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From Overlooked to In-Demand:
The Rise of eLearning Voiceover
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By Terri Nicole, September 15, 2024
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When it comes to voiceover, the eLearning genre simply doesn’t get its proper due. However, when you consider that the eLearning industry, whose market value in 2023 was $122 billion in the US alone, you can start to glean why making this genre one of your income streams, definitely deserves a closer look.
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Reasons for Overlooking eLearning Voiceover
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Why does this genre get overlooked? Well, to be frank, there are other genres which naturally grab the excitement and attention of voice actors, with video games and animation being chief among them. By comparison, voicing a module on “Pump Repair and Maintenance” may sound like a drag. I get it.
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Another reason for overlooking eLearning is that the teaching field in general is not as highly esteemed in America as it is in other places around the world. Recall the adage – “Those who can, do. Those that can’t, teach,” insinuating that teaching is for the unskilled, those who can’t cut it in other fields and have no other choice. It’s as insulting as it is ignorant. 89% of teachers say that their profession deserves more respect. These attitudes certainly have crept their way into our field when it comes to eLearning VO.
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But make no mistake, savvy voice talents realize that among the 3-dozen subgenres in the voice over field, eLearning can form a basis from which to build your voice over business and be a consistent source of income to fuel your family goals and VO dreams.
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Becoming Irresistible
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The best way to realize your earning potential in this genre, is becoming irresistible to the buyers. Unlike other VO genres, eLearning has a different set of decision-makers. Instead of agents and casting directors, it’s the project managers and instructional designers (IDs) who hire voice actors to help them to produce high-quality eLearning. Getting to know what these buyers want and need to make their projects soar is key.
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences
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Enter the Voice Arts Awards Here
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Instructional Designers Need and Value You
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In a collection of responses from IDs that includes surveys and interviews, it is clear that they value the contributions of voice actors to give voice to their courses. One respondent stated that voice actors: “…help the learners connect with the information, increase engagement, and leverage Mayer’s 12 Principles OF Multimedia Learning for more instructive learning” Another instructional designers confirmed that a skillful voice actor, “Can make or break the course.”
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The Levels of eLearning
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Corporations, schools and government entities all use eLearning to a great degree to upskill staff, students, executives, and the public. However, the budget and quality of eLearning can vary greatly. One hour of eLearning can cost as little as $2,500 to develop or as much as $30,000. As you might imagine, not all eLearning developers operate at the highest level. One may be looking down the hall for someone already on staff to record a voice over, or even use AI, whereas a company who stakes their reputation on high quality eLearning is looking for a highly skilled and engaging voice actor to elevate their projects.
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For you, that means doing a thorough evaluation of potential eLearning clients can pay off. Visit their websites, LinkedIn pages and look for evidence that they produce high quality eLearning. Look for the words, tailored, bespoke and customized as a shortcut.
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Excellent eLearning Voiceover is A Craft
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It is not uncommon for voice actors to make the assumption that all they need to land and keep eLearning clients is to be “fast” and “reliable.” While those are critical qualities for any freelancer to have, this approach overlooks the need to set yourself apart by being good. And to be good, you need to understand that voicing eLearning is, in fact, a craft, with concrete skills that are specific to helping the learner to engage and grow.
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences:
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KEYS TO THE CRAFT
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While there are a dozen or so eLearning-specific voiceover skills, here are three based on what instructional designer say they most look for in voice actors:
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1. “Talk with and not at my learners.”
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The tendency to posture above the learning, talking as the “sage on stage” who knows it all, can be hard to resist. Instead, aim to make your eLearning delivery a dialogue with the learner. You can achieve this by seeing yourself sitting alongside your learner and sharing vital information they need in a helpful way. Know that your learner is busy and time-strapped and that in addition to making the learning objectives clear, your job is to help make the learning motivational, memorable and meaningful and help them to feel supported as they complete the module.
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2. “Flat, dull deliveries make me not rehire a voice actor.”
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Being interested is interesting. When we are sincerely curious, explorative and interested in the material itself, it invites our listener to be interested as well. When we approach eLearning as dry, flat and something to “get through” we lose our listeners, and possibly our clients. Remember, the developer of an eLearning module only wins when the voice actor helps the learner to stay with the material and be able to demonstrate growth.
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3. “I don’t tend to use voice actors who don’t have range.”
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eLearning requires voice acting. IDs and project managers may have a plethora of projects they work on for different audiences, such as nurses, first-generation college students, machine operators, C-suite executives, etc. Make sure you are demonstrating that you have range. You can accomplish this in an audition or sample by sending three different eNarrator personas of the same 1-minute script. Remember also that there are scenarios, or mini skits, within eLearning where your acting skills are essential.
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Though this list of eLearning specific voiceover skills isn’t exhaustive, it will give you a good start to elevating your value to eLearning developers in setting yourself apart.
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Whether you stay in eLearning for life, are passing through as a means to pay for your ongoing training and equipment as you build your business, or just love using your voice to uplift and teach others, this genre has the potential to be a game changer for your career.
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By recognizing, practicing and perfecting this unique craft, you can position yourself as an indispensable part of an instructional team realizing consistent income.
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*Richard Mayer’s multimedia learning theory is a must-read for instructional designers, eLearning developers and L&D professionals everywhere. Mayer’s principles of multimedia learning provide a blueprint for how to structure multimedia elements to maximize learning outcomes. ♦♦♦
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Terri Nicole is an accomplished educator, corporate trainer, and voice actor specializing in eLearning. She is known for her ability to deliver nuanced and impactful vocal performances that engage learners and help companies meet their training goals. With a focus on turning eLearning modules into personalized dialogues, Terri’s innovative approach enhances both learner engagement and retention. In addition to her work in voice acting, she teaches others how to succeed in the eLearning marketplace. Terri’s expertise is backed by a Master’s in Technology, Innovation & Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Lakewood University, and a degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Contact Terri at TerriNicoleVO.com
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