Learn how to calculate the voice-over time for your script and discover how many words fit into a 1-minute video to ensure the rhythm of your B2B message.
The text has been approved. The board loved the arguments.
There are three full pages detailing the company's new product on Google Docs. Then comes the final request: make sure it fits into a 60-second video.
You have a mathematical problem on your hands. Nobody can read 500 words in a minute without sounding like an auctioneer. Trying to speed up your speech is the quickest way to lose your audience's attention.
Estimate speech time Before sending the briefing to the production company, save the schedule. This step protects the pace and clarity of the corporate video.
In this guide, we show you the math behind reading speed and how to calculate the exact minutes of your B2B script.
There's a standard in the audiovisual industry. A professional voice actor speaks between 130 and 150 words per minute. This is the comfort zone to ensure clear diction and that the viewer absorbs the message.
If the script has 300 words, the video will be at least two minutes long. Asking the narrator to read quickly compromises their breathing and eliminates space for pauses.
The ideal reading speed varies depending on the format of the part. One institutional video script Focusing on retaining talent requires a slower pace than a barrage of advertisements.
| Speed | Words per Minute | Ideal for use in B2B. |
|---|---|---|
| Slow and Emotional | 110 to 120 | Manifesto videos, cultural campaigns, testimonials. |
| Normal and Didactic | 130 to 150 | Standard corporate video, e-learning video lessons, motion graphics. |
| Quick and Urgent | 160 to 180 | Short teasers, snippets for social media. |
Calculating words per minute serves as a basis for planning. In the editing suite, the audio accompanies the images, and some technical occurrences increase the actual duration of the project.
The main variables are:
To the Calculate the video script time., Add a safety margin of 10% to 15%. If the absolute project time limit is 60 seconds, write a planned script for 50 seconds.
One of the bottlenecks in institutional video production This happens when a brand tries to force a long text into a restricted duration. The editor ends up cutting off the audio's breathing room.
The result is a suffocating video. The voice loses its naturalness and retention drops. If the total time is non-negotiable, you need to cut words, not squeeze the reading speed.
To the choosing voice actors for video, Evaluate the portfolio by looking for the exact tone of the project. An energetic voice reading a measured text creates a narrative contrast.
The narrated text dictates the brand's atmosphere. When the goal is to create a sense of grandeur, the density of words decreases to make room for the photography and soundtrack.
A practical example is... 70th Anniversary Manifesto Video of Marsh in Brazil, conducted by Silvertake. The text was planned with striking pauses, allowing the narration to guide the visual narrative.
The script reached the right format because the runtime was respected during the creation phase. There was room for graphic transitions and for the music to dictate the climax.
Before sending the final version to the production company, read the material aloud at your conversational pace. Use your phone's timer. If you stutter or run out of breath, the sentence structure needs to be trimmed.
Effective corporate content stems from a concise script. The text should be designed to fit the correct length without overwhelming the viewer's train of thought.
If you have a project in mind but aren't sure if the word count is right for the campaign's timeframe, our team can guide you through the technical formatting process.
Share your challenge through our contact page Let's talk. Planning your campaign starts with a tailor-made, structured script.
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