Creating an audiobook as an author can be a daunting task. This is because you will no longer have one main focus. Your focus will be split into two. You will have to ensure that the book is written well as you usually would. But now, you will also have to ensure that you select a voice actor that fits the character of the book. Bonus points if you select multiple
The question on your mind at this point, however, will be how to find urban voice-over talent for your audiobook. Luckily, I have done the legwork for you so that you can take the guesswork out of it if you're at this stage.
Audiobooks are important. The voice actors you select to do them are important. So why guess? The article below will explore a variety of ways in which you can find urban voice-over talent to make your audiobook shine. Let's get started!
How To Find Urban Voice Over Talent For Your Audiobook
There are a variety of freelance platforms that you can use when searching for voice over talent for your audiobook. However, not all of these are the same. Some are more complicated than others. Some require licensing details, royalty shares, and other things to be sorted out ahead of creating the book.
So, as you may have already guessed, if you don't know where to look, finding the right voice-over actor for your story or brand can be tricky. You may opt to use freelance marketplaces such as:
- Upwork
- Fiverr,
- or ACX, to name a few.
Or you could even do a simple Google for voice-over talent in your genre.
Using freelance voice marketplaces is the most reliable and efficient way to find skilled voice actors for your audiobook needs. This is because both you and the voice talent will be protected and properly compensated through these marketplaces.
Searching on google for "voice actors or "audiobook narrators" for hire" may seem simple, but this comes with a lot of drawbacks. Structured freelance platforms remove much of the risk and uncertainty that is sometimes associated with using freelancers.
What's even better is that It is often free for you to create an account and search through millions of potential urban voice-over talent on these freelancing platforms.
Top 9 Places to Find Urban Voice Over Talent
Voice Crafters
The Voice Crafters marketplace and agency are both dedicated to voice actors. Your audiobook will be delivered by only professional voice actors who have been fully vetted.
Receive broadcast-quality voice recordings, ready to integrate into your e-learning module, by working directly with voice talent through our online platform. Alternatively, we can take care of the entire process, from initial casting to final delivery.
Typically, this website charges $150 and up for voice-over jobs. These actors will inspire you to create your profile.
BunnyStudio
Although BunnyStudio offers many services, it specializes in voice-overs and audiobooks. Reduce the cost of agency packages, headcount salaries, and studio rentals. You can run projects your way with Bunny Studio's on-demand creative services, and you only pay for what you need.
BunnyStudio offers more than 50 creative services created by professional networks vetted by the world's top 4%. Money-back guarantees, unlimited revisions, and buyout rights are all part of every project.
Voquent
The Voquent Group is a global voice-over and talent casting agency based in London. The audio can be produced remotely from end-to-end to professional voice-over actors speaking in any language or accent.
Besides audio-visual productions, they also offer accessibility services. Additionally, Voquent provides voice actors and producers who are qualified and experienced. Feel free to contact them to discuss your needs.
VOICE123
Voices123 is another freelance job board for voice-over artists. They allow you to look at the voice actor's profile and submit proposals. Keeping a profile on Voice123 requires a membership fee. Even though there's a free tier, it only allows four project invitations.
With a free account, you won't appear in a client's search, reducing your chances of being found. Over 90,000 voice actors compete for work on this platform, so you will want to appeal to the right urban voice-over talent.
Upwork
Many audiobook narrators can find work on this popular freelance job board. There is a large database of voice actors available on Upwork. You can choose between female and male voice talent, commercial voices, announcers, and more.
Using the site is just like using any other freelance job site. Creating a profile allows you to set up job postings with your specific requirement and accept proposals. Once you find the right urban voice-over talent, you can opt to pay by the hour or by the fixed rate. From what I've seen, you can expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $150 per hour here.
PeoplePerHour
Another platform you can consider using to find urban voice-over talent is PeoplePerHour. It is an online platform that connects businesses with freelance workers. PeoplePerHour, legally People Per Hour Limited, is a UK-based company.
We connect you with the best voice-over freelancers in the world so that you can get the best voice-over services. Find experienced and affordable freelancers at PeoplePerHour!
Fiverr
A global online marketplace for freelance services, Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelancers. Freelancers and businesses connect on Fiverr's platform.
As the name suggests, gigs on Fiverr range from and up depending on the task and freelancer selected. There are thousands of urban voices over talent for you to choose from. What's even better is that you will never have to spend a dime unless you hire a freelancer from the platform.
Voices.com
You can find voice talents on Voices.com. Whether you need a human voice for a podcast, audiobook, video, or another project, they have it. You can find audiobook narrators of both beginner level, experts, and all in between on this.
Payments are held in escrow, which I love. As this means the funds are secure, and you won't be scammed.
ACX
You can produce and distribute your digital audiobook with Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). Also, you can take advantage of Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading to reach more readers.
You can earn royalties of up to 40% using ACX to produce an audiobook edition of your book.
Through ACX, audiobook producers, actors, and studios can be hired for a fee or a royalty-sharing partnership at no cost. In addition, ACX offers distribution options to leading audiobook retailers: Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes. ACX can be tried for free.
A special limited-time discount price is available for your Whispersync for Voice-ready Audible audiobook if it is eligible for Amazon's Whispersync for Voice functionality.
With this feature, customers have the option to seamlessly switch between reading Kindle books and listening to professionally-narrated audiobooks across devices without losing their place. As the words of the eBook are highlighted on the screen, customers with Fire HD devices can listen to professional narration as the words are read aloud.
How Do You Pick The Perfect Voice-Over Artist
To find the best urban voice-over talent for your audiobook, the very first thing you need to do is to know who your target audience is. Once you have established this with a strong degree of certainty, you can determine the tone and delivery that will resonate with your target audience.
In the case of an audiobook that is aimed at men who are interested in Blockchain, for example, a deep, strong male voice would be an excellent choice to convey confidence and a smooth flow during the reading of your book.
On the other hand, if your audiobook is about sports cars, you may want to opt for a more enthusiastic tone of voice. In doing so, you are giving the voice-over actor a chance to relate to your target audience, and you would grip their attention for a more extended period.
References:
http://www.acx.com
