How do I know if a voice suits my target audience?

It helps to do a quick test. Play a demo of a voice to a few people who are part of your target audience and ask them how the voice makes them feel. Their honest, first reaction is worth its weight in gold.

What is the difference between a voice-over artist and a voice actor?

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the difference lies in the experience. A voice-over artist often reads out informative scripts, whilst a voice actor actually plays a role and can convey different emotions, characters or atmospheres for, for example, adverts or animated films.

Can I direct a voice actor live?

Yes, with many professional recordings, it’s possible to listen in live remotely via an online connection. You can then give direct instructions during the recording session, ensuring a perfect end result. [FAQ_BLOCK]

How does online learning work at Voices Academy?

You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings. Start at /academy/ ; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact .

Do I receive feedback on my recordings?

Yes. You submit practice recordings and receive personal feedback from Johfrah Lefebvre on technique, pace, and interpretation. Want to practise live? Combine Academy with a Studio workshop .

Do I need experience for a beginner's workshop?

No. Beginner workshops start from scratch: breath, articulation, and microphone technique. For each workshop, please check the stated level on /studio/ . Want to practise at home before you come? Check out Voices Academy for online lessons.

Can I combine Academy with Studio-workshops?

Yes. Many students initially take online lessons and then attend a live workshop for additional coaching. Studio: /studio/faq/ · Academy: /academy/ .

How do I choose the right voice for my project?

Listen to the demos on each voice artist's profile page. Pay attention to their tone, pace, and energy. A warm, calm voice is suitable for e-learning or meditation, while an energetic voice works better for radio commercials or promotional videos. Not sure? Use the filters for language, gender, and style to refine your search. You can also compare multiple voices by adding them to your favourites. Need help? Our team is happy to provide free advice on the best choice for your target audience and medium.

Can I order a voice-over for e-learning?

Certainly. E-learning and instructional videos are one of our most requested project types. Choose a voice that articulates clearly and calmly , so that learners can easily follow the content. You can upload your full script. The voice actor will deliver the audio in high quality (WAV), ready to be edited into your course platform. For longer projects, we would be happy to discuss a volume discount.

What is the difference between a commercial and a corporate voice-over?

For a commercial (radio spot, TV advert, online advertisement), you pay a buyout : the right to broadcast the recording on the chosen medium for an agreed period. The price is higher because the reach is greater. A corporate voice-over (corporate video, internal presentation, e-learning) falls into the non-broadcast or internal use category. For these, you only pay the session fee, without a media buyout. Unsure which category applies? Select your medium in the configurator and the price will adjust automatically.

Voice-over agencies: what should you look for when choosing a voice?

Voice-over agencies: what should you look for when choosing a voice? | Voices

The right emotion to suit your brand

A voice is the auditory identity of your brand or project. Are you looking for a calm, reliable voice for a bank, or perhaps an energetic, youthful voice for a new product? It’s crucial that the voice-over artist can convey the right emotion and empathise with your story.

When assessing voice samples, don’t just listen to the sound of the voice, but above all to the feeling it evokes in you. A good voice actor understands the nuances of your script and knows exactly where to place the emphasis to make your message credible.

Native speakers versus local accents

Nothing is as jarring as a voice that sounds unnatural, unless, of course, that is precisely the intention for a specific character. You should therefore preferably work with professional native speakers. They know the subtle linguistic nuances and the correct pronunciation like no one else.

In Belgium, this is a particularly sensitive issue. Are you looking for a neutral voice that will be well received throughout Flanders, or perhaps a voice with a charming, recognisable local accent? Voice agencies ensure that the pronunciation perfectly matches the region and the target audience you wish to reach.

Recording quality and technical finish

A beautiful voice loses all its power if the recording quality is substandard. When making your selection, ensure that the recordings are delivered professionally and with crystal-clear clarity. You can recognise this by a number of technical aspects:

There are no distracting background noises or audible breathing sounds.
The recording sounds warm and full, without any echo or distortion.
The files are neatly split up and ready for immediate editing into your video.

Feel free to enquire about the studio conditions or listen to previous work to ensure that the technical finish is of the highest standard.

Speed, flexibility and post-production

In the world of media and marketing, things often need to move quickly. A good voice-over artist is flexible and can adapt easily. Sometimes a sentence needs to be tweaked at the very last minute, or the timing of the video turns out to be slightly different from what was planned.

Reputable voice-over agencies select their voice-over artists based on this flexibility and professionalism. Always check in advance how quickly a voice-over artist can deliver and what the arrangements are regarding any subsequent adjustments. Clear agreements prevent unexpected stress just before your deadline.

Experience and the ability to follow directing instructions

An experienced voice-over artist needs only half a word. They immediately understand what you mean by “speak as if you’re telling this to a good friend” or “keep it professional yet approachable”.

The ability to quickly and accurately translate directing instructions into the right intonation saves you a huge amount of time in the creative process. So always check the voice actor’s experience before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions

Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.

How does online learning work at Voices Academy?: You take 15 lessons with video, assignments, and practice materials at your own pace. You receive personal feedback on your submitted recordings.
Start at /academy/; practical questions are answered on this FAQ or via Academy contact.
Do I receive feedback on my recordings?: Yes. You submit practice recordings and receive personal feedback from Johfrah Lefebvre on technique, pace, and interpretation. Want to practise live? Combine Academy with a Studio workshop.
Do I need experience for a beginner's workshop?: No. Beginner workshops start from scratch: breath, articulation, and microphone technique. For each workshop, please check the stated level on /studio/. Want to practise at home before you come? Check out Voices Academy for online lessons.
Can I combine Academy with Studio-workshops?: Yes. Many students initially take online lessons and then attend a live workshop for additional coaching.
Studio: /studio/faq/ · Academy: /academy/.
How do I choose the right voice for my project?: Listen to the demos on each voice artist's profile page. Pay attention to their tone, pace, and energy. A warm, calm voice is suitable for e-learning or meditation, while an energetic voice works better for radio commercials or promotional videos.
Not sure? Use the filters for language, gender, and style to refine your search. You can also compare multiple voices by adding them to your favourites.
Need help? Our team is happy to provide free advice on the best choice for your target audience and medium.
Can I order a voice-over for e-learning?: Certainly. E-learning and instructional videos are one of our most requested project types. Choose a voice that articulates clearly and calmly, so that learners can easily follow the content.
You can upload your full script. The voice actor will deliver the audio in high quality (WAV), ready to be edited into your course platform. For longer projects, we would be happy to discuss a volume discount.
What is the difference between a commercial and a corporate voice-over?: For a commercial (radio spot, TV advert, online advertisement), you pay a buyout: the right to broadcast the recording on the chosen medium for an agreed period. The price is higher because the reach is greater.
A corporate voice-over (corporate video, internal presentation, e-learning) falls into the non-broadcast or internal use category. For these, you only pay the session fee, without a media buyout.
Unsure which category applies? Select your medium in the configurator and the price will adjust automatically.
How do I determine the right speaking speed for my video?: The golden rule is 160 words per minute for a natural flow. For e-learning, the pace can be slightly slower (approx. 140 wpm) to ensure the information is easier to absorb. Our calculator works this out for you automatically based on your script.