How to Nail Voice-Over Auditions (And Why Clients Should Care)

A few weeks ago, I was the guest speaker at Cooper International, a monthly networking event for voice actors around the world. Hosted by Bernard Schaer (and named after his dog, Cooper), the event brings together professionals from every corner of the globe to connect, learn, and share their expertise. I was invited to talk about something that has become second nature to me over the years: how to nail auditions.

Now, you might wonder why this matters to you as a client. But here’s the thing: when you hire a professional voiceover actor, you’re not just getting a voice. You’re getting someone who knows how to interpret your script in a way that connects. Someone who understands how to stand out in a sea of auditions. And that ability to stand out? It directly affects whether your message gets heard—or ignored.

From Belgium to the Booth

When I first moved from Belgium to the United States, I had no clue how the audition system worked. In Europe, I booked gigs straight from my demo. In the US? You audition. A lot. For commercials, for corporate narration, for promos. And you better do it well. That learning curve taught me how to bring something unique to every script, even if 50 other voice actors are reading the same lines.

There Is No “Perfect” Read

During my talk, I shared a story about one of my favorite cocktail ingredients—Angostura bitters. The label on the bottle is famously too big, an error that stuck. But it became iconic. It’s memorable. It’s them. That’s the same approach I take with voice-over auditions: don’t aim for perfection. Aim for personality.

Casting directors aren’t looking for generic. They’re looking for someone who fits their brand and the tone of the script. That could be warm and authoritative, or quirky and conversational. It all depends. But what never changes is the need to bring you to the performance.

How I Make Voice Over Auditions Stand Out

Here’s a quick peek into what I shared:

• Make the script your own: Add a pause, shift the tone, take a risk. The expected read is rarely the winning one.

• Use music: I use Spotify and AudioJungle to put myself in the right mood. Music can instantly change how a read feels.

• Think in characters: Even for corporate videos or commercials, I imagine who I am in the scene—a teacher, a judge, a nerdy librarian. It gives the performance texture.

• Audio quality matters: I record in a pro studio, and normalize my files to -3db so they sound consistent and loud enough on the client’s side.

Clients Benefit from This Too

This level of detail and creativity is exactly what I bring to every project I book. When you hire me, you’re getting a voiceover artist who understands what it takes to land the job—and then deliver on it. From quick online voiceover delivery to full campaign consistency, I bring strategy and sound together.

Want to Watch the Session?

If you’re curious to see the full seminar, email me at serge@sergedemarre.com, and I’ll send you a private link to the recording.

And if you’re interested in attending future Cooper International events, let me know and I’ll pass your info on to Bernard Schaer, the organizer. He’ll be in touch.