Giving Perfect Directions to a Voice Actor

When giving directions to a voice actor, the way you phrase your feedback makes a significant difference to the outcome. Vague direction leads to missed takes and wasted time. Clear, specific, and constructive direction leads to exactly the recording you need.

Describe the Feeling, Not the Reading

Instead of saying “read it faster” or “make it sound more professional”, describe the emotional quality you want. “Think of a trusted colleague sharing exciting news” gives a voice actor something to act on. “More professional” does not.

Use Reference Points

If you have a reference clip — a previous recording, an ad you admire, or a specific voice style — share it. References are worth more than a paragraph of written direction. Even a description like “the tone of a BBC documentary narrator” gives the voice actor an immediately useful benchmark.

Be Specific About Pacing

If certain sections need to be faster or slower, mark them in the script itself. Notes like “pause after this sentence”, “build energy through this list”, or “land hard on the final word” are far more useful than general pacing comments.

Prioritise Your Notes

If you have multiple revision requests, prioritise them. Start with the most important change. A voice actor can address many small notes in one revision take, but it helps to know which change matters most to you.

Stay Positive

Voice actors respond best to positive direction. Instead of “the opening didn’t work at all”, try “great energy overall — could we bring a bit more warmth to the opening line?” The same note, communicated positively, produces better results and builds a more productive working relationship.

When your direction is ready, find voice-over talent for the recording and compare auditions before booking.