Like any service-based business, our clients are our livelihood. That’s why a voice-over artist must provide excellent service and conduct themselves professionally with every client. Let’s review the potential clients of a voice-over artist based on possible types of projects.
Companies and Advertising Agencies
These companies can provide a significant amount of voice-over work. Advertising agencies are not the end client; they provide services just as the voice-over artist does. In most cases, agencies know exactly what they want. They are not easy clients, as there is usually a chain of decision-makers, and only at the end does the project reach the final client who makes the ultimate decision.
Therefore, even if the agency approves your voice-over work, once it reaches the end client as a final product, additional changes may still be required. Keep in mind that when working with such clients — and with any client — it is crucial to act with great patience. If you are not patient, clients will not continue working with you, even if you are an excellent voice-over artist.
Advertising agencies can provide a wide range of voice-over projects, mainly in the areas of commercials and sponsorships for television, radio, and digital platforms.
Film and Animation Production Studios
Similar to advertising agencies, studios also work on behalf of clients and are not the end customers. Therefore, changes to the voice-over may still be required, even if the producer or director has approved it. In most cases, when working with film production studios, the voice-over artist becomes involved in the early stages of the production, and the rest of the project is built around the recorded narration.
Such studios can provide mainly projects like corporate videos, animation, instructional videos, product videos, and similar productions.
Voice-Over Agencies
These agencies primarily serve as representatives for actors and voice-over artists alike. They represent voice-over artists and offer them to various clients. They are not the end clients, and the direct communication is usually with the client, while the agency takes a percentage from each project as commission.
The types of projects that voice-over and talent agencies can provide are varied and depend entirely on the client’s needs. Since they do not produce content themselves but simply act as intermediaries between the voice-over artist and the client, it’s difficult to specify the exact range of projects they may offer.
Radio Stations
Most radio stations typically use their own broadcasters as voice-over artists, and breaking in as a commercial voice-over artist for a radio station can be challenging — though possible. Radio stations can provide projects such as producing radio commercials.
In most cases, they will expect the voice-over artist to handle sound editing and post-production as well, delivering a finished product. Like advertising agencies, radio stations serve as a marketing anchor for their clients, and here too, revisions may be required until the client is satisfied.
Digital Agencies
Digital agencies, like advertising agencies, work with a variety of clients and focus mainly on digital promotion. In some cases, a digital agency may be part of a larger advertising firm, but not always. Many digital agencies operate independently and are responsible for managing their clients’ social media presence.
These agencies can provide a wide range of voice-over projects, such as narration for short videos, promotional content, and sometimes even phone system recordings. Like advertising agencies, they provide services to clients, so revisions may be required until the client is fully satisfied.
Cellular Companies
Cellular companies that support phone greeting services may use voice-over services for their customers and offer you as a voice-over artist for phone greetings. Becoming an approved supplier for cellular companies is usually not easy, but it is possible. In such cases, the company will pass your contact details directly to the client, who will then work with you directly.
Companies Providing Call Routing and Telephony Systems
These companies specialize in installing telephony systems for businesses and, in many cases, require voice-over artists to provide professional recordings for their clients’ call routing systems. Partnering with such a company can generate a significant amount of work for voice-over artists.
High-Tech Companies
In many high-tech companies and startups, there are departments that regularly produce various types of videos. Partnering with such companies can generate different voice-over opportunities. However, these companies often market to international audiences, so they will likely require voice-over artists in languages other than Hebrew. Still, I wouldn’t rule out connecting with such companies from the start.
Event Production Companies
These companies are responsible for producing events, shows, and promotional campaigns for various performances. They often create marketing videos for events and prepare the opening segments played at the beginning of shows. Such companies can provide a variety of voice-over opportunities, including commercials, sponsorships, show openings, and more.
Private Businesses
There are many private businesses in Israel across all industries. The range of projects you can offer them is broad, from phone greetings and call routing voice-over, to in-store announcement systems that promote special offers, and even full production services through collaborations with video production companies for advertising purposes.
This approach also gives you an advantage by referring work to studios you collaborate with, creating mutually beneficial partnerships. In general, direct marketing to private businesses, especially in the area of phone greetings, can generate significant income — particularly if you’re new to the field. It’s an excellent starting point for earning money.
How Do You Get the Work?
All the potential clients mentioned here will not come to you on their own — at least not in the beginning. To attract clients, you’ll need to send out your portfolio, make phone calls, hold meetings, advertise, market yourself, and build connections. Like any business, the responsibility for making others aware of your existence lies with you.
Be charismatic and proactive — it will increase your chances of exposure. Once you’ve built a respectable portfolio, it’s highly recommended to create a website that presents your information and showcases your work, so when clients search for you, they can find you.
Pricing Voice-Over Work
Voice-over is not a shelf product, and there is no fixed price list. The voice-over union occasionally attempts to establish certain standards, but to this day the market remains open, competition is high, and there is no official pricing structure.
Always think long-term and take a broad view when dealing with clients. If your client is an agency that provides services to other clients, offering a fair price and delivering high-quality work will likely lead to ongoing collaboration. If your client is an occasional private customer — such as a dental clinic, a law office, or similar businesses seeking a phone greeting or one-time narration — the recommendation is to price a phone greeting (including copywriting, background music, and voice-over) at no less than 400–500 ₪ before VAT. Narration for an A4 page is recommended at around 900 ₪. Of course, these are suggestions, and you will ultimately decide how to price your services.
A common pricing method when working with video production studios is a minimum recording fee of 500 ₪, which includes narration for one A4 page. If the script exceeds one page, pricing can be calculated per word, for example 1 ₪ per word. It’s important to understand that voice-over work and pricing should include at least one round of revisions unless otherwise agreed with the client. Any additional revision rounds should require additional payment.
Voice-Over Work Agreement
As service providers, we must take business management seriously, including having a clear contract with our clients. Of course, we always hope not to rely on a contract and that everything will run smoothly, but if issues arise, a signed agreement will protect you.
I personally use a relatively simple contract that clearly outlines payment terms, revision rounds, and delivery deadlines. It’s also essential to specify how the voice-over will be used. A client might request narration for a digital commercial and later use it on television, which would constitute a breach of contract. Therefore, the agreement should clearly state the intended media platform for the voice-over.
Based on experience in the field, I strongly recommend always working with a formal contract and using a client management system for proper invoicing and payment tracking. For private clients ordering phone greetings, I personally always collect payment in advance before producing the recording. From extensive experience, this is the correct way to operate.
When working with businesses that also provide services to their own clients, you will decide what suits you best. Many businesses prefer to work on net payment terms. You must decide whether this method works for you. Personally, I do not work this way. However, if you choose to do so, you must carefully manage your client list, projects, and payment deadlines to ensure timely collection and not rely on clients remembering to pay on their own — because that usually won’t happen.
The Importance of Customer Service as a Core Value for a Professional Voice-Over Artist
For a professional voice-over artist, customer service is no less important than the quality of the narration itself. In this profession, investing in voice, technique, and professional performance is undoubtedly critical, but to succeed in such a competitive field, added value is essential. Clients expect not only a high-quality vocal product, but also a strong service experience that begins with the initial inquiry and continues throughout the entire process — up to the final delivery and even beyond.
For a professional voice-over artist, customer service is no less important than the quality of the narration itself. In this profession, investing in voice, technique, and professional performance is undoubtedly critical, but to succeed in such a competitive field, added value is essential. Clients expect not only a high-quality vocal product, but also a strong service experience that begins with the initial inquiry and continues throughout the entire process — up to the final delivery and even beyond.
Secondly, flexibility and personalization are essential elements of customer service for a professional voice-over artist. In a world where every project can be different, the ability to adapt to unique needs and deliver results according to deadlines, the requested narration style, or revisions during the process provides a significant advantage. When a client receives personal attention and flexibility, they feel that the voice-over artist is committed to their success, which strengthens their satisfaction.
Beyond that, a voice-over artist who maintains availability and proper time management highlights the importance of customer service. An artist who understands the urgency of a project and offers quick response times, regular updates, and transparency throughout the process gives the client a sense of security. Effective time management and efficient service create an impression of professionalism and reliability, which clients greatly appreciate.
Finally, the service experience does not end with the delivery of the final product. Post-project support, willingness to make minor adjustments if needed, or simply expressing interest in the client’s level of satisfaction all convey a message of care and commitment to excellent service. Clients remember those who looked after them even after the work was completed, and this strengthens the voice-over artist’s standing in the market.
In Summary
Even after mentioning most of the sources from which a voice-over artist can receive projects, there are still additional opportunities not listed here, such as shopping malls, retail stores, transportation companies, and more. What truly matters is that you remain professional, service-oriented, and build a broad portfolio.
In addition, whenever you complete voice-over work for companies producing commercials, sponsorships, corporate films, training videos, and similar projects, always request the final product so you can include it in your portfolio. Manage your clients professionally and treat them with respect, even if they sometimes make mistakes or are not always pleasant. In the end, they are paying for your service, and it’s important to understand that you are a service provider.
Another very important point: always keep project files saved on your computer for future reference. Often, after a month or several weeks, you may be asked to make additions or corrections, possibly even for additional payment. If you haven’t saved the project, you won’t be able to reopen it, which can make it difficult to match the original intonation or replicate the same effects. Therefore, keep your original files organized — they don’t take up much space. Organize your clients accordingly (for example, using dedicated client folders).
Of course, manage billing professionally, work properly, and adhere to these principles. Doing so will help secure your long-term future in the field. Above all, customer service as a core value for a professional voice-over artist is an inseparable part of long-term success. It’s not just about having an excellent voice or strong technical talent, but about understanding that quality service — listening, flexibility, availability, and support — is what will make a client return and recommend you.
