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Here are eight different tips on how to become a voice actor (or become a better voice actor).
It might sound easy to read a script, it just reading a text out load. But to make it sound natural, find the right feeling, reading the text in multiple ways is a lot bigger challenge than it seems.

1. Practice reading things out loud.
A good practice is read things out load. It could be books, magazines, or news articles. Usual things to get more practice in your everyday life. This is a good start to get more comfortable and confident in reading. As a voice actor it is important to sound natural but most client will want different emotions, tones, and styles on their recording. Try changing the sound of your voice as you read to get better.

It should never sound like you are reading but should sound like a performance. It is your job to bring these words to life.

2. Record your voice.

Take step one a bit further and record yourself while reading a book or magazine.
You can also try reciting monologues or reading from a script and recording it. Play it back to yourself to hear what you sound like and make notes for improvement. The sound of your own voice might surprise you! The way you sound in a recording isn’t necessarily the same way you sound to yourself each day.

3. Use your diaphragm.

When listening to your voice, consider whether you are using a nasal, mouth, chest, or diaphragm voice. A nasal voice sounds unpleasant and whiny, a mouth voice sounds very quiet, a chest voice sounds pleasant, but a diaphragm voice is the most powerful and has the best sound. To develop the diaphragm voice, practice breathing deeply and watching your stomach rise and fall. Make sounds that come from the diaphragm, such as laughing or yawning. Once you get the hang of it, it is merely a matter of maintaining the voice. A voice teacher can help you project from the diaphragm.

4. Practice vocal exercises.

As a voice actor it is important to be able to control your voice and not tear it out. Your voice is your most important tool, so you want to take care of it.
Certain exercises can help you to control and improve your voice. Many of them are based on breathing. You could try humming a scale by blowing through a straw for breath control. You could lie on the floor and deeply inhale and exhale, making a “shh” sound while exhaling. Even simply sitting up straight with your shoulders back can make a big difference in the sound of your voice. You could also practice articulating with different tongue twisters.

Lately we have been working on many fun project, here are a few of them:

PEAB – information movie – Swedish

Bastard Burgers – commercial – Swedish

Nyfiken på Sverige –information movie – Translation

Södra skog –information movie – English

Rusta – commercial – Swedish and German

Atlas Copco –information movie – English

Blodberedskap –information movie – Northern Sami

Cramo – commercial – Swedish

Magnetpulver – E-learning – English

Kalmar familjehem –information movie – Swedish

Eidesvik – commercial – English

TRI-D –information movie – Finnish

Elektronik – E-learning – English

Skydda – radio commercial – Swedish

Vätterhem –radio commercial – Swedish

Lbrador – radio commercial – Swedish

Hedin bil –radio commercial – Swedish

MG – television commercial – Swedish

ByggHemma – television commercial – Swedish

Bryggeriet – radio commercial – Swedish

NKT – voiceover – English

KONE elevator – voiceover – English

Tele 2 –information movie – English

Kvinnofridslinjen –information movie – Thai

Äldreförvaltningen –information movie – Swedish

ITS learning – E-learning – Swedish and Finnish

Nationalmuseet Oslo – audioguide – 9 languages

Autoliv – product movie – Romanian

One way rental – commercial – Swedish

Ultra max moppi – commercial – Finnish

Holmgrens bil – commercial – Swedish

Lantmäteriet – Information movie – Subtitles

Krisstöd – information movie – Swedish

NTA – audio book – Swedish

HOI – audio book – Swedish

IKEA – podcast – Swedish

Intersport – commercial – Swedish

Ring knutstorp – radio commercial – Swedish

Jysk – in store messages – Swedish

Don’t hesitate to contact us

Listen to our range of voices here

Since you stumbled upon our website, do we dare to assume you’re considering a voice-over recording? Maybe it’s finally time to start that podcast, record an advert, or fix the company presentation? There can be many reasons, but the effect is the same – a professional voice-over recording goes a long way.

At Voice To Me, our vocal chords are always warmed up and ready to go. We can provide you with a voice-over recording in all its forms and would like to share five valuable tips that will improve your production.

Five tips for a successful voice-over recording

• The choice of voice

This may sound obvious, but your choice of voice is of great importance for the outcome of your production. Are you going to record a cool car ad? Well, in that case perhaps you shouldn’t choose “medication Janne”, best known for having read FASS (Proprietary Medicinal Products in Sweden) as an audiobook in 1996. Or should you? Maybe it can have an unexpected effect? There is no final verdict and, like all media projects, the unexpected can also be the best choice. Regardless, it can be difficult for you to choose the best possible solution on your own. Feel free to contact us, and we’ll help you find the right one from our extensive voice bank.

• Work through your script – properly

Not even the most beautiful voice can save a poorly written script. It goes without saying that preparation is key. If you send a half-finished proposal for voice recording, well, the end result will be a failure. That’s why you need to do the job properly. Think about your target group, how you want to be perceived, and what tone you want to achieve. Should the voice exude credibility, passion, or perhaps interest? Write your script colloquially and avoid complicated words. It should sound natural, unless you’re writing a complex radio-theatre piece.

• Manage expectations within the company – avoid misunderstandings

Are there several of you in the business who are involved in the project? Make sure that all of you in the project group are on the same page, both in terms of the project as a whole, and regarding the choice of voice. Perhaps you can find a reference online or something else to compare with? If the whole project is ready before the recording, everything flows much better. It saves time and money for all parties, and the end result is more powerful.

• Be there during the recording – live or digitally

After all, you know your project best. If you’re involved in the voice-over recording in the studio, you may discover details you want to change once the narrator starts reading. It’s difficult to predict the end product, but if you’re present during the recording, you can make changes on the fly. If you can’t participate physically, it’s possible to do so digitally.

• Follow up your production afterwards – how did it go?

Despite the fact that money, time, and soul are invested in projects, they are rarely followed up. How did it really go? What could you do better? How did the voice-over recording sound? Taking a few steps back to celebrate success and learn from possible setbacks is an effective way to do better. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s also very true. Ask your clients, employees, and others who have seen the end product for feedback. Dare to look back.

Ready to start – it’s voice-over recording time!

How does it feel? Are you under starter’s orders or alone in a wilderness of question marks? Take it easy, we’re the call that will guide you home. No matter where you are in the process, get in touch – we’ll help you from there. If you want, we can assist you in all the steps, from idea to script and execution.

Our website has a lot of information on how to proceed. You can also listen to our talented voice-over artists or share them with your organisation or your clients. There’s no doubt that you’ll find a suitable voice for your particular voice-over recording.

Talk soon!

Imagine the following scenario. After a lot of hard work, you’ve finally managed to finish the film for the company’s important bid, and now you’re facing a final decision: should you use a professional voice-over artist or record your own? The budget has already been exceeded because you chose to produce quite a few drone images and there were other stunts you didn’t anticipate. In less than a week, the film needs to be ready and presented.

What will you do?

Your colleagues and acquaintances all think that it looks really nice, so they think that an automatically generated voice-over via some web service is probably enough. Okay, you think.

Then Anna from HR comes and says that she’s always wanted to be a voice-over artist and that she’s very happy to help. She says that she’s bought new AirPods and practiced recording some jingles at home, and the sound quality is fantastic. Maybe you should give her a chance?

Our opinion? Don’t do it.

Don’t get us wrong – we have nothing against Anna. And of course, auto-generated solutions have got better. Still, the fact remains that an amateur voice-recording free of charge or using a cheap freelancer can ruin even the best of films. Getting professional help is worth every penny.

You get what you pay for

As with much else in life, you get what you pay for from voice-over services. Getting help from a voice-over artist is a worthy investment which ensures quality and delivery. Voice To Me offers recording and voice-overs in more than 100 languages.

The power of a professional voice-over

In spite of this, many people choose to take the easy way out, and either record something themselves or get a low-quality recording. Choosing a professional option puts you in a prime position compared to your competitors, and gives you a credible impression. The slightly higher cost for a professional voice-over artist is quite small in the grand scheme of things, as it’s in turn likely to indirectly increase your sales.

Imagine the following scenario. You’re at an important sales meeting.

You’re up against two competitors in trying to win over a client. All of you have prepared presentations and films to sell yourselves. Your team has worked really hard and you’re convinced that your particular concept will win the client’s favour.

You’re outside with your team and watch the competitor present their concept. After a pretty good presentation, the best is saved for the end. Music is played and a video starts.

Then you hear it, the voice. Perfect timing. Well presented. It’s emotional, powerful, interesting. The voice is amazingly good and you feel goosebumps over your whole body. You think about your own presentation and realise that giving Anna from HR the chance to record the text was probably not worth it.

We probably all know who won that bid. Your concept may have been better, but the finish and presentation were worse. The competitor had made the decision to use a voice-over artist.

The following motto explains the importance of a well-chosen voice quite well.

“You can never save a bad voice with a good film, but you can always save a bad film with a good voice.”

That’s just how it is.

Never underestimate a well-executed voice-over. Hire a professional.

From good to better – and from better to the best

A professional voice-over means better projects. This doesn’t apply just to advertising and marketing.

Another example of this is e-learning. It’s been proven that students absorb more information if the recording is done by a professional. Professional voice-over artists find it easier to adapt to the recipient and subject. It’s not impossible that the voice-over artist has already done a similar project and can help make your script even clearer and more specific. Also, don’t forget what’s perhaps most obvious – the sound quality in a professional studio. No AirPods (sorry, Anna) or home microphones in the world can compete with a real studio – that’s just how it is.

Our point being? Regardless of the forum or message, a professional voice-over artist can say what you want you want to say, and say it better. Isn’t that the main aim of your project, to get across what you want to say? To present your idea or product in the best way possible? Why not do it properly then?

Voice To Me

Voice To Me voice-over artists can offer all of this. You can easily listen to samples from all our artists and choose the one who’s right for you. Everyone has good experience and practice of working in the industry. 

Are you unsure of what’s best for your particular project? Don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. We’re happy to help you find the best possible solution, tailored to you.

Do it properly – use a professional voice-over for your project. Use Voice To Me. Talk soon!

Why should you always have the contact details of a professional voice bank close at hand?

If you work for a production company, an advertising agency, or as a consultant in the film and media industry, you meet clients with different needs on a daily basis. Their needs must be catered for with an advert that’s as credible as possible, so it’s essential that you never compromise when it comes to the voice. It’s often said that you can always save a production with a good voice, but you can never save a bad recording with a good film…

Don’t waste time on internal solutions. It’s better to make sure you’re as effective as you can be in your creation by getting help from a voice bank.

What are the benefits of using a voice bank?

More often than not, slightly larger companies have voice-and-tone guides that are easy to follow for those of you who work in film and advertising. With a tonality guide, it’s easier to write the script and cast to find the exact voice, dialect, and tone that you know fits the client’s communication. It’s a prerequisite for the advert, documentary, jingle, or answering machine message to be as genuine and credible as possible.

1. The client doesn’t always know what a voice-and-tone guide is, or which voice their company is using to communicate with and why it’s important. When you receive an order for an advert and the creative phase begins, it’s easy to focus on what is to be said. You spend time writing scripts and then forget what your voice-over should sound like. Which dialect should it be, do you pick a woman or a man, a young or an old person? The right nuances in the tone of voice can be difficult to find, if you don’t know where to look. When you have access to a voice bank where you can go in and have a listen yourself, you can let the voice lead you to a finished script.

2. It can be difficult for the client to identify with different voices. Having access to a voice bank allows you to easily listen to, compare, and select a couple of voices that you think fit, and then let the client listen to a few different suggestions and pick the voice that feels good and credible, and that conveys the message with the empathy and voice that they’ve imagined.

3. Another reason why you should invest in having an external voice bank is that you get an anonymous voice-over artist. Your client won’t have to look for an employee who will make a mark on the brand with their voice. Although recognition is nice, it’s not ideal if the employee at some point resigns, and you or your client need to redo the job.

If you work at an agency, a production company, or as a film photographer, you should see offering voices through a voice bank as a service to your clients. By using our voice bank, you get a wide range of voices to choose from. This is time-efficient for you and cost-effective for your client, who doesn’t have to pay for the extra hours that can crop up when you let an employee or other individual do voice-overs.

 Want to know more about how to get your own voice bank for your brand free of charge? Contact us or read more here

Avoid odd word choices and direct translations: get help from a professional voice-over agency

There are many times when you can benefit from a voice-over, for example, when you need an audio recording in different languages and you want to be sure that the quality meets your high demands. But a voice-over can help with more than just a voice. Translations, for example…

You have sales material to be translated: perhaps a quote or an advert which you want to use internationally. The problem when you have to translate your material from business- or industry-specific Swedish into other languages may be that you don’t really know what the language and industry talk sounds like in everyday life. Do you know which industry terms are used within the field or in the country where you’re going to launch your sales material?

The importance of using an authentic voice-over agency

 When you translate from Swedish to, say, English – unless you’re bilingual – you’ll often end up somewhere between textbook English and TV English, which may work in some cases. But if you’re going to launch your brand to an American audience, the everyday slang and industry jargon differs quite a lot from textbook English. There are also significant differences in the language, depending on where in the country you’re going to market your brand. If you’re not familiar with your target group’s language use, you risk not reaching them with your message and weakening your company’s credibility.

Make a credible impression with a professional voice-over agency

 Instead of investing resources into making new material for each country you’re marketing your business in, you can have a voice-over agency translate your business texts or adverts. Business documents are often translated into languages your employees don’t use on a daily basis, which can be a difficult nut to crack internally. This work takes time to do and day-to-day tasks are pushed to the back of the queue.

With a professional translator, you save both time and money, while you get an authentic result. Instead of imposing the responsibility for translation on a multilingual employee, you can make it easier for everyone involved by letting a voice-over agency do the work. We can translate your material into more than 100 languages through our network of certified translators. As a voice-over agency, we offer high-quality voices for many different types of assignments. It can be anything from the translation of documentaries to radio adverts and corporate films. Do you want to know more about how you can use our voice-over services?

In the course of recording, there are a lot of things that voice-over artists need to think about. In addition to good equipment that we at Voice To Me have, the voice-over artist needs to be well prepared and rested. Here are just a few things to keep in mind to succeed when recording. In this article, we give you the tools you need to succeed in the best way possible.

A well-executed recording is hard to beat and can make all the difference in the success of your project. A well-recorded voice testifies to professionalism and perhaps conveys more than anything else what your business, company, or organisation stands for. With regard to recording itself, perhaps the most important thing is preparation. Make sure to work through your script carefully before recording. A good guideline is to “write it as you say it”. The idea is not to use overly complicated words or formulations, which you may use in writing. Speech and writing are very different in that sense. Of course, you should adapt the recording to the target group and purpose, but don’t be afraid to keep it simple. As long as you’re not giving a lecture to Mensa’s board of directors, you can probably use a simpler language in your recording.

Be well prepared for the recording

Making a recording takes effort. As with other occasions when you make need to perform well, such as runs, football matches, or whatever it may be, your state of mind needs to be right. Use your influence where you can. Make sure you arrive on time for your recording session. Come rested and refreshed. Eat well and do everything else you know is important. Do your best to be as ready as possible. Once you’re behind the microphone, it’s time to deliver, and everything you do is measurable and a result. Being prepared can’t be faked, especially when recording.

Technology is equally important. There are numerous types of microphones, and even more possible settings for them. It doesn’t matter how prepared you are or how amazing your script is if the technology lets you down. Make sure you review carefully how your microphone is set up, which tone of voice you want to use, and how loudly you should speak. It’s very complicated to save a bad recording, and that’s if it’s even possible at all. If you’re unsure about how to handle it all technically, we recommend using the option of professional recording in a studio.

Below are seven concrete tips on what you as a voice-over artist should think about in order to do as well as possible with your recording.

 Recording – 7 tips for success

1. Preparation
   Read the text carefully, preferably several times, and get to know any special characters and context. Being prepared is extremely important for a successful recording.
   
   
2. Underline
   Are you unsure of a word or how to pronounce something? Mark those words and check what they mean or how to pronounce them.
   
   
3. Read out loud
   Although many people read the text several times, they make the mistake of reading it silently to themselves. You should read the text aloud before recording instead. Partly because it’s easier to hear what the result will be, but also to practice those underlined words that you had difficulty pronouncing.
   
   
4. Replenish your energy
   Eat properly and have a lot of energy before the recording. Also, make sure that you’re rested and have slept well. It keeps you and your brain alert and fresh.
   
   
5. Use good posture and don’t move too much
   Sitting correctly and comfortably, with both feet firmly on the ground is important for the voice to sound as good as possible. It’s also important to sit still, as the microphones are very sensitive, and the slightest movement can be heard when recording.
   
   
6. Don’t stress
   Take it easy when you read. It’s easy to get stressed if you have a lot of text and information to read out. But don’t take it too easy – read the text aloud in the right rhythm.
   
   
7. Try to read naturally
   Imagine that you’re going to tell or read something to a person sitting across from you. Mean what you say and think that everyone who’s listening is doing so because it’s you and your story they want to listen to.

 
These are just a few of the things you need to keep in mind when recording. Are you unsure of what you need for the best possible end product?

Get help with recording

A successful recording requires some preparation. It may seem simple to start with, but it involves a lot of preparation, good timing, and steady performance. Do you want help with your recording? At Voice To Me, we’re happy to help you and have a wide range of voices in our bank. When you choose one of our voices, we’ll help and support you throughout the production, so that the end result is as good as it can be. You can feel completely at ease with us. Read more and pick a voice here!

The next time you listen to a radio programme with a famous on-air personality, think about what sort of thoughts or memories they evoke in you. A recurring and familiar voice means more to us than we think. Now you probably understand how important it is to choose the right voice for your advert or radio programme.
Using the same voice in a programme or in different adverts creates a sense of security and, as a listener, you know little about what you’re getting. But it also creates a kind of recognition for the advert or radio programme. It also makes the listener create their own image and perception of what the radio presenter looks like and what they’re like as a person, unless you know who they are. Of course, in addition to this, the voice reflects the message or advert in question.

When talking about a radio voice and what it should convey (depending on what kind of an advert it is), we think it should combine knowledge and credibility, create the right feeling, and get the listener to react. For example, do you have something you want to sell and want the listener to make a purchase after listening to the advert? If so, place emphasis on the credibility of the voice, the right voice that reflects what you sell, and information on how one goes about buying your product or service.

Of course, although the content of your advert or programme is important, on the whole, the voice is even more significant. To make this a little more concrete, we’ve done a little exercise for you below.

Exercise

• Listen to five different recorded voices HERE. Select “voice age” in the drop-down menu on the far right of the screen, and listen to the top voice in each category. (Middle-aged, teenager, child, old, and young)
• Imagine that you need to get the listener to donate money to a charity for children.
• Which genre and what voice would you choose?

Click here to listen to our voices or contact us directly at info@voicetome.com

What’s a voice-over and have you listened to one before? You most definitely have, but perhaps without even thinking about it. When you listen to radio and TV commercials, audiobooks, play digital games, watch animated films, and much more, you’re probably listening to a voice-over. A voice-over artist is a person, a voice actor, a speaker who is an expert in conveying messages and emotions with their voice. They read out your text and elevate your message to new heights.

Working as a voice-over artist

What do you need to think about if you’d like to offer voice-over services? In addition to just having a voice, there are lots of points to consider. Below, we’ve collected some tips for you to stand out and offer a good voice:

• Health! Live a healthier life. Exercise often and refrain from smoking and alcohol.
• Experiment with your voice and develop yourself.
• Book an appointment with a voice and speech coach.
• Use abdominal support, so you don’t wear out your voice.
• Sing away!
• Exercise and practice talking at the same time.
  

Voice To Me

In our voice bank, we have more than 2,000 voice-over artists who are specialists in TV advertising, audio books, radio adverts, teaching materials, cartoons, computer games, and more. Yes, it’s quite a long list. Our voices have different characters and reading styles. In the voice bank, you can either use filters or our search feature to find the voice that suits your project. Listen to our voice bank, and select and download the voice samples you think are best suited. You can also ask us for personal casting. We’re here to help you! Once you’ve made a selection, it’s easy to book a recording with us.

A voice-over from Voice To Me is made by a certified voice and recorded in a professional recording studio. Thanks to our extensive experience, we’re an obvious choice when it comes to voice-overs. During our time in the industry, we’ve supplied voice-overs to world-leading brands.

Read more about how voice-over services work!

Do you agree that a voice for recording adverts has to sound interesting and credible in order to capture a person’s interest?
Working in advertising and finding the perfect voice for the right purpose requires you to think about what it is that you want to convey.
If you don’t really know what you’re looking for, ask us directly – we’re happy to provide tips and advice for finding the perfect voice. Click here to read more about voices for recording adverts.

Three tips for finding the perfect voice for adverts:

1. The voices that you use for your advert should be professional
   We work with high-quality voices, which is a cornerstone of a successful advert. All our voice-over artists have at least two years of experience and use professional studio equipment, so they can guarantee a fantastic result. Sound quality is at least as important as the voice to keep the listener engaged throughout the advert.
   
2. What kind of feeling and message would you like the advert to convey?
   Think about it and pay attention to the narrator’s voice the next time you listen to an audiobook. Book publishers often choose popular people who all have one thing in common – voices that you want to listen to!
   It’s incredibly important that you categorise the type of message you want the advert to convey and what kind of feeling it creates. The significance of the voice has always been fascinating. The listener should be able to easily understand the information and find it credible.
   
3. If the voice makes the listener believe in the content and want to listen further = it works!
   You can lose your target group already at recording stage if you make the wrong choice. If the listener gets tired of the voice or of poor sound quality at the beginning of the recording, that could be it. In the worst case, although they might be listening, they don’t find your product or service credible. That’s not what you want!
   That’s why it’s important to capture the listener’s interest as early as possible and establish credibility.

Click here to listen to our voices or contact us directly at info@voicetome.com

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