Voiceover Tips for Filming: Matching Your Voice to the Visuals
A great video isn’t just about what you see - it’s also about what you hear. Whether it’s a short-form Instagram Reel, a TikTok, or a longer brand video, a well-executed voiceover can elevate your content, convey personality, and guide your audience through your story. Here are some practical tips to get the best results when recording voiceovers for your video content.
1. Watch the Video While Recording: One of the simplest but most effective techniques is to play the video while recording your voiceover. This helps you naturally match your tone, pace, and emphasis to the action on screen. Pauses, excitement, or dramatic beats in the video can be mirrored in your delivery, making the voiceover feel more authentic and connected to the visuals.
2. Use the Script as a Prompt, Not a Crutch: Even if you have a script, don’t feel like you need to read it word-for-word. Use it as a prompt to keep your ideas structured, but allow yourself flexibility to adjust phrasing to sound more natural. Reading aloud a few times before recording can help you find the rhythm that works best for your brand’s tone of voice.
3. Warm Up Your Voice: Your voice is like any other instrument - it performs better when it’s warmed up. Simple vocal exercises, such as humming, tongue twisters, or reading aloud, can improve clarity, tone, and confidence in your delivery. Warming up also helps prevent strain, especially if you’re recording multiple takes. Our favourite is ‘hot proper coffee in a proper copper coffee pot’ for all percussive sounds!
4. Mind Your Pace and Breathing: Speaking too quickly can make your voiceover feel rushed, while speaking too slowly can lose attention. Pay attention to breathing points, natural pauses, and sentence rhythm. Keeping your eye on the screen can help you adjust pace to match visuals naturally, and make sure you don’t run overtime.
5. Record Multiple Takes: Even professionals in the studio rarely get the perfect take on the first try. Record multiple versions and experiment with tone, inflection, and emphasis. Listening back to these takes will help you pick the one that feels most engaging and aligned with the visuals.
6. Accents and Style: Your accent and vocal style contribute to your brand’s identity. RP, regional accents, or even international options can add character, credibility, or cultural resonance depending on your audience and brand voice, which is something to be aware of when selecting a voice actor or recording yourself.
Oglesby Creative Voiceover Services:
At Oglesby Creative, we don’t just produce visuals - we can also provide professional voiceovers in English, German, and Mandarin, with options including British RP, Yorkshire, or Standard American accents. Our team ensures that every voiceover matches your content perfectly, delivering tone, pace, and emotion that brings your videos to life.
