Professional Explainer Video Voiceovers are Ideal

The Importance of Professional Explainer Video Voiceovers

by Victoria DeAnda on April 6, 2018

The popularity of video uploading websites like YouTube and Facebook has also increased the audience for explainer videos. Many businesses use explainer videos to introduce their range of products or services, unveil a new offering, or describe a specific business process. To save on marketing expenses, business owners may opt to have one of their marketing people do the explainer video voiceovers themselves.

While this may seem practical, it is not always advisable. Someone inexperienced in voice acting could fail in terms of voice tone, clarity, and inflection. Most importantly, a marketing or sales employee may not necessarily possess what all explainer videos require — a voice that sells the brand. Voiceover professionals, on the other hand, guarantee a more polished and credible recording output. 

Audience Connection

Explainer videos seek to explain something — how a business or product works, the benefits of using a tool or service, etc. The voice acting behind the videos needs to be authentic and to establish a strong connection with the target market. Voiceover professionals understand that the right voice can draw in a bigger audience. This is why professional voice actors for business presentations and explainer vids are a necessary choice.

Accessibility

Someone from the marketing department may be the first choice as an instant voice actor, but are they really trained for the job? Many professional voice acting professionals, on the other hand, offer a wide range of their services online, making them easily accessible. After all, it’s best to leave the sales people to do the things they are better at, and to give the voiceover work to experienced professionals who understand the immense importance of flawless voice recording productions.

Explainer Video Voiceovers Can Enhance Brand Credibility 

An explainer video is essential in establishing or enhancing brand credibility. For instance, if the goal of the video is to compel viewers to purchase a luxury car, a sophisticated voice could help achieve this. An explainer video that sells cosmetics to young women works best with a youthful, flirty voice. All of this can be accomplished with the right voice actor. An experienced voice acting professional will be instrumental to a video that compels both visually and aurally.

At the end of the day, what every business needs is for the videos to persuade their viewers to take action, whether to click on a link, read about a product, or avail of a service. A video that sounds credible and convincing compels its viewers to watch it from beginning to end. And with convincing explainer video voiceovers, the goal is already half-accomplished.

 

 

protect your voiceover work online

Protect Your Voiceover Work Online: Four Helpful Tips

by Victoria DeAnda on March 29, 2018

In this time and age of the internet, voiceover work opportunities are more accessible. However, this has also exposed voiceover files to unscrupulous use and outright abuse over the Web. As a voice actor, how do you protect your voiceover work online?

In this blog, we have listed four helpful tips for online voiceover work protection:

  • Copyright

Anything that you produce as voiceover material, just like pictorial works and literary works, is protected by copyright. This means that no one has the right to use your material without your permission. In the same way, no one is allowed to imitate your work, or to modify and distribute it for public consumption, without your explicit consent.

  • Digital Watermarking

Digital watermarking is an effective way for you to protect voiceover material on the Internet. With this method, you can embed data into a digital voiceover material in order to hide information, rendering the recording incomplete. Digital watermarking also offers a way to alert you, the voice actor, in case there is an unauthorized download, or someone unknown accesses your material. Once accessed, a digitally watermarked voiceover work may also provide an automatic link that redirects listeners to you as the original owner of the recording.

  • Ask Questions

Once the voiceover recording leaves your hands, it can be difficult tracing whether it is being used rightfully or already abused unnecessarily. Prior to selling your material, make sure you ask the right questions to your client. You will want to know where they will use the voiceover work and for how long. Some clients will also opt to no longer credit the voice actor once they purchase the material. Different arrangements work for various people, so make sure you completely understand what your client is proposing to you. 

  • Know Your Responsibilities

As a voice actor, you may be susceptible to copyright lapses yourself. Be careful with impersonating the voice of popular actors or plagiarizing in your scripts. If the script is not originally yours, take time to run through it so you can inform your client of possible plagiarism and copyright issues. Remember, protecting other voice actors’ materials is just as important as safeguarding your own.

The internet has opened vast opportunities for voice actors all over the globe. But this doesn’t mean that any accessible recording should be downloaded without the owner’s consent. As a voice acting professional, you have the responsibility to protect your voiceover work online and to always be mindful about copyright infringement yourself.

 

Pros and Cons of Hiring a New Voiceover Talent

Should You Hire a New Voiceover Talent? The Pros and Cons

by Victoria DeAnda on March 23, 2018

If you’ve had voiceover work done on your videos or presentations in the past, you will know that some of the best voice actors command a steep fee for their services. This may drive you to seek a less expensive option, and one of these is getting the services of a new voiceover talent.

But is an inexperienced voice actor worth the risk? The answer ultimately boils down to one thing — what you need.

The Affordability Factor 

One clear advantage with hiring new voice talents is that they usually charge more affordable rates. Compared to a more experienced voice actor with years of experience under their belt, the newbie will reasonably charge lower rates. This is a reasonable option if you are working on a budget or if you’ve recently put up a business and you can’t afford to pay for more expensive voiceover work services.

Fortunately, many new voiceover talents bank on their impressive skills and good training. If your new voice actor has had impressive training, they may do well on their very first job. As a matter of fact, many of the popular voice actors today have had to start as an inexperienced newbie on their first hires.

The Risks in Trusting a New Voiceover Talent 

Nonetheless, going for an inexperienced voice actor comes with heavy risks. Most voiceover projects require a voice actor ready to take on the work with very little supervision. In any field or industry, nothing compensates for experience. This is the same for anyone in the voice acting field. If you pay for the services of a newbie that fails to deliver, you will then have to pay for another voice actor that hopefully does the job this time. This means overspending on something which you should have entrusted to more experienced professionals from the very start.

For sure, there are many new and talented voice actors waiting to be discovered. And when you do find them, you will have discovered a real gem. But not all of them are worthy of your time and your trust. After all, affordability in voiceover work does not always equate to cost-effectiveness in the end.

: How to Make It in the Video Game Voiceover Industry

4 Essential Tips for Video Game Voiceover Success

by Victoria DeAnda on March 16, 2018

Video games have substantially evolved in recent years, whether in terms of innovation, visuals, or narration. Due to the intricate storylines of many video games, one of their essential requirements is a good voice actor. But how do you succeed in video game voiceover work?

Here are some easy-to-follow tips on how you can make it in the voice acting industry as a voice actor for video games.

  1. Start small.

If your ultimate goal is to do video game voiceover work, you may become frustrated if you do not get relevant offers immediately. Many voice actors find voice acting for online games highly enjoyable and lucrative, but at the start they have had to take on other kinds of voiceover jobs as well. Simply put, don’t hesitate to start from the bottom.

  1. Prepare for fast-paced work.

Voice production for video games can get really busy. According to video game directors, actors need to learn how to cold read, as they could be handed lengthy scripts with very little time to prepare. If you want to join the exciting world of video game voice acting, you have to ready yourself for rapidly moving sessions as the narrative progresses from one part of the plot to the next.

  1. Know the heart and soul of a character.

According to video game production casting directors, not all voice actors have what it takes for video game narration. It is crucial that you learn how characterization works if you want to succeed in this voiceover field. Showing confidence in front of a microphone is just the basic. You need to understand the character whose voice you are conveying in order to channel convincing credibility to your audience.

  1. Be ready for multiple roles.

Don’t hesitate to try other voiceover roles apart from the character assigned to you. Many video games have a myriad of characters in their narration, which may require for you to take on more than one character voice. Try practicing cold reading more often so you can improvise on your voice acting, whenever needed. Production directors appreciate voice actors who are able to immerse themselves in a character, but they also commend versatility in any voice artist.

Clearly, the video gaming industry will see significant growth in the next few years. This also means more video game voiceover opportunities for voice performers. With the right skills, lots of practice, and a good amount of vocal flexibility, any voice actor can succeed in the video game business.

 

Documentary Voiceover Proven Success Tips and Strategies

Useful Tips in Documentary Voiceover Work Success

by Victoria DeAnda on March 8, 2018

Documentaries are one of the most effective means to tell a story through moving visual images. An essential part of documentary production, in addition to its featured topic, filmmaking style, location, and script, is its voiceover component.

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity in voice acting, a documentary voiceover project may be a good breakthrough for you.

Important Things to Remember for Documentary Voiceover Projects 

Many voice actors often find a documentary voiceover work highly challenging for the first time.

After all, it won’t be surprising for you to work with a film director who demands the highest standards when it comes to voiceover results. If you are used to commercial or radio drama voice acting, where voice emotion is allowed, making the switch to documentary-based voice acting can be daunting.

Nonetheless, there are important skills you can master to become effective in documentary voiceover or narration.

One of these is to understand the context of the documentary story and to find the appropriate voice acting style. Many documentary films tend to be informative, delivering historical, scientific, or biographical information along with moving pictures or film shots. However, this doesn’t mean that there is a one-style-fits-all formula for your voice acting performance. Certainly, a documentary about the life of Kim Kardashian will demand a narration technique that is different from a documentary voiceover on the behavior of iguanas and snakes in the wild.

Another skill is on timing. The voiceover actor should be able to match the story being narrated to the moving shots on film. This is also where a voice acting professional is expected to show “coolness under pressure”. The final voice recording sound should be natural but also well-suited to the topic or feature of the documentary.  

Collaboration and Creativity for Documentary Voiceover Success 

Documentaries are not the sole responsibility of a film director or cinematographer. It is important for you as the voiceover actor to be able to collaborate with the director and/or film producers as well.

Other than being able to read the script, you have to know what the voice acting project demands. In a documentary voiceover, moreover, creativity is also highly prized. As a way to collaborate, you can let the director or producer listen to various readings so you both come up with the best narration style.

As a voiceover narrator, you should work on both your strengths and mistakes. Through practicing and educating yourself on whichever way possible, your documentary voiceover success won’t be far behind.

 

Essential Voiceover Marketing Tips and Offline Strategies

Effective Offline Strategies for Your Voiceover Marketing Efforts

by Victoria DeAnda on March 2, 2018

In this day and time of online voiceover marketing efforts, offline marketing still brings a lot of benefits to voice acting professionals.

Whether it’s attending trade shows, giving CD samples, or participating in charitable, fund-raising events, offline marketing is still a good way to boost voice acting engagement and improve your reach within a local market niche.

Offline Voiceover Marketing Strategies You Can Try

If you are trying to establish your voiceover career both online and within a specific community, the following traditional marketing efforts can be effective.

  • Networking through events. Some of these events may include voice acting shows and product launches where the potential to meet colleagues, clients, and mentors are possible.
  • These offline marketing occasions are also perfect for you distribute your calling cards or get the names of people willing to connect with you online or offline.
  • Media giveaways. Advertisements in local radio or television are a good way to promote your skills and services as a voiceover artist. If you can’t afford a full-length advertisement, you can try distributing relevant giveaways for radio stations to give to their listeners. In exchange, the radio station may give your voice acting business some airtime by way of on-air advertising.
  • Pro bono voiceover work. A good way to connect or reconnect with your local community is to look for a cause you are passionate about. You can contribute to that cause through your voice acting skills.

This offline marketing move can be rewarding on so many levels. Not only will you make a mark as a voice artist who understands the value of giving back; you will also be indirectly promoting your talent as a mature voiceover actor.

A Combination of Online and Offline Marketing Is Best

To answer the question on whether online advertising or offline marketing is the better strategy, there is no strict answer. Offline strategies work best if you are looking to target local voiceover clients.

Nonetheless, the Internet has opened various voice acting opportunities for newbies and professionals alike. Word-of-mouth marketing is effective in traditional, offline markets as much as it is also compelling in online networks. A good strategy is to combine online and offline marketing when it comes to your voiceover career.

And if you are inclined to focus only on web-based promotions, it is best to remember the many benefits that traditional marketing can bring to your voice acting work. Like many things, balance is important, and this wisdom also applies to your marketing methods as a voiceover professional.

 

 

Top 5 E-marketing Moves to Skyrocket Your Voiceover Career

by Victoria DeAnda on February 20, 2018

Maintaining a voiceover career is never a walk in the park. Whether you are a newbie to the voice acting industry or have been at the craft for some time, staying competitive is crucial.

Fortunately, the online landscape continues to provide excellent opportunities for voiceover professionals. The right e-marketing moves can give your voiceover business enough opportunities for market grown and extensive customer reach.

The following e-marketing strategies are valuable in promoting your voice acting talent online.

Valuable E-Marketing Strategies for Your Voice Acting Career

  1. Newsletters. A well-crafted newsletter can help you bring in new clients and retain old ones. By sending regular newsletters, you are communicating your continued presence in the field. You are also promoting the versatility of the voiceover services you offer.
  1. Search marketing. If the internet is your primary source of clients, then you have to be found in the search engines. This manner of e-marketing takes into account search engine optimization, landing page optimization, PPC, and others.
  1. Online PR. This is a good way to establish online presence or introduce yourself as a budding voiceover professional. Online PR requires building relationships with the media and ensuring that you are included in the conversation. Writing press releases on new offerings can be one way to take advantage of this e-marketing method.
  1. Guest posting. If you have become a stable name in the voice acting business, you may pursue guest posting opportunities. This is a good way to network with fellow voice actors as well as to share what you know about the field and the trends that influence voiceover careers in the present time.
  1. Social media. Any voice actor can benefit from the popularity and reach of social media as an e-marketing tool. A crucial tip is not to spend too much time on social media. This might end up disrupting your work on developing new voiceover skills and not networking with the right people.

Knowing Which E-marketing Scheme Works is Crucial for Your Voiceover Career 

There is no hard and fast rule to follow when it comes to promoting your voice acting skills through e-marketing. You may find that one or two strategies bring the most optimal results or that certain strategies work best for specific voiceover customers.

The important thing is to always be on your toes and to evaluate which e-marketing tools bring the most opportunities for long-term voice acting work.

The Benefits of Pro Bono Work on Your Voice Acting Career

by Victoria DeAnda on February 8, 2018

When it comes to voiceover work, your voice — as well as your storytelling skills — is the ‘product’ you are trying to sell.

And while it is true that every step you make in your voice acting business should bring in monetary returns, investing in pro bono work is also a good way to polish the brand you are trying to sell.

Pro Bono Efforts as a Good Way to Introduce Your Voice Acting Skills

Although pro bono work is often considered as services rendered for free, it doesn’t necessarily equate to a fruitless endeavor.

In fact, if you are just starting out in the industry, you might want to consider giving voice acting services free of charge to schools, universities, radio stations, and events. This is an effective way to showcase your talent and versatility. Pro bono work also expands your immediate network and introduces you to potential voice over clients.

And yet, it is not only the voice acting newbies who are known to deliver free narration and voiceover performances. Many established voice actors have been giving back to their favorite charities by offering their voice talents for no cost at all. Some of the organizations that have been at the receiving end of pro bono voice over services are Kenya Red Cross, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, and Fairfield Earth Day, to name a few.

Getting More Than Just Monetary Rewards from Pro Bono Voiceovers

When planning to do pro bono voice over work for the first time, a good suggestion is to search for companies or schools that may be in need of such an initiative.

You can also initiate storytelling activities for school events or deliver voice acting performances for children’s parties held in hospitals and orphanages. Even if the monetary returns from your voice over efforts do not happen at once, what you will have instead is a rewarding and learning experience to take home with you.

Choosing Wisely the Pro Bono Voiceover Work for You

Although many charitable voice acting works are worth your while, you also have to make sure that you don’t feel shortchanged in the process. Choose only the causes that you are passionate about. It also pays to know who the people are behind the pro bono voiceover event.

In the end, a pro bono effort will always benefit your voice acting career, but only if it’s with a project you believe in.

How to Succeed in Medical Industry Voice Over Work

by Victoria DeAnda on February 2, 2018

Do you have a knack for pronouncing fifty-cent words, and a talent for explaining complex concepts in a clear, calm way without getting tripped up over your own words? If you thrive with a script where it looks like someone needs to buy a vowel, you could have what it takes to succeed in medical industry voice over work.

There is no single path to success as a medical voice actor. As a voice-over artist, you’ll need to seek out options that work best for you and your career. Whether you pursue voice work as a hobby or as your full-time career, the medical industry is a great place to find lucrative voice work. Many voice actors find work providing narration for medical industry video content.

Finding voice work in the medical industry isn’t too difficult – there is plenty of work available for artists who aren’t easily tripped up by complex medical terminology, and it isn’t necessary for the content to make sense to you – as long as it sounds like it does! Here are our tips for finding medical industry voice work.

  1. Start by asking local doctor’s offices and hospitals about visiting their A/V department. They probably have a large library of training videos. These are the sort of videos you’ll be providing voice over and narration for in the medical field. As you peruse the video, take a note of the production companies that produce them. You can either check the video box itself or ask the A/V department staff for the information. A little online research should lead you to the companies rather easily.
  2. Internet searches can also yield plenty of results. By searching for production companies and video studios who produce medical content, either look for a page seeking talent or simply find a contact page and reach out.
  3. Check magazines and periodicals for medical marketing fields. These publications often list advertising agencies which work within the medical industry.
  4. Search industry journals and online directories for medical service organizations. These companies often provide medical records services, but also frequently need medical narrators and voice artists.
  5. Visit your local library, and look for audiobooks and videos related to the medical industry. Just like in the medical A/V department, find out the production company, and reach out.

Before long, you’ll be on your way to plenty of lucrative projects doing medical industry voice over work. Best of luck to you!

 

The Fundamentals of Recording a Voice Acting Demo

by Victoria DeAnda on January 19, 2018

If you are an aspiring voice actor, the very first thing you need to put out there is your voice acting demo. In effect, your demo reel serves as your resume and calling card rolled into one. This means a demo can set you off on the right track or veer you away from potential success.

Listed below are some of the fundamentals of voice demo recording, so you’ll know what to remember the minute you decide to seriously start on your voiceover career. 

  1. Do your research and study in advance.

This research will involve listening to samples, choosing the genre you may want to focus on, and even preparing your pocket for the costs involved in recording a voice acting demo. You may want to train with professionals first before you actually start recording. And if you don’t have the tools at home, it may be best to consider getting professional recording services.

  1. Determine how long your voiceover demo will be.

Potential clients and companies may not always have long attention spans to listen fully to a very long demo, but you still need your recording to be long enough for ample appreciation and evaluation. According to industry experts, the ideal length of a commercial demo is between 60 and 90 seconds. A narration demo can run for as long as 5 minutes.

  1. Specialize on a genre per demo.

To save on time and expenses, you may be tempted to do a montage voice acting demo. This squeezes in a collation of various reads in one demo recording. Although this can be one way to show voice versatility, it can also deter a prospective client from focusing on the quality of your reads or the genre you are best at. It is recommended that you record short demos with specialized genres, unless a client requests that you do a montage instead.

  1. Prepare a good voiceover script.

Any recording will require a good narrative, and this is where the importance of a well-prepared script comes in. You wouldn’t want your listeners and would-be clients to be distracted from the real quality of your voiceover abilities by just a mediocre script. Take time in writing a script, one that highlights what you can do instead of what you cannot.

Like any job or career, successful voice acting does not thrive on shortcuts. And your voiceover career will begin with your voice acting demo. This is how clients will mark your first impression with them. By keeping in mind these essentials, there’s no reason why your first demo should not take you to the top of the voiceover career ladder, soon!