Many credit Disney animation with starting voice overs, but this type of audio technique actually began in 1900 when Reginald Fessenden reported about the weather.

Since then, voice over work has dominated the film industry, with the need for voice talent in the entertainment industry being obvious. But voice work has also become an increasingly popular technique for advertising and marketing across a multitude of other industries, offering content creators and marketers an outlet to deliver their message to consumers without relying solely on visuals. 

A large portion of those who work in the voice over industry does so as freelancers, offering their skills and expertise for hire on a per-project or by-the-hour basis. The benefits of hiring professional freelancers are clear, as businesses begin to experiment with new types of advertising and media and explore the unique opportunities afforded by audio mediums. 

Whether the need is to create audiobooks, TV commercials, radio ads, video games, and everything in between, the need for voice talent is growing. The 10 stats below will prove it.

1. Animated videos make up 33% of business advertising

According to a 2022 report by Wyzowl, as many as 86% of businesses use video as a marketing tool. A further 33% of these companies use animated videos. 

If you have the budget to create a branded animated character, such as the Geico lizard, you may stand a better chance of resonating with your audience for years to come. The Geico mascot keeps people informed about car insurance, but in the digital age, that’s no longer limited to TV commercials or radio ads. Such dynamic animated characters can go beyond TV and radio to represent the company with videos on Instagram, TikTok, brand websites, and the like.

Now think back to your childhood for a minute. Is there a particular character or voice that you can remember, even now? Tony the Tiger of frosted flakes fame? How about the Trix rabbit? Since cereals are often geared toward children, the branded characters that represent them have to be larger than life to be truly memorable, and those memories last well into adulthood.

2. National radio revenues forecast to have a 6% to 8% increase

With all of our high-tech streaming, the benefits of radio may slip under our radar.