Who should appear in a tech overview video: actor, manager, blogger, or voice-over?
Tech overview videos, such as those about tractors, are a powerful tool in agricultural marketing—but their success heavily depends on the presenter or voice. Whether it’s a professional actor, a company employee, a blogger, or an off-screen voice (human or AI-generated), each option has its pros, cons, and potential pitfalls. We’ll explore the possibilities and show you how to make the best choice. The Content Mann team, with its experience working with various presenters—especially company employees—will support you in this process.
1. Professional Actor: Mastery and Limitations
A professional actor or presenter stands for top quality and efficiency—but there are limitations.
Advantages:
Speed and Professionalism: Filming takes just 2-3 hours. Actors prepare thoroughly, know the script, and remain confident on camera—saving time in editing.
Natural Presence: Their experience makes the presentation convincing. For technical overviews like tractors, men are often preferred as they tend to inspire more trust in the target audience.
Quality: A professional appearance enhances the brand image and attracts viewers.
Disadvantages:
High Costs: In Germany, fees start at 200-500 euros per day, rising to 1,000 euros or more for well-known names.
Limited Rights: Usage is often restricted to 1-2 years. If the video gains popularity later and remains effective for 5-7 years (as long as the tech is current), additional costs arise. Unlimited rights increase the price by 50-100%.
Distance from the Technology: Actors don’t know the tech as deeply as employees, which can reduce authenticity.
Lack of Practical Experience: The next step might be a field test of the tech—e.g., driving a tractor in action. Actors typically lack driving skills, which the target audience (e.g., farmers) will notice immediately and view negatively. This is a major drawback, as practical relevance is key.
Conclusion: An actor is ideal for fast, high-quality results with sufficient budget. Unsuitable for field tests—secure unlimited rights.
2. Company Employee: Savings, Testing Options, and Risks
A company employee—such as a sales manager or engineer—is a cost-effective and authentic choice. Filming with multiple managers lets you quickly identify audience favorites.
Advantages:
Cost Savings: No extra costs—the employee is already on payroll.
Expertise: They know the tech inside out and speak credibly about it.
Audience Testing: Film with 2-3 managers and upload the videos—likes, views, and comments will reveal who resonates best. This quickly identifies your ideal presenter.
Rights: If filming is part of their job, the video belongs to the company without complex licensing.
Disadvantages and Pitfalls:
Lack of Skills: Employees rarely have camera experience. They might appear nervous, stumble, or seem unnatural, lowering quality. But this isn’t a barrier—part of Content Mann’s work is staging these non-professional presenters, like company managers. We train them to perform confidently on camera, present material clearly, and feel at ease, turning their inexperience into a strength through tailored support and professional tips.
Legal Issues: Written consent for image and voice usage (per GDPR) is required. Without it, a former employee could block the video. If filming isn’t in their contract, they might demand payment or refuse.
Time and Priorities: Preparation and filming can distract from core tasks and create team tensions.
Risk of “Stardom”: If a manager becomes popular after testing, they could become a “star.” This risks competitors poaching them, especially if they’re tied to your tech’s success.
Long-Term Risks: After leaving, they could prohibit further use. Reputational issues (e.g., scandals) could also harm the video.
Internal Dynamics: Envy among colleagues or pressure on the employee could sour the mood.
Solutions:
Include filming in the employment contract with unlimited rights for the company.
Use Content Mann’s training for professional delivery.
Test multiple employees but secure the “star’s” loyalty (e.g., with bonuses) to prevent poaching by competitors.
Clarify the team’s goals to avoid misunderstandings.
Conclusion: An employee is cost-effective and authentic. Testing finds the best fit, and Content Mann offsets weaknesses—but protect your “star” from competitors.
3. Blogger: Reach and Independence
A blogger with an existing following offers quick visibility—but their independence can be a problem.
Advantages:
Built-in Reach: Bloggers bring their followers, boosting visibility.
Trust: If they’re known in the niche (e.g., agriculture), their word carries weight.
Natural Presence: Bloggers are camera-savvy and speak casually with their audience.
Disadvantages:
Costs: Small bloggers charge from 500 euros, top influencers demand thousands.
Control: Without clear agreements, they might impose their style or mention competitors.
Obliquity: If the blogger loses credibility, the video suffers.
Independence: They’re tied to you only for this video and aren’t obligated to maintain a specific stance on your tech long-term. They might feel slighted if collaboration ends or take jobs with competitors—you have no control over this. This is a big drawback, as their later actions could impact your brand.
Conclusion: Bloggers are great for reach but require budget and clear terms. Their independence poses long-term risks.
4. Voice-Over: Human from Freelance Platforms or AI-Generated
If no on-screen presenter is needed, a voice-over offers a cheap and flexible solution. We’ll explore two approaches.
4.1. Human from Freelance Platforms
Advantages:
Affordability: On platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Voices.com, a voice costs 20-100 euros for a short clip (5-10 minutes).
Variety: Voices are available in different genders, ages, accents, and languages, including German and Russian.
Quality: Professional speakers deliver clear, natural recordings.
Disadvantages:
Limited Rights: Licenses often last 1-2 years; unlimited use adds costs (e.g., +50%).
No Face: Without a visual presence, the emotional connection to the audience weakens.
Consistency Issue: For brand recognition, the same voice should be used across videos, but a freelancer might stop working (e.g., leave the platform), making it hard to find an identical replacement.
Recording Quality: Cheap voices (from 20 euros) might use poor equipment, requiring post-production.
Platforms to Buy From:
Fiverr: From 20 euros for basic voices, up to 100 euros for pros.
Upwork: 30-150 euros, depending on experience.
Voices.com: From 50 euros, focused on high-quality speakers.
4.2. AI-Generated Voice
Advantages:
Cost Efficiency: After a license purchase (10-50 euros/month), you can generate unlimited voices.
Flexibility: Quick text generation and adaptation to various languages (e.g., via ElevenLabs or Descript).
Control: No negotiations with humans—you’re in full control.
Quality: Today’s AI voices are high-quality, nearly indistinguishable from humans.
Disadvantages:
Limited Emotion: AI struggles to convey subtle emotions, making the overview less lively.
Technical Effort: Setting up and tweaking the tool takes time.
Platforms to Buy From:
ElevenLabs: 5-22 euros/month, realistic voices.
Descript: From 12 euros/month, with voice cloning.
Synthesia: From 30 euros/month, combines voices and avatars.
Conclusion: A voice-over is affordable. Human voices are warmer but hard to keep consistent; AI is cheap, high-quality, and stable but less emotional.
The Role of Content Mann: Experience and Direction
Content Mann brings extensive experience with company employees, turning them into compelling presenters. We offer camera training, teach them to speak naturally, and craft scripts that highlight their strengths. Our direction transforms inexperienced managers into pros. We also test multiple employees, analyze audience reactions, and identify the best candidate. If a manager becomes a “star,” we advise on securing their loyalty and protecting the company from poaching.
Which Choice to Make?
Professional Actor: For top quality and speed with budget, but unsuitable for field tests due to lack of driving skills.
Company Employee: For savings and authenticity. Film with multiple managers, find the best with Content Mann, but safeguard your “star.”
Blogger: For reach, but their independence risks competitor collaborations.
Voice-Over: For simplicity. Human is warmer but inconsistent; AI is affordable and high-quality.
Your decision depends on your goals. An employee with Content Mann offers expertise, savings, and testing options—also for field tests. A voice-over suits simple clips. Which path will you choose?