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 script actually run five minutes when spoken? Adjust accordingly. The standard guideline suggests about 150 words per minute for conversational delivery, but this varies with content and style.
Record yourself if possible. Listening back reveals awkward phrases you might miss while reading. You’ll hear where the energy drops, where confusion creeps in, and where the pacing feels off.
Get Feedback Early
Share your script with others before recording. Fresh eyes (and ears) catch problems you’ve become blind to. If possible, ask someone to read it aloud to you. You’ll hear issues immediately.
When you work with experienced voice artists, ask for their input on the script. They’ve performed thousands of scripts and know what works. Their suggestions usually improve your content significantly.
Remember the End Goal
Every script serves a purpose. Corporate training. Audiobook narration. Commercial advertising. Educational content. Your writing should align with that purpose while giving voice artists the tools they need to shine.
Think about your audience. What do they need to hear? How do they need to hear it? The answers to these questions guide your word choices, pacing decisions, and overall tone.
A script that makes voice artists shine does more than provide words on a page. It offers clear direction, respects the challenges of performance, and creates space for artistic interpretation. It’s professionally formatted, easy to read, and sounds natural when spoken.
Bring It All Together
Writing great scripts is a learnable skill. Start by understanding that spoken language differs from written language. Write short, clear sentences. Choose words for their sound as well as their meaning. Provide helpful emotional context without micromanaging delivery.
Format your scripts professionally. Test everything aloud. Welcome feedback from voice artists and listeners. Make revisions until your script flows smoothly from beginning to end.
When you hand a well-crafted script to a talented voice artist, something magical happens. Your words come alive. The message connects with listeners. The project succeeds.
That’s the power of a script written with voice performance in mind. Give your voice artists this advantage, and watch them transform your words into something extraordinary.
