As a ballooning industry, the eLearning market attracts customers through convenient online classes without the drawback of hefty college tuition. Unsurprisingly, numerous companies need to hire a voice actor for eLearning projects. Voice actors are also the best option for these videos because their vocal skills include tone variation, infection, pitch, and pace to enhance vocal quality. So, when you hire a voice actor for eLearning, your course is guaranteed to keep learners engaged and paying attention for longer. To support this, a study by the University of California recently found a strong connection between sight and sound. Study participants followed sound changes over images almost automatically, proving that sound matters, sometimes even more than images.
The benefits of voice in eLearning
Whether it’s companies showcasing quick product demos, new medical instruments, or SaaS services, eLearning is a significant go-to source of knowledge. But, in addition to content, effective scriptwriting, and marketing, companies also need to know how to hire a voice actor for eLearning and explainer videos. Voice overs will always be at the core of eLearning. Text-to-speech apps are gaining global popularity, and though they work for some industries, they still fall short of the eLearning mark.
Consider an example:
Jack Connor is attending an online marketing course to prepare him for his new promotion. He’s excited, organized, and, most of all, eager to learn. Unfortunately, the voice Jack hears in the video doesn’t connect with him. So, he logs out of his eLearning course feeling like he’s just attended a high school history class now full of information that he didn’t understand and that didn’t resonate. What are the odds that Jack would log back into his course and be motivated to complete it?
On the other hand, imagine Jack logging into an online course that’s been recorded by a professional voice actor. Can you hear it? The narrator’s voice is loud and clear. The quality is top-notch, and the performance is engaging, informative, and even entertaining. At the end of the session, Jack is happy and smiling, a potential marketing strategy already taking shape in his mind. Why? Professional voice actors set the bar for quality and results. There’s nothing quite like it.
The power of the human voice
A recent voice over trends report showed that 93% of folks who responded to an annual survey pegged the human voice as more meaningful than a robotic one—the gist: good voice acting matters. The voice of your content can make or break your product. Now, voice actors will review your content and project requirements and choose the best vocal delivery for the target audience. But voice actors are different and have unique skills and vocal nuances. You need to determine your expected outcome before you hire a voice actor for eLearning. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Hire a voice actor for eLearning with an engaging voice
eLearning videos must have straightforward content with easy-to-understand instructions. The voice actor should also be experienced with script delivery and use engaging pitch and volume inflection when speaking. Your eLearning videos will appeal more if the voice over is warm, pleasant, and friendly. Since it makes learners feel at ease and engages their attention. In short: viewers must want to listen. If your learners like your combination of voice and video material, they’ll rewatch, share, and wait with anticipation for your other videos. It’s a win-win. After the voice actor delivers a top-notch narrative that oozes vocal engagement, editing is essential. But what exactly is an engaging voice?
An engaging voice:
- does not have heavy breathing
- narrates clearly and with proper enunciation
- has no unnecessary gaps or long uncomfortable pauses
- is free from technical issues
Should you hire a voice actor for eLearning that’s male or female?
An experiment conducted by psychologists at the University of Glasgow revealed that the higher pitch of the female voice instilled more confidence in listeners than the lower-pitched male. Ultimately, the final choice depends on the audience, project expectations, and vocal audition that best suits your project. Some subjects are more compatible with a specific gender and have a natural flow. There are many variables in the eLearning video equation, so choose the voice that best delivers your end goal, regardless of gender.
Check for language proficiency
The voice actor’s pronunciation, enunciation, and syllable emphasis must be excellent. Nothing is more off-putting than listening to a speaker who mispronounces words and has the wrong cadences for a given language. The likes and dislikes of your target audience are mission-critical because they need to relate to the actor’s voice. The final analysis is that eLearning has storytelling at its core, so it needs to captivate the learners, not distract them.
Create the right brief
Sometimes, voice actors record the audio for an eLearning video in advance, and since the voice actor narrates without visuals, it’s crucial to give them a detailed project brief. A good brief will guide the voice actor’s narration style and produce an end product that’s of high quality. This is also the place to set detailed notes on how you want the overall voice over to sound, what it should portray to a listener, and a list of dos and don’ts can also be helpful.
How to hire a voice actor for eLearning on Voice123
The process of hiring a voice actor for eLearning projects can be daunting, especially when you have to cast multiple voice actors in different languages! We’ve seen the challenges first-hand and know exactly how to overcome them! Voice123 is just the creative tool you need when you’re strapped for time, juggling multiple projects, or stretched to the end of your rope. The best part is that on Voice123 – you’ve got options.
Do you already have an idea of the sound you’re looking for? Then post a project for free and get voice over auditions. They can read your custom script or send pre-recorded samples.
Are you still looking for the right sound? Get inspired by the thousands of audio samples available via our search function. Simply type the style you’re looking for, select any filters you require, and hit search!
Or do you need the full A to Z project management? If so, our project management team has got it covered. From providing you with curated voices in any language to ensuring quality control. In fact, removing inconveniences, blockers, and all-around time-consuming tasks, is what the team does best; freeing up your time, schedule, and resources! Book a free 15-minute call to share your project details, and the Voice123 team will do the rest!
Final thoughts
So – should you hire a voice actor for eLearning?
The real question is, why shouldn’t you?
A professional voice actor is exactly that – a professional. They can add the skill, talent, and experience your project needs to shine through. Ultimately, the goal of your eLearning projects is to educate and even inspire. And the right voice can accomplish that and more! So, we wish you all the best with your eLearning videos and voice overs so that your projects have the result of the famous words attributed to Leonardo da Vinci – “Learning never exhausts the mind!“
FAQ’s
You can find voice actors for eLearning videos by searching, posting a project, or using our project management voice over services. You can also pay voice actors directly or use our Voice123 Secure Payment service. To book a free 15-minute consultation click here.
Absolutely! Learn more about eLearning videos or how to take advantage of the latest eLearning trends.
