You’ve found the right voice. The script is approved, the files come back fast, and they sound great. Yet something feels slightly off. The read is warm when you pictured bright, or polished when you wanted casual. Now you’re booking pickups, and the deadline is creeping closer.
Most of the time, the problem isn’t the talent. It’s the brief.
I’m Leah Arscott, a Canadian voice actor with seven-plus years in the booth and more than 1,000 projects completed for brands like Google, Amazon, Apple, BMW, Porsche and Sephora. I work with agencies and production houses across North America and Europe, and I’ve read thousands of briefs. The best ones share a few simple habits. These voice over brief tips will help you get the read you’re hearing in your head on the very first take.
Why Voice Over Brief Tips Matter More Than You Think
A voice actor can only perform what they understand. When the direction is clear, a professional voice will usually hit the target quickly. When it’s vague, even great talent has to guess.
Here’s a real example. Recently, I recorded a regional campaign where the brief asked me to match the pacing of the temp track. There was nothing about tone. So I delivered a warm, reflective read that fit the script. After the team cut it against picture and music, they asked for a brighter, more hopeful take with about 50 percent more energy, at the same speed. The second read landed perfectly. However, one sentence about tone in the original brief would have saved a full round of revisions.
That’s the real value of a strong brief. It saves time, protects your budget and keeps your client happy.
The Essentials Every Voice Over Brief Should Include
You don’t need a ten-page document. In fact, the best briefs are often short. They just cover the right things.
The Script, Final and Formatted
Send the final, approved script whenever possible. Format it clearly, with each spot, version or tag labelled. If certain lines are still in legal review, mark them. That way, nobody records a line twice.
Who You’re Talking To
Tell your voice actor who the listener is. “Busy parents in their thirties” or “IT managers comparing software” gives a performer something real to aim at. As a result, the read sounds like it’s speaking to one person, not a crowd.
Tone, in Real Words
This is where most briefs fall short. “Upbeat and friendly” describes half the ads on TV. Instead, describe the feeling you want the listener to have, and include what you don’t want. We’ll dig into this in the next section.
Pacing and Timing
Share the target length, such as 30 seconds or 15 seconds, and whether timing is tight. If you have a temp track or a cut, send it. Also let your talent know if they should match it closely or simply use it as a guide.
Where It Will Run
Media type and usage affect both the performance and the price. A read for a cinema ad feels different from one for paid social. In addition, usage details help your voice actor quote accurately from the start. For more on that, see my guide to commercial voice over rates.
Want to hear how one script can shift with different direction? Listen to my commercial demo at leahvoiceover.com and notice how each spot has its own clear point of view.
How to Describe Tone So It Actually Translates
Tone is personal, so the words you choose matter. Here are a few approaches that consistently work.
Use Pairs and Opposites
Words on their own can be vague. Pairs make them precise. For example, “confident, not cocky,” “warm, but never sleepy,” or “excited, but grounded.” The second half tells your voice actor exactly where the edge is.
Describe a Real Moment
Paint a quick scene. “She’s telling her best friend about a great find at brunch” is far more useful than “conversational.” Similarly, “a calm nurse explaining next steps” gives a narrator something concrete to play.
Give a Rough Dial
Simple percentages work surprisingly well. “About 30 percent warmer” or “half the energy of the temp” helps a performer adjust in a measurable way. Just pair it with a note about what should stay the same, such as the pacing.
Skip Vague Phrases
Phrases like “make it pop,” “more sparkle” or “just make it better” force your talent to guess. If you’re not sure what’s missing, say so. A good voice actor will offer a few different reads and help you find it.
Reference Spots: The Most Underrated Voice Over Brief Tip
If you only add one thing to your next brief, make it a reference. One or two links to ads you love will tell a voice actor more than a paragraph of adjectives ever could.
The key is to say what you like about each one. For example, “I love the relaxed pace in this one” or “the smile in her voice here is perfect.” Otherwise, your talent may focus on the wrong element.
One quick caution about temp voice over. If your cut uses a temp read, say whether it’s direction or just a placeholder. Many producers love their temp track without realizing it. Sharing that early avoids surprises during the review.
Have a brief ready to go? Send it through my contact page, and I’ll come back with any questions before we record, so we’re aligned from the first take.
Pronunciations and Details That Save a Re-Record
Small details cause most of the avoidable pickups. Fortunately, they’re easy to cover.
Spell out tricky words phonetically, especially brand names, product names, people and places. If there’s an official pronunciation, a short audio clip or a link to a video of the founder saying it is ideal.
Next, flag how you want numbers, dates and web addresses read. Should it be “twenty twenty-six” or “two thousand twenty-six”? Is it “dot com” or simply the brand name? Should a phone number be grouped a certain way?
Finally, note any legal lines, disclaimers or required speed. A fast legal tag at the end of an automotive or pharma spot is a skill on its own, so it helps to know in advance.
Delivery Specs: Files, Formats and Alternate Takes
Clear delivery specs mean your files arrive ready for the edit. Let your talent know:
The file format you need, such as WAV at 48kHz, 24-bit
Whether you want files raw or lightly edited
How you’d like files named
How many alternate takes you’d like for key lines
Any cutdowns or tags, such as 15-second and 6-second versions
Asking for a couple of alternate reads on the most important line is a smart, low-cost safety net. It gives your editor options without another session.
Should You Direct the Session Live?
Sometimes, a written brief is all you need. Other times, it’s worth joining the session.
Live direction is especially helpful when the client is particular about tone, the script has a lot of brand-specific language, or the spot is high stakes. I work with producers across time zones and connect through Source-Connect, Zoom or phone patch, so you can listen in from anywhere and give notes in real time.
On the other hand, many projects run beautifully with a self-directed read. In that case, a strong brief does the directing for you.
Curious what a self-directed read sounds like? My corporate narration and e-learning demos at leahvoiceover.com were all recorded from written direction.
Common Brief Mistakes That Lead to Retakes
Even experienced teams fall into a few traps. Watch out for these:
Contradictory notes, like “high energy but very calm”
Feedback from several stakeholders who want different things
Script changes after the session without a heads-up
Asking for a voice “exactly like” a celebrity or another brand’s spokesperson
No tone direction at all
Most of these come down to alignment. Before you send the brief, make sure your internal team and your client agree on the direction. That one conversation can save an entire round of revisions.
A Simple Voice Over Brief Template
Copy this into your next brief and fill in the blanks:
Project and brand:
Spot length and versions:
Audience:
Tone (with pairs and opposites):
What to avoid:
Reference spots (and what you like about them):
Pacing notes or temp track:
Pronunciations:
Media, territory and term:
File specs and alternates:
Deadline and live session details:
It takes about ten minutes to complete. In return, you’ll get a stronger first read and a smoother project.
Ready to Hear Your Script Come to Life?
A great brief turns a good voice into the right voice. Whether you’re producing in New York, London, Toronto or Stockholm, I’d love to help you bring your next campaign to life.
Send your script and brief through leahvoiceover.com, and let’s create a read your client loves on the first listen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Over Brief Tips
What should a voice over brief include?
A strong brief includes the final script, target audience, tone direction, pacing or length, reference spots, pronunciations, usage details and file specs. Even a short brief covering these basics will lead to a better first read.
How do I describe the tone I want for a voice over?
Use pairs and opposites, such as “confident, not cocky,” and describe a real moment the voice should feel like. Reference spots also help, as long as you note what you like about each one.
Should I include a temp track in my voice over brief?
Yes, if you have one. However, let your voice actor know whether it’s direction to follow closely or simply a placeholder for timing.
How many takes should I ask a voice actor for?
Most professional voice actors deliver a primary read plus a few alternates on key lines. Asking for two or three options on your most important line gives your editor flexibility without a second session.
Can I direct a voice over session remotely?
Yes. Many voice actors offer live directed sessions through Source-Connect, Zoom or phone patch. This lets you give real-time notes from anywhere, which is especially helpful for high-stakes or brand-sensitive projects.