“Will gender choice make a difference to our callers or to our sales success?” That’s a fair question because choosing a voice to represent your company is a big decision and it can be rather challenging.
On-Hold Marketing has been in the professional audio business for over 30 years. During this time, we have been asked many questions by our clients regarding everything from benefits and logistics, to scripting and technical requirements. But, one of the most popular inquiries we receive is about whether announcer-gender plays a factor in the effectiveness of the message.
Does gender make a difference?
It is true that male and female voices have different attributes that could make one or the other better suited to represent your brand. Traditionally, a female voice is associated with being trustworthy, believable, soft and sometimes soothing. Perhaps this is why Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Assistant all have a woman’s voice preset. On the other hand, a male voice is most likely to be linked with being authoritative or factual and more powerful than a female voice. So, if you are talking about monster trucks, a male voice may be very valuable as it could come across as being physically strong.
It is important to take into consideration your product or service and your target audience. Historically, men have been more interested in cars and electronics. Wheras women have been more interested in fashion and well-being. But traditional trends don’t have to carry forward to today’s market. In fact, using a man’s voice in a female-dominant industry or vice versa could catch the caller’s attention. Stepping outside the expected could have them really listen to and absorb the content of your On-Hold message.
Is there a clear-cut answer?
In a nutshell, there is no clear-cut answer to the male versus female voice query for your On-Hold message. Every brand is distinctive. Picking the right voice for your company, regardless of gender, can really help illustrate the unique “feel” of your brand. Consider your audience. What style would best sell your product? Male or female? Young or more mature?
To achieve an effective voice over, clarity, impeccable enunciation, good pacing, confidence, and a welcoming natural sound are more important than gender. That is the voice that creates a great first impression, a factor that’s really good for business. At On-Hold Marketing, we understand that every brand is unique and so is every one of our voice-over talents. It would be our pleasure to help you choose the perfect one.
Please check out the voice samples on our website. These samples illustrate the talent’s natural voice and tone. If you would like a different delivery, just let your scriptwriter know as all of our artists are able to provide flexibility in their read.
“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” – Maya Angelou