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Instructional Explainer Videos

October 3, 2024 by SEO Work

Explainer videos are a big deal in the voiceover world. They’re the bread and butter for many voice actors, offering a steady stream of work. These videos break down content in simple ways, often for online use, but they’re really versatile. Narration for explainer videos has to walk a fine line—it’s got to be interesting enough to hold your attention, but not too over the top. We’re talking about the kind of voiceover work that helps people understand instructions or processes without feeling like they’re at a loud sports event. This piece digs into voiceover work for instructional explainer videos—those ones that walk you through how to do something step-by-step.

Instructional Explainer Videos

Instructional videos are a whole category of explainer videos. They cover just about everything, from putting together your brand-new desk to finding the hidden fuse box in your apartment. Anything that requires instructions works well in this format. The key here? Clarity. If the voiceover misses a step or gets too muddled, it’s game over for the viewer. That’s why voice actors who do these need to be super clear, even if they have an accent. But here’s the tricky part—being clear doesn’t mean being boring. The voice still has to have enough energy to keep people watching, or else they’ll zone out halfway through.

Voiceover Talent for Instructional Explainers

Debbie Grattan, an absolute pro in the voiceover world, shines when it comes to instructional explainer videos. She nails that balance between being crystal clear and keeping things lively, so the audience doesn’t drift off. Debbie’s been doing this long enough to know how to handle any script thrown her way, which is why she’s a go-to talent in this space. Explainer videos are used in tons of industries—whether it’s training people for a new job, guiding doctors through medical procedures, or helping you assemble that piece of furniture you just bought. Debbie’s skill in adapting to the needs of different clients makes her the perfect fit for any project.

Why Clarity and Engagement Matter

When you’re explaining something step-by-step, the voiceover has to be spot-on. The instructions need to be easy to follow but not sound like they’re being read by a robot. Debbie Grattan knows how to thread that needle perfectly. Her voice is warm and friendly, but also precise enough that nothing gets lost in translation. This mix helps make the instructions come across more like a conversation than a cold list of steps. It’s a subtle but important difference. And let’s be real—when someone is watching an instructional video, it’s usually because they need help with something. The last thing they want is to be confused by the voiceover. Debbie’s work ensures that every step is clear as day, preventing any frustrating moments where people are left wondering, “Wait, what did they say to do next?”

Keeping People Engaged With Explainers

Being clear is only half the battle. If the voice is too flat or too monotone, people check out mentally, and that’s bad news for comprehension. Debbie Grattan is a master at keeping things lively without being over the top. Her natural energy and engaging tone keep people tuned in from start to finish. In instructional videos, this kind of engagement is crucial because if people stop paying attention, they’re not learning anything. Debbie’s ability to strike the perfect balance makes her a standout in the field.

The Art of Instructional Voiceover

Doing voiceover for instructional videos takes more than just a pleasant voice. There are a few techniques every good voice actor needs to have in their back pocket. First, understanding the script is key. You can’t explain something if you don’t fully grasp it yourself, right? Debbie takes the time to really get into each script she works on, so when it’s time to record, she sounds confident and natural—like she’s been walking people through this kind of stuff for years (which, spoiler alert, she has). Another technique? Keep it conversational. People respond better when it feels like someone is talking to them directly, instead of just reading at them. Debbie’s style is all about authenticity—she’s not putting on a show, she’s just helping you out. And that’s why her voiceover work resonates (without sounding, you know, “stuffy”). Then there’s pacing. Instructional videos need to be delivered at just the right speed—not too fast, not too slow. Debbie’s experience helps her find that sweet spot where viewers can follow along easily without feeling rushed.

Instructional Explainer Videos Wrapped

Voiceover for instructional explainer videos is a unique skill. It’s all about combining clarity with personality, and Debbie Grattan has that down to a science. Her voiceovers are not only easy to understand, but they’re also engaging enough to keep viewers tuned in until the very last step. As explainer videos continue to be a go-to tool for businesses and organizations, Debbie’s ability to deliver top-notch voiceover work makes her an invaluable resource for any project that requires a friendly, clear, and professional voice.

Does a VO Artist Have to Believe in What They’re Selling to Sell It?

August 26, 2024 by Debbie Grattan

With buzz phrases like “bring your whole self to work” and social media posts that showcase everything from controversial opinions to private details on, say, hernia operations, the lines between professional and personal lives are becoming increasingly blurred.

So blurry, in fact, that I was recently asked an interesting question I wanted to address:

Does a voice artist have to believe in what they’re selling to sell it?

The question comes with a short answer that speaks to the very core of what acting is. But it also comes with a longer answer that addresses more complex issues lurking beneath the surface, such as:

What happens if a job goes against your values?
What if your friends, family members, inner circles or the mainstream disagrees?
Can you and/or should you keep your professional and personal life separate?
Aren’t we meant to express our individuality in everything we do?

We’ll touch on those more complex topics down the line. Let’s start with the short answer to the question about whether or not you need to believe in what you’re selling to sell it. And of course, this is just my personal opinion, and not any endorsement for what others may wish to do.

The Short Answer

The short answer is no. Good acting is being able to make the audience believe you, whether you’re personally on board with the product, service, client mindset or character or not. This applies whether you’re selling children’s toys or depicting an evil villain.

In fact, we could say that actors who receive death threats due to the unlikable characters they portray may be generating some of the most believable acting out there.

Even if those actors are wildly different than the characters they play, they’ve tapped into what acting is all about. It’s the ability to use the tools to portray things that may not be part of your personal experience. The same holds fast with voice over work for advertising.

There are a lot of things that we are not personally connected to, have not used or may never use. But that doesn’t mean we can’t effectively take on the job and make believe we’re fully on board. Yet there may be times when we aren’t willing to.

Drawing the Line on Jobs We Take

The lines are going to be different for everyone, based on what aligns morally or personally with our own set of beliefs. But like most things, the lines are not always cut and dry – or a definitive yes or no when it comes to taking on work.

Sometimes you may not even know enough about product, service or company to know if it’s something you believe in it or not. It would be impossible to take the time to research every single thing we do to make sure that it aligns 100% with our way of thinking.

Although it’s a bit easier today to get a feel for the general consensus around a general product or philosophy – such as climate change or big pharma – there are still smaller things within those bigger groups. Those smaller things may be something that we can support, even if we don’t support the larger philosophy.

And even if we’re not fully on board with a certain viewpoint – particularly political ones – that doesn’t mean we are always unwilling or unable to do the job.

I do have a political viewpoint that is my personal viewpoint, but I have voiced for another team. Oftentimes it’s another team that’s in a down-ballot race or in a smaller area, or maybe the copy used is not as inflammatory as some of the things you might find in a national election for a high-ticket candidate.

Years ago, when political viewpoint wasn’t such a differentiating factor, we didn’t even know the difference between that proposition or this particular candidate’s platforms. Now people seem to be much more informed. It can present in a way where you do have to make a choice on what candidate, company or cause you are willing to have your voice attached to.

In my experience, that choice can be most effectively made when I keep four key concepts as my guides:

Emotional Intelligence
Integrity
Workplace Intelligence
Common Sense

Emotional Intelligence

In short, emotional intelligence (EI) is our ability to manage our own emotions while also understanding the emotions of those around us. Strengthening our emotional intelligence means paying attention to:

What we’re feeling
How we express, manage and regulate what we’re feeling
What motivates us
Empathy for those around us
Social interactions and skills

When used as a guide in both home and work situations, emotional intelligence can enhance all relationships while helping us understand ourselves and others.

While I can relate to the viewpoints of my family members and friends, I don’t always agree with them. That’s likely the case with most families. And I would, and have, absolutely taken on jobs with which I knew they disagreed.

Does everyone always agree 100% with their partner? Their husband, wife, child, adult child, or longtime friends?

We are all individual with our own individual set of beliefs. While we tend to group together with people with whom we have some shared beliefs and commonality, we don’t have to agree with everybody on every level. We never will. So I’m not going to consult with my friends or family before I take a job.

Because my husband is also a partner in my business, I might run some things past him just to get his input to see if I’m in integrity with what I’m doing.

Integrity

Integrity to me means being honest and true to myself. For instance, if I were asked to voice for a political candidate to which I was diametrically opposed, I would have to say no – no matter what the price.

I would do the same for any company, product or service that I felt was negatively affecting or harming people or causing distress.

Workplace Intelligence

Workplace intelligence is a term I’m using to describe the most effective mindset for working…And that’s remembering we come to work, well, to work. The workplace was not designed to be an arena for activism, arguments, political debates or railing against the injustices of the company. If that’s the case, go work for a different company.

There may be jobs where we have to hold our noses to get the work done. I don’t look at that as a sign of weakness, but one of maturity. So is establishing criteria for jobs you would or would not take.

Money is a big factor when it comes to taking on jobs – but again, no amount of money would be enough to make me voice something I really oppose.

Working with people I trust is another factor. I have a lot of repeat clients, and I’m more apt to say yes to jobs from trusted people that I’ve worked with before… Even if their viewpoint is different than mine.

I work with people on both sides of the political spectrum, and I’m personally involved with them. I have relationships with people and they don’t know where I stand on certain issues. They probably think I’m with them – but maybe I’m not. Here’s where good acting can also come in! I am not trying to deceive anyone, but there is sometimes a way of saying (or not saying) something that is a way of protecting my personal beliefs and also not disrespecting theirs.

In these cases, I’m still able, willing and glad to do the job, which is showing up for work to work.

Common Sense

Common sense is also a great guide, particularly when it comes to knowing when to keep our mouths shut. Especially on social media, I try not to post controversial things because I am a business owner. I’m a name and a product; a company that I don’t want perceived as leaning one way or another.

Letting my personal beliefs be known may offset someone who then wouldn’t hire me for something non-political. Perhaps they’d say, “Oh, I don’t agree with her choice for a president, so I’m not going to hire her to voice my job for my food item.”

Sadly, that can be the case. So I do have to be careful about my brand and not polarizing.

I tend to be fairly opinionated and fairly vocal, but I try not to be when working with clients. Sometimes I really have to practice restraint so I don’t let a comment slide that can be taken the wrong way in a session. You just never know who is listening and who is going to be offended, especially these days. But that’s just my viewpoint.

I do know other voice talent who are very vocal in their political positions, regardless if it runs the risk of making people not want to hire them. That is their choice. Some people feel they have to speak out, and more power to them if they feel strongly about that.

We do have freedom of speech, after all. But in my opinion, just because we are free to say anything we wish doesn’t mean we are obliged to. Discernment is one of my very good friends.

The Bottom Line: Suggestions Going Forward

Everybody has their own set of individual beliefs, no matter what they’re doing. Voice actors are hired to represent a company, a brand, a philosophy, a product or service – whatever it is.

If you feel like they can do a job, even if it is not in alignment with your personal beliefs, and you are OK with doing that – then more power to you. That’s great. We all have to make our own choices, and (nearly) every choice is valid.

I wouldn’t demonize somebody who takes money from a side they don’t like if they have a good reason for it. Making money and keeping your livelihood alive is a pretty good reason. So I don’t begrudge anybody for maybe having to hold their nose when they’re doing something that they may disagree with… Or being nice in a session and not speaking out with their own opinions.

Didn’t Mom always say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…don’t say anything at all.” Good advice still.

But, there are places where it’s a matter of drawing the line. Each individual situation presents a choice for the artist to figure out. Do I want to put my voice on this or not? Will people hear my voice on this and associate me in a way that may be negative for them? What are the benefits versus the detriments of taking a particular job?

Just because good actors can believably sell anything does not necessarily mean they have to. The decision is ours. And it may be made a bit more easily with emotional intelligence, integrity, workplace intelligence and common sense as our guides.

AI And Voiceover

March 17, 2024 by Debbie Grattan

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited a wave of concern across myriad professions, casting a shadow of uncertainty over roles traditionally revered for their reliance on human creativity and empathy. Among these, the domain of voice acting stands out as a bastion of human-centric artistry. Despite AI’s inroads into the voiceover industry, a compelling case remains for the indispensability of human voice actors. This article delves into the reasons AI cannot eclipse the emotional and creative nuances that human actors contribute to voice acting. Let us explore AI and voiceover together in this article.

Voiceover and Emotional Intelligence

A defining characteristic distinguishing human voice actors from their AI counterparts is emotional intelligence. AI, for all its advancements, falls short of replicating the genuine emotional depth and understanding that human actors embody. The nuanced ability of voice actors to empathize and forge an emotional connection with the audience is unmatched by AI. Though AI may simulate emotions to a certain degree, it lacks the capacity to navigate a voiceover with the flawless emotional resonance a trained voice actor provides.

AI Without Versatility

Versatility stands as another pillar where human voice actors excel. The art of modulating tone and style across varied themes is not merely a matter of vocal adjustment but involves a deep understanding of the emotional subtleties each theme carries. While AI can imitate diverse tones, it inherently misses the mark on grasping these emotional shifts. Furthermore, authenticity in voice acting, engendering trust and connection with the audience, is a quality where AI-generated voices often fall short, lacking the natural warmth and genuineness of human performances.

Modern-Day Voiceover

In voiceovers, mastering conversational reading is crucial, creating an illusion of a personal dialogue with the listener. This technique enhances relatability and comprehensibility, elements AI struggles to emulate due to its inherent scripted and mechanical nature. The spontaneity and fluidity of human conversation cannot be authentically replicated by AI, highlighting another dimension where human actors remain superior.

Voice acting demands a mastery over pace, rhythm, and particularly, breath control—elements vital to maintaining an immersive and flowing narrative. While AI can simulate a specific rhythm or pace, it cannot truly replicate the art of breath control that human actors skillfully employ. This aspect underscores the human element’s importance in voiceovers, emphasizing the unparalleled connection a human can establish over a machine.

AI Voiceover Lacks Artistic Intuition

Voice acting also requires an astute sense of what to avoid—over-dramatization, excessive sales pitches, or inconsistency in performance. These nuances, often honed through experience and emotional intelligence, represent areas where AI conspicuously lacks. While AI’s capabilities continue to advance, achieving a level of performance that convincingly mimics human subtlety remains a complex and potentially cost-prohibitive endeavor.

At its core, successful voiceover work is about crafting an environment that promotes relaxation and mindfulness. This necessitates a blend of technical skill and emotional insight—a balance innately human. AI’s capacity to mimic aspects of voiceovers does not extend to creating experiences that are both technically proficient and emotionally resonant, underscoring the unique value human actors bring to the table.

Human Voiceover, AI Challenges

Despite the challenges posed by AI, voice acting remains a field profoundly anchored in human touch and emotional intelligence. The combination of versatility, authenticity, and the capacity to forge genuine connections with the audience underscores the irreplaceable nature of human voice actors. Their unique skills and emotional acuity are indispensable in guiding audiences through an immersive auditory journey, ensuring that the role of human voice actors remains not only secure but invaluable in the landscape of voiceovers.

AI and Voiceover by Debbie Grattan

A Voiceover Demo That Stands Out

January 31, 2024 by Debbie Grattan

In the competitive world of voice acting, having a voiceover demo that stands out is crucial. It’s your auditory business card, your portfolio, and often your first impression. But what makes a good voiceover reel, and how do different types of demos, like commercial and video game demos, serve unique purposes? Well, to answer these questions we need to dig into the subject a bit more and define what good looks like against one’s own personal budget.

The Essence of a Good Voiceover Demo

A top-notch voiceover reel is more than just a collection of your best work; it’s a showcase of your versatility, range, and unique vocal qualities. The key elements of a good reel include, firstly: Clarity and Quality (High audio quality is non-negotiable. Your voice should be crystal clear without any background noise). Next up we have: Range and Versatility (Display a variety of styles and tones to demonstrate your range. This could include different emotions, paces, and character types). Third on our list is: Brevity and Impact (Keep it short and sweet, typically around 60-90 seconds, ensuring each clip makes a strong impact. Then to finish up our list we have: Relevance: (Tailor your reel to your target market. If you’re aiming for commercial work, your reel should reflect this).

Commercial vs. Video Game Demos: Understanding the Differences

To break this down we have to look at the purpose, content, and focus for each demo. Starting with the purpose, commercials are designed to showcase how your voice can sell a product or service whereas video games demonstrate the ability to bring a character to life. With content, commercials include snippets of potential advertisements and are very conversational, whereas video games feature characters, heavy emotions, and often action-packed scenarios. Then with focus, we have clarity, reliability, and connection for commercials whilst in video games we see versatility, character portrayal, emotional depth, and consistency.

Having both commercial and video game demos is crucial because they serve different purposes and target different segments of the voiceover industry. A diverse portfolio opens up more opportunities and showcases your adaptability as a voice actor. This truth is transferable to all sectors of the voiceover industry be it audiobooks, anime, or IVR.

Voiceover Demo Summary

A well-crafted voiceover reel is an indispensable tool for any voice actor. It should be a reflection of your best work, versatility, and uniqueness. Whether it’s a commercial, video game demo, or another genre, each serves a specific purpose and demonstrates different aspects of your voice-acting abilities. With strategic planning and smart investment, you can create a reel that stands out, even on a budget. In the ever-evolving field of voice acting, your voiceover reel is the key to unlocking new opportunities. The top tip to close is to not cut corners with practicing or go for a poor producer due to budget. It is better to save up a bit longer and walk away with gold than to cheap out on day one and walk away with trash.

A Voiceover Demo That Stands Out by Debbie Grattan

The Voiceover Industry in 2024

January 22, 2024 by Debbie Grattan

The voiceover industry in 2024 is going to be exciting. Until now, it has always been a dynamic field, adapting and evolving with technological advances and changing market demands. As we step into 2024, it’s crucial to look ahead and anticipate the trends and transformations that will shape the voiceover landscape. Covering AI and the synthetic voices, looking at new media and trends, exploring the global market and the industry network, and learning what’s to come are just a few subjects we can cover in this article.

The Rise of AI and Synthetic Voices

One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the advent of AI and synthetic voices. In 2024, we can expect these technologies to become more sophisticated, offering even more realistic and human-like voice options. However, this doesn’t necessarily spell doom for human voice actors. Instead, it presents a new realm of opportunities where the art of voiceover can merge with technology, creating new avenues for creativity and innovation.

Increased Demand in Emerging Media in 2024

Emerging media platforms, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are becoming more mainstream. Voiceover artists can expect a surge in demand for immersive and interactive voice work. This shift calls for versatility and adaptability in performance, as voice actors will need to bring life to more dynamic and diverse characters and scenarios.

The trend of home studios, which gained momentum during the pandemic, will continue to grow in 2024. Voiceover artists will invest more in creating professional-grade home studios, allowing for greater flexibility and the ability to work with clients globally. This shift also emphasizes the importance of sound engineering skills and understanding the technical aspects of voice recording.

Globalization of the Voiceover Industry

The voiceover industry is becoming increasingly global. In 2024, artists should be prepared to cater to a diverse range of clients and audiences. This includes not only adapting to different languages and accents but also understanding cultural nuances that can impact voiceover work. There’s a growing demand for authentic and diverse voices that reflect the world’s diversity. This trend is about more than just different accents or languages; it’s about bringing genuine, relatable voices to the forefront. Voiceover artists who can bring unique perspectives and authenticity to their work will find themselves in high demand.

Continued Importance of Networking and Personal Branding

Even as technology advances, the fundamentals of networking and personal branding remain crucial. Building a strong personal brand and cultivating a professional network will continue to be essential strategies for voiceover artists looking to thrive in 2024. Consumer behaviors and preferences are constantly evolving, and voiceover artists must adapt accordingly. This means staying updated on the latest trends in advertising, entertainment, and media consumption, ensuring that their skills and offerings remain relevant and in demand.

Voiceover Industry in 2024

Lastly, the importance of continuous learning cannot be overstated. Whether it’s mastering new software, understanding the nuances of different voiceover genres, or keeping up with industry best practices, ongoing education will be key to success in the voiceover industry in 2024. The voiceover industry in 2024 will be marked by technological advancements, emerging media platforms, and a global, inclusive market. Success in this dynamic environment will require adaptability, continuous learning, and a keen understanding of both the art and business of voiceover. For those willing to embrace these changes, the future looks bright and filled with opportunities.

Voice Over Trends 2023: Less Looking, More Listening

January 25, 2023 by Debbie Grattan

With dancing ads, endless slideshows, and more than 8.2 million blog posts published daily, online visual content has reached an explosive limit. Voice over trends in 2023 are headed in the same direction. It’s enough to make anyone’s head hurt, especially since the average consumer spends about six hours and 37 minutes online daily.

Rather than shutting down their electronics altogether, people are giving their brains a visual break by turning to audio – which is the star of two of the three most popular trends for 2023. Those trends are:

Audiobooks
Audio Ads
Short-Form Video

In addition to giving the eyes some much-needed rest, audio content comes with another big benefit. Since audio only requires listening, people can perform other tasks instead of staying glued to their screens.

That means they listen to their favorite audio content while they walk, run, exercise, do household chores, drive, or even unwind at night without the screen’s blue light.

But people are only apt to listen to your audio if the quality is of the highest caliber. Audiences refuse to sit through scratchy, grainy, harsh, or distorted recordings. Nor do they have to. Even though audio has not reached the same saturation point as visual content, people have plenty of options.

Unless your audio is proverbial music to their ears, people will simply go somewhere else for a listen. One way to ensure top-notch quality is to hire a professional voice over artist, a surefire way to give your brand a boost and your audience something worth listening to. Here’s how.

Voice Over Trends and Audiobooks

Audiobooks have come a long way since their debut in 1932. That’s the year The American Foundation for the Blind established a recording studio to produce recordings of books on vinyl records. Each side of the record only had about 15 minutes of speech.

“Books on Tape,” which delivered unabridged versions of books recorded on cassette tapes, increased audiobook popularity in the mid-1970s. The 1997 release of Amazon’s Audible portable audiobook player helped spread the word even further, contributing to the popularity audiobooks enjoy today.

Audiobooks give you a prime opportunity to:

Add specific nuances to the story that are tough to relay in straight-up text.
Reach a massive and ever-growing audience.
Get people hooked on your book and, in turn, your brand.

Why You Want It

Audiobooks are one of the strongest ways to distribute your story to the world, and the market is poised to keep growing.

Audiobooks have seen a double-digit increase in sales every year for the past ten years.
Nearly 74,000 titles were recorded in 2021.
Sales are expected to escalate into a $19 billion industry by 2027.

How Voice Over Contributes to Audiobook Success

Even the greatest story in the world can bomb as an audiobook if paired with an annoying voice. Because audiobooks can be rather lengthy, selecting a pleasant voice that can keep a high level of energy, add just the right nuances, maintain a consistent pace, and retain listener interest for the long haul is imperative.

The voice over artist you select must also match the tone, style, and audience of your book. You don’t want to pair a peppy, casual voice for a dark mystery series – nor do you want to select a deep, authoritative voice for a happy little children’s book.

While AI narration is hitting the audiobook scene, you will not get the same precision or exacting emotion you can get from a real human being.

The main goal of an audiobook is to share your story so that the listener becomes hooked – or maybe even slightly addicted – to find out what happens next. An experienced voice over actor will bring high levels of quality, professionalism, and intrigue to your project to achieve exactly that.

Don’t forget to book extra time with your voice over pro to record any launch promotions you want to create for your audiobook. Having the same voice record your book and related ads reinforce consistency while giving listeners a preview of the delightful narration that’s in store.

Audio Ads

Audiobooks aren’t the only audio content enjoying a surge in popularity. Podcasts have become the market’s darlings, and even audio articles are on the rise. If more people turn to audio, you can bet more brands are turning to audio ads right along with them.

Unlike obtrusive pop-ups or other visual ads that rudely interrupt – or downright block – the information people are trying to obtain; audio ads can be blended more seamlessly into the audio tracts. Because audio advertising is familiar, listeners seem less adverse to their existence.

Nearly 50% of people who stream audio said audio ads are less disruptive than other types of advertising. And 43% said audio ads are more likely to capture their attention. Audio ads allow you to:

Tap into the expansive audience that enjoys podcasts, video games, music streaming, and other content that supports audio advertising.
Connect with your specific audience using high-precision targeting.
Reach listeners through the most personal and intimate form of media.

Why You Want It

Whether you’re aiming to create brand awareness, increase engagement, prompt direct response, or support a specific promotion, audio ads are a versatile and effective option that can reach a phenomenal amount of listeners.

Audio ads have a 91% completion rate, meaning nearly all audience members listen to the ads in their entirety
74% of internet users in the U.S. listened to digital audio in 2022, which is more than 222 million people, or two-thirds of the population
Audio remains one of the last forms of communication without ad blockers, as listeners are more accepting of audio ads than other forms.

How Voice Over Contributes to Audio Ad Success

The most effective audio ads are those that grab attention, are memorable, and can stir up emotion – three things that professional voice over actors are easily able to achieve.

Grabbing attention doesn’t simply mean being the loudest or most obnoxious. It means presenting a surprising, unique, or clever hook – in a voice that makes listeners’ ears instantly perk up. That voice needs to align with your brand’s personality and style, and it also needs to be one that listeners can easily remember.

Because audio advertising is often done with a series of ads rather than a single ad spot, you need ads that are both consistent and different. They need to be consistent with your brand yet varied enough, so the audience doesn’t think they’re listening to the same ad again and again.

A versatile voice over pro can maintain a consistent brand vibe while changing up any scenario or character. Select an artist with acting experience, and they’ll also be able to achieve the most important feat of all: making an emotional connection with your audience.

People remember any strong feelings they get while listening to an ad and are apt to remember the brand that elicited those feelings.

Short-Form Video

With a length that ranges from 10 seconds to 3 minutes, short-form video is the perfect pick for people’s declining attention spans. Most short-form videos hit about 2 minutes in length, which requires a concise, engaging, and memorable message without the fluff.

Social media platforms are a natural fit for short-form videos, although their versatility makes them work on other platforms and websites. Their versatility also gives you various options regarding the type of short-form video you want to create.

Types of short-form videos include:

Short video ads, which typically run 10 seconds or less
A single-feature video highlighting a single feature of your service or product
Product demos focusing on the benefits and features of your services or products
Educational and how-to videos, delivering knowledge or instructions
FAQs, with a short video created for each of the top questions customers ask
Behind-the-scenes videos giving a quick snapshot of the inner workings of your company
Teasers for long-form videos, upcoming events, or new products or services
Highlights of past events, with a quick recap showcasing the most memorable moments

Why You Want It

The short-form video has become less of a trend and more of a marketing staple. It’s not only become the most popular marketing tool, but it’s the most effective and known for delivering the highest ROI.

90% of marketers use short-form video plans to maintain or increase their use moving forward.
20% of marketers who have never used short-form videos are going to give it a try in 2023.
58% of audience members will watch the entire video if it’s less than a minute long, but only 24% make it to the end of videos that are more than 20 minutes long.

How Voice Over Contributes to Short-Form Video Success

With less than 3 minutes to relay your entire message, a short-form video has to be extremely precise. Precision is what professional voice over acting is all about. Voice actors are highly trained to deliver precise timing, precise pronunciation, and just the right style and tone that aligns with your message and brand.

You also need video narration that matches the type of video you’re creating. A 10-second ad requires a highly captivating and energetic voice, while an event recap needs a voice that can relay the emotion of the memorable moments.

Educational videos need voices that give an air of authority without losing the personable feel. Teasers require high levels of authentic excitement, while product demos need to mingle that excitement with a professional edge. You could spice up your FAQ videos by having the voice actor take on different characters for every question.

As noted, the short-form video doesn’t have room for any fluff. An experienced voice over artist knows how to get straight to the point, delivering narration that connects with the audience to present the message and help the video meet its goals.

Find a versatile and seasoned voice actor, and they may be able to nail the narration for all your short-form videos, regardless of the type.

A versatile, seasoned voice actor can nail the narration for short-form videos and any other project you have in your lineup. This particularly holds true if you plan to move forward with the 2023 trends of audiobooks and audio ads. Both audiobooks and audio ads rely heavily on engaging narration for the best results, and hiring a voice over pro is an excellent way to help ensure those best results unfold.

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