1. The right pitch and emotion
Every project has its own unique character. A video for a trendy start-up calls for a completely different dynamic to an instructional video for a hospital or a radio advert for a local retailer. So first, think carefully about the emotion you want to convey. Should the voice sound enthusiastic and energetic, or perhaps soothing, trustworthy and warm?
An experienced voice-over artist knows exactly how to adapt their tone to suit your target audience. So, when searching for a voice, don’t just focus on ‘sounding good’, but above all on the right intention behind the words. After all, a voice that genuinely convinces does far more for your brand than one that simply reads out a script.
2. The match with your target audience
Who exactly do you want to reach with your message? A younger audience simply speaks a different language to a group of experienced professionals in the B2B sector. You don’t just see this in the text you write; you can also hear it immediately in the voice that brings the text to life.
When choosing a voice from the database, bear the following elements in mind:
- Age: Does the voice sound young and fresh, or rather mature, measured and world-weary?
- Gender: Sometimes a specific male or female voice simply suits the product or service you’re offering better.
- Dialect or accent: Will you opt for neutral Standard Dutch, or does your project need that charming, recognisable Flemish accent to appeal to a local audience?
3. Technical quality and flexibility
A good voice is one thing, but the recording quality is just as important for a professional end result. When a voice-over artist records in a professional voice-over studio, you won’t hear any distracting background noise or echo, and the sound will be crystal clear. This saves you hours of editing work and frustration during post-production.
In addition, the voice artist’s flexibility is a major asset. Can they deliver the recording smoothly within the agreed deadline? Are they open to feedback, and can any necessary adjustments be made quickly afterwards? Clear agreements made in advance ensure a stress-free process and a flawless delivery of your audio files.
4. The power of listening to a demo
Don’t rush into a decision and don’t base it solely on a written profile or a photo of the voice actor. Always ask to listen to several demos. Listen to how the voice sounds across various genres, such as shorter adverts, longer voice-overs for corporate films or clear e-learning modules.
You’ll often know within the first five seconds whether a voice suits the tone and pace of your video. Trust that gut feeling, because your target audience will experience exactly the same first impression when they watch or listen to your video for the first time.