Have you ever wondered why whiteboard animations are so popular in social media?
The truth is, whiteboard videos are loved both by content creators as well as the audience. It is not without reason, too; people simply love the creative expression of unique ideas, presented in a concise, esthetically pleasing, and nicely structured way. Moreover, with an added voice-over that is perfectly synchronized with the animation, the video always gets enormously captivating. On the other hand, whiteboard animations are easy to produce and don’t require special skills, talent, nor professional software, which is a significant asset for creators.
If you, too, would like to try your best at whiteboard animation, but you feel lost in the world of professional voice-over, don’t worry. Even as a complete amateur, you can create a fantastic voice-over to add to your animation. The only thing you need? Our short guide.
How to Record a Voice-Over
Okay, that could have been a lie. In fact, you do need a few things to create a voice-over: a microphone, Microsoft Word or other word processing software, and an audio capture program. Most of those you probably already have on your computer, or you can download for free.
The good news is, the process still won’t be tedious or complicated, as you will be able to make your first audio in just three simple steps.
Prepare the Script
It would be best if you first wrote down a script containing everything you want to say word by word. You can create some bullet points to make reading easier.
Importantly, remember to structure your speech well. Don’t jump right into the middle of the action: first, create a sound beginning, where you generally introduce the topic and get your viewer interested in the rest of your production. Then you can present the rest of the content, which is the main subject of the video. Remember to create a summary or a recap by the end of the video to finish it smoothly.
Record the Voice-Over
To create a perfect voice-over, you don’t need to record yourself. Instead, you might use one of the wonders of a digital era, such as text-to-speech technology, with a synthetic voice that will transform your carefully written text to speaking. In fact, without the necessary equipment and software, this might be the best option for you; thanks to the advanced AI technology, it will be of outstanding quality, too.
If you decide to use your own vocal cords instead, there are a few things that you need to remember.
First of all, prepare your environment: you want to be in a quiet, carpeted room without an echo. Please note that even minimal noises in the background will be heard when you use the microphone.
To make sure you speak clearly and understandably, practice beforehand: learn how to talk slowly, get accustomed to speaking to a microphone and try to relax. Please focus on your intonation to make sure your speech is logical and easy to understand.
Moreover, practice natural speaking. Your audience mustn’t realize you’re reading from the script. It doesn’t mean you need to learn the script by heart, but you simply have to feel comfortable and confident when saying the words out loud.
You should also take care of your voice: keep yourself hydrated, clear your throat before you start (and before the mic is on), and take necessary breaks between the takes. If you make a mistake while recording, simply make a pause: later, you will be able to cut this part out while editing your material and still use the rest of the good bits. This way, you will save yourself hours of work!
Edit the Voice-Over
Speaking of editing, please remember to remove all the failed attempts and mute background noises. Most free software will have this option. After your final edit is done, remember to save the file in MP3 format, easily import it to the video file, and adjust it without any problems. Add the audio recording to the video, and… voilà! Wasn’t that hard, right?
Enjoy!
Having completed all the steps, don’t you feel a little bit like an artist? Indeed, you have just created your first whiteboard animation video with a professional voice-over. Congratulations! What’s next, the career of a voice actor?
All jokes aside, you can use this skill for many other productions. Think work presentations, formal speeches, or vlogs. In fact, with every recording, you will be getting better and better, and so will the quality of your content. Who knows, maybe it will turn into an idea for a new business or an aspiring career? Good luck!