Guide to Writing Effective Voice Over Scripts

What is a Voice Over Script?A voice-over script is a written text that a voice actor or voiceover artist reads out loud for various media types. It could...

What is a Voice Over Script?

A voice-over script is a written text that a voice actor or voiceover artist reads out loud for various media types. It could be for e-learning courses, podcast introductions, video game characters, explainer videos, audiobooks, and even for professional commercials. The voice-over script is essential to convey the right message to the target audience and guide the voice talent on how to bring the story or message to life.

How do You Write a Voiceover in a Script?

Writing a voice-over script involves more than just creating dialogue. It's about crafting a conversation, using transitions, and adding in time codes for perfect synchronization with on-screen visuals. Here are a few steps to guide you through the process:

1. Define Your Target Audience: It's essential to know who your demographic is to cater to their interests, needs, and language styles.
2. Write a Voice-Over Brief: A voice-over brief serves as a roadmap for the voice actor. It should outline the voice's desired style (e.g., conversational tone, professional voice, etc.), the objective of the voiceover, and any specific pronunciation or emphasis points.
3. Write in Active Voice: A good voiceover script uses the active voice instead of the passive voice, making it more engaging and direct.
4. Use Short Sentences: Shorter sentences are easier to deliver and comprehend than long sentences. Also, incorporate commas and whitespace for pacing and clarity.
5. Consider Word Count and Timing: An approximate guide is that 150-160 words in a script equate to about one minute of speaking time.
6. Storyboard: A storyboard can help visualize the voiceover alongside on-screen content. It's especially useful in video scriptwriting and filmmaking.
7. Feedback and Revisions: Lastly, scriptwriting is an iterative process. Get feedback, revise, and polish until you have a great voice over script.

What is the Purpose of a Voice-Over?

A voice-over adds a professional touch to your content, making it more engaging and immersive. It brings life to your storyboard, shapes the tone of your message, and communicates directly to your audience, enhancing the overall experience whether it's in an e-learning module or a LinkedIn promotional video.

Voiceover Script and Voice-Over Brief: What's the Difference?

While a voiceover script details the exact words to be spoken, a voice-over brief sets the direction for how the script should be performed. The brief provides context, outlining the script's purpose, style, and target audience, while the script itself is the written material to be read aloud.

Basic Components of a Voice-Over Script

The primary components of a voice-over script include the following:

• Introduction: The introduction grabs the audience’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the script.
• Body: The body carries the main message or story.
• Call to Action: In commercial voiceover scripts, a call to action prompts the audience to take a specific action.
• Transitions: Smooth transitions link different sections of the script together.
• Time Codes: In video scripts, time codes guide the synchronization of the voice-over with visual elements.

Voiceover Script Examples

The internet is rife with sample scripts and free voice over scripts that can serve as a script template for your work. You can find examples suited for explainer videos, podcasts, or commercial voice-overs to inspire your scriptwriting process.

How to Write a Voice-Over Brief

A voice-over brief provides guidance to the voiceover artist about how the script should be read and what emotion or message it should convey. Here are steps to create a comprehensive voice-over brief:

1. Identify the Project's Purpose: What do you intend to achieve with this voice-over? Is it for an explainer video, a commercial, or an audiobook? Clearly define your objective as it sets the tone for the rest of the brief.
2. Define Your Target Audience: Understand who you are speaking to. Consider demographic factors like age, gender, and location, as well as psychographic factors like interests, attitudes, and behaviors.
3. Describe the Desired Tone and Style: Should the voice-over be professional, conversational, enthusiastic, or authoritative? This helps the voice artist know how to deliver the script.
4. Provide Context: Share information about where the voice-over will be used (website, social media, podcast, etc.) and any background details that would help the voice artist better understand the project.
5. Voice Actor Preference: Specify if you have a preference for gender, age, accent, or any other specific characteristic in the voice artist.
6. Timeline: Include the deadline for the voice-over to ensure it aligns with your project's schedule.
7. Budget: If possible, share your budget. This will help in sourcing the right talent within your budget range.

How to Write an Effective Voice-Over

Creating an effective voice-over is a crucial part of scriptwriting that requires creativity and a deep understanding of the project's needs. Here are some steps to write an effective voice-over:

1. Understand Your Audience: Use a language and tone that resonates with your target demographic.
2. Be Clear and Concise: Keep your sentences short and simple for better comprehension. Avoid jargon and complex words unless necessary.
3. Use Active Voice: Active voice makes your script sound more engaging and lively.
4. Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than telling the audience how they should feel, use words that evoke those feelings.
5. Time Your Script: Read your script aloud and time it. Make sure it aligns with your video length or designated time slot.
6. Use Natural Language: Write as if you’re speaking to someone in a conversation. This makes the voice-over sound more human and relatable.
7. Provide Direction: Indicate where you want pauses, changes in tone, emphasis on certain words, etc. This helps the voice artist deliver the script as envisioned.
8. Revise and Polish: Review your script, get feedback, make necessary edits, and polish it until it is as good as it can be.

Remember, the key to a great voice-over is practice and revision. It's about creating a connection with your audience through a voice, and every word counts. So, take your time to craft an engaging and effective voice-over.

Top 8 Voice-Over Software or Apps

1. Speechify Voice Over: Speechify Voice Over is an AI app that works in your browser. Once you write your script, you can simply import it and then convert it into a voice over within minutes.
2. Audacity: A free, open-source, cross-platform audio software perfect for beginners.
3. Adobe Audition: A comprehensive toolset for recording, editing, and producing professional-grade audio content.
4. GarageBand: Ideal for Mac users, offering a full suite of recording and editing tools.
5. Logic Pro X: An advanced version of GarageBand for professional audio production.
6. Pro Tools: The industry standard for professional audio recording and editing.
7. TwistedWave: An audio editor available as a web app, great for quick edits and mastering.
8. WavePad: A full-featured professional audio and music editor for Windows and Mac.
9. Avid Sibelius | Ultimate: Known for music notation, it also offers excellent voiceover recording features.

Whether you're a seasoned voiceover artist, venturing into voice acting, or simply looking to write a better video script, mastering the art of writing a good voiceover script can make all the difference. Remember, practice makes perfect.