Top 8 Best Practices on Mandarin Voice-Over for Intro Videos

When doing business in China, making an excellent first impression is critical. One of the best ways to make one is by including a Mandarin voice-over on intro videos on your website or presentation. But if you’re not sure how to do it, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Making an intro video for a business in Mandarin can be a daunting task. When creating one, there are many things to consider, such as the language itself, pronunciation, and cultural appropriateness. This post will outline the eight best practices for making a Mandarin voice-over intro video. Your intro video will sound more natural and professional by following these tips. Let’s get started.

1) Mandarin Voice-Over : Choose the Right Narrator, Whether Male or Female

The narrator of your intro video is essential in making it sound natural. When choosing a narrator, make sure to choose someone who has a good voice and is familiar with the language. The narrator should also pronounce all of the words correctly and have a good understanding of Chinese culture. Choose a male or female narrator depending on your target audience.

You can choose the right narrator from the translation agency’s voicebanks. It’s always good to consult or do some research first or ask for suggestions from the agency For instance, at LIMPID, we offer both female and male voice samples with different styles.

2) Write a Script That Is Appropriate for an Intro Video

When writing a script for your intro video, keep in mind that it should be brief and to the point. Your viewers should understand the message of your video within the first few seconds. The script should also be culturally appropriate. Avoid using slang terms or expressions that are not commonly used in China.

When writing a script for your intro video, it’s essential to use local expressions whenever possible. This will make the video more relatable to Chinese viewers, and they will be more likely to understand the message of the video. If you are not familiar with local expressions, plenty of resources are available to help you get started.

3) Make Sure the Pronunciation is Accurate

One of the most important aspects of a Mandarin voice-over is pronunciation. Ensure that you use the correct tones when pronouncing words, or else the video will not sound natural. It’s best to hire a professional voice-over well-versed in standard Mandarin if your target audience is Mainland China.

There’s a difference between a northern and southern Mandarin speaker, so be sure to consult your choices of talents with the agency.

4) Keep the Tone Natural and Conversational

When doing a voice-over in Mandarin, it’s essential to keep the tone natural and conversational. This will make the video sound more authentic, less like a translation, or worse, like a robot or Siri’s voice. Try to avoid using formal language or sounding too stiff.

For example, there is a lot of emphasis in Mandarin on tones. This means that the way you say something can change its meaning. For instance, the word “ma” can mean either “mother” or “horse,” depending on the tone used.

If your audience is business people, make sure that you’re using the correct terms without sounding too technical or formal. You may also use the first-person voice to make it more personal and approachable.

5) Be Mindful of Cultural Differences

It’s also important to be aware of other cultural differences, such as body language and gestures. In China, for example, it is considered rude to point at someone with your index finger. So, if you’re recording a voice-over for an intro video that a Chinese audience will see, be sure to avoid using any gestures that might be considered offensive.

On top of these, you should also steer away from any political views, opinions, or topics related to state security and politics. By keeping these cultural differences and red flag topics in mind, you can avoid any potential misunderstandings and backlash once the viewers watch your video online.

6) Choose a Narrator with a Charismatic and Reliable Voice

Your choice of a narrator will also depend not just on your target audience but what you are presenting in your intro video. That’s why it’s important to choose someone with a charismatic and reliable voice, especially if you’re pitching to investors or showcasing your best achievements to your Chinese counterparts.

More often, it’s not what the narrator says that counts, but how he or she says it that makes an impact on the viewers or listeners. So, invest in a professional narrator with such a lively and charismatic voice.

7) Invest in Professional Lip Sync Service

In case you need to add lip-sync to your Mandarin intro video, make sure that the video and voice-over are in sync throughout the time stamp. It would be annoying to watch a video where the voice doesn’t match what is being presented.

Ensure that the script is professionally translated and matches the scenes in the video. To make the best of the voice-over project, work with an agency that can accommodate the translation, voice-over, and lip-sync services for consistent output or quality of deliverables.

8) Add Subtitles and Captioning

Last but not least, don’t forget to add subtitles in Chinese – Simplified or Traditional – so the viewers can also follow through with what’s being presented in the video. Subtitles and captions are useful for anyone who may always be on the go and have a noisy background while watching the video.

Reading the subtitles and captions helps the viewers understand the video better.

Mandarin Voice-Over : Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to produce a marketing video that will be effective and engaging, it’s essential to keep the following tips in mind. By selecting the right narrator, writing a script appropriate for an intro video, ensuring accurate pronunciation, maintaining a natural and conversational tone, and being mindful of cultural differences, you’ll create a powerful first impression that will help your business stand out from the competition.

Contact LIMPID today for help putting these principles into practice or any other marketing needs. We’d be happy to work with you!

Are you interested in multilingual translation services? Click here for more information.