In 2023, 91% of businesses use video for marketing purposes, and 76% of video markers reach people on social media. What does all this mean from a creative and production standpoint? Voice actors have become an integral component of the marketing and digital marketing landscape — regardless of which industry you’re working in.

Whether you’re looking for a commercial video voice over or an internal corporate video, or anything in between, finding the right video voice over actor can be a challenge. Let’s explore some of the ways that companies actually find the voice actors they collaborate with.

Voice Over Agencies

Companies often locate video voice over actors through dedicated voice over agencies who work specifically to pair voice actors with specific projects they’re right for. These agencies represent a pool of voice actors with a profusion of skills and experience. 

In working with a voice over agency, a business client will typically provide information about their project, including the desired tone, pacing, and style of the voice over. The agency will then provide a selection of voice actors for the client to choose from. These professionals understand how to create brand-specific voice overs for videos!

Working with a voice over agency can be a great option for companies that are new to the world of video voice over, as they can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the process. 

Online Casting Sites

In recent years, online casting sites have become an increasingly popular way for companies to find voice actors. Sites like Academy Voices work in a similar way to voice over agencies, but they allow clients to browse and audition voice actors directly. This comes as a welcome advantage to businesses and marketers who like a hands-on approach to the creative process and prefer to “have their pick and choose” of the talent they work with.

Academy Voices offers a large database of voice actors, ideal for voice over video projects, and clients can filter their search by factors like gender, age, and language. You can also listen to voice actor demos and request auditions for specific roles.

Online casting sites also serve as a great option for companies with limited budgets, as they often offer a range of pricing options. However, it’s crucial to do your research and choose a reputable one. Just as the internet presents a bounty of valuable resources and services, you also have to monitor for quality and look out for scams.

Referrals and Word of Mouth

As with other services, a lot of voice over hires come from referrals and word of mouth. Many companies will ask for recommendations from colleagues or industry contacts, or they may reach out to voice actors they have worked with in the past.

Your business might take this approach if you’re looking for a specific type of voice or working on a tight deadline. Referrals can often provide a fast and reliable solution for video voice over work, and you’ll know that the voice actor has already been vetted by someone in the industry.

Social Media and Online Communities

As you’re searching online for talent to provide voice over for videos, social media and online communities function as great opportunities to find and hire skilled voice actors. Many voice actors work to build up a strong online presence on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn. These outlets are a great way for them to promote their services and connect with potential clients.

Some online communities, such as Reddit or Facebook groups, are dedicated to connecting voice actors with clients. These communities serve as a great resource for companies looking for a specific type of voice, as they can post job listings and receive responses from a wide range of voice actors.

However, when using social media or online communities to find voice actors, it’s important to proceed with caution. Before hiring them for voice over on videos, Make sure you thoroughly research any voice actor you are considering and ask for references or previous work samples.

In-House Talent

Finally, some companies may choose to use an in-house talent for their voice over needs. This could include employees who have experience with voice acting or who have a unique voice that fits the project’s needs.

Using in-house talent can be a cost-effective option for voice over videos, particularly for smaller projects or companies with limited budgets. However, it’s important to ensure that the in-house talent is a good fit for the project and that the individual can truly deliver the results you desire.

As you search out the right voice over for video projects, whether working with a voice over agency, using online casting sites, relying on referrals and word of mouth, using social media and online communities, or employing in-house talent, the process of selecting a voice artist can be productive and exciting. You’ll be furthering your marketing goals and, in many instances, establishing a collaborative relationship you may continue using long into the future.