A compelling voice-over is one of the most underrated tools in explainer video production. It adds personality, clarity, and professionalism—helping guide your audience through your message in a way that feels human and engaging.
Choosing the right voice-over artist, however, isn’t just about picking a pleasant voice. It’s about finding a tone, pace, and delivery that enhances your brand and supports your explainer video’s goals. That’s where a professional explainer video production company can make all the difference.
Understand Your Audience First
Before reviewing voice samples or auditioning artists, define your audience. Are they busy professionals, cautious buyers, or first-time users of your product? The age, location, and preferences of your audience will influence everything from tone and accent to pacing.
An explainer video production company often creates viewer personas to help guide these decisions. This makes it easier to match the voice with the emotional and informational needs of the viewer.
Match the Voice to Your Brand Personality
Your voice-over should feel like an extension of your brand. A fun, upbeat tone might suit a startup, while a calm, professional delivery might resonate more with a financial or healthcare brand.
To ensure brand consistency, work with a voice-over artist who understands tone variation and knows how to align with your brand’s voice guide. This is where a seasoned explainer video production company can offer a curated shortlist of talent.
Choose the Right Accent and Dialect
Accent can have a big impact on relatability. A UK-based brand might do best with a regional British accent, while a global audience might respond better to a more neutral one.
Think carefully about where your audience is based. A mismatched accent can feel out of place and hinder engagement. If you’re unsure, a professional production company can help you test different voices before making a final call.
Prioritise Clarity and Tone
Regardless of the voice style you choose, clarity is non-negotiable. You want your message to be understood easily the first time. Tone is equally important—some scripts call for warmth and friendliness, others for authority and precision.
Listen for articulation, rhythm, and emotional variation. An effective explainer video production company will work closely with you during casting and ensure the selected voice-over meets both aesthetic and technical expectations.
Ask for Custom Demos
A demo reel might sound polished, but it often includes scripted pieces unrelated to your project. Always request a custom demo—just a few lines from your script—to hear how the artist interprets your content.
This approach allows you to evaluate fit more accurately. A production company typically manages this process, coordinating test reads and providing feedback before recording the final cut.
Consider Gender and Vocal Age Carefully
Gender and vocal age can subtly shape how your message is received. A younger voice might bring energy and freshness, while a more mature tone could suggest authority or experience. Similarly, some industries have audience preferences that might lean toward one over the other.
Working with an experienced explainer video production company gives you access to valuable insights here. They can provide market-tested advice and examples of what’s worked well for similar clients. In some cases, you may even want to A/B test different voices with your audience before finalising the choice. A company that offers these options can significantly improve the effectiveness of your final video.
Provide a Clear Voice Direction Brief
A voice-over artist is only as good as the direction they’re given. Don’t leave interpretation up to chance. Your voice direction brief should include not just general guidance on tone, but also specifics—like where to pause, what words to stress, and which parts of the script require a change in pace or emotion.
Explainer video production companies often include voice direction as part of their scripting process. This saves time and reduces costly retakes. A detailed brief also helps keep all stakeholders aligned. If you're working with multiple departments, it ensures everyone agrees on the voice and tone before recording begins.
Don’t Overlook Audio Quality
Even the best voice won’t shine if the audio quality is poor. Tinny sound, background noise, or uneven volume can all pull your viewer out of the experience. That’s why professional recording environments are essential.
A good explainer video production company vets its talent for both skill and setup. They’ll ensure voice-over artists use top-tier microphones, pop filters, and acoustic treatment. Post-production editing should also include noise reduction, EQ balancing, and mastering to match the video’s tone and environment. When the audio is crisp, the voice becomes more impactful.
Review and Revise Thoughtfully
Once the initial voice-over is delivered, give it a critical listen. Are there any mispronunciations? Does the tone match your vision? Is there enough variation in delivery to keep it engaging? These small factors make a big difference to the final product.
If revisions are needed, a great explainer video production company will handle them efficiently. They’ll often include revision rounds in the contract and ensure they’re used constructively. Rather than just pointing out issues, work collaboratively with your provider to fine-tune the delivery. This step can often turn a “good enough” take into something exceptional.
Make the Voice Part of a Bigger Strategy
Voice-over should never feel like an afterthought. It’s a key part of your video’s storytelling and brand voice. Whether you're using explainer videos for onboarding, product demos, or thought leadership content, the voice needs to feel consistent and intentional across campaigns.
The best explainer video production companies treat voice as one layer in a strategic stack. They’ll look at your broader content goals and help tailor the voice to suit different platforms, from YouTube to internal training modules. This ensures the tone stays cohesive, your message remains clear, and your brand continues to resonate long after the video ends.
Bring Your Script to Life with the Right Voice
Choosing the perfect voice-over artist isn’t just a production decision—it’s a brand decision. From tone and clarity to technical polish and emotional resonance, the right voice ties everything together.
If you're looking for support with voice selection, casting, and full-service video delivery, let’s bring your message to life with a voice and video that truly connects.
Written by James Bryant Video strategist and co-founder for Venture Videos — a full-service video production agency that specialises in producing creative videos & campaigns that get real results.
