You’ve spent weeks on the script. The animation is slick, the brand colours are popping, and the marketing team is ready to launch. But then, you hear it: the voiceover. Suddenly, the high-end corporate explainer you’ve invested thousands into sounds like it was recorded in a cupboard, or worse, by someone who sounds like they’re reading a grocery list.

In the world of corporate communication, the voice is the bridge between your brand and your audience. At GBV, we see it time and again: companies nail the visuals but stumble at the finish line because of avoidable voiceover mistakes.

If you want your explainer video to actually explain (and convert), you need to avoid these seven common pitfalls. Here is how to fix them and why professional talent is your greatest asset.

1. The “DIY” Disaster: Recording In-House

It’s tempting. You have a team member with a “nice voice,” a quiet-ish corner of the office, and a laptop. Why spend the budget on a professional when Dave from Accounts can do it for free?

The mistake here isn’t just about the voice; it’s about the equipment and the environment. Most office spaces have terrible acoustics: hard surfaces, hums from air conditioning, and distant sirens. A DIY recording often results in “boxy” or echoey audio that immediately signals “amateur” to your clients.

The Fix:
Hire a professional who works from a broadcast-quality home studio. At GBV, our artists are vetted for their technical setups as much as their vocal range. When you hire a professional like male voice-over artist Lewis, you aren’t just paying for a voice; you’re paying for sound-treated environments and high-end microphones that ensure crystal-clear delivery.

2. Choosing the Wrong Persona for Your Brand

Many businesses make the mistake of choosing a “neutral” voice that ultimately sounds boring. Or, they go the opposite way, choosing a high-energy “radio announcer” voice for a serious B2B software solution.

If your video is about high-level data security, you don’t want a voice that sounds like it’s selling a used car. You need authority, trust, and intelligence. Conversely, if you’re a quirky startup, a stiff, formal delivery will alienate your audience.

The Fix:
Identify your brand’s “vocal archetype” before you book. If your content is tech-heavy and visionary, you might want a voice that resonates with innovation, such as Jeremy White. If you need an authoritative, scientific edge, someone like Hannah Fry brings instant credibility. GBV helps you match the persona to the product, ensuring the listener feels an immediate connection.

3. The Pacing Problem: Trying to Fit Too Much In

We’ve all seen it: an explainer video where the voice artist sounds like they’re competing in a speed-reading championship. This usually happens because the script is too long for the allocated video duration.

If you have 300 words and only 60 seconds of animation, the voiceover will be rushed. Your audience won’t have time to process the “problem” before you’ve already zoomed past the “solution.” Cognitive overload kicks in, and the viewer clicks away.

The Fix:
The industry standard is roughly 140–150 words per minute for a comfortable, conversational pace. Before recording, read your script aloud with a stopwatch. If you’re rushing, cut the fluff. A professional GBV artist will also help you find the “beats” in a script: the pauses that allow your message to land.

4. Technical Turmoil: Background Noise and Poor Edits

Nothing kills a professional vibe faster than “mouth clicks,” heavy breathing, or a sudden change in audio tone halfway through the video because you had to re-record a sentence on a different day. These technical artifacts are distracting and suggest a lack of attention to detail: not the message you want to send to potential partners.

The Fix:
Precision is key. Professional voice talent uses high-end processing to remove distracting mouth noises and ensures “breath control” is handled naturally. Using a bureau like GBV means you get audio that is “drop-in ready.” You won’t have to spend hours in post-production trying to “fix it in the mix.”

5. Neglecting Accents and Localisation

If you are a UK-based company targeting a global audience, or a Northern business using an overly polished “London” accent, you might be missing the mark on relatability. Audiences trust voices that sound like them or that fit the geographical context of the service.

For example, a tech firm in Leeds might find that using a regional accent like Tom R builds more local trust and “down-to-earth” appeal than a standard RP (Received Pronunciation) voice.

The Fix:
Think about your target demographic’s “ear.” Are you looking for the global authority of a London-based artist, or do you need the specific warmth of a regional accent? GBV specialises in authentic British voices, from the heart of Westminster to the furthest corners of the UK, ensuring your message sounds “at home.”

6. Relying on “Soulless” AI Voiceovers

With the rise of AI, many companies are tempted by the low cost and instant turnaround of synthetic voices. While AI has come a long way, it still struggles with nuance.

An AI doesn’t know when to sound empathetic during a “pain point” section of your video, nor does it know how to build excitement during the “call to action.” It lacks the human “spark” that turns a viewer into a customer. In corporate explainers, where trust is everything, a robotic voice can make your company feel cold and detached.

The Fix:
Use a human. Humans understand subtext. They can take direction: like “make this sound more like a conversation over coffee”: that an AI simply cannot process effectively. At GBV, we believe in the power of human connection. A real person can adapt their tone to match the rhythm of your animation in a way that feels organic and persuasive.

7. Failing to Provide Proper Direction

Even the best voice-over artist in the world can’t read your mind. A common mistake is sending a script over with zero context. Does the artist need to sound like a supportive mentor? A peer? A visionary leader? If you don’t specify, the artist will guess, and they might guess wrong.

The Fix:
Provide a “tone of voice” brief. Mention specific adjectives like approachable, authoritative, energetic, or understated. Better yet, refer to existing work or talent samples on the GBV site to give the artist a baseline. If your video is complex, consider a directed session where you can listen in via Zoom or CleanFeed to give real-time feedback.

Why GBV is the Solution to Your Voiceover Woes

Creating a corporate explainer is an investment in your brand’s future. Don’t let a poor vocal performance undermine your hard work.

At GBV, we take the guesswork out of the process. We represent a curated roster of the UK’s finest vocal talent, ranging from industry-leading speakers like Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE for educational tech, to versatile artists like Elisa for commercial appeal.

By choosing professional talent through GBV, you ensure:

• Broadcast Quality: No more “bedroom” recordings or background hums.
• Expert Interpretation: Artists who understand how to sell your vision, not just read your words.
• Fast Turnaround: Professional studios mean professional efficiency.
• A Personal Touch: Our team helps you find the perfect match, saving you hours of searching.

Ready to find the perfect voice for your next project?

Don’t let these seven mistakes hold your corporate video back.

Contact GBV today and let’s give your brand the voice it deserves.

For a tailored shortlist or a quick chat about your project, email Michelle at [email protected] or call the office on +44 1753 439 289.