How to Get the Perfect e-learning Voice-over
What to consider
Every E-learning course, regardless of topic or audience, all have one thing in common- they need to share valuable information that educates. Managing the production of an e-learning course or module can seem complicated and requires close attention to a certain set of requirements. Once you’ve made sure to avoid pitfalls in the production of your project, the most important thing still remains: the voice.
A successful e-learning voice-over grabs and holds the attention of the listener to enhance learning outcomes.
For that reason, the voice is a key component. One could argue that the voice over can actually ‘make or break’ an e-learning project. To ensure the voice-over ‘makes’ a successful e-learning course, you should consider the following:
1. Keep the script conversational
The voice-over should feel relatable and trustworthy, and not like someone is just reading the words. The more conversational the script is, the more likely it is that the e-learning course holds the attention of its listeners.
2. Ensure the terminology is correct with pronunciation guides
Most e-learning projects have unique terminology: internal, company lingo or industry-specific jargon the voice-over artist needs to hear to pronounce the word correctly.
This makes a pronunciation guide invaluable!
Consider a scenario where your voice talent can see your script, with clickable words that repeat the pronunciation on command. Not only that but if multiple projects are done with us, we remember how a word was pronounced and retain it indefinitely for future scripts. That is our Memory Bank and something we provide for you, free of charge!
3. Use experienced and professional voice talents
E-learning voice-overs set high standards for the voice talent. The talent should sound knowledgeable even though they might actually know nothing about the subject. They have to stay in character or narrate and motivate listeners for longer periods of time. They need perfect enunciation and to be able to change the mood according to the script by only using their voice. This is not something everyone can do.
Not only that but e-learning courses are often an ongoing production where there might be additions to the original course. So, rather than using a one-time voice-over source, it’s important to use experienced, reliable voice talents that can perform additions to your course over time.
4. Invest in the post-production!
Clear and high-quality audio is crucial for an e-learning voice over. It allows the listener to focus on the content rather than the quality of the sound. Often e-learning courses include dialogues between one or more characters. Without post-production, it can sound like the characters are in different locations. However, post-production can provide quality recordings that make the dialogue sound natural and credible.