Voice Over

A Guide to Finding the Best Voice Over for Corporate Training & Perfecting Your Video

By Matinée Multilingual

From choosing the right voice over for your corporate training video to perfecting the script, we’re here to help you create a successful, impactful, and effective training experience with our tips.

A corporate training video is a fantastic way to communicate with your internal team, whether you’re introducing a new product, informing the workforce on updated procedures, or aiming to improve your employees’ skills and performance.

It’s estimated that 98% of enterprises[1] believe video is valuable for improving communication and for training employees better (and more quickly), so they’re a no-brainer for many businesses.

You can either go down the animated route, or create a video using real people and scenarios. Both are effective in their own ways, depending on your industry, company culture, and specific training goals.

But the one thing that remains constant across all formats is the importance of the voice over.

How to Make a Corporate Training Video: The Key Elements

We know there are many elements involved in creating an employee training video, so we’ve created a checklist to help you make sure you’ve got everything covered (along with expert advice on how to pick that all-important voice over).

Training Video Production StepsWhat’s Involved
1. Pre-Productionunchecked Define objectives and target audience
unchecked Write a clear, structured script
unchecked Choose a format (animation, live-action, screen recording)
unchecked Plan visuals with a storyboard
2. Productionunchecked Ensure high-quality video and audio
unchecked Use a professional, engaging voice over
unchecked Add captions and subtitles for digital accessibility
3. Post-Productionunchecked Use clear on-screen text and graphics
unchecked Maintain consistent branding
unchecked Add subtle background music and sound effects
4. Delivery & Accessibilityunchecked Optimise for mobile and various devices
unchecked Include interactive elements (quizzes, resources)
unchecked Offer multiple language options if needed
5. Evaluation & Updatesunchecked Collect employee feedback
unchecked Track engagement and knowledge retention
unchecked Update content regularly

We’ll discuss each of these elements in more detail below…

eLearning Voice Overs

Live Action vs Animated Employee Training Videos

The format of your training video is incredibly important as it’s the visual end product your employees will be engaging with. Here are the benefits of each to help you decide which is right for you:

Training Video FormatBenefits
Animated Training Videos– Can easily explain complex concepts
Highly engaging and visually appealing
– Easily adaptable to different company cultures or branding
– Can be more cost-effective than live-action videos
Live Action Training Videos– Create a human connection with the audience
– Can be more effective for sensitive or emotional topics
– Showcases real-life scenarios and relatable characters, making the content easier to apply in real-life
– Great for demonstrative videos when showing a product or process
Screen Recorded Training Videos– Best for showcasing software or computer-based training
– Ideal for step-by-step tutorials
– Allows viewers to see the software in action rather than just being told about it
Can be combined with animations or voice overs for added engagement

On the whole, animated explainer or training videos are very effective, as they can take complex concepts and break them down into digestible content. They also tap into the trend for consuming video in quick, bite-size chunks.

However, live-action training videos can be great for more serious or sensitive topics that require a human touch and real-life scenarios.

Screen-recorded videos are another option, which can be good for training employees on how to use software or complete specific tasks.

How to Write a Corporate Training Video Script

After deciding on which type of video format you want to create, you’ll need to start planning and writing the script. This script will be handed to your voice artist or artists, so it’s essential it’s well-written and includes all the key information you need to get across.

For training videos introducing a new process, product, or procedure, the script should be clear, to the point, and easy to follow.

If you’re creating content to educate new employees in your team, you might want to take a more fun and engaging tone. The core information should still be covered, but you can add some interactive elements or humour to keep your employees’ attention (and remind them why they chose to work for your company!).

Safety training videos should be at the opposite end of the spectrum, and should be serious in tone. This is where live-action videos can be particularly effective, as they can show real-life scenarios and actors portraying realistic responses.

Read our guide on How to Write a Voice Over Script for our full advice and guidance on what to include, how a script should look, and more.

Selecting the Best Voice Over for Your Training Video

You’ve decided on your video format, you’ve planned your script, now you need someone to deliver that message — which is where we come in! Engagement is really the key success metric you’re measuring, and a dialogue that audibly connects with the viewer is the most effective way to do that.

A professional voice over artist can elevate your training video from good to great by taking your script and adding life, energy, emotion, and personality to it. 

Here are some key tips when selecting an artist:

  • Think about who your audience is and what tone or style they’ll respond to best. Will a friendly, conversational approach be most effective, or do you need someone with a more authoritative tone?
  • Do you need one or multiple voice artists? You may need to use more than one if you have a longer script or want to cover multiple languages.
  • Listen to demos and samples from different artists with your content team. Many minds make light work, and the more opinions you have, the better the overall decision will be.

Work with a professional voice over agency to help you source the right voice talent and manage the recording process. This will save you time and ensure a high-quality end result.

Should You Add Subtitles or Closed Captions?

Adding subtitles or captioning to your training video can provide many benefits, such as improving accessibility.

Many audiences, particularly younger adults aged 18 to 24, prefer watching video content with closed captions or subtitles. If you’re creating training videos for new employees, like apprentices, graduates or interns, they may welcome subtitles as a way to take notes and refer back to them later.

We can also help add subtitles or captions to your videos, so get in touch to learn more about this service.

german subtitling services

Localising Your Training Video for International Teams

If you’re creating content as part of a wider training program to be rolled out internationally, you’ll need to localise your video for different languages, cultures, and customs.

For example, if you’re creating a corporate training video to share with production line workers across your English, German, and Chinese factories, you’ll need to consider any language barriers or cultural differences that exist between each country. This could include…

  • Using different voice artists for each language
  • Translating the script considering length and timing of words spoken
  • Adapting visuals, graphics or animations to be more culturally relevant
  • Translating captions or subtitles for different languages and ensuring they fit in the frame

Localising your training videos means all employees receive the same high-quality content and better understand the information being presented.This is a complex process, and it’s one that’s best handled by experts. Any incorrect translations or cultural missteps can have a significant impact on the effectiveness and credibility of your training video.

commercial voice over actors

Measuring Success of Your Employee Training Video

After putting in all that great effort and careful planning, it’s important to measure the success of your training video. This will not only help you determine if it was effective in achieving its goals, but also give you insights for improvement in future content.

Here are some ways on how you can get feedback…

  • Use surveys or feedback forms to gather thoughts and opinions from employees who viewed the video. Ask them whether they found it informative, engaging, and if it helped them understand the topic better.
  • Track completion rates to see how many employees watched the entire video. This can indicate employee engagement and interest in the content.
  • Work with your HR team to monitor any changes in employee behaviour or performance related to the topic covered in the video. This can show whether the information was successfully conveyed and retained by employees.
  • Create a quiz or test based on the content covered in the video and see how well employees perform. This can help determine if the information was effectively communicated.

Conclusion: Create a Captivating Training Video Supported By a Professional Voice Over

With the popularity and effectiveness of video in employee training, it really is a great piece of media to have in your training toolbox. Combine visually appealing graphics, clear and concise information, and a professional voice over to create a powerful training video that will embed knowledge and engage your team.

Our professional voice over services can amplify the impact of your training video. Get in touch with Matinée Multilingual to learn more, or get started on your project today by filling out a Quick Quote form.

[1] https://www.vyond.com/blog/100-video-training-and-video-marketing-statistics/

FAQs

What is a Corporate Voice Over? +

A corporate voice over is a professional recording of someone’s voice used to narrate, explain, or provide information in a training video, e-learning module, presentation, or other similar content for businesses, companies, or organisations.

It essentially acts as the voice of a brand, so selecting the right one that resonates with your message and audience is paramount.

Is a Male or Female Voice Better for Corporate Videos? +

This really depends on a) your target audience and b) the tone you want to convey. Both male and female voices can be equally effective in training videos, so the choice is less about gender and more about finding the right voice that fits your content.

Read our guide on How to Choose Between Male & Female Voice Artists for our advice on picking the right one.

What Should You Say in a Training Video? +

The language in your training video script should be clear, simple, and easy for all employees to understand. It should cover the main objectives and key points of the training, while also being engaging and — in appropriate cases — entertaining.

Supplement your script with visuals that keep the attention of your viewers and help explain any complex concepts. You can also include quizzes, interactive elements, or scenarios for better retention of information.

How Do You Make Training Videos With a Voice Over? +

For animated training videos, we recommend writing the script and recording the voice over before starting any visual elements. This way, you can ensure that the voice over matches up with the visuals and make any necessary adjustments.

For live-action videos, the voice over can be added to the content after it has been filmed and edited. The script should include time codes to direct the voice actor when to speak and finish their lines.

Give us a call to discuss how we can help with your voice over requirements and provide a quote for your project.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *