What is the aim of your video or audio?
Every project is unique and requires a very specific tone. An instructional video for a new software package needs a completely different dynamic to a warm radio advert for a local charity. Ask yourself in advance exactly what you want to achieve. Do you need to persuade the listener to take action, or do you mainly want to convey a sense of calm, reliability and authority?
Once you have a clear picture of this objective, you can search much more effectively. An enthusiastic, young voice works brilliantly for a trendy event, whilst a mature, calm voice is better suited to a user guide or a serious message from a bank or insurance company.
Flemish or Dutch from the Netherlands?
Dutch has many facets and, above all, many accents. For a Belgian audience, it’s often crucial to choose a Flemish voice. To us, Flemish sounds softer, more familiar and closer to home. If, on the other hand, you’re targeting the whole of the Benelux or specifically our northern neighbours, then a voice from the Netherlands - also known as ‘Standard Dutch’ - is often the best choice.
Pay close attention to the nuances here:
- Flemish (refined Belgian Dutch): Ideal for creating a warm, intimate feel in Flanders.
- Dutch (from the Netherlands): Perfect for a clear, direct message that needs to be conveyed across the border.
- Neutral Dutch: A voice that speaks as accent-free as possible, which can be useful for general instructional videos or e-learning.
The pitch and rhythm of the voice
A good voice-over artist does much more than simply read a script aloud. They play with tempo, stress and pauses. Pitch plays a major role in this. Biologically speaking, lower voices are often associated with reliability, calmness and expertise. Higher-pitched voices, on the other hand, convey energy, dynamism and approachability.
When selecting demos, listen not only to how the voice sounds, but also to how the speaker handles the text. Does it sound natural? Are the pauses placed at the right moments? An experienced voice instinctively knows where to place the emphasis to reinforce your message without it sounding forced.
The technical quality of the recording
As well as the tone of voice, the recording quality is of vital importance. Even the most beautiful voice loses its impact if the recording sounds hollow or if there is background noise. Fortunately, professional voice-over artists usually work from their own, well-equipped home studio or book an external professional studio.
When comparing voices, always ask for a recent demo or a short test recording. That way, you can immediately hear whether the audio is crystal clear. A high-quality recording will save you many hours of editing work later on and ensure a professional end result you can be proud of.
