Tips for Booking E-Learning Voice Over Narrator Jobs

E-Learning is a fast and efficient way to teach courses online.  Businesses find that this is the best way to train employees and customers.  It is a huge market for voice-over narrators and can be consistent with regular work.  E-Learning also gives the opportunity for repeat voice over jobs.

What is E-Learning?

E-Learning is different from documentary narration or corporate video.  Unlike audiobook voice over jobs, E-Learning places a greater emphasis on the voice engaging the audience without being able to use character voices.  The voice-over narrator has to keep interested over a long period of time.  It is all about using personality and clarity in the voice.

Different Types of E-Learning

There are four main categories that are commonly used in E-Learning, each one has its own style and its important to understand them when discussing the videos with the potential client.

• Pure Video Narration
• Click-through / text-based (similar to a PowerPoint presentation)
• Interactive (includes additional media and interaction)
• Simulations (highly interactive)

Tips for Researching and Preparing

Listen to E-learning demos from demo producers and other voice talent.

Check out the performance styles the client has used in the past when possible.  It will give you a feel for what their preferences are. See how you can fit in.

Ideally, as a voice-over narrator, you have multiple styles that you can switch between for different jobs.  Moderately paced professional, more upbeat, quick-paced. Work on adjusting your pace and speed to what the client wants. 

Qualities that A Company Looks for in A Voice Over Narrator

In addition to liking your work or your personality, there are several factors that a company will use to make a final decision when hiring a voice-over narrator.

Voice Quality – The voice-over narration should be crisp, clear, and pleasant to listen to.  It is about the likeability of the voice.

Audio Quality – It is not easy to listen to the audio if it is full of white noise, pops, and other distractions.  Many E-Learning videos are listened to with headphones, so pristine audio quality is a necessity.

Fast Turnaround – These projects require lots of editing.  Which means the recording needs to be completed in a timely manner.  Whether you are only doing the voice-over narration or the voice and editing, it needs to be a fast turnaround.  Companies do not want to wait, be mindful of the timeline.

Audio Technical Specs – The audio file format can vary greatly.  As the voice-over narrator, you are the expert and should have the ability to recommend the best format and/or be able to set it up in the preference of the company.

Voice Over Acting is a Business

You need to think of your voice over acting as a business, not a job.  When you train your mindset to consider yourself a brand, and your voice-over narration as a service, it will help you book jobs.

Marketing is a huge part of making the connections to book the jobs. 

When looking on job boards you want to search for companies who are looking for someone who will hire, manage, and work with voice actors.  This is an indicator that they have projects in the works and will have opportunities for voice-over narrators.  Reach out to the company and ask if they happen to need voice actors.  Many times, you will find they are responsive and ready to discuss right away or put you on the list when the time comes to reach out.  You are then top of mind.