The cost versus quality equation has been an issue for centuries – particularly in the creative industries. It’s no less so today. At Voice123, our customer success team frequently gets confronted with new clients asking: how come it’s so expensive when all the voice actor needs to do is read 120 words? That debate has been covered from every conceivable angle. It remains a hot topic in online forums so we’re not going to discuss it here. Fact is, that if you’re a client who can’t afford professional voice over fees, you’ll inevitably start looking at alternatives. So, how do you feel about hiring an amateur voice actor? If you’re a bit wary, it’s probably for good reason.
We’ve always touted the benefits of hiring a professional voice actor, one with experience, talent, and great business skills. But what about the amateur?
What about the newbie who’s bursting with enthusiasm? One who’s invested in the right equipment, and who’s provided exemplary samples on their online profile? Is it okay to hire them? Maybe. It might also be a bit risky. They might flop on the project. They might not understand the production process, or they simply might not be good enough for the job.
What we’re talking about is the classic experience paradox. You need experience to get a job, and you need a job to gain experience. Where does one start?
At every point in someone’s lives, they’ve experienced the experience paradox. The only way out is if someone takes the risk of hiring the amateur.
Of course, there are clear risks to hiring an amateur voice actor. However, there can be pleasant benefits as well – quite apart from their being less expensive. We reckon that if you’re careful before hiring an amateur, there’s no reason why it won’t work out fine for both of you!
So, here’s what you need to consider before hiring an amateur voice actor.
What matters is authenticity and business skills
If you’ve ever hired a voice actor before, chances are they’ve added authentic to the description in their profile. And if you’ve ever posted a voice over job listing, chances are you’ve looked for an authentic voice.
Authenticity rules. It may well be the most important factor in a voice over. It relies on the voice actor’s ability to act. Authenticity makes the message sound real, which in turn resonates with the audience. Like a friend talking to a friend appears in practically every second voice actor brief.
You could have a voice with the greatest range. The actor could be capable of the wildest of accents. But if voice actors can’t use their voices to connect with audiences by sounding authentic, it’s all for nothing.
All this to say that authenticity is what matters in a voice. It doesn’t matter if that authentic voice has 25 years of experience or a couple months. Authenticity is a feeling, not a number. And an amateur can certainly give that feeling.
Of course, years of experience in the industry/job will make the production process simpler and faster. By implication, it comes at a premium compared to an amateur. Nevertheless: as long as the voice actor knows how to interpret (and work with the client), they’re good to go!
On that note, the amateur must have good business skills. They must communicate clearly, timely and politely. They must be eager to provide a good service. If an amateur has these qualities, you might have a star in the making.
TikTok shows us how it’s done
TikTok is more than just entertainment and memes, though you could certainly call it entertaining and full of memes. It’s evolved to become a place where brands interact with user-generated content (UGC). What’s more, it’s positively oozing with UGC — authentic, creative, relatable content. It’s a goldmine for connecting with audiences.
That’s why brands are flocking to interact with UGC in droves. Check out this page of companies executing their TikTok strategies. Some of it is just so creative. People are finding that the organic posts on TikTok go viral much more than sponsored posts.
Why bring up TikTok? It’s because average people now run the influencer economy, and brands must embrace UGC.80% of consumers say their purchasing decisions are impacted by content made by average people. Only 10% stated that influencer content resonates with them as authentic.
It’s no longer just about partnering with that influencer who has millions of followers. It’s about finding these average joes who make authentic content. In the same way, the voice over industry has great people who can deliver something authentic, fresh and innovative.
Don’t just hire anyone
Although we are saying it might be good to give the newbie a chance, don’t hire without any precautions. A voice actor still must demonstrate that they have the necessary talent and business acumen.
A voice actor’s profile should be filled out, you should be able to easily access their samples or demos, and their ‘storefront’ should be well organized. Hiring a person who only sees voice acting as a hobby won’t do good for your professional project.
Final thoughts
When you think of the experience paradox, you may think about a person who gave you a chance and helped you get your career off the ground. We’ll always need people like that, and this might be your chance.
If the amateurs you’ve talked to don’t demonstrate the necessary talent, stick with the professionals.
We’re just saying it’s good to keep an open mind. You never know where you’ll find the voice actor you’re looking for! In any case, visiting Voice123 is a great way to find voice actors who are serious about the profession, and who have the voice to provide your project with exactly what it needs. You can negotiate with them directly too.
Pay us a visit and you might be pleasantly surprised!
