Helen Bee

6 Reasons Every Voiceover Should Have a Custom Branded Email Address

Can an email address really impact how people see my business and brand?

The quick answer – YES. But whether that impact is positive or negative depends on which email address you use. I promise you, having a custom branded email address as a voiceover is one of the smallest and cheapest steps you can make to improve your brand. This is why…

1. It gives the right first impression

As a huge proportion of your contact with clients, agents or customers is via email, it’s important to your brand to have an email address that matches it. It shows a cohesive, well thought through brand.

If you have a logo, website, and social media channels dedicated to your business, then why not the email address too?

Quite simply, a custom email address looks more professional. Research shows that 75% of consumers believe having a domain-based email address is a key factor in trusting a small business. That’s a huge number of potential clients who are judging your professionalism before they’ve even heard your voice.

2. It builds trust

Who would you be more likely to trust to do your accounts? accounting@hotmail.com or helen@youraccountant.co.uk

I bet it’s not the Hotmail address.

Having a custom email address helps earn your customer’s trust, seeing you as a legitimate business owner. The @hotmail, @btinternet, @gmail email addresses do the opposite. Studies show that 75% of consumers believe having a domain-based email address is a key factor in trusting a small business.^*

* Source: GoDaddy consumer survey on small business trust factors

Many potential clients will not be comfortable replying to karenthevoice@yahoo.com as they are more likely to associate these addresses with spam and scam emails. Your email address does help to validate your credibility, and that has an impact on how people view your business overall. It’s important that the impression your clients and customers have of you is not marred by a free email address. You’ve worked hard to build your voiceover skills – don’t let a free email undermine that professionalism.

3. It builds your brand

Your email is like a digital business card – it allows clients to find out more about you and what you do.

Have you ever Googled someone’s website from their email address to find out more about their services? I have. This is not as simple when you’re using a free email address.

Every email you send with your business name in the email address reinforces your brand. Every email sent promotes your business and reminds people of your name. Every email sent is an opportunity to attract more business.

A branded email address is a simple way to market your company without it costing you lots of money. Whether you’re pitching to an agent, following up with a client, or sending an invoice, your email address is working for you.

4. Your emails are less likely to end up in a spam folder

This is a really important point, and one that addresses a common worry: “Won’t a non-Gmail address end up in spam?”

Actually, it’s the opposite. Emails sent from free email addresses (like Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail) are more likely to end up in spam folders than those sent from custom domain addresses. Internet Service Providers prefer registered domains because they can verify the sender is a real person, not a bot or scammer. Free emails don’t allow this and are often abused by people deliberately sending spam and scam emails.

Sending from a branded email address lets other people’s inboxes know they are lower spam/scam risk and it’s okay to accept them. Emails being sent from free (Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail etc.) accounts are more likely to end up in a spam folder and never be seen. This risk happens even if the recipient has your email in their contacts list, although the risk is reduced. But why risk this happening at all? Your carefully crafted audition or proposal could be sitting in someone’s junk folder right now if you’re using a free email address.

5. It’s not as technical as you think

I know many voiceovers worry about the tech side of setting up a custom email address. I get it – you’re voice actors, not IT people. But honestly, it’s much simpler than you might think.

If you already have a website domain name, chances are you’ll also have an email address included. Most hosting companies bundle web addresses and email addresses together. So – if you have a custom website but not a custom email address – get in touch with your provider or web developer and check if you also have an email address in your domain package. You probably do!

All email providers will give you a set-up guide, and many offer set-up support too, showing you how to add email addresses to your computer and mobile phone. You don’t need to be technical – you just need to follow the steps. And once it’s set up, it works exactly like your current email.

6. It’s cheaper than you think

This is often the biggest worry for voiceovers working on tight budgets: “I can’t afford it.”

But here’s the thing – it’s incredibly affordable. If you already have a website with hosting (which a lot of us do), your email address is likely already included in that package at no extra cost. You’re already paying for it!

Even if you need to add email hosting separately, you’re looking at around £5-15 (GBP)/$6-19 (USD)/€6-17 (EUR) per month for a basic package that includes everything you need. That’s less than the cost of a couple of coffees. When you consider that 75% of customers trust a company’s branded email address over a free one, can you really afford not to have one? It’s a tiny investment that pays for itself if it helps you land just one extra job a year.

Making the Switch

I’ve (hopefully) convinced you it’s time to ditch your free email account and get a custom email address. But where to begin?

If you have a website domain name:

Check with your provider or developer if you also have a custom email address included in your package (you should do!). If not, get one added!

If you don’t have a website yet:

This is a perfect opportunity to think about your overall branding. A custom email address and website work hand-in-hand to present a professional image. Learn more about my website and branding services.

Setting it up:

Your hosting provider will guide you through the process. Most offer email set-up as part of their service, and it typically takes less than 30 minutes to get everything working on your computer and phone.

Popular hosting options:

There are many hosting providers offering email services bundled with website hosting. Look for UK-based providers like 34SP.com, or international options like SiteGround. Prices vary, but most start from around £10-15 per month for website hosting that includes email addresses.

The bottom line

Your email address is often the first thing a potential client sees. It’s your digital handshake. In a competitive industry like voiceover, every detail matters. A custom email address shows you’re professional, established, and serious about your business.

Don’t let a free email address be the reason a client chooses another voiceover artist because they thought you were a spam bot. Make the switch to a custom branded email address – your future self will thank you.

Need help with your voiceover branding?

From working out the technical bits to building a brand that shouts professional and is packed full of your personality, I can help you look polished without losing your personality.

Get in touch to discuss your branding ideas.