Why are the voices in eLearning quiet?

Posted by : Elinor Hamilton
18 October 2020

If you look at the websites of the top eLearning companies, you find many examples of their fabulous capabilities: bespoke content creation, animation, gamification, commitment to learner engagement and immersive LMS technology. These are essential elements of successful eLearning programmes.

What you don’t find is much reference to their voiceover capability. This is remarkable, because 70-80% of modern eLearning programmes include audio. Up to a quarter of these involve multi-voiced audio, which is inherently complex and requires complicated project management and sound level equalising. Successful eLearning organisations are increasingly investing in this capability because they recognise the importance of good quality voicing

We’ve all come across learning programmes with flat, inconsistent or poor quality audio, compromising the otherwise good content.

The customers of our industry know this too. Employee engagement is such an essential element of eLearning, and each part of the learning journey must complement the other.

Corporate clients often ask to be more involved in voice selection – they know their audience better than we do, and their suggestions ought to be taken seriously. Sharing samples with the client is standard practice nowadays, and a good way of empowering their involvement in the overall programme.

Voicing for eLearning requires a specific style of delivery which isn’t necessarily found in audiobooks or radio adverts.

If you are creating eLearning programmes, then you will probably already have a voicing capability. It may be inhouse, you might use a specialist like eLV, or you may go to a recognised voiceover agency each time. Delivering effective voice audio to your programmes is difficult… so let’s shout about it. Our customers know how important the voice is to complement the content. If you’re doing this well, tell your customers. It will differentiate you in this increasingly crowded market.