How To Get Started in Voiceover

Ever thought about getting into voiceover?

Someone said you have a great voice and you should do voiceover. Now what? To start a career in voiceover, you'll need to practice, find equipment, learn the equipment and software, work with a voice coach, get involved in the community and start a business.

How to get started in voiceover — image by @willfrancis

Sounds easy, right? As with any new venture, it takes a lot of time, talent, and resources, things you will be continually working on throughout your journey into voiceover.

While not trying to over-simplify things, some basic steps will help you get started.

Start by practicing reading out loud
Learn more - read books, listen to podcasts, watch videos
Take an Intro to Voiceover class
Take a small business startup class
Get involved in the voiceover community
Find a voiceover coach to help you improve
Make sure your equipment and software are up to par
Audition - get comfortable with auditioning all kinds of scripts
Record a demo to showcase your talent
Stay Motivated

1. Practice, practice, practice.

Find the top three or more people doing what you want to do, and listen to them. Start recording yourself and get a great understanding of who you are: your strengths and abilities, and uniqueness.

The more you work on your voice and skills, the better you'll become. Start by recording yourself reading out loud and then listening to the playback. Notice where your voice sounds the strongest and weakest, and work on strengthening those areas. The more you practice, the better you will become.

It takes years and decades for great voiceover actors to succeed; give yourself lots of time. There's no overnight success.

2. Learn More.

Read Books, Listen to Podcasts, and Watch Videos. To improve your skills, you need to be constantly learning. Read books on voice acting, listen to podcasts, and watch videos on the subject. The more you know, the better equipped you'll handle any situation.

Books on Voiceover:

Podcasts:

Blogs:

YouTube:

VOpreneur by Marc Scott
Speechless
VO Buzz Weekly
VOBS - Voice Over Body Shop
Nancy Wolfson
Real Talk Tuesdays with Jess and Shell (this is me & my great friend Michelle!)

3. Take Voiceover classes!

Find a voice coach or take a class. A voice coach can help you learn the ropes of the industry and give you feedback on your recordings. Here are some ideas to get you started, in no particular order!

4. Take an Intro to Small Business class

Do you know how to run a business? What about sales and marketing? Branding? Invoicing and Accounting? If you want to become a voiceover artist, congratulations! You are now a small business owner. Put on your entrepreneurial hat and dive into the world of small business.

Small Business Podcasts to check out:

Branding your business: Business Made Simple with Donald Miller
Building your business & leadership: Entreleadership Podcast
Starting your business: Fizzle Podcast

5. Get involved in the voiceover community.

There are many online forums and groups where you can connect with other voice actors and get helpful tips and advice.

Find a Voiceover Facebook Group - most people are friendly, and some are a-holes. Find a helpful, positive group and leave the negativity behind.

Look in your area to see if there are any local meetups?

Social Media - connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

6. Find a voiceover coach to help you improve.

There are more coaches available now than ever before. Please beware and do as much research as possible before working with a voiceover coach!

I have personally worked with Kim Handysides as my eLearning coach and highly recommend her! And when I first started out, I worked with Rhonda's Voice.

Diana Birdsall is a dear friend and brilliant. She just started offering her coaching services!

There are so many more; I'm letting you know the people I have personally worked with and recommend!

7. Make sure your equipment and software are up to par.

You'll need a good microphone and recording software to record high-quality voiceover tracks. There are so many options, and it's overwhelming. Take your time researching the right equipment for your environment and voice.

I personally use the Neumann TLM-103 microphone, Apollo Twin Duo, MacBook Pro with Adobe Audition and Twisted Wave, iZotope RX9, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm headphones

8. Audition.

Pay-to-Play sites like Voice 123, Voices.com, The Voice Realm, Bodalgo.com - there's a new one

every day it seems!

Here's a list of top voiceover talent websites to check out and join.

9. Record a demo reel to showcase your skills.

Once you have practiced and refined your skills, recording a demo reel is next. This is a compilation of your best work to show potential clients what you can do. Make sure to highlight your strengths and showcase the range of your voice.

When should you do a demo? Hmm… I've heard people say, "not until you're ready." But when do you know you're ready?

Great question. I did a demo and could have waited another year until I was ready. Regardless, you'll want to save up about $1500-$2300 or more for a :60 demo. So, unless you love spending thousands of dollars just for fun, work with a legit coach in the genre you're most interested in until you feel you are ready.

Check out J. Michael's Demo Production Guide for a deep dive into demo production.

Demo Producers to check out:

Please be aware that many people are out to get your money, even if they seem legit. Please ask around first before working with someone!

10. Stay motivated. This industry can be harsh, but if you keep practicing and working hard, you'll eventually find success. Show up. Everyday. Build it into your everyday habits. Keep reading. Connect with other people who are also pursuing a career in voiceover. Connect with people who have been doing voiceover for years. Take one day at a time. Give yourself lots of grace.

How To Build A Voiceover Home Studio

I began by recording voiceovers in my closet - for years. It works! But when I took my voiceover work full time, I needed to invest in a dedicated, sound-treated space to record.

This topic warrants a whole blog post dedicated to building a home studio. For now, check out my Pinterest Board on Voiceover Studios to find some inspiration!

Why Get Started in Voiceover

You may be wondering if a voiceover career is right for you. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider it:

1. You love performing and have always wanted to try acting.

2. You want to work from home and avoid commuting to an office daily.

3. You want to be your own boss and have control over your own schedule.

4. You're passionate about singing, storytelling, or comedy and want to share your talent with the world.

5. You're looking for a creative outlet and love working with sound and music.

6. You want to make a living doing something you enjoy and are excited to start your career.

If any of these reasons resonate with you, then a voiceover career might be right. Remember that it takes hard work and dedication to succeed in this industry, but if you're willing to put in the effort, you can achieve great things. Follow these steps to get started, and you'll be on your way to a career in voiceover.

You love performing and have always wanted to try your hand at acting.

Voiceover is a great way to show off your acting skills and perform in front of an audience. It can also be a lot of fun and a great way to make a living.

You want to work from home and avoid commuting to an office daily.

Working from home can be a great perk, but staying on task takes a lot of self-discipline and organization. A voiceover career can be the perfect solution because you can work from anywhere with a good internet connection.

You want to be your own boss and control your schedule.

A voiceover career can give you the freedom and flexibility you need to make your own schedule. This is a great perk, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful.

You're passionate about singing, storytelling, or comedy and want to share your talent with the world.

A voiceover career might be right for you if you love singing, storytelling, or comedy. Voiceover is a great way to share your talent and make a living doing something you enjoy.

You're looking for a creative outlet and love working with sound and music.

Working in voiceover can be a great way to express your creativity and work with sound and music.

Conclusion:

The voiceover industry is a great way to pursue your dreams of performing and living from home. It takes hard work and dedication to succeed, but if you take the proper steps, you can make it happen. Start by practicing, finding a coach, and joining the community. Then research demo producers to check out. Lastly, create a home studio, stay motivated and focus on being creative to be successful in this field. With enough commitment, perseverance, and hard work, you'll be able to find success in your voiceover career.

FAQ :

Q: What do I need to get started in voiceover?

A: To get started, you'll need to practice your craft, find a coach or mentor and join the community. Additionally, research demo producers and create a home recording studio.

Q: How much time is needed to be successful in voiceover?

A: This will depend on the individual and their goals. It may take some time to gain experience and build a reputation. Still, with dedication and hard work, it can be done in a reasonable amount of time.

Q: Is voiceover work only available for actors?

A: Not necessarily! Voiceover work is open to anyone who has talent and is willing to put in the effort. Everyone, from actors to comedians, can benefit from voiceover work and succeed in this field.

Q: Can I make a living with voiceover?

A: Yes! With enough dedication and hard work, it is possible to make a living through voiceover work. Whether you're looking for a full-time job or just want to supplement your income, voiceover can be a great way to make money.