When deciding on the need for a voice-over recording by a professional, it is important to first determine the purpose of the recording and what it will be used for. Are we interested in an informational and introductory recording (e.g., a tutorial, audio guide, or training), or are we interested in a welcome recording that redirects to the appropriate person and specific department in the company (e.g., an IVR telephone announcement)? Are we the author of a book and need to promote it further and turn it into an audiobook, or perhaps the voice-over recording is to be a corporate narrative describing the company’s activities, outlining its audio image – putting into words its services, offers, and most important achievements, both past and future? Or maybe the voice of a voice-over artist is needed to record a quick advertising spot to be broadcast on radio or TV?
To place an order for a voice-over recording, you need to specify the type of recording and its purpose. Below, I will try to list all the possible types and uses of voice-over recordings. If you do not have sufficient knowledge, you may be wondering how to use such a recording, or perhaps you are just looking around for the right voice. Below are various forms and fields of use for voice-over recordings that will help you make your choice.
Voice recordings for radio and television commercials (usually full spots with an average length of 30-45 seconds), but there are also shorter forms, usually 15-second halves.
Sponsor recordings, billboards – you probably often hear on the radio and TV that the sponsor of the program/weather forecast is/was or that “the program is/was hosted by.” These forms usually do not exceed 10 seconds, although the most popular ones are even shorter, lasting 6-8 seconds. Airtime on radio and TV is precious, and often costs a fortune.
Internet advertising – as in the case of radio and TV – the internet has its own rules, internet advertising campaigns are a lower-cost option, but they can be targeted specifically to a much more precise, often narrower audience. In terms of time, as in the case of TV, voice-over recordings for the internet also have their own specific time frames.
Training recordings, tutorials, e-learning, informational recordings – most often long forms, sometimes requiring several or more hours of intensive reading.
IVR telephone announcements – i.e., an appropriate greeting, call forwarding, and allowing the user to make a selection – up to a certain point without the involvement of a switchboard operator. Announcements for the switchboard must be recorded in a professional, substantive, and very factual manner, as in many cases this is the contractor’s first contact with your company. However, we often still encounter amateur recordings or, worse, recordings made using AI TTS – “wooden” speech synthesizers – in both cases, the recordings mangle the Polish language, but also irritate potential contractors, who are forced to listen to them.
Audiobook narrations – a special form of recording, quite time-consuming and labor-intensive. Here, the sound of the book must reflect the spirit and message of the genre in question, although sometimes we have audiobooks of a business, technical, or automotive nature – in which case, a factual message is what counts.
Dubbing, character narration, acting in films or cartoons – a special form that requires artistic and acting skills, most often broadcast on television or the internet.
Recordings for mobile advertisements, played from a moving platform (tow truck, trailer, car) traveling anywhere – mainly large urban housing estates and populated areas.
