19 October 2022
Online Voiceover Localization and what it can do for you
Still wondering why online voice over localization is important? When it comes to engaging your audience, nothing quite creates the same amount of interactions and shares as video. If there is one lesson to be learned from the rise of popular social media sites such as YouTube, the gone-but-not-forgotten Vine, and the cultural behemoth that is TikTok, it’s that nothing quite captures the audience in the same way as video.
Some key statistics to keep in mind:
You get the picture: video is big.
It’s a shame then, that video content isn’t always given the localization treatment it deserves. Although many videos are produced in English and given subtitles for international audiences, content creators could go much further. 66% of consumers prefer to interact with brands and content in their native language. Forcing them to rely on subtitles alone creates unfortunate barriers to user engagement. To truly engage audiences, creators should consider voiceover localization.
Voiceover localization always starts with a script. This is then provided to specialized linguists who can translate or transcreate the source material to ensure suitability for new target markets. In order to ensure that all content is to a high quality, it’s important that all content undergo the translation, editing and proofreading (TEP) process.
Once the script is finalized, it’s time to find a new voice for your audience. Of course, this is easier said that done. It’s important to find a voice that fits with the content and can help promote brand identity. Consider your target markets – what kinds of voices are going to appeal to them? Additionally, make sure that any voices you’re using speak the correct linguistic variants. Getting the right voiceover talent can be difficult, but it’s an important step to making the perfect first impressions.
With a new voice carefully selected, it’s time to move into the recording process. There’s no point casting the perfect voiceover artists only to record them on an old phone. Instead, look at using professional studios and audiovisual experts to ensure that all final content sounds sufficiently high quality, and doesn’t damage the brand’s reputation in target markets before it has even begun to grow one. While online voiceover localization is also possible, consider the benefits of using an actual studio before making any final commitments.
This is, of course, a simplified version of a much more technical process.
In summary, there are a number of key steps involved in the voiceover localization process, which can mean liaising with numerous external vendors to finalize any content.
Alpha Studios operates as part of global Enterprise Localization provider Alpha CRC. This means that all phases of the project, from script translation to casting and voiceover recording can be done under one roof. For clients, the benefits are clear: one consistent point of contact to manage the entire localization process.
