by  DIANA HOLGUIN

We are Voice Over for the Planet – a small (for the moment) collective of voice actors who want to put more good out into the world through impactful storytelling. Many of us, founders and members alike, came to voice over after having had careers in various fields. Teaching, midwifery, nursing, culinary arts, to name a few. So we have a lot of wisdom and skills to draw from but we also left room for growth and improvement because all living things do that as they seek sunlight, water, and all that which makes organisms thrive. And, well, we did just that. We’ve evolved a little bit to settle more comfortably and confidently into our mission and be better equipped to deliver on what motivated us in the first place – to put more good out into the world, for the planet and its inhabitants.

In the beginning, our intention was to work almost exclusively with 1% for the Planet members, both environmental and business partners. We began our marketing, reaching out to several organizations and offering them our voiceover services to help uplift their message and thus reach a wider audience. We soon discovered though that many organizations, particularly smaller non-profits or small businesses, just didn’t have the budget to hire voice over professionals. So what were we to do?

We reached out to a marketing consultant who looked at what we were doing and gave us their honest feedback. And what we heard was that we weren’t so special. Well, we are, but our value proposition? Not so much. Yes, we are professional, full-time voice actors. We speak multiple languages, offer a lot of range and versatility in our craft, and are a fun and reliable bunch to work with, 100%. But there are a lot of us voice actors out there who do exactly that. And the fact that we donate 1% of our revenue to environmental partners via 1% for the Planet? Well, that’s cool but many organizations donate money independently so while it could be a cute added value to some, it wasn’t necessarily a knock-your-socks-off proposition. 

This marketing meeting was the moment in time when evolution occurred and we decided to restructure our collective’s workings. We’ve since adopted a buy one, give one model through which our paying clients provide us with the opportunity to offer our voiceover services to non-profits, eco-startups, and other such organizations with smaller budgets for a project similar in scope.

Let’s break it down so you can see how the cycle works. Most recently one of our talented voices booked a paying job at standard rates for Medtronics. That job allowed us to provide Friends of Bonobos with a voiceover by Ally Murphy that absolutely brought their video to life for use at an awards ceremony in Sweden. Once one or both of these projects are available to be shared, all of us involved will be able to share with the world the good that Friends of Bonobos does, the talent that we provide, and the opportunity that companies have when they choose to work with us.

So this is what we do at Voice Over for the Planet. Our wish is that we can work together with all kinds of companies who have a strong sense of purpose and passion for the environment and social justice so that we can then amplify the voices of the nonprofits and eco startups who are doing such important work and could really benefit from having a professional voice over added to their new or existing multimedia projects. Will you join us? Contact us to learn how we can work together for a better world. 

Voice Over for the Planet exists to amplify the stories of changemakers whose purpose is to help the planet and all who inhabit it. We use the powerful Buy One, Give One model, in which every paid project funds a pro-bono voiceover of similar scope for an environmental organization or startup. Today we’d like to share the following case study of a successful voiceover collaboration between People Productions and Friends of Bonobos.

Partnering with People Productions

People Productions hired us to narrate a video for Medtronic, a healthcare technology company.  Their contribution enabled us to donate our voiceover services to Friends of Bonobos through our buy one, give one model. This partnership showcases how impactful our voiceover collaborations can be in amplifying stories that matter.

“Working with Voice Over for the Planet has been a deeply rewarding experience. Not only did we receive top-quality voice-over services, but we also got to be part of something bigger—supporting a nonprofit organization that aligns with our values. This model allows us to make a tangible social impact while delivering for our clients. It’s a win-win, and we’re proud to be part of it.” Creative Director – People Productions

Friends of Bonobos: A Vital Mission

Friends of Bonobos is dedicated to protecting bonobos, one of our closest relatives, through rehabilitation and conservation efforts. They asked us to narrate a short video for an awards ceremony hosted by The Perfect World Foundation, telling the story of Esake, an orphaned bonobo rescued and rehabilitated at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, reaching a global audience of potential donors unfamiliar with bonobos and their plight.

Ally Murphy’s Warmth and Expertise

Ally Murphy, one of our talented members, brought incredible warmth and emotional depth to the narration for Friends of Bonobos. Her performance perfectly captured the poignant story of Esake and helped bring the conservation message to life. The success of this project wouldn’t have been possible without Ally’s contribution, and her ability to connect with the story and audience alike was remarkable.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the narration created by Voice Over for the Planet for our organization, Friends of Bonobos. The VO artist captured the emotional depth incredibly well, making our video more impactful. Their contribution truly elevated our video for an important donor event, and we couldn’t be happier with both the results and process!” Content & Media Strategist Friends of Bonobos

Impact Through Voiceover Collaboration

This voiceover collaboration exemplifies how our Buy One, Give One model makes a tangible difference. By working with companies like People Productions and their clients, we are able to support nonprofit organizations and eco-startups like Friends of Bonobos. Through our voiceovers we help tell their stories and drive their missions forward for a better planet.

We are so proud to have contributed to the important work of Friends of Bonobos and look forward to continuing to amplify the voices that make a difference around the world.