Hiring Voice Talent For The First Time

When businesses hire a voice over talent for the first time, the process can seem cumbersome. Communication especially must be thorough in order for the final project to be complete and of high quality.

When placing a job order for a voice talent try to include as much of the following information as possible so that the person you hire knows exactly how and when you want your finished product.

• Contact Information - for ease of communication it is best to have several ways to get a hold of each other (email, phone(s), fax, etc.)

• Time Constraints - if your project has a deadline, be sure to communicate that, in writing if possible.

• Copy - assuming you are providing the script, always send the full and final script prior to recording, and even before the quote, if possible. This lends itself to an effective quote and saves unnecessary revisions later.

• Project Details - give ideas of how you would like your company represented specifically regarding production, delivery and performance.

• Type of Media - be sure to tell your VOP where and how the completed work will be used

• Resources - if you have a budget, negotiate with the voice over specialist within those limits and clearly communicate where those limitations are so they don't provide services you cannot afford

• Delivery - how do you want the final product delivered? Make sure the vocal professional has the technological capability of providing you with the format you want (CD, MP3, ISDN/phone patch, WAV file, AIF file, etc.)

• Time - give the voice talent a limit within which to work measured in time or number of words * Payment - arrange how the voice over professional will be paid. For larger jobs, expect to put down ½ of the amount in advance to the work being done and the remaining ½ after the final voice files are received

Though there is certainly no shortage of potential voice talent for the hiring, picking through the thousands available to find the voice actor that is perfect for the job can seem like a daunting task. Since the actor or actress you choose will affect the tone and message of your project, it's essential to make the right selection.

When piecing together a multimedia project, you shouldn't underestimate the resources that are freely available on the Internet. Online databases can, for example, allow you to find a perfect sample script at no cost to you, or can serve as valuable reference material if you are writing your own script. Many voice professional nowadays maintain personal websites containing their portfolios and samples of the voice work they have done in the past. Checking out online samples of potential hires' work is a great way to save time during the hiring process.

Still, when you are trying to find the right match online, you'll need a strategy and process that will maximize your efforts. You can waste countless hours searching and sourcing candidates, only to find out that they won't follow through on a project or even submit a quality sample. Knowing what to look for and how to proceed online can make your interviews and auditions much more valuable. Here are the steps involved when hiring a voice over artist over the web:

1. When you first contact a voice actor or actress, ask that they send you samples of their work. Any professional voice actor or actress is sure to have some .mpeg files that they can send you, or a website showcasing their work. Actors without any samples can safely be written off as amateurs. This simple screening step will save you a good deal of time and effort.

2. Ask potential hires for a resume. Any serious voice actor or actress should be able to provide a formal resume, complete with his or her employment history and references. Speaking of references, they're there for a reason; you should make sure to contact two or more of the past employers listed in order to get a balanced assessment of the performance you can expect from a potential hire.

3. Request a preferred rate. Many voice over professionals have an expected rate for each project, and you'll want to know about both hourly and per-project rates. Some professionals will request payment only after final delivery, while others will require a portion upfront with the remainder due at the end of the project.

4. Interview voice talent over the telephone. If you do not have the opportunity to conduct a face to face interview, a telephone interview is the next best thing, as it will give you a clearer picture of his or her personality, experience, and level of confidence. An interview conducted on the telephone will also give you the opportunity to hear a short sample reading from your potential hire.

5. Ask if your voice talent is equipped to provide services digitally. It is increasingly common for voice over artists to set up studios in their own homes. If your actor or actress is able to record his or her performance from home and send it to you over the Internet, this means that you will save on the costs associated with travel and the shipping of tapes.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Artist from Minneapolis, MN and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.