Male vs Female Voice Over Acting: The Benefits of Each

When it comes to your project—be it an advertisement, film, or something in between—you want to make sure you hire the perfect voice over actor for the job. You must carefully consider your target audience and the message you want to give them so you can find a voice to match. When choosing a voice over actor, many people ask themselves whether they should choose a man or a woman for the job. To help you find the perfect fit for your project, here’s our guide to the benefits of male vs female voice over acting.

Male

Both male and female voices have certain standard characteristics. Male voices are generally deeper, and listeners tend to view male voice over actors as more authoritative. Because of this, male voice over actors usually get work as more serious, commanding figures. For example, the voice making an emergency announcement is probably male. Additionally, gender roles do make a difference—whether consciously or subconsciously. If you’re trying to market a product that is traditionally for men, such as trucks, a toolset, or male clothing and beauty products, a male voice over actor is probably better suited for the job.

Female

In contrast to male voices, most listeners perceive female voices as friendlier and more trustworthy. Female voice over actors are generally better for conveying calm, relaxed, or informative messages, such as announcements in train stations or other busy, stressful locations. As with male voice over actors, female voice over actors are usually preferable when selling traditionally feminine products. Though voice over acting was a male-dominated field in the past, female voice over actors have grown in popularity over the last several years. Especially in marketing, more and more hiring managers are turning to female voices for their projects.

When it comes to male vs female voice over acting, the benefits of each depend on your specific project. You should always pay attention to your target audience and what they want to hear. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different voice over actors and styles. It’s always good to have options throughout auditions and even into production. When you know your audience and your message well, you’ll be able to find the perfect voice to make your project a success.