Voice over narration is a key vocal element that goes hand-in-hand with the essence of storytelling. And when it comes to telling the story of your brand, quality is not something you should skimp on. However, inexperienced directors and producers often underplay the impact that hiring a professional voice actor has in voice over narration.
Why, you ask?
Because the clout and believability of your business may well depend on it. Storytelling is also more than just relating a fable. It involves the use of acting skill, where the narrator voice has the ability to transmit feeling and emotion, bringing a story to life. This kind of vocal magic in voice over narration is priceless.
Why is voice over narration important?
Before we dive into the cost structure of voice over narration, let’s talk more about its importance. According to Cisco, online videos will account for around 82% of internet traffic in 2021. When you’re battling for recognition in a high traffic market, what you put out must deserve acknowledgment and appreciation. It should be full of meaning, creativity, and especially personality, which is where the art of voice over narration comes into play.
Just as commentators at a football game guide you through the excitement of gameplay, a voice actor has a direct impact on the engagement your message invokes in the audience. The right intonation has the power to resonate with your target audience in a way that promotes your brand and translates leads to sales.
Voice over narration is also important because it links the characters to the audience. This method of storytelling cuts out unnecessary information and appeals directly to the emotions of the audience. If the message comes directly from the narrator voice, the perspective of the story has greater significance and a more powerful impact on the audience. This means a characters incredible performance is easily interpreted by diverse viewers. In a nutshell, a voice over narration supplements the on-screen presentation.
How can a good narrator voice benefit you?
You can have a compelling storyline, an excellent script, and captivating visuals, but without a good narrator voice to tie it all together, your efforts are wasted. Essentially, a narrator’s job is to describe — or complement — the on-screen visuals. However, they do so much more than just this. They add value to your product/service by becoming its voice. And it’s this voice that eventually becomes a representation of your brand.So, if you’re on the lookout for a spectacular voice over narration, don’t stress about the cost. Instead, focus on getting the right person for the job. After all, a great narrator voice pays for itself. You can also, post a project for free on Voice123, which is a great way to find a narrator voice that has all the component of success you’re looking for. This type of voice serves as both a storyteller and an ambassador for your brand.
Voice over narration: professional vs amateur voices
Finding the right voice for your script is critical to its success, which is why experience trumps newbie. On the other hand, even voices with tons of experience on their portfolio may not be the professional type of voice over narration you’re after. Here are two ways in which you can differentiate between the experts and novices during an audition for a narrator voice. DIY is fun and cheap, but DIY for voice-over narration can be very costly in the long run. 99% of the time, Harry from Accounting may be eager, but he’s not gonna cut it.
Listen for pacing in the voice over narration
When it comes to voice over narration, pacing is critical to proper delivery. An expert narrator will know just how long of a pause to give between sentences and thoughts, ensuring the audience has just enough time to register them. Too long of a pause runs the risk of distancing the viewers’ attention from the narrator voice. Too short of a pause means that viewers are bombarded with an information overload, and not enough time to grasp the intended message. Adequate pacing in a voice over narration balances information with delivery. This methods creates a smooth path for the viewers to follow the narrator voice.
Characterization in a narrator voice is key
If you’re auditioning several voice actors, have them record different parts of the script and listen carefully to whether the actors are able to capture the essence and personality of different characterisations. Keep in mind that every script has a different feel and vibe to it, so the narrator voice you opt for must fit your project needs like a well-tailored suit. In this instance, compatibility should reign supreme. Pairing the right voice to the right voice over narration is a match well-made.
What aspects make up a voice over narration?
A professional narrator voice has three main components.
- Clarity and articulation – The storyteller must be able to relay their message in an understandable manner so the audience can register it with ease. A narrator voice that is cluttered with difficulty will not draw the audience to the character or the message.
- Authenticity – If the voice over narration sounds forced, fake and read, then you’re wasting your money on an incompetent voice actor. To be convincing, the changes in pitch and tone must be effortless at all times. The narrator voice must essentially become the character and not an impersonator. This key factor adds believability to the performance.
- Consistency – The tone, pitch, style of delivery, voice traits, and character’s persona must be consistent features throughout the voice over narration. Building consistency is essential when it comes to creating a brand image, which is vital for brand recall.
- Pacing and tone – One voice might be good for some topics but not for others. A more monotonous way of speaking might be great for narrating something calming and soothing but not for the latest action movie. So, choose a voice actor with a sense of the specific pacing and tone you want to adopt.
Final thoughts
Just how invested a narrator voice actor is can tell you whether or not they are expert voice over artists. Professional voices are most certainly worth their weight in gold even if they do come with a high price tag. All because they create scenes and add details that make for an unforgettable experience, painting pictures with their voices that draw in the masses. So, voice over narration does not have a set cost. In fact, they vary from project to project, actor to actor, and the length of the script. If you want to get a feel for acceptable pricing, you can also take a look at the Global Voice Academy’s rate guide. It has all the ins-and-outs you need in terms of voice over cost. As Voice123’s CEO Rolf Veldman points out, most pro voice actors know what they’re worth, know the market, and will only charge you a going rate. However, as a general rule, we can safely say that when it comes to voice acting, you’ll get what you pay for.
On that final note, we’d like to wish you well as you traverse the world of voice over narration. Voice123 is also a professional marketplace for experienced and highly skilled voice talent that can amplify any project. Find a narrator voice here!
FAQ’s on voice over narration
Although both terms are used interchangeably, they have specific differences. Instead of using actual characters with dialogue, voice over uses off screen voices that are not part of the narrative. On the other hand, in a voice over narration the audience hears audible commentary of a story, from either a lead character or third person character.
Voice123 is the best site to use to find an experienced and highly talented narrator voice for your project.
