13 Aug 2026
4 min read
A practical example of how a Flemish company avoided an expensive mistake by choosing the right voice tone for their local video on time.
A local company needed an instructional video for new employees in the region. The visuals were warm and collegial, showing real workplace scenes. But in the rush of preparation, a voice with a cold, formal newsreader tone was chosen.
The wrong voice choice costs money through extra studio time. It also feels wrong to the viewer. If the visuals convey trust and warmth, but the voice sounds like an official decree, your audience will switch off.
To save the launch and meet the deadline, we changed our selection approach. Our goal was not just to find a professional voice. We wanted to select the exact character that matched the company's culture.
We followed these steps to find the right match:
For this project, we chose an experienced voice actor like Brecht. His timbre is warm. It immediately conveys calm and credibility.
A common studio mistake is to pack the script too tightly. As a director, I often see texts crammed with too much information. This forces the voice actor to rush to stay within the time limit.
Here is my main practical tip: cut ten percent of the words. Allow natural pauses. A short pause before an important concept works better than rushed emphasis. Ask the voice actor not to read the text. Ask them to tell it, as if explaining it to a colleague by the coffee machine. That makes a world of difference in how authentically the message comes across.
By intervening in time and setting the right emphasis, the video was recorded correctly in one session. No unnecessary correction rounds. No budget overrun. Most importantly, the final result struck exactly the right chord with the employees.
Regarding investment, it helps to understand how voice-over pricing works. For non-commercial work, such as an internal corporate film or e-learning, we charge per word or a fixed project rate. For commercial spots, the rate includes a fixed recording fee plus a licence for the specific medium and usage duration. This gives you complete clarity upfront.
With a selection of 94 professional voices in languages like Flemish, Dutch, French, German and English, you can find the right voice actor for any project. Voices like Sander, Kristien and Johfrah ensure your recording has the right tone from the start.
Johan also noted this in his review: "Super experience and result, easy and clear website to order and delivered on time."
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Choose a voice actor whose natural speaking voice closely matches your brand. In your brief, highlight that you want a relaxed, informal tone, and avoid excessively long sentences in the script.
This depends on the type of video and how you use it. For non-commercial projects, the rate is usually based on word count. Commercial projects also include usage rights. You will always receive a clear, customised quote for your specific needs.
Yes, an experienced voice actor can easily adjust the intonation, dynamics, and speaking pace. They do this based on a brief direction or a clear upfront brief.
Want to make sure the voice matches your video before recording? Feel free to contact us for advice on the ideal Flemish voice over for your project. Or simply request a no-obligation quote.
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?
Do I need experience for a beginner's workshop?
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/.
Is a home demo as good as a studio demo?
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 write a good voice-over script?
A good script is short and conversational. Write as you would speak, not as you would write an email. Use short sentences and avoid any abbreviations the voice artist would have to interpret.
Indicate where pauses should go, which words should be emphasised, and the tone you're looking for (e.g. corporate, warm, energetic). The clearer your directions, the better the final result.
Don't have a script? Our team can provide scriptwriting advice. Send us your brief and we'll be happy to help.
How do I book a voice via Voices?
Listen to the demos and pick a voice. Add your text, choose what you need the audio for, and pay online. We email you the recording when it is ready.
Short definitions that help you decide faster.
Educational audio content: course modules, instructional videos, training. Often long texts. That is why we charge per word or per finished hour of audio instead of a standard BSF.
E-learning usually falls under corporate (non-broadcast). For public learning environments, a buy-out may be required.
The step in our checkout where you provide everything the actor needs: the script, the tone of voice (warm/business-like/energetic/...), reference videos or audio, deadline and any NDA requirements.
Reviews from customers who have worked with us.
“Request submitted and they review the text again, making some adjustments where necessary. If there's any detail the client finds a bit difficult in the produced audio, they resolve it very quickly and create a new audio on the same day. Highly recommended and very professional service now. Top! I was assisted and recorded by Johfrah.”
Kevin De Nil
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Finding this useful? Add us as a preferred source in Google. You will see our tips more often in search and AI answers.
“Voices.be is highly recommended for voice-overs in various languages. A professional company with pleasant communication, quick responses, and overall top-notch service. Look no further.”
Anastasia Van der Maas
“If you are looking for a reliable supplier, Voices.Be is definitely a recommendation! Our experience was top-notch - fast delivery, excellent quality, and it gives our company a professional appearance.”
Jelle Kerfs
Listen to a selection of voice actors and find the right voice for your project.
