One of the often overlooked, but integral parts of a promotional video is the Voice Over Scripts. How many words do I need? Do I need a script? How do I sync it?

A Voice Over is the audio track that goes over the video usually as a point of narration or explaining footage. If it’s an explainer video a voice over could be the advertiser explaining a process or tool or voices of characters. 

 
How long should my Voice Over Scripts be?

A recent study found that 56% of videos published are less than 2 minutes long. (Hubspot) That is the proverbial sweet spot when it comes to marketing videos. If you know your audience and you know that you are creating a longer-form video for them that will be longer, that’s great. The vast majority of viewers, however, will exit your video over time. There’s tips to avoid this, but it’s good to remember that most people are on YouTube at least for 1 hour a day, and have many videos at their disposal. 

Shooting for the 2 minute window for your videos is a good plan.

Word Count	Video Duration
75 words	30 seconds
150 words	1 minute
225 words	90 seconds
300 words	2 minutes
375	2 minutes 30 seconds
450	3 minutes
600	4 minutes

How does syncing a Voice Over work?

While this step is usually part of the production meeting that sets up your next video, I’m noting it here because most people that are just starting out don’t do voice overs in any one order. Many have an idea for a video, then create a voice over and build the video visuals around it. Another popular method (and easier when hiring people to do the Voice Over for you) is to film your entire video and add the Voice Over in Post Production. This method allows for less back and forth with your voice actor, and an overall faster process. There are merits to both methods.

How many words in 30 second voice over scripts?

75 words

How many words in 1-minute voice over scripts?

150 words

How many words in 90 second voice over scripts?

225 words

How many words in 2 minute voice over scripts?

300 words

How many words in 3 minute voice over scripts?

450 words

How many words in 4 minute voice over scripts?

600 words

Preparing a Voice Over Scripts for a Voice Actor

This could be a blog by itself, so we’ll just cover somethings quickly and go in more depth in another blog later on.

Recall, there are two popular methods — create the VoiceOver first and then build the video around OR create a video and then record a Voice Over to sync with it in Post Production. Depending on the method that you use, the details that you include for your voice talent should be in a concise script.

If you are using the video as your framework, and the Voice Over is added in Post Production, be sure to give your talent all the direction they need. One of the most important things is a timecode. This is the length of time that they must record each line. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a finished video and then have to re-edit scenes or send it back to your video editor because the voice over track is shorter or longer than the on screen content. It may also be helpful to give the voice actor direction regarding pacing, the emotion you want, and on-screen visuals. Some people also prefer to send a file of a voice that they like or a type of reading they’d prefer for this video as a sound reference.

Another way is to create the script for your client, and build the video around their reading. This works especially well with animation because it allows the animator to work the voice track into the early editing phases, sync mouth movement, etc.  Even if you just give a script of text to your voice actor or editor carte blanche, it’s usually still important to give some direction about visuals if you have them prepared. The more information you can give your talent ahead of them recording it, the happier you’ll be.

00:00:00 – 00:00:02	Looking to cash in your car?	car zooms on screen
00:00:02 – 00:00:05	Let us help with 3 easy steps	3 steps on screen
00:00:05 – 00:00:08	Fill out our online form

How to Record a Voice Over?

If you’re looking to do your own there are three blogs that will get you started:

• Get the best sound quality for your business video on a DIY Budget

• SOUND 101: Part 2: Get the Best Sound Quality From Your Laptop

Get the best sound quality from your phone