Why is text-to-speech becoming more mainstream

Why is text-to-speech becoming more mainstream

Today’s world is more connected than ever, and it is also more visual than ever. Rather than obtaining information via written channels, consumers turn to videos as its a more visual and engaging medium. The video makes it easier to understand how to mix the batter when the chef shows you the technique. It is easier to follow the steps when the mechanic shows you how to replace that broken part.  While we love video, we still want to consume written content such as blogs but would love someone to read them out loud to us. This is where text to speech services such as Notevibes text to speech come in. 

What is text-to-speech?

Text-to-speech is the ability to have the written text “read out loud”. While the tech started out being very robototic-like and unbearable to listen to, dramatic changes have occurred over the years. Today it is almost impossible to tell it apart from a voice-actor who reads the same lines.

There are some situations where a male voice would be more suited while in other situations a female voice would be preferred. That is not a problem with today’s voiceover tech. You can select a male or female voice and you can even select the accent your text will be read in, the tone and pitch too.

How are businesses using text-to-speech?

This exciting new software boasts a myriad of business applications. For instance, voiceover software can easily help a company take existing marketing and internal documentation and without the need for actors or voiceover artists, instantly create audible versions of the material. It’s easier for employees to listen to a 10 min audio file instead of reading a 30-page manual.

Businesses are using this technology in their marketing too. By creating an animated character as their spokesperson, the software reads the character’s lines. This means that new commercials could be produced at a fraction of the cost of using traditional methods.

According to the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment or blindness.  Therefore, having a text-to-speech service available on the company’s website and material would assist them in consuming the information.

Non-native English speakers would be able to consume information more effectively if they could read the text while the text-to-speech voiceover would accompany their reading.

So in summary:

With the sheer volume of material we create today, we need to have solutions that are agile and can be deployed at scale very quickly and cost-efficiently.

When considering whether or not to employ text to speech software over professional voiceovers for your business objectives, it is important to take into account time, flexibility, and expenditures. 

While the need for voice-actors will always be there, text-to-speech really does offer an alternative solution for those with much smaller budgets who can not afford the actor’s hourly cost. This is especially important when taking into account that any change to the material will require new voice-over audio which again would come at a price.

As this technology continues to develop, it will have wider applications and will be integrated into more gadgets and devices including your smart home and even your car.

read this next:

Liron Segev - TheTechieGuy

Liron Segev is an award-winning tech blogger, YouTube strategist, and Podcaster. He helps brands tell their stories in an engaging way that non-techies can relate to. He also drinks way too much coffee! @Liron_Segev on Twitter