Commercial Voice Over Artist: My Professional Demo Reels & Services
Commercial Voice Over Services for TV, Radio, and Digital
I've worked as voice actor for commercials on countless radio and TV ads for brands and organisations across the UK and indeed, the world.
Household names like Global, Wickes, Epic Games (you must have heard of Fortnite!), Lego and Heart Radio have all booked me to read words they've written using my voice. The trick is to make it sound like their voice.
Why Choose a Professional Commercial Voice Over Artist Like Me?
Versatility
Being adaptable as a voice actor is extremely important. It gives me the chance to work on a wide range of project and it gives you the confidence I can nail the sound you've got in mind.
Directability
Good listening skills are just as important as the speaking side of what I do. During a live directed session, you have the chance to give immediate feedback. Not just on the performance but on the interpretation of the script. Trying different things on the fly of course is linked to versatility, but it's also about understanding the vision of whoever is giving notes.
"That's great. Now can you try a version like this?"
Yes, yes I can.
Professionalism
Working with me is easy. This is your project and it's in everybody's best interests if I'm a consummate professional throughout. Good communication, punctuality, reliability. All words that you can expect to experience.
Sense of humour
Of course, if you live in the lighter side of life, I'm there with you every step of the way!
Ability to capture emotion
What are we without emotion? Grey. Lifeless.
For the past couple of years I've been having voiceover for drama coaching to ensure that I can dig into emotions in any type of script? It may not be immediately obvious what emotion a script conveys, but using processes I've learnt over my career, I'll pull them out.
Experience
It's been around 5 years since I started out as a voice actor. In that time I've worked for companies and organizations around the world. I don't know if I've said this before but I'm a two time One Voice Award nominee and one time winner!
But most importantly to me, I've been recognised by my voiceover coaches as ready.
So let's get started.
If you are in need of an exceptional voice-over experience, look no further than Martin. A brilliant interpreter of your words.
A true artist and a great communicator.
Examples of commercials
Serkova Vodka - TV commercial
This is one of the shortest but best projects I've been involved with. 3 words. THREE WORDS. That's one of the joys of voiceover - getting the message across in the time you have. Here, a 6 second TV ad.
Becoming a Domex Engineer - Web ad narration
A very nice little web ad for Domex engineering to appeal to the engineers of the future! All parties in this production are based in the SE of England, go go local collaboration!
Lego - TV promo
These two clips are for a TV promo sponsorship ad shown on Eurosport during Le Mans 2020. The brief was for a confident British male voiceover, to marry up with the power and precision of both Lego and the race.
Fí Clinica - Web ad
The client wanted a clear, crisp read to marry up with their clear, crisp video. They wanted to convey their clinic's philosophy of perfection through ballet, emotive music and good enunciation!
What happens after I complete a contact form?
After you’ve completed the contact form, I’ll reply to you within 24 hours (that's an absolute maximum, it's usually a lot sooner. Especially during working hours).
If you're looking for a quote and I have all the information I need from you already, then I'll send you my costs including the expected turnaround time for the job. If I need a bit more info, I'll be as specific as I can when responding so we don't have a long winded back and forth!
If you want a sample of your script to see if I'm right for the job, I'll record something as soon as my schedule allows. It may be within hours, but an absolute maximum of 24 hours. If you send me a request at 6pm for example, you'll have a sample by 9am the next day.
If you want to book me for a directed session, I'll reply letting you know if I'm available on the dates/times you need.
Of course if you'd prefer, we can arrange either a phone call or better still a ZOOM, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet to discuss your requirements where I will talk to you in depth about the project.
Some typical things that I ask about are: The type of voice you're looking for, if you've got any references (i.e. other ads you’ve seen that you liked and why you like them), if the script has already been written, how long the piece is, any particular requirements from the recording, what your deadline is).
We can dig into it further by talking about the target audience, what the purpose of the project is, the sort of emotion you want to project to the audience etc.
Once I've gathered all the information I need, I'll send you a formal quote. If it's all agreed then I'll confirm the recording date with a contract that you'll need to sign.
From there, I'll complete the recording and send it to you either by email or a file transfer service. If for any reason you aren't happy (mispronunciation, pacing etc) then you can ask for revisions up to a maximum of two times.
When everything is as desired, the best thing happens. I send an invoice!
Commercial rights/usage
Chances are, if you're booking me to record a TV/radio/internet commercial, you'll know all about usage rights. There's a bit about it here on my voiceover rates page. If you have the usage sorted already, then that's BRILLIANT. If not, then we can have a chat.
Voiceover case study
You want more proof?! Ok, ok. I've put together a commercial voiecover case study about a job for well known national radio station. You can read about how I helped them by building trust in what I can do.
Commercial FAQs
FAQs for Hiring a Voice Actor
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What makes a great voice actor for commercials?
A great voice actor has a clear, engaging (or sometimes unique!) voice that resonates with the target audience. They'll be able to adapt to different tones, pacing, styles and emotions, ensuring the message connects effectively. Experience in interpreting scripts and understanding branding is key. Their vocal range is what allows them to move seamlessly between commercials for things like funeral homes all the way to a trip to the circus.
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How do I hire a voice actor for my ad campaign?
Start by listening to demo reels to identify the right tone and style for your brand (although you might already have an idea). then you can reach out with a brief describing your project, including script details, tone requirements, timeline etc. Discuss rates and usage rights before confirming.
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How much does hiring a voice actor cost?
Costs will vary depending on factors like project scope, usage rights (local, national, international) and experience level. Rates can range from £150 for smaller projects to thousands for high-profile campaigns.
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Can I direct the voice actor during recording?
Yes! In fact, many of us prefer live direction sessions (via Source Connect, Zoom or similar platforms) as it allows you to guide the performance in real-time and ensure we're on the right tracks. This way, it's likely there'll be no need for pick ups down the line.
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What formats are typically provided for voice recordings?
As standard I deliver high-quality audio files in WAV format (or MP3 if requested), suitable for commercials, radio, or digital media. Of course you can discuss specific preferences with me beforehand.
FAQs for Aspiring Voice Actors
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How do I become a voice actor for commercials?
Start by developing your vocal skills and range. Record a professional demo reel showcasing your abilities across various styles (e.g. conversational, energetic). Build connections with organisations you'd like to work with. This is obviously a very short version of what it takes. There's lots more stuff in my voiceover blog if you'd like ot learn more.
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Do I need formal training to be a voice actor?
Formal training helps but isn't mandatory. There's no official qualification or certificate you can get that makes you any more hireable than the next person. However, voice coaching will improve your technique and confidence. I started this answer by saying formal training isn't mandatory. But it should be. Get some! Get in touch for recommendations.
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What equipment do I need to start recording voiceovers at home?
Invest in a good-quality microphone, an audio interface, and sound treatment for your recording space. Software like Audacity or Adobe Audition is great for editing. Ensure your setup produces broadcast-quality audio. Again, this is a whistle stop tour. There's so much more that you need to think about than "should I buy this?"
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How do I find voice-over work?
I've written a pretty comprehensive guide to this - Finding Voiceover Work and Effective Marketing. Have a good read of that. What I'm saying is - don't post on Reddit saying "I have no experience, hire me". Stop it!
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What challenges might I face as a voice actor?
Oh so, so many. Remember, on the surface, voice acting looks like the most fun job in the world. And it can be. But it's still a job. You're running a business. Challenges will include finding consistent work, maintaining vocal health and adapting to different clients. Staying persistent and continuously honing your craft is essential for long-term success. Good luck!
Need an explainer voice over? See my explainer demo's here.