Videos are powerful because they are multi-sensory. Voice adds a powerful dimension to any production.

Primarily a voice-over is used for two purposes. From the creative perspective, the voice adds character and emotions. It helps you tell the story. Voice also has a functional purpose. It allows you to localize your content. A major global organization would need content in at least nine languages. Voice-over can help you do that without creating the content from scratch.

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Three significant types of voice-overs

UN Style

This technique is mainly used for interviews or documentaries. Instead of deleting the original voice, it is played using a reduced volume. The voice-over is placed with a slight delay. This format allows you to hear the original and the localized voice-over.

Narration

Sometimes called God's Voice, it is a technique where the character narrates without being visible on screen.

Dubbing

‍With dubbing, the original voice is completely deleted. A new voice in the local language is placed afresh. If the video has live characters speaking, a good dubbing exercise plans the script and the recording to match the original lip movement.

Why voice-over is useful?

Some audiences prefer a voice-over in their local language compared to subtitles. Especially in a market with a lower literacy level, voice is helpful over text.

Localizations that are done using voice provide a better context in terms of tone and delivery. The added convenience helps you with a better user experience. Providing a more subversive experience results in better conversions.

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Apart from the functional benefits, a good voice-over provides a strong emotional bond. Used effectively with professional artists, a voice-over gives a feel of a professionally done piece of content.

List of videos that can benefit from a voice-over

eLearning and training videos

Marketing and public relations videos

Interviews

Documentaries

News broadcasts

Video games

Fitness videos

Internal communications videos

Podcasts and vlogs

Recorded webinars, conferences, or online events

Recorded events with commentary

Tutorials or how-to videos

Social media videos

TV/radio spots (paid or unpaid)

Video demonstrations

Trailers

Website videos

Animated videos

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Getting a good voice-over

If your budget permits, always select a professional voice-over artist. A professional voice-over artist can understand the script and deliver the right pace, tone, and pitch. The audience can make out the difference between an amateur recording and one that was done professionally.

Plan in advance. Consider the nature of the video, its audience, and the script before selecting a voice-over artist.

Request for sample recording. Before booking the voice-over artist, request a few sample projects that are close to your project in nature. Listen to those recording and decide if the artist would fit your brand perfectly.

If you have a short promotional video, try to get a few versions of the voice recording. This could be helpful at the post-production level.

Choose the right music to accompany. A voice-over can be enhanced with the proper sound effects and background music to follow.

Looking forward to making an impact with a voice-enhanced video write to us at hello@allinmotion.com

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