Learn why voice overs matter, how to pick the right one, and how to make your video sound professional.

Why Voice Over Is the Secret Ingredient in Explainer Videos

As a video producer, you know that visuals matter. But when it comes to explainer videos, one overlooked element can make or break the final product: the voice over. It’s more than just narration—it’s the human connection between your brand and your audience.

This post explains why voice overs matter in explainer videos, how to choose the right one, and tips to get the best results.

What Is an Explainer Video Voice Over?

A voice over in an explainer video is the narrated audio that walks viewers through a product, service, or idea. It’s used to:

  • Simplify complex information

  • Guide the viewer’s attention

  • Add emotion and tone

  • Create brand consistency

Without it, your beautifully animated visuals might fall flat—or worse, confuse your audience.

Why Voice Over Matters to Video Producers

Here’s why you as a video producer should always include high-quality voice over in your workflow:

1. Clarity and Comprehension

Explainer videos are often used to simplify difficult topics. A professional voice over adds rhythm, emphasis, and clarity to ensure your message lands clearly—especially when you're trying to educate or convert your audience.

2. Professionalism

Even the best visuals can seem amateurish if paired with poor audio. A professional voice actor delivers a polished, studio-quality performance that builds trust and positions your brand as credible—especially important when your video appears on social media platforms where viewers scroll quickly.

3. Audience Engagement

The right voice keeps people watching. It adds storytelling, emotion, and momentum—crucial elements for better viewer retention and higher engagement. This becomes even more important during a marketing campaign, where every second counts.

4. Brand Identity

A consistent voice tone (e.g., warm, confident, friendly) strengthens brand recognition and aligns your messaging across various platforms. Whether your videos are on YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, or Instagram, your audience should instantly feel that familiar brand presence.

Choosing the Right Voice Over Artist

When selecting a voice for your explainer video, consider:

  • Target audience (e.g., tech-savvy millennials vs. corporate executives)

  • Gender and tone (Do you need energetic? Calm? Authoritative?)

  • Accent or language requirements

  • Voice actor’s experience with explainer content

🎯 Pro tip: Ask for custom demos using your script. This lets you hear how each voice interprets your message and helps avoid surprises during production.

Pro Tips for Working with Voice Over Talent

✅ Provide a finalized script: Lock your script before recording to avoid extra costs and delays.

✅ Give direction: Share tone guidelines, pacing preferences, and examples (even videos or commercials you like).

✅ Keep it concise: Explainer videos are typically under 2 minutes. Trim your script and make every word count.

✅ Use professionals, not friends: Your buddy with a “nice voice” probably lacks a treated studio, mic setup, and the ability to match timing and delivery.

✅ Align VO with visuals: Review the video timing alongside the script to ensure the voice flows naturally with transitions, text, and animations.

✅ Plan for revisions: Build in time for pickups or minor script tweaks after the first VO delivery.

Voice Over Across Social Media Platforms

Remember, explainer videos don’t just live on your website. Today’s best content is reused across multiple social media platforms. Your voice over needs to hold up whether it's on:

  • Instagram Reels

  • YouTube Shorts

  • Facebook Ads

  • LinkedIn feeds

  • TikTok

That means a versatile voice that can adapt to multiple formats, cuts, and audiences—without losing tone or clarity.

Voice Over’s Role in Building Brand Recognition

Voice over isn't just a tool—it's part of your brand identity system. Just like a logo or color palette, a consistent vocal tone can become a recognizable asset. Think of brands like Calm, Nike, or Headspace: their tone of voice is just as memorable as their visuals.

When you’re building brand recognition, consistency is key. If each explainer video uses a different voice or style, your audience might have trouble connecting. But when you find the right voice over partner, you create a cohesive identity across every video and campaign.

Ready to Upgrade Your Explainer Videos?

If you want to boost the impact of your explainer videos, don’t cut corners on the voice over. The right voice not only explains—but sells, connects, and converts. Whether you're running a product launch, an app tutorial, or a full marketing campaign, professional VO is a must-have.

Need a Voiceover Partner?

Whether you’re producing animations, SaaS demos, or startup videos, I offer fast, reliable, and high-quality explainer video voice over services tailored to your style and audience.

👉 Let’s talk about your next project. Check out my past work or email me at mail@stevegouwsvo.com and let me show you how your script will sound.

Steven Gouws

Steve is a talented and versatile voiceover actor with a passion for bringing stories to life through his voice. With a background in education and a love for storytelling, Steven has a natural ability to connect with audiences.

His warm, friendly, and engaging voice has been featured in commercials, video games, cartoons, corporate narrations, e-learning projects, and audiobooks, showcasing his range and ability to adapt to different styles and genres.

In addition to his impressive vocal skills, Steve is known for his professionalism, reliability, and collaborative spirit. He approaches every project with enthusiasm and a commitment to delivering top-quality work that exceeds expectations.

Off the microphone, Steve’s other loves include being a dad, reading bedtime stories to his daughter, short and long form improv classes, well made commercials, and not taking life too seriously.

https://www.stevegouwsvo.com
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Why a Warm, Deeply Engaging, Confident Voice Is the Sound of Modern Brands