect voice for your projects within a single day. Still, you must complete the necessary steps, like providing a proper briefing (see above) and listening to all incoming auditions.
Failing to communicate effectively
Once you have chosen the perfect voice actor for your audio project, ensure you keep up swift communication. This includes responding promptly to emails or messages, providing feedback and direction, and being clear about your expectations and goals. Timely answers to questions that might arise during recording (think of pronunciation of brand names or foreign words) will help the talent provide the final product in time.
Failing to Negotiate Rates and Terms
Negotiating rates and terms with voiceover talent is an essential part of the process. While bodalgo's casting process will take away much of the negotiation for you, ensure both parties are clear about the exact payment terms before you finally hire the talent.
Failing to research and vet voiceover talent
Before hiring voiceover talent, it's essential to vet potential candidates carefully. With bodalgo, this one has been ticked off for you already! bodalgo's roster of voice talents features professionally trained actors only, so you can be sure about high-quality recordings every single time.
Not using dedicated online casting resources
One of the biggest mistakes is not using dedicated online casting resources. While it may be tempting to go to general marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork to find a voice actor, these platforms do not specialize in voiceover work. They lack decent quality control mechanisms as they allow anyone to sign-up with no prior vetting.
Using a dedicated online casting resource like bodalgo will ensure you have access to a wide range of professional, experienced voiceover talent vetted and verified by the platform. By using a dedicated online casting resource, you can ensure that you find the right talent for your project and get the professional, high-quality work your project deserves.
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