Announcement Voice Overs: Industry-Specific Solutions for Every Setting

A Public Announcement (PA) voice over really has one primary objective: to communicate a message effectively, clearly, and professionally to the public.

There are many different settings where announcement voice overs are used, and each one requires a specific approach to effectively convey the intended message – from informing passengers at a train station about delayed schedules, directing football fans in a stadium at the end of a match, or reminding conference attendees that their session is about to begin.

Public announcements are greatly beneficial in helping your event or business run smoothly and efficiently, too. They can help improve customer or employee experience, reduce confusion and frustration, and create a professional atmosphere.

So how do you choose the right announcement voice over for your industry? Let’s take a look at some common settings and the types of voices that are best suited for them.

Why It’s Important to Choose a Good Announcement Voice Over

The role of an announcement voice is an important one. It needs to convey authority, direction, and clarity while also being somewhat pleasing to the ear so that people listen and take action.

The voice used in the London Underground, for example, is one of the most widely recognised announcer voices in the world. The calm and composed tone of this female voice, known as “Mind the Gap” voice, helps passengers pay attention and follow instructions to stay safe.

In contrast, a friendly, energetic voice may be more suitable for announcements in a theme park, as it can help create an upbeat and exciting atmosphere.

For settings where visitors are likely to be from multiple language backgrounds, a multilingual announcement voice over can also be incredibly beneficial. For example, in a French airport, having the same message delivered in both French and English can help ensure all passengers receive important information.

Where Announcement Voice Overs Are Used (& The Best Voice Type for Each)

Announcement voice overs can be used in any scenario or setting where information needs to be communicated to large groups of people. Train stations, airports, tram systems, theme parks, stadiums, shopping centres, and business environments are just a few examples.

The audience and their expectations in each of these settings will be different, too. Professional businessmen and women attending a finance trade show will respond differently to a young family at a theme park, for example.

Here are some examples of the types of voices that work well in different settings:

Public Transport Settings

Airports are one of the most common places where announcement voice overs are used, but they’re not the only one. Train stations, tram systems, and bus stations all use announcement voices to communicate schedules, delays, and safety information to passengers.

The best voice for these settings is one that is clear, authoritative, and easy to understand.

You’ll also want to consider accent and how easily understood it is for your audience. A neutral accent, like Received Pronunciation (RP) or an American accent, may be preferred in international transport hubs to ensure clarity for all passenger announcement voice overs.

There will be a vast range of ages, nationalities, and backgrounds in these settings, so it’s important to choose a voice that can cater to all.

Delivering the message in multiple languages may also be necessary in some public transport settings, particularly airports where people are headed to and arriving from all over the world. In these cases, casting multiple voice artists will be necessary.

Sport Stadiums & Live Events

There are different scenarios in which announcements are used in sports stadiums or live event arenas, such as delivering safety information, telling people how to exit at the end of the game, or advertising merchandise or upcoming events. The voice over for these announcements should match the tone and purpose of the announcement.

For example, safety announcements should have a clear and authoritative voice to command attention and ensure everyone understands important instructions.There can be a lot of chaos in large sporting events, so having a voice that can cut through the noise and deliver important messages in a direct manner is crucial.

We tend to listen better to male voices when it comes to authoritative messages.

A study carried out at the National Library of Medicine discovered that people perceive lower-pitched male voices “to be stronger and more competent, attributes that are probably correlated with perceptions of leadership capacity”, so this may be worth considering when choosing a voice for sports venues.

On the other hand, entertainment announcements, such as advertising refreshments at halftime or promoting upcoming music events, should have a more energetic and engaging voice.

It’s thought that we perceive female voices as being more persuasive and engaging, so a female voice artist could be an effective choice here.

Healthcare Settings

Healthcare settings encompass a wide range of environments, from hospitals and clinics to pharmacies and nursing homes. 

In each of these settings, announcements are used to provide important information and instructions to patients, visitors, and staff — people may be feeling anxious or vulnerable in these environments, so having a voice that can soothe and comfort is important.

Female voice overs are preferred for delivering soothing and comforting messages, so are a good choice for healthcare settings.

Accent is another important consideration to further ensure clarity and understanding of important medical information. While Welsh is considered the most calming regional UK accent, it might not be the most practical in terms of understanding for a diverse audience. In which case, RP could be a good choice.

Hospitality & Tourism Industry

In the hospitality and tourism industry, announcement voices are used to welcome guests, provide directions, advertise special offers, and more. These settings require a voice that can convey warmth, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

A warm and welcoming tone is important as it sets the mood and tone, making guests feel comfortable and at ease. This could include a ‘local’ natural-sounding voice or a regional accent if the setting is known for it.

Using multiple voice artists to offer a range of languages is also highly beneficial in this industry, as it can cater to a diverse group of guests and enhance their experience.

For promotional announcements or tours, an enthusiastic and engaging voice is necessary to capture the attention of potential customers. It’s important for the voice over artist to be able to convey excitement and make the listener want to learn more or book a reservation. This could be achieved through intonation, energy, and pacing.

Additionally, having a voice that can accurately pronounce local names and landmarks can add an extra level of authenticity and credibility to promotional announcements in the tourism industry.

Listen to this example of a Russian-accented English voice over we produced for Expedia’s St. Petersburg Vacation Travel Guide video:

Industrial or Manufacturing Settings

In industrial or manufacturing settings, announcements are used for safety protocols, operations instructions, and general communication. These are some of the most important announcements, as they concern the safety and productivity of the workplace, so the stakes are higher.

A mature male voice with a deep and authoritative tone is often preferred in these settings, as it conveys a sense of knowledge and experience. While it might seem like a stereotype, we have preconceived notions about what an authoritative voice should sound like, so using a male voice can help establish credibility.

Are Human or AI Voices Better for Public Announcements?

AI voice overs have been rising in popularity across many industries, and, in some scenarios, they can be a good choice. But when it comes to public announcements, here’s what we think on the matter…

Where to Find the Best Announcement Voice Over for Your Industry

When it comes to finding the best announcement voice over for your industry, it’s important to consider not only the qualities of the voice itself but also the context in which it’ll be used. Whether you’re looking for a welcoming voice for a hotel or a commanding voice for a safety annoucement, Matinée can help you find the perfect voice for your needs.

We have a wide selection of professional voice over artists that specialise in various industries and styles, and our team will work with you to ensure your announcements are delivered with the right tone and impact.

We can recommend the best voice based on your specific requirements, taking out the guesswork and delivering only the highest-quality voice over recordings.

Contact us today or fill out a Quick Quote form to get started on your project today.

FAQs

What is a Public Announcement (PA) System? + –

A Public Announcement (PA) system is a communication system used in public spaces, such as schools, airports, venues, and more. It allows for information or instructions to be broadcast to a large group of people at once.

How Do I Choose the Right Voice for My Announcements? + –

When choosing a voice for your announcements, it’s important to consider the industry and setting in which they will be used. Factors such as tone, accent, and language abilities should also be taken into consideration to ensure the best fit for your needs.

Can I Use an AI Voice for My Public Services Announcements? + –

While AI voices can be a good choice in some scenarios, using a human voice for public announcements is often preferred. Human voices have more emotion and can better convey the intended message and tone.

How Do I Find the Best Voice Over Artist for My Industry? + –

To find the best voice over artist for your industry, it’s important to work with a reputable agency that has a wide selection of professional voices and experience in matching voices to specific industries and contexts.

Contact Matinée today to get started on finding the perfect voice for your announcements.

How Much Do Customer Announcement Voice Overs Cost? + –

The cost of customer announcement voice overs can vary depending on factors such as chosen voice talent, script length, and usage rights. Our rates ensure you get the best quality for your budget, and we are happy to provide a custom quote for your specific project. Contact us today to get started.