The blog
Guides for people hiring a voice.
Plain answers to the questions clients ask me before they book: what to send, how long it runs, what files you need and how to get the read you want. Written for producers, course teams, marketers, small businesses, authors and podcasters.
How to hire an e-learning voice actor (and what to send them)
What to listen for in a demo, the seven things to send with your script, how long narration runs and the five questions to ask before you book.
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How to hire an e-learning voice actor (and what to send them)
Demos, scripts, file setup and the questions to ask before you book.
Target search: hire e-learning voice actorHow to prepare an e-learning script for voice over
Formatting, slide markers and a pronunciation guide template you can copy.
Target search: e-learning script for voice overHow long will my voice over run? Words per minute, explained
Rough timings for courses, explainers and ads, and what changes them.
Target search: voice over words per minuteReal human voice or AI voice for your ad?
When each one makes sense, and what listeners notice.
Target search: human voice over vs AIExplainer video voice over: picking the right voice for your product
Friendly, expert or excited? How to match the voice to the buyer.
Target search: explainer video voice overWhat file format does my phone system need?
IVR and on-hold audio formats, explained without the jargon.
Target search: IVR audio file formatHow to write a phone greeting and on-hold script callers don’t mind
Short scripts, menu order and sample wording for small businesses.
Target search: on hold message scriptHow authors choose an audiobook narrator
What to listen for in a sample, and and when a full production through Academy Voices beats going it alone.
Target search: how to choose an audiobook narratorPodcast intro and outro: what to write and how long it should be
Simple formulas for a show open that doesn’t make people skip.
Target search: podcast intro voice overWhat “usage” and “buyout” mean when you hire a voice actor
Where your audio will run, for how long, and why it matters to the quote.
Target search: voice over usage rightsHow to direct a voice actor in a live session
Even if you’ve never done it: what to say, and what to leave alone.
Target search: how to direct a voice actorPickups, revisions and retakes: what to expect after the audio arrives
What’s a fix, what’s a new recording, and how to ask for either.
Target search: voice over revisionsCourse and training teams
Instructional designers and L&D teams who need clear narration that learners can sit through.
Marketers and producers
Agencies, video producers and brand teams who need a warm, real read on a deadline.
Small businesses
Owners who want a phone greeting or on-hold message that sounds like a real company.
Rather just ask?
Send me your script or a quick note about the project. I usually reply within a few hours.