In Brief
A good voice-over script sounds like spoken language, not a brochure. Short sentences, active verbs, and clear pauses help the voice actor. Upload your text with your chosen voice; on /tarieven/ you can see what the length means.
Write for the ear, not for the eye
Read each sentence aloud. If you stumble, shorten or rewrite it. Avoid jargon unless your target audience understands it. Write out numbers and abbreviations as you would pronounce them.
Add rhythm and emphasis
Mark where a breath pause should be. One idea per sentence works best for radio, video, and telephony. Bold important words for emphasis, not entire paragraphs.
- Aim for a maximum of 15 words per sentence where possible
- One message per paragraph
- End with a clear call-to-action
Consider timing and medium
A 20-second spot requires different words than a three-minute corporate film. Mention the medium and desired tone (warm, professional, energetic) in your briefing.
Next step
Script ready? Listen to telephony or corporate demos on the showcase and book online. If you're unsure about length or tone, feel free to ask for feedback before recording.
Frequently asked questions
Short and to the point. Click to see the answer.
How much does a professional voice-over cost?
The price depends on three factors: the medium (corporate video, radio advert, telephony), the licence duration (1 year, unlimited) and the script length. With Voices, you see the exact price per voice artist before you order. No surprises later on.
A short corporate video starts from a modest amount. A radio advert with national reach costs more due to the buyout (broadcasting rights). Telephone messages are generally the most affordable.
Tip: enter your script for the voice of your choice and you will instantly see the cost.
What exactly does a buy-out entail in voice-over?
A buy-out is the right to use your recording on a medium (radio, TV, online, telephony) for an agreed period. You'll see it reflected in your price before payment on /tarieven/.
Learn more: buy-out explained · dictionary.
Is a home demo as good as a studio demo?
- The demo on the profile is your reference. Professional home studios deliver quality suitable for TV, radio, online, and telephony. You explicitly schedule live direction or an external studio in your brief. More: home demo versus studio.
How do I write a good voice-over script?
A good script is short and conversational. Write as you would speak, not as you would write an email. Use short sentences and avoid any abbreviations the voice artist would have to interpret.
Indicate where pauses should go, which words should be emphasised, and the tone you're looking for (e.g. corporate, warm, energetic). The clearer your directions, the better the final result.
Don't have a script? Our team can provide scriptwriting advice. Send us your brief and we'll be happy to help.
Are the tracks optimised for telephony?
- Absolutely. All our on-hold music is specially mixed and optimised for the frequency range of telephone systems (300Hz - 3400Hz), so it always sounds clear.
How does the ordering process work?
- It's simple, in 4 steps: 1. Paste your script into the calculator or upload your text. 2. Select where the audio will be used (e.g. online, TV, or telephony). 3. Add any direction for the voice actor. 4. Pay securely using Bancontact, iDEAL or credit card. The voice actor then heads into the studio and delivers the finished audio directly to your inbox.
How do I book a voice via Voices?
Listen to the demos and pick a voice. Add your text, choose what you need the audio for, and pay online. We email you the recording when it is ready.
How much does a voice-over cost?
- The price of a voice-over depends on the length of your script and its intended use (e.g. online, TV, or telephony). Our voice artists start from €89. To find out the exact rate, you can simply enter your script into our price calculator.
Is the music suitable for telephone systems?
- Absolutely. From soothing piano to energetic beats, all our music is technically optimised for telephony (frequency range 300Hz - 3400Hz). This ensures the music sounds clear and crackle-free, even over the phone line.
What audio format will I receive?
- As standard, you will receive the audio in WAV (highest quality) and MP3 (standard quality). For telephony, we also provide specific formats such as u-law or A-law if required. All formats are supplied ready for use.
