What is eLearning?

In its strictest definition, eLearning is defined as, “learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.” Other terms for eLearning include: online learning, distance learning, online training, virtual learning, virtual training, and tele-education.

Narrated eLearning modules are usually a combination of graphics or live action, text and narration with an interactive component. Clickable buttons are how the students engage with the eLearning program.

With many eLearning modules, there is also an assessment at the end of the course to evaluate the student’s comprehension of the material presented. If the test is not passed, the student must retake it or go through the module again.

A Voice Talent’s Perspective on eLearning

As a voiceover talent who specializes in eLearning, suffice it to say I discover something new with each project. My job is to make sure the student doesn’t lose interest in the subject matter, no matter how dry. Since the information I’m voicing is usually new to me as well, it’s easy to sound interested. I’ve always loved learning new things.

When voicing eLearning modules about new products or offerings, often a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is required because the client is sharing proprietary information. This is a binding document that requires the talent never divulge the content of the eLearning module.

Voice Tones Used in eLearning

The tone used for each eLearning voice over module is dependent not only on the subject matter, but also on the intended audience. Brand personality also plays a huge role. When voicing patient or caregiver-facing eLearning, the tone is reassuring yet authoritative because the information is vital to the patient’s health. Depending on the topic, it can be compassionate or more clinical.

If the eLearning program is explaining a complex procedure or new medical technology and being shown to healthcare professionals, the tone tends to be much more authoritative and clinical than patient-facing modules.

Marketing and eLearning Voice Over

eLearning surrounding a new product or service launch is always exciting and needs to sound that way. Many times, this kind of training is targeted at the sales staff responsible for actually pitching this new offering to potential buyers. It’s important to highlight marketing differentiators and key takeaways. While I was in marketing and public relations before going into voiceover, I can’t quantify how much I’ve learned about marketing by voicing sales-oriented eLearning programs.

In a small-world moment, I voiced the eLearning curriculum that travel advisors were given about updates and major changes to a popular cruise line affiliated with a huge entertainment brand. Months later, my brother-in-law, who worked for a theme park under that entertainment brand, was hired by the cruise line to stage manage the very shows I had shared with travel advisors in that eLearning months prior.

Learning in the Automotive industry

Since I have been interested in cars since I was a kid, voicing automotive eLearning modules for various car makers to share with their dealerships and sales teams is always a blast. I learn so much about the new automotive luxuries and technologies that accompany new models before they are sent to dealerships.

Critical Education Voice Over

While safety has been a popular eLearning topic, it has skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic. With the evolving CDC recommendations have come changes to how that information is shared. Long-time employees are having to learn new ways of sanitizing spaces to fulfill the health and safety protocols of their employers.

The COVID-19 pandemic also brought a significant uptick in eLearning projects in general as employees were sheltering in place and social distancing. Companies were forced to take their training online with eLearning modules.

eLearning Voice Over Keeps Growing

Yet, even without the pandemic’s impact, eLearning has been steadily replacing in-person training and education since it saves companies and educational institutions thousands upon thousands of dollars.

I’ve voiced eLearning projects that have been eye-opening, such as safety videos for military training, and fascinating, like how ankle replacement surgery is done. My eLearning clients include Carhartt, Delta, Tiffany & Co., US Navy, Bank of America, Zimmer Biomed, Disney, Amazon, Brother, Mercedes Benz and many others.

The nature of eLearning is that most projects are only used in-house and are not made public, so it’s difficult to track down samples to share.

How to Get a Voice Actor to Sound Real

So how does one get a voice actor to sound like the copywriter’s words are her own? Here are some methods top directors use:

• Have the voice actor respond to a question with the copy. For example: Why do you use XYZ’s toilet paper?
• If the talent naturally talks with his or her hands, have them perform the VO using their hands as they normally would.
• Have the talent soften his or her Ts and get a little sloppy with the diction.
• Turn the script over and just share the message like you just got home and are telling your partner about the XYZ product. Then play that take back to the voice actor so he or she can hear themselves sounding like themselves talking about the product.
• Make sure the script uses contractions.
• Put the voice actor in an environment. In addition to saying, “It’s like talking to a friend,” maybe add where that conversation is taking place. For a softer, more intimate tone, put them in a library or in the back of a room during a meeting. For a casual, lighthearted read, try placing them in a booth with 3 friends at their favorite restaurant. For a more authoritative, but still real tone, put them in a B2B sales call situation where they are meeting with a long-time client in his or her office. You get the point.
• Put the voice talent in a chair rather than standing.
• Have the talent describe a similar experience to the one he or she is relating to in the commercial or project.
• Encourage ad libbing. This gets tricky for us voice actors. Some agents tell us never to add anything to a read while others encourage us to be a little freer with the copy. If a director asks something like, “What sound do you make when you’re excited and telling a friend all about the things you’re going to do on vacation?” The list the voice actor is reading will sound a lot more exciting. (If you ever want an embarrassing story about ad libbing a voice over for the Atlanta Hawks, let me know.)
• Tell the talent to ignore the punctuation.
• Have the talent drop the energy level and get a little closer to the mic.
• Don’t use the two words, “and more” in the copy. No real person I know says that.