Today, voiceover localization services are in high demand since many businesses now use them to make their visual and audio content accessible to a broader market. Voiceovers have become essential in video marketing strategies by giving your video content life and emotion. But what is voiceover localization and how can you assure you’re doing it in a way that will ensure a high ROI?
Voiceovers are usually handled by a professional voice-over artist who translates a script and ensures synchronization of the new audio with the video content.
As a business owner, one of your concerns is finding the easiest ways for your audience to absorb the information you are trying to communicate. It’s often easier to hear what is being said than reading subtitles while trying to watch what’s happening on the screen.
However, if you decide to use voice-over localization for your business, make sure to use professional voice artists. Even with the best multimedia content, a bad voiceover may distract your viewers and leave a lasting, negative impact.
Generally, a voiceover will better explain some ideas in your video that are difficult to express visually. Consequently, a voice-over must be understandable and concise to attract more attention from your target audience.
The Importance of Voiceover Localization for Your Marketing Videos
Whether you create educational services, product demonstrations, or business presentations, the audio is just as important as visuals. Voiceovers enhance videos and effectively communicate the message you want to share. Videos enhanced by voiceovers do better in helping the business achieve set goals and reach more people.
Since voice-over gives your video more depth, and personality and improves storytelling, more people will relate to it. This creates a connection between your brand and the consumer and aids brand recognition.
How to Achieve High-Quality Voice Over Results
To succeed with international marketing and communication objectives, it has become essential to know how to incorporate excellent voiceovers with local appeal in your target language markets.
Here’s how:
Determine Your Voice
It’s important to consider the type of language you’re going to use in the recording process for each new market since it varies according to each region. Your audio track tone can be happy, persuasive, expert, or professional, but you must establish a tone suitable for the intended market.
Choose the Right Voice Talent for Your Spoken Word Content
The wrong voice talent can be catastrophic for localized spoken-word audio. Not only will your business fail at reaching its objectives, but it can also be embarrassing too. It’s best to work with your language service partner to determine who the best fit for your project will be.
Ask for Project Samples
If you don’t have a budget constraint, it’s best to hire voice-over artists to do a short sample of your translated script. This can help you determine if they are a good fit for your film or video content voice-over project. Alternatively, you can request samples of their work with a similar scope to your project.
Set Up Voice Talents for Each Market
Businesses with several ongoing voice-over initiatives need to work with several voice-over artists. It’s recommended to have some pre-approved talents and native speaking scriptwriters that are ready to take on any tasks.
Allow Adjustments to Your Video Content
To ensure your voice-over synchronizes with your video content, give your script translators permission to adapt the script in your target language to suit the video.
Get Familiar with the Tech Specs of Your Sound File
It’s essential to work with your technical advisor and remain in the tech loop. Get acquainted with the production format such as .wav, .mp3, or .avi and if it’s a single or multi-track audio production.
Provide a Pronunciation Guide for Recording
Perhaps one of the most essential tips is having a pronunciation guide during your voice-over localization. Some parts of your script may be challenging to transcribe, such as acronyms, and company & product names.
Set a Speaking Speed
Your dialogue director should determine the right speed of the voice-over translation for your video content. For instance, when marketing a recipe, you should use a slow and deliberate speaking speed that is concise and easy to grasp. On the other hand, a fast-paced delivery will suit a fitness product where the audio’s job is to excite viewers.
Quality Assurance
It’s crucial to let a linguistic quality assurance team from the translation and localization industry review your voice-over project before you use it publicly.
With these tips, you can get the best out of your voice-over localization and create content that resonates with your target audience.
At Day Translations we offer a wide range of voice-over localization services. Our team of professional and skilled translators, linguists, voiceover artists, and engineers are ready to localize your content.
If you have any voiceover localization questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. We’ll also help you out with a free project quote.