You’ve probably heard a lot about artificial intelligence lately. Some people say it’s the future, others say it’s already here. But if you’re over 40 and just starting to dip your toes into the world of AI, it can all feel a bit overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to be a tech genius to start using AI tools—and one of the most fascinating (and surprisingly easy) tools out there is called ElevenLabs.
So, what is ElevenLabs, and why are so many creators, entrepreneurs, educators, and even hobbyists talking about it? Simple: it lets you turn written text into realistic, human-sounding speech, and even lets you clone your voice (or someone else’s, with permission). It’s like having your narrator available 24/7.
Whether you want to create content, narrate stories, give your blog posts a voice, or simply explore what AI can do, this guide will walk you through the basics of ElevenLabs—step by step.
What is ElevenLabs?
Let’s start with the basics.
ElevenLabs is an AI-powered voice generation platform. Think of it as an advanced text-to-speech tool—but unlike the robotic, monotone voices you might remember from the past, ElevenLabs produces realistic, natural-sounding voices that can express emotion, pause naturally, and adapt to different tones.
It’s been used by YouTubers for voiceovers, authors for audiobooks, companies for virtual assistants, and individuals for personal projects. What makes it stand out is how easy it is to use—even if you’ve never touched AI tools before.
How to Generate a Text-to-Speech File (No Experience Needed)
Let’s walk through how to use ElevenLabs to create your very first voiceover.
To test without signup, please follow the following steps
- Go to the ElevenLabs website and the Front page
2. Go to the window at the bottom of the screen and enter your text in the box.
3. Once you’ve entered the text, select the language and voice as per the image above.
4. Then, press the play button to choose your voice.
5. Note: The download button doesn’t work for the test.
The following is the Free version.
Step 1: Sign Up for Free
- Head over to www.elevenlabs.io.
- Click “Sign Up.” You can use your email or sign in with Google.
- You’ll immediately be taken to your dashboard—no credit card required.
Step 2: Choose a Voice
- Go to the Speech Synthesis section.
- You’ll see a list of AI-generated voices—male, female, various languages, and accents.
- You can listen to previews before picking one.
Want a calm British voice for a podcast? Or a friendly American voice for your blog narration? It’s all here.
Step 3: Paste Your Text
- Enter the script or paragraph you want to turn into speech.
- There’s no need to format it—just type it in naturally.
Step 4: Adjust Settings (Optional)
- You can fine-tune the voice by adjusting:
- Stability (how consistent the voice stays)
- Clarity and Style Exaggeration (for more emotional expression)
Step 5: Generate & Download
- Click “Generate.”
- The AI will take a few seconds to process.
- Click “Download” to save your MP3 file.
That’s it! You now have a professional-sounding voiceover, ready to use for videos, presentations, or anything else.
How to Clone a Voice (Yes, Even Yours!)
This is where things get interesting.
Voice cloning lets you record a sample of your voice, upload it to ElevenLabs, and create an AI version of your voice that can read any text you type.
Imagine narrating your memoir, sending a custom bedtime story to your grandkids, or even giving your business voicemail a personal touch—all without recording multiple takes.
Step-by-Step: Cloning a Voice
Can you clone your voice in ElevenLabs with the free version?
No, voice cloning (creating a custom AI replica of your voice) is not available in ElevenLabs’ free tier. The free plan only lets you use pre-made voices or adjust existing ones. Voice cloning is a premium feature reserved for paid plans like the Starter tier ($5/month) or higher.
For the paid plan:
Once you are in the main dashboard, look for the Clone your voice button and click on it
Once you click on the button, a new screen will appear. Click on the ” Add a new voice” button on the bottom right-hand side. Another window will appear with part of the window blurred. Look for the “Instance Voice Clone” and click on it.
Record Your Voice Directly in Eleven Labs: Ensure you have a microphone attached to your computer. Locate the click the record audio button and record your voice for 30 seconds.
Record Your Voice via an external file:
- Use your phone or computer to record at least 30 seconds of you reading something.
- Speak slowly, clearly, and in a quiet room.
- Upload to ElevenLabs:
- Go to the Voice Lab section.
- Choose Instant Voice Cloning.
- Upload your file and name the voice (e.g., “Dad’s Voice” or “Podcast Narrator”).
- Generate Audio with Your AI Voice:
- Once the voice is cloned, you can use it in the same Speech Synthesis tool.
- Enter your text and click “Generate”—this time, it’ll sound like you.
Record Your Voice Directly in Eleven Labs: Ensure the “Remove background noise from audio recordings” button is selected.
Press “Start” and record
You can play the recording again and re-record until you are satisfied.
In the Instant Voice Clone screen, complete the required information (Name, Label, etc and click on the check box on the bottom of the screen if you are comfortable with it. Then click on the “Save Voice “ Button.
Go back to the main voice screen and look for your Saved Voice based on the name you provided in the previous step.
Go to the “Text to Speech” screen and find your voice on the right-hand side. Then, add the text into the “Text to Speech” window and generate speech. Once your speech is generated, download the speech file
Is There a Free Plan or Trial?
Yes! And that’s another reason ElevenLabs is great for beginners—it’s risk-free to try.
✅ Free Plan Includes:
- 10,000 characters per month (roughly 7–8 minutes of speech)
- 1 custom voice clone
- Access to the most basic features
It’s perfect for testing things out or doing small projects. If you find yourself wanting more—longer scripts, multiple voices, or higher quality—you can upgrade easily. I originally started with the Starter plan and later updated to the Creator plan. Click here to sign up for Eleven Labs Plans
ElevenLabs Plan Comparison (2025)
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you get at each pricing level:
| Plan | Price/Month | Characters/Month | Voice Clones | Commercial Use | Audio Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10,000 | 1 | ❌ | Standard |
| Starter | $5 | 30,000 | 3 | ✅ | High |
| Creator | $22 | 100,000 | 10 | ✅ | Premium |
| Independent Publisher | $99 | 500,000 | 30 | ✅ | Studio-Quality |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Millions+ | Unlimited | ✅ | Studio+ Quality |
For most solo creators or small business owners, the Starter or Creator plan is more than enough.
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late to Learn AI
If you’ve ever felt like you missed the technology wave, don’t worry. AI tools like ElevenLabs are designed for everyone, not just the under-30 crowd or computer science grads.
Your life experience, communication skills, and creativity give you an advantage. You know how to tell a story. You know what sounds authentic. All you need now is the tool, and ElevenLabs is one of the easiest places to begin.
So go ahead: sign up, type a few words, and let your voice—or your AI narrator—bring them to life. It’s simpler than you think, and a whole lot of fun.
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