I’m an advocate for talented voiceover artists, regardless of gender identity. Today it’s more important than ever to have all voices represented- and that includes gender-neutral people and people of all different ethnicities. , No matter the voice, a conversational sound is vital in today’s market, and research shows that female voices inspire more trust and confidence. To find a top-notch female voiceover talent, there are some specific qualities and abilities you can confirm before making a decision.
Types of Voiceover Tailor-Made for Females
Choosing a voice to communicate with your audience and bring your script to life can be stressful. As a female voiceover artist, I understand what it takes to make a project work. A feminine voice is perceived as friendly, soothing, and trustworthy, so it works perfectly in many areas, such as:
- A wide range of characters, including moms, CEO’s, teachers, SME’s, elves, and animals
- Audiobook narrations, dynamic non-fiction, wild and wonderful fiction
- Peer to peer marketing, from one woman to another
- eLearning, corporate, children’s education, and self-paced learning
- Commercials, sales, and advertising
- Trailers and promo’s, the classic announcer, comedic or intriguing
- Medical communications to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers
- Science animations showing the mechanism of a disease and mechanism of action of a drug
A Top-Notch Female Voiceover is Flexible
I don’t mean a voiceover jack of all trades, but rather a voiceover talent who can take direction and adjust their delivery accordingly. Too often, voiceover artists claim to do everything and anything rather than becoming highly skilled in a chosen niche. On the other hand, by honing their base skills, they become masters of applying them to any situation.
Having a voiceover artist on hand who can run the gamut from a medical professional to an overwhelmed mom is a major benefit, but can they do it well? Voice acting requires the ability to become different people. It’s easy to claim to be good at everything. A great female voiceover artist will be an expert in certain areas, and they’ll have mastered the fundamentals. And they’ll know how to apply that expertise according to the role. The ultimate flexible female voiceover artist knows their limitations and won’t take on a job they can’t handle.
Demos, Demos, and More Demos
A demo is the calling card of every voiceover artist. Linking back to flexibility, a voiceover artist can claim to do anything and everything, but their demo is where they have to deliver. If a voiceover artist, male or female, doesn’t have the skillset and training, they are unlikely to do your script any sort of justice. Remember, a demo is a sample of how a voiceover artist performs under ideal conditions, so an okay demo is not good enough.
High-Quality Audio is Mandatory
Before the pandemic hit, most pro voiceover artists had a studio to call their own. Now everyone has one, but that isn’t a guarantee of quality. A smartphone microphone and a closet do not a home recording booth make. A top-tier voiceover artist needs a top-tier microphone, an excellent recording environment, DAW, and an audio interface. They should also have the skills to mix and edit their raw recording or an audio engineer on hand who does it for them.
Make sure your voice over artist can deliver the high-quality audio your project needs. No popping, reverberations, or cars in the background, please.
Look for a Professional for a Smooth Experience
It takes more than a great voice to be a professional voiceover artist. You want someone with training who meets deadlines and understands your goals. Your voiceover artist will be a co-worker, a teammate, and you will want to collaborate with someone who understands your industry. A professional, experienced voiceover talent knows how to deliver your script like an SME. A best friend. An authority. A character. All while meeting your goals, connecting with your audience, and conveying the intent behind your words.
Find a Top-Notch Female Voiceover with Experience
You’ve listened to the demos, but how does your voiceover artist work in the field? References can be a good barometer of voiceover skills and what to expect when working together. NDA’s can prevent a voiceover artist from sharing their work online, and sometimes they can share a private link. Some good questions to ask your voiceover artist before hiring include:
- Do they have any references you can check?
- Do they have experience doing the kind of voiceover work you need?
- What kind of training have they had?
- Do they have any other pertinent experience? Acting, marketing, etc.
- How long have they been a voiceover artist?
- What would they say their greatest voice strength is?
Female Voiceover Comes In Unique Packages
Often a voiceover artist is a student of character. We’ve spent years in the industry, and we have a range of voices and characters in our back pocket. A skilled artist goes beyond stereotypes and into something more nuanced and character-driven. When they are working in the booth, they are trying to bring the words of the page to life. The worst thing a voiceover artist can be is just like everyone else.
While I am a fan of a niche, a niche doesn’t mean being good at one thing and doing only that over and over again. A characteristic of a great female voiceover artist is someone who can create characters with just their unique vocal delivery. Look for someone who changes up their performance based on the script, the audience, and the intent behind the words. And someone who can give you variety on a single script.
Look for Artist Who Love Their Job
Voiceover isn’t easy; it takes a lot of hard work, a thick skin, and a lot of practice. Why does it matter if your voiceover artist loves their job? There are so many skills to hone and get right, working the mic, cold reading, interpreting the text, running a business, the list goes on. Without passion and love for the work, a voiceover artist can’t bring that enthusiasm to the table or your project.
The difference between a professional voiceover artist and an aspiring one is all the work behind the scene. The extra stuff that maybe we don’t like as much but adds up to a final voiceover result that gives us that fizzle of success. The satisfaction of a job well-done results from hiring someone who cares.
Final Thoughts on Getting Top-Notch Female Voiceover
Fundamentally, picking a female voiceover talent who will enhance your project is a combination of gut instinct and thorough research. Tick all the boxes, ensure they have the appropriate equipment, skill sets, and training, and then go with what feels right.