Five Easy Steps In Hiring A Voice Over Talent On The Web

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.

Those working on multimedia would be wise to take advantage of the great online resources available.  Need a script?  There are plenty of script databases available on the web, and some of them are even free.  In order to make the hiring process quicker and more efficient, you can peruse potential hires’ websites, which will often contain portfolios. This will help narrow your field of candidates, and give you an idea of what  to expect from a candidate early on.  In addition to checking out voice talent’s rsums and portfolios, some even use the Internet to conduct interviews.

Though the web can definitely make your search for talent quicker and more efficient,  without the appropriate strategy it can turn into a gigantic waste of time. Potential voice actors you find online, for example, may not be as reliable as they first appear, and may delay your progress by failing to submit their samples in a timely manner. These kinds of obstacles can be easily surmounted, however, with a little bit of know-how.  Here are some valuable tips on hiring voice talent on the web:

1.  After you you initially contact a potential hire, ask for a sample of their work.  If the person in question is the true professional they claim to be, they will have .mpeg samples on hand to send to you, or will direct you to a site where you can heir their work.  This first step goes a long way towards weeding out candidates who aren’t serious about getting the job.

2. Ask that all potential candidates submit a formal rsum. Professional voice talent should also have no trouble providing you with a rsum  that exhibits their work experience.  You will also want to check in on two or more of your potential hire’s references, to get an accurate and balanced picture of his or her ability.

3. Ask the candidate for a preferred rate.  You should make sure you understand how much the actor would like to be paid, and when.  Actors may want to be compensated either per hour or per project, and though some do not mind being compensated on delivery, others may want a portion up front.

4. Conduct a telephone interview. Telephone interviews are best for any talent you may not have the opportunity to meet with in person. Telephone interviews can touch upon previous work, a brief script reading, and to gauge the confidence level of your candidate.

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.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Dozens of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.