Discover everything you need to know about voice over services, from finding the right talent to optimizing your recordings.

Voice over services: a simple actionable guide

Voice over services have become an increasingly popular solution for businesses, content creators, and individuals looking to add a professional and engaging touch to their projects. In this article, we’ll explore what a voice over is, the benefits of using a voice over, how to find and hire the best voice actors, and the most popular voice over services available today.

What is a voice over?

A voice over is a technique used in filmmaking, video production, and other multimedia productions, where a voice actor narrates or provides a spoken commentary on a video or audio clip. This technique is commonly used in television commercials, documentaries, e-learning courses, audiobooks, and explainer videos, among other media formats.

How it works

A voice over typically involves recording a voice artist’s narration or commentary that is synchronized with a visual medium, such as a video, film, or animation. The professional voice actor may record their lines in a professional recording studio or from their own home studio using a microphone and audio software. The speech is then edited and mixed with the visual component to create quality audio that effectively communicates the intended message. Voice over work can be found in various industries such as advertising, film, television, and e-learning. It requires skill in vocal delivery, timing, and pacing, as well as the ability to interpret and convey the desired message.

Benefits of using a voice over

Using a voice over in your project, whether it’s a podcast or video content, has many benefits, including adding a professional touch, enhancing the overall quality of the content, improving engagement with the audience, and helping to convey your message more effectively. Voice overs are also cost-effective and save time, as you can record the audio separately from the visual content.

How to get a voice over

A professional voice over artist can bring your project to life with their skills and expertise. But how does it work? First, you need to find the right voice talent for your project. You can start by searching for voice over talent online or working with a voice over services company. Once you find the right voice, you can work with them to ensure your project meets your needs. This includes everything from audio production to dubbing and transcription of audio files. With the help of voice recording and post-production, you can create a broadcast-quality voice over that’s sure to impress. Whether you need a good voice, a great voice, or native speakers, professional voice over services can help you achieve your goals.

Qualities of the best voice over

The best voice overs should have a clear, articulate, and engaging voice. They should be able to convey the right tone and emotion for your project and have a natural-sounding voice that captures the attention of your audience. They should also be professional, reliable, and able to deliver high-quality recordings on time.

How to find a voice actor

To find a professional voice actor, you can browse through online marketplaces such as Voices.com, Voice123.com, or Fiverr.com. These websites allow you to search for voice actors based on their age, gender, accent, language, and voice type. You can also listen to their voice samples and read reviews from previous clients to determine if they are the right fit for your project.

Average voice over costs

The cost of a voice over can vary depending on the project’s length, the voice actor’s experience, and the service provider. On average, a professional voice over can cost between $200 and $1000 per project. Online voice over services often charge per word or per minute, with prices ranging from $0.10 to $2 per word or $50 to $500 per minute.

Most popular voice over services

Some of the most popular voice over services include Voices.com, Voice123.com, Upwork.com and Fiverr.com. These platforms offer a wide selection of voice actors, easy-to-use interfaces, and secure payment options. They also provide additional features such as editing, mixing, and post-production services to ensure that your voice over sounds professional and polished.

Different types of voice overs

There are many types of voice overs, including commercial voice overs for TV commercials, radio ads, and online ads; eLearning voice overs for educational content; audiobook voice overs for narration; explainer video voice overs for product demos and tutorials; and video game voice overs for character dialogue and narration. Whether you're planning your next project or just curious, understanding these services can be quite helpful. Here are some examples:

Commercial voice over

When you watch a TV commercial or hear one on the radio, there's often a voice telling you about a product or service. This is called a commercial voice over. Professional voice over artists, skilled in voice acting, use their talents to make the ad interesting and memorable. They want you to remember the product and maybe even buy it. So, they use their voice in a way that grabs your attention. Often, these voice over artists might be the native voice of a region, ensuring the message resonates with the local audience.

Narration voice over

Have you ever heard a voice when you're listening to an audiobook, watching a documentary, or even when there are subtitles in a movie? That's a narration voice over. Some voice over actors, who have been doing this for a long time, use their voice to tell you the story or give you information. They help you feel the story's emotions and keep you interested.

Character voice over

When you're playing video games or watching cartoons, you hear different characters talking. That's because of character voice over services. Voice over actors make sure these characters sound just right. They make a brave hero sound brave or a funny friend sound funny. Their voices help you believe in the characters.

IVR voice over

Have you ever called a company and a voice tells you things like "Press 1 for help"? That voice is doing an IVR voice over. A professional voice over artist records these voices to help you when you call. They guide you, so you know which buttons to press. They sound clear and friendly, making it easy for you to get what you need from the call.

The future of voice over services

As technology continues to advance, so does the voice over industry. Let's take a glimpse into the future and explore the trends shaping this dynamic field.

Technological advancements in the voice over industry

Advancements in artificial intelligence and natural language processing are revolutionizing the voice over industry. Text-to-speech algorithms are becoming increasingly accurate, providing an alternative solution for automated voice recordings. However, the human touch and emotional connection offered by professional voice artists are likely to remain in high demand.

Trends shaping the voice over industry

Emerging trends, such as the rise in podcasting, the growth of e-learning platforms, and the increasing popularity of audio content, are expected to fuel the demand for voice over services. The ability of professional voice over artists to captivate and engage listeners will continue to play a vital role in these evolving mediums.

Use Speechify Voice Over Studio

When it comes to voice over projects, time and quality are of the essence. With Speechify Voice Over Studio, you can save both. With over 200 realistic, versatile voice options, you can find the perfect voice to narrate your project in any of the 20 languages and accents available, including but not limited to English, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish, as well as male and female voice options. Not only that, but you have complete control over the final product. You can customize the speed, tone, and even add natural pauses between words to achieve the perfect delivery. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can add background music to enhance the overall experience. Whether you’re a content creator, educator or need to create internal communications, Speechify is the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s easy to use, simply upload or type your script and get started. But don’t take our word for it, try it for free and see the difference for yourself. With Speechify Voice Over Studio, you’ll save time and money while achieving professional-quality results.

FAQ

How do I get studio quality voice overs?

Try Speechify Voice Over studio for AI-generated high-quality voice overs.

How much does a 2 minute voice over cost?

For a 2-minute voice over, the final cost will depend on the number of words in the script, the number of revisions required, and the usage rights needed. A simple voice over project with non-exclusive usage rights can cost around $200 to $500. However, if the recording is intended for broadcast or if it requires a complex production process, the cost may be significantly higher.

Are voice overs only for entertainment, like movies or games?

No, voice overs are used in many places! Besides movies and games, they're in educational videos, phone systems, and even some apps to guide users.