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Tip #009: Counting Words for Voice-Over Timing

… for Random Weirdness

Tip #009: Counting Words for Voice-Over Timing

Larry Jordan – https://LarryJordan.com

Media is like poetry. Every word counts.

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The following word count timings should assist you in determining how many words will comfortably fit within a specified amount of time in a spot. This guide assumes a “normal” rate of speech (neither fast nor slow) and a basic “announcer” read.

WORD COUNT TIMINGS

SECONDS WORDS
3 seconds
7 words
5 seconds
12 words
7 seconds
17 words
10 seconds
23 words
15 seconds
35 words
30 seconds
70 words
60 seconds
140 words

NOTE: For phone numbers, each spoken number = 1 word.
(i.e., 1-877-000-0000 = 11 words)


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1 reply
  1. Warren Nelson
    Warren Nelson says:

    Learned the while working at my college radio station nearly 50 years ago!

    How cool that it still works!

    Great reminder and keep ’em coming!

    Reply

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