Voice a Spec Radio Spot With ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs' own terms of use state that a user on the free plan "may only use the Services for non-commercial purposes," and the company's help center is more direct about it: "The free plan does not include a commercial license and cannot be used for any commercial purpose." A spec spot built to help close a paid schedule is a commercial use of that audio, so treat the free plan as not cleared for this job. Check the current terms on elevenlabs.io before you rely on a free-tier recording in front of a client, and if your employer expects you to use ElevenLabs regularly, ask about a paid plan with a commercial license rather than assuming the free tier covers it.

1. Create an account at elevenlabs.io if you don't have one.
2. Once signed in, look for the Text to Speech tool in the main navigation or dashboard. ElevenLabs has reorganized its product navigation before, so if the exact label has moved, look for the option described as turning written text into spoken audio.

What you should see: A text box for pasting your script, with a voice selector nearby. Troubleshooting: If you land on a different tool by default, look for a product switcher or sidebar listing separate tools for speech, sound effects, and music. Text to Speech is the one you want for a script.

1. Paste your finished 15, 30, or 60 second script into the text box.
2. Browse the voice library and choose one that fits the client's brand and the tone of the spot. ElevenLabs groups voices by category and use case, so look for a voice described for advertising, narration, or a similar commercial style rather than a conversational default.
3. Preview a short clip before committing to a full generation.

What you should see: A preview player that lets you hear the selected voice read a sample line before you generate the full script.

1. Generate the full script with the voice you selected.
2. Listen to the entire clip once, checking pacing against the script's intended length. A 30 second script that runs long or short needs a script edit, not a settings fix.
3. Regenerate with adjusted pacing or emphasis if the first pass doesn't land right.

What you should see: A finished audio file you can play back or download, timed close to your target length. Troubleshooting: If the pacing feels off, shorten or lengthen the script itself rather than relying on a speed control to fix it. A script written for the right word count at a natural reading pace sounds far better than a stretched or compressed one.

Tell the client plainly, before or right when you play the spot, that the voice is AI generated. Never present it as a real voice talent's read, and never clone or imitate a specific real person's voice, including a station personality's voice, without that person's written consent. Frame the file as a pitch mockup meant to sell the idea, not a finished, air-ready spot. Your station's production and traffic staff still decide what actually airs and record the final version.