Business Trends in 2020 That Will Positively Impact the Voice Over Industry

Business trends and media trends for the upcoming year can help you as a voiceover actor plan and prepare to increase your business.  They will need voiceover actors more and more on specific projects and you may need to look at your demo reels and be ready to hit the New Year running.

Increasing Demand for Training Content

This includes the development of educational content from training employees to courses training their clients... E-learning.  Industries are feeling the pull to create more content to keep up with the demand of the ever-evolving workforce.

 The training videos require a lot of moving parts to synchronize, grab a hold of the learner’s attention, and achieve real learning.  A bad script can hurt the project, but the voice can make or break a project.  Which is why the demand for a professional voiceover actor is needed.

For voiceover actor training, content requires a range of styles, roles, accents, and languages.  The trained actor understands how to deliver a performance that values the brand but interprets the script to the audience and engages them. A voice that does not become distracting from the content and can convey the message clearly. Without "getting in the way" of the content.

Digital Audio Advertising

Digital audio advertising is growing rapidly as businesses are racing to place ads where people are.  This also includes podcasts, internet radio, streaming services, voice-enabled, and voice-assisted devices.  Including mobile phones, tablets and watches.

As a VO actor, this will mean that it will be important to make effective audio ads.  Training in effective commercial communication and possibly updating your commercial demos should be at the top of your list, to land these types of jobs.

Podcasts Are Even More Popular

Podcasts will continue to rise in popularity as a form of entertainment, inspiration, and educational content.  The audience in 2019 grew and it will continue to have significant increases in 2020.  51% of Americans 12 years old and up have listened to a podcast.

For the Voiceover Actor, your technical recording knowledge needs to be current.  Make sure that it showcases your editing skills on demos.  Many podcasters will need help creating intros and outros for their podcasts as more and more outsource this to get the best voice possible.  These intros and outros will need to be short, clear, concise and possibly with music and SFX added.  They will look to you as the expert to help them.

Voice Powered Apps and Devices with Sonic Branding

Sonic Branding is the strategy of using music, voice, and sound, to help reinforce brand recognition and enhance the customer experience.

Audio content is at an all-time high and voice interaction is becoming the norm.  Brands are considering their audio branding based on the rise in popularity of podcasts, streaming services, voice assistant and other audio-driven media.  This trend will not only be for large corporations, but it will also impact businesses of all sizes.  Those who do not build an audio brand will get left behind.

The human voice has huge applications for voice-first devices and apps.  The computer-generated voice is based on a voice actor. Distinct voices that match the brand’s tone is what brands will need.  Which means more job opportunities for voiceover talents.