How Voice Actors Can Prepare for a Recording Session
From the outside, voice acting can look as simple as walking into a booth and talking. In reality, the work starts long before you hit record. A good session is the result of preparation, clear communication and a calm, professional presence when it matters.
I work with clients ranging from small creative studios to multinational brands. The projects that feel effortless usually follow the same pattern: everyone has done their homework. Here is how I prepare, and how other voice actors can set themselves up for smooth, successful sessions.
Start Strong with Your First Contact
Preparation begins the moment a client gets in touch. Often that will be a brief for an audition or a request for a quote and a demo. Make sure your showreels reflect the sort of work you are being asked to do, and keep your website up to date so clients can easily understand your range.
You do not need a different reel for every possible scenario, but you should be ready to adapt. That might mean quickly editing a recent YouTube spot into your commercial reel or pulling out a short clip from a longer corporate job. Clients want confidence that you can deliver their project without stress. Your materials are your first proof.
Know Your Rates and Your Boundaries
Before you quote, be clear about your own benchmarks. Understand standard industry rates, know what you will accept and where you are open to negotiation. Budgets will vary depending on the size of the company and the scope of usage, but working for less than minimum wage rarely serves you or the industry.
Some clients may never have hired a voice actor before and may have forgotten to budget for it altogether. In those cases, you might need to gently explain what is typical and why. Be prepared to walk away if an offer is not sustainable. Saying no is part of running a professional business.
It also helps to have your own terms and conditions ready to share at the quote stage, covering topics like payment, revisions and AI usage. If a client accepts your fee, they accept those terms. They may ask for adjustments, and you can decide where you are flexible and where you are not.
Arrive Technically and Creatively Ready
On the technical side, know your studio inside out. Whether you are working in your own Source Connect certified space, like I do, or from a more lowkey setup, you should be confident with your microphone, audio interface, recording software and any remote connection tools. If you are not, consider investing in some time with an engineer. It may cost you in the short term, but it can pay off in repeat work.
On the creative side, give the script the attention it deserves. Read it through several times, annotate key beats, highlight tricky pronunciations and cross check anything unclear against the brief. Research the company, their branding and target audience. Understand the purpose of the piece and how your performance supports it. You are not a blank canvas. You are a collaborator who fits into the client’s vision.
At the same time, stay open. Do not lock yourself into one reading so rigidly that you cannot pivot when the director asks for something different.
Look After Your Instrument
Treat your voice like the physical instrument it is. Warm up before the session, not during it. That means vocal exercises, some light physical movement and enough time to feel settled in your body. Stay hydrated and avoid anything that dries your mouth or creates extra noise, such as strong coffee or chocolate. Water, herbal tea and even a green apple can be your best friends in the booth.
Make sure your recording space is quiet, your phone is silenced and all reference materials are in easy reach. When you log in, your full attention should be on the client, not on fighting with settings or searching for line three on page seven.
Close the Loop After the Session
Before you say goodbye, confirm deliverables. Clarify the file format, sample rate, whether the client wants a single long file or multiple segments, and how they want files labelled. Confirm the delivery method as well, whether that is direct upload, a secure file sharing link or their own internal system. Then send your invoice with the audio to keep admin clean on both sides.
You may not always receive detailed feedback once the job is done, but it is worth checking in. Ask if the client was happy, whether there is anything you could improve for next time and, if appropriate, request a short testimonial. Keep an eye out for the project once it is released, respecting any confidentiality agreements, and share it on your own channels if you have permission.
Final Thoughts
If you ever wake up ill or know you cannot perform safely, be honest as early as possible. Clients are usually far more understanding than actors fear, especially if you communicate clearly and propose alternatives.
In the long term, good working practices build trust. Trust leads to repeat bookings, recommendations and the kind of creative partnerships that make this job rewarding. A smooth session does not just happen. You build it, one prepared script, one honest conversation and one focused performance at a time.
Want to Work Together on Your Next Project?
If you are looking for a voice actor who brings preparation, clarity and a calm, professional presence to every session, I would be delighted to discuss your project. I offer no-obligation custom demos and pre-recording consultations to help you find exactly the tone and style you need.
Feel free to reach out any time and we can explore how to bring your script to life.