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You’ve hired a talented voice artist. You have a clear vision for your project. But there’s one critical element that connects these two: your script. A well-written script transforms a good voice artist into an unforgettable one, while a poorly written script makes even the best talent struggle. The difference between a script that falls flat and one that soars often comes down to understanding what voice artists need to deliver their best performance. Let’s explore how to write scripts that set your voice talent up for success. Start with the Human Voice in Mind Here’s a truth many writers miss: people speak differently than they write. Your script might look perfect on paper, but if it’s difficult to speak aloud, it won’t work. Before you write a single word, think about breath. Think about rhythm. Think about how words feel in your mouth. The best scripts flow like natural conversation, even when delivering information. Read everything aloud as you write. If you stumble over a phrase, your voice artist will too. If you run out of breath mid-sentence, so will they. Your mouth is your first quality control tool—use it. The Power of Short Sentences Long, winding sentences might work in novels, but they create problems for voice artists. When sentences stretch too far, artists must choose: sacrifice proper breathing or lose the sentence’s meaning. Give your talent room to breathe. Break complex ideas into digestible pieces. This doesn’t mean dumbing down your content—it means respecting the physical demands of voice work. Consider this sentence: “Our company, which was founded in 1995 by three engineers who wanted to change how people think about renewable energy, has grown into a leader in solar panel manufacturing.” That’s 31 words without a natural pause. Now try this: “Three engineers founded our company in 1995. They wanted to change how people think about renewable energy. Today, we lead the solar panel manufacturing industry.” Same information, easier delivery, better listening experience. Choose Words That Sound Good Some words roll off the tongue beautifully. Others feel clunky and awkward. As a scriptwriter, you’re choosing not just meaning but sound. Pay attention to harsh consonant clusters. Phrases like “texts stored” or “sixths” force unnatural mouth movements. When you spot these combinations, find alternatives. Your artist will deliver smoother, more confident reads. Contractions are your friends in script writing. “We are” becomes “we’re.” “Cannot” becomes “can’t.” This creates conversational warmth and makes the content more approachable. Unless you’re writing formal content that demands distance, embrace contractions. Words to Approach Carefully Technical jargon has its place, but use it wisely. If your audience knows the terms, great. If not, explain them simply or find clearer alternatives. Watch for words with multiple pronunciations. “Live” can rhyme with “give” or “hive.” “Read” changes based on tense. These ambiguities slow down recording sessions and create unnecessary confusion. Add pronunciation guides when needed: “live (LIVE as in alive)” clears up any questions. Give Direction Without Micromanaging Voice artists are professionals who bring creativity and interpretation to your words. Your job is to provide helpful guidance without stifling their artistry. Emotional context helps tremendously. When you write “[enthusiastic]” or “[concerned]” before a section, you give the artist a target to hit. They’ll figure out how to get there using their skills. But avoid over-directing. Writing “[raise pitch slightly on ‘incredible,’ pause for 1.2 seconds, then deliver ‘results’ with a smile]” removes all creative freedom. Trust your talent to make good choices within the emotional framework you provide. The Art of the Pause Strategic pauses are powerful. They give listeners time to absorb information. They create dramatic tension. They separate ideas clearly. Mark significant pauses in your script. Three dots (…) signal a brief pause. An em dash (—) indicates a longer break. These simple marks help artists understand your intended pacing without detailed timing notes. Don’t overuse them, though. A script filled with constant pause marks becomes exhausting to read and perform. Save them for moments where timing truly matters. Format for Success Clean, professional formatting shows respect for your voice artist’s time and energy. It also reduces errors and speeds up recording sessions. Use a readable font size—12 to 14 points works well. Choose simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Fancy fonts might look attractive, but they’re harder to read quickly during performance. Double-space between paragraphs. This gives artists visual breathing room and makes it easier to find their place if they look away from the script. Number your pages. If pages get shuffled, numbered scripts quickly return to order. This small detail prevents big headaches. Highlight Speaker Changes Clearly For multi-voice projects, make speaker identification obvious. Bold character names. Add a line space before each speaker change. Consider using different colors for different characters if the recording format allows. SARAH: I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. MIKE: Sometimes the crazy ideas are the best ones. This clarity prevents mistakes and helps artists track multiple characters. Build Natural Dialogue Real people rarely speak in complete, grammatically perfect sentences. They interrupt themselves. They change direction mid-thought. They use filler words occasionally. Your dialogue should reflect natural speech patterns without becoming sloppy. It’s a balance. Too formal, and characters sound robotic. Too casual, and the script becomes unprofessional. Listen to how people actually talk. Notice the rhythms and patterns. Then incorporate those elements into your writing. Your characters will sound like real people having real conversations. The Question of Filler Words “Um,” “uh,” and “like” are natural parts of speech. Should they appear in scripts? It depends on your project. For character dialogue, strategic filler words add authenticity. They show nervousness, uncertainty, or casual thinking. For narration or corporate content, they usually detract from professionalism. Make intentional choices about filler words rather than letting them slip in accidentally. Test Your Script Thoroughly Before you hand your script to a voice artist, become the voice artist yourself. Read the entire script aloud at performance speed. Time yourself. Does your three-minute

You’ve written the perfect script. You’ve allocated the budget. You’re ready to add that professional voice that brings your project to life. But if this is your first time hiring a voice artist or even your fifth, you might feel uncertain about the process. Working with voice artists doesn’t have to feel mysterious or complicated. Like any professional relationship, it works best when both sides understand expectations, communicate clearly, and respect each other’s expertise. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to work effectively with voice talent, from the initial search through final delivery and beyond. Before You Start: Know What You Need The most common mistake clients make happens before they even contact a voice artist. They skip the planning phase and jump straight to hiring. This approach creates confusion, delays, and often disappointing results. Spend time clarifying your project requirements before you reach out to anyone. The clearer your vision, the better your results will be. Ask yourself these questions: What’s the purpose of this recording? Who is the target audience? What tone fits the message—serious, playful, authoritative, friendly? How long is the final piece? Where will it be used—social media, television, internal training, website? These details matter enormously. A voice artist can’t give you accurate quotes or deliver appropriate performances without this information. Script Preparation Makes Everything Easier Have your script finalized before you hire voice talent. Last-minute script changes cost time and money. They disrupt the recording process and may require additional fees for pick-up sessions. Read your script aloud several times. Does it sound natural when spoken? Are there tongue-twisting phrases? Do sentences run too long for comfortable delivery? Fix these issues before recording begins. If you’re unsure about your script, many voice artists offer script consultation services. They can spot potential problems and suggest improvements based on their performance experience. Finding the Right Voice Artist Voice artist directories make searching easy, but they can also feel overwhelming. Thousands of talented performers are available, each with different strengths and specialties. Start by listening to demo reels. Professional voice artists maintain updated reels showcasing their range and abilities. Pay attention to voice quality, delivery style, and technical audio quality. All three matter. Don’t just pick the first pleasant voice you hear. Listen to multiple artists. Create a shortlist of three to five candidates who seem like good fits. This comparison helps you make informed decisions. Specialization Matters Voice artists often specialize in specific types of work. Some excel at commercial advertising. Others focus on audiobook narration. Many specialize in e-learning or corporate content. Hire artists whose specialty matches your project type. An audiobook narrator might struggle with punchy commercial delivery. A commercial specialist might not have the stamina for hours of e-learning content. Check each artist’s profile for their areas of expertise. This information helps you match talent to project requirements effectively. Making Contact: What to Include When you reach out to voice artists, provide comprehensive project information upfront. This saves everyone time and gets you accurate quotes faster. Include these details in your initial message: The project type and length. The intended use and distribution channels. Your timeline and deadline. Your budget range if you have one. Any specific requirements like accent, age range, or gender. Attach your script if possible. Voice artists can assess the work more accurately when they see the actual content. Setting Timeline Expectations Be realistic about timelines. Professional voice artists often book several days or weeks in advance. Last-minute rush jobs are possible but usually come with rush fees. Most standard projects need 3-5 business days for delivery after approval. Complex projects requiring multiple characters or extensive content need more time. Communicate your actual deadline clearly. If you need files by Friday for a Monday launch, say so. Artists can work backwards from your deadline to ensure timely delivery. Understanding Pricing and Usage Rights Voice artist pricing confuses many first-time clients. Why do rates vary so much? Why does the same artist charge different amounts for different projects? The answer lies in usage rights. Voice artists don’t just sell their performance—they license usage rights for that performance. How you plan to use the recording significantly affects the price. A recording for internal company training typically costs less than a recording for a national television commercial. The exposure difference justifies the price difference. Common Pricing Models Many voice artists charge per word or per finished minute. Commercial work often uses flat rates based on usage. Broadcast commercials command higher rates than web-only content. Ask artists about their rate structure during initial conversations. Professional artists clearly explain how they price projects and what’s included in those rates. Watch for hidden costs too. Does the quote include revisions? Are there fees for rush delivery? What about file formatting or editing? Clear pricing prevents unpleasant surprises later. The Audition Process For important projects, you might want to hear auditions before making a final decision. Some voice artists provide short auditions for free. Others charge audition fees, especially for longer scripts or when many artists are auditioning. Understand that auditions take time and effort. Professional artists balance audition requests with paid work. Be respectful of their time by requesting auditions only when you’re seriously considering hiring them. Providing Audition Direction When requesting auditions, give clear direction about what you want to hear. Should the delivery be warm and friendly? Fast-paced and energetic? Serious and authoritative? Provide a specific script section for auditions rather than asking artists to choose. This creates consistent comparisons between different performers. Set reasonable audition deadlines. Asking for auditions within hours shows disrespect for artists’ schedules. Two to three days is typically reasonable for standard projects. The Recording Process Begins Once you’ve hired a voice artist, the real work begins. Professional artists will confirm all project details before recording. They’ll verify the script, delivery deadline, file format requirements, and any special instructions. This is your opportunity to clarify anything unclear. Answer questions thoroughly. The more information artists have,