How to Become a Voice Actor

Becoming a voice actor is undoubtedly more accessible than ever.

Recording equipment was once prohibitively expensive, but you don’t need a major studio budget to record high-quality voice overs in 2024.

With that being said, accessible doesn’t mean easy.

In fact, decreasing costs have led more and people to enter the market.

This means that the industry is becoming both more accessible and more competitive.

In this article, we’ll explain what voice actors do and how to start a career in the voiceover industry.

By the end, you’ll have a better idea of what it takes to become a voice talent and whether this field is right for you.

Voice Acting—Pros and Cons

Voice acting is an exciting field, but it’s still a job with pros and cons like any others.

You need to set realistic expectations going in — it’s not always recording blockbuster movies and cashing million-dollar checks.

It isn’t for everyone, and you should carefully consider your interest in this field before investing too much time or money.

Pros

1. Freelancers today have plenty of low-cost opportunities to start a business from anywhere. Voice acting is the perfect field for anyone tired of working in an office. While most recording sessions used to happen at dedicated studios, most voice actors now record from home. Professionals often have a home studio as well as a travel kit for recording on the road.
2. Voice acting gives you the opportunity to control your career path and broaden your horizons by working on different materials.  Of course, this doesn’t mean that it’s easy — just that you have the chance to chart your own course. You won’t be accountable to any bosses or managers other than the clients you choose to work with.
3. Revenue growth can be tough in the early stages, but clients often return to the same artist for multiple projects. Over time, you’ll start to generate more regular income without having to constantly reach out to new clients.
4. The voiceover community is incredibly supportive, helping newer voice actors learn the ropes and get their careers on track. Tips from more experienced voice over artists can be a valuable resource when you’re starting out.

Cons

On the other hand, there are some notable drawbacks that you shouldn’t underestimate if you’re thinking about getting started with voice acting.

1. It takes a substantial amount of time and effort to get a voice acting career off the ground. You’ll need to train, audition, interview, build a recording space, and do everything else that comes with changing career paths.
2. Professional voice recording equipment can be expensive for aspiring voice actors, and there’s no way to know whether your investment will pay off in advance.
3. As we said earlier, the voice over market is highly saturated (to say the lease). With tens or even hundreds of actors competing for the same project, you’ll need a thick skin for rejection. No matter how skilled you are, you’ll need to stay positive through the process of recording auditions and understanding that they may be thrown out anyway.
4. We mentioned the benefits of remote work, but working from home isn’t always easy. Telecommuters often have trouble separating their work and personal lives, and some people find it more difficult to stay focused. You’ll also have to find other ways to stay socially active, especially if you’re used to seeing coworkers throughout the week.

Of course, whether you’d enjoy voice acting ultimately comes down to your preferences and priorities.

The obstacles we’ve mentioned are very real, but most voice actors wouldn’t switch to any other profession.

How Much Do Voice Actors Make?

You might be wondering how much voice actors make in a year.

Unfortunately, this is difficult to say — voice acting doesn’t work quite like other industries.

If you’re a main character in a show like “The Simpsons,” you could easily earn millions of dollars per year.

On the other hand, some voice actors work part-time and take other jobs on the side.

Furthermore, even full-time voice actors often work on a contract basis, meaning that they’re paid for projects rather than receiving a full-time salary.

The point is that there’s no “normal” way to be a voice actor — everyone’s experience is different.

While clients will pay more for established professionals, new voice actors often struggle to develop their portfolio and get the work they want.

This will gradually become easier as you develop your skills, build your network, and spend more time in the industry.

It’s also important to think about the cost of equipment, coaching, and anything else you’ll need to start your new career.

You have to earn that back just to break even, and that’s without considering the time you’ll invest.

You should take your entire financial and career situation into account before putting your valuable time or money into voice acting (or any other career change).

At the same time, you shouldn’t accept unfair rates to get jobs more quickly.

Some clients try to take advantage of novice voice actors (and other freelancers) by paying less than a fair wage.

Never take a job that doesn’t offer reasonable pay.

They may seem like stepping stones to better work, but the reality is that these cut-rate clients won’t have many networking or other opportunities to offer (that’s why they’re cut-rate).

Use industry-standard rate guides like the GVAA guide (US) and Gravy for the Brain (UK) to come up with estimates for your voice over projects.

What Equipment Do I Need?

No matter how skilled you are, you’ll need professional equipment to ensure that your voice comes through clearly in each recording.

Fortunately, voice over work doesn’t require any particular computer — you’ll be fine with your current desktop or laptop.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on your starter setup, but you should spend enough to get decent equipment.

There’s no sense in spending money on something you’ll have to upgrade in a few months.

First, get a decent microphone and a good pair of headphones.

You’ll also need to invest in a stand, pop filter, shock mount, and sound interface.

Most importantly, you need to soundproof your home studio and isolate your space from external noises.

You should also acoustically treat your recording environment to minimize reverb and delay.

It won’t be as good as a professional setup, but simply covering surfaces with comforters or duvets can go a long way.

Keep in mind that your microphone will pick up the fan and other noises from your computer

Unless it’s completely silent, you should consider keeping it outside of your recording space.

Once you have these tools, you’ll be ready to craft professional recordings at a moment’s notice.

You can buy starter recording bundles on Amazon for cheap and produce great audio recordings in no time at all.

Of course, you aren’t really saving money if you need to upgrade soon after.

It’s okay to pay a little more for good quality.

A dedicated vocal booth, for example, is one of the best investments you can make in your career as a voiceover artist.

In addition to physical equipment, you’ll also need software to create and edit recordings.

Attention to detail is what separates professional voice actors from enthusiasts or hobbyists.

A few of the most popular recording platforms include Pro Tools, Studio One, Logic, Audacity, and Adobe Audition.

Both Audacity and Garageband (Mac) are free, making them great for voice actors who are just getting into the industry.

Even if you’re relatively new, you still need to avoid any imperfections that could give the client a negative impression.

What Voice Skills Do I Need?

While a great voice isn’t the only thing you need, it’s your most important asset as a voice actor.

Even people with naturally charismatic voices have to work on delivery and style in order to reach their full potential.

1. Clarity

Clarity is the most fundamental skill for aspiring voice actors.

Nothing else matters if your listeners can’t make out what you’re saying.

While different roles call for different styles, effective voice actors can maintain clarity in any context.

Note that the standard is much higher for voice overs than it is for everyday life.

Your normal speaking style will sound surprisingly unclear in a voice recording.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to improve your clarity.

It sounds simple, but speaking clearly can be surprisingly difficult in practice.

2. Consistency

Recording a line a single time is one thing, but going through multiple takes can be tricky.

You may be asked to re-record certain sections to improve on particular areas without losing the force of your original recording.

You may also encounter projects where the client changed some of the wording in the copy.

In those cases, you’d need to punch in the new takes while maintaining the same energy, inflection and pace.

Minimizing variation between takes is a key skill for both conventional actors and voice over artists.

If you’re having trouble with consistency, try recording the same lines multiple times while practicing.

You may also be interested in working with a voice coach who can help you develop your talent.

3. Cold Reading

It’s common for clients to change copy multiple times prior to the session.

You may even find yourself being asked to read a script that you’ve never seen before.

The ability to quickly review a script and find the right tone is important for any voice over artist.

Of course, part of this is simply developing more confidence.

It may feel overwhelming at first, but you’ll gradually get a feel for how to match your reading style to a new script.

You’ll gradually gain confidence as you spend more time in the industry and improve your voice acting skills.

What Technical Skills Do I Need?

Vocal and marketing skills are obviously vital for professional voice actors.

Still, you will need an array of technical skills in order to maximize the quality of your own recordings.

Microphone placement, for example, is a seemingly simple point that can be surprisingly tough to perfect.

Experts often recommend recording from roughly six inches to one foot away.

You should experiment with different placements and angles to determine what works best for you.

Processing and editing your recordings is another important facet of voice acting.

For example, you’ll need to clean up harsh sibilant consonants like S, X, F, SH and remove plosives like P, B, T and K.

A good pop filter can help minimize these harsh sounds during the recording.

In the old days when voice actors worked at external studios, this was usually done by dedicated sound editors.

Additionally, sound engineers know how to apply EQ and compression for a more professional final product.

Today, voice actors are expected to edit recordings themselves unless the client specifies otherwise.

Your job as a voice actor is to deliver audio that is edited, processed and ready for final production.

What Education Do I Need?

Even if you have a perfect voice, you still need to build your skills before trying to start a career in voice acting.

The early stages are all about investing in yourself, growing more confident, and building connections.

If you’re new to the field, you should work with a professional coach.

You can get a similar experience through online tutoring and digital events if in-person classes aren’t an option.

An experienced voice coach will pick up on your tendencies and raw talent.

They’ll be able to help you recognize and improve your weaknesses while supporting your unique career goals.

One-on-one education can be expensive, but it’s hard to overestimate the impact a qualified coach can have on your voice acting career.

Many professional voice actors continue training even after they’ve developed successful careers

Ongoing education is the best way to keep your skills sharp over time.

Even the best voice over talent has room for improvement.

Your acting coach may also be able to help with other areas of your career such as marketing, networking, and audio production.

With that being said, private voice lessons aren’t the only option if you’re wondering how to become a voice actor.

Acting classes, conferences, and voice acting forums and events are incredibly valuable resources.

You may also learn valuable skills through a conventional acting class.

Voice acting doesn’t involve a physical performance, but many of the same principles still transfer.

Understanding your character, breaking down scripts, and gaining confidence transcend any individual acting discipline.

Furthermore, traditional acting classes will give you the opportunity to network with actors in a different niche.

While vocal skills are obviously fundamental to long-term success as a voiceover artist, pitching yourself to clients is just as important.

What Fields Do Voice Actors Work In?

When most people hear the words “voice acting,” they think of cartoon, movie, and video game characters as well as the actors who played them.

The allure of these fields brings many new voice over artists into the industry.

Of course, it helps that famous voice actors are often paid millions of dollars for each project.

With that being said, you can find voice over work in a wide range of other forms of media, and you don’t have to be a dramatic or comedic actor to enjoy success as a voice talent.

Commercials, corporate videos, and audiobook recordings can be amazing voice acting opportunities.

Most successful voice actors are neither celebrities nor millionaires, so it’s important to set reasonable expectations.

When you’re starting out, don’t hesitate to try different kinds of content and see what you feel more comfortable with.

1. Digital Education

With more students learning online than ever, digital education is a rapidly growing field for voice over talent.

There is extremely high demand for educational voice actors, and this trend will likely continue as the industry expands.

Naturally, recording educational materials is very different from recording a movie or TV show.

For example, educational voice actors need to be able to narrate long-form content in a consistent tone without getting dry or monotonous.

2. Commercials and Marketing

Many companies hire voice actors for commercials, explainer videos, and other promotional content.

Some larger businesses also work with professional voice actors to produce training videos and other internal materials.

Companies generally prefer to collaborate with the same actor over time, so these opportunities often lead to long-term working relationships.

Explainer videos are typically short demonstrations or tutorials designed to showcase a brand’s product or service.

They can appear anywhere from websites to marketing emails and social media pages.

In the example below, Jane A. goes over Sanebox’s features to show the product’s key benefits.

3. Entertainment

Of course, many voice actors work on entertainment projects including video games, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Overall, there are opportunities out there for every kind of voice actor.

The right way to look for jobs as a voice over artist depends on the kinds of projects you’re interested in.

How to Land Voice Acting Jobs

Once you have the necessary equipment and skills, you can start applying and interviewing for voice acting roles.

This is a big step if it’s your first time working in the industry.

Novice voice actors can get discouraged when they have trouble landing the gigs they’re interested in.

Persistence is key to success in any career path.

Don’t feel bad if you’re struggling to gain any momentum.

There’s no shortcut to becoming a successful voice actor — just get your name out there, improve your skills, and develop your portfolio.

Jobs are often filled online, so a strong digital presence is key.

That includes social media pages plus a professional website with some good samples.

Your demo reel will give you a chance to display any successful projects you’ve worked on.

It will only become more impressive as you get more experience.

Don’t worry if you only have a few personal projects to display at first.

Remember to get permission from the client before using the project in your portfolio.

You may also consider working with an agency to connect with jobs that may be more difficult to find on your own.

If you’re new to the field, consider taking it slowly rather than jumping into the deep end.

Part-time projects are an easy way to start out, and you won’t have to quit your day job or give up your existing income.

Think carefully before entering any exclusive agreements that could cut you off from other sources of work.

Aspiring voice actors often compare themselves to established actors to help potential clients understand their work.

While having a role model is never a bad thing, you should avoid marketing yourself based on someone else.

You’ll need a unique brand of your own in order to position yourself for long-term success.

Finally, take some time to interact with other voice actors, especially ones with more experience.

Networking is one of the most reliable ways to learn, find new projects, and expand your horizons.

Actors in your network will send you job opportunities that don’t fit their own skills.

Don’t underestimate how much work you could get from other voice talent who can vouch for your skills.

When you do get a job by means of a referral, make sure to give 110%.

Remember that the person who referred you has their reputation on the line just as much as you do, if not more.

As in any other field, networking should be a consistent part of your career plan.

Even if you don’t need any work right now, you should still be actively reaching out to voice actors and others in the industry.

Tips on Auditioning for Voice Over Jobs

Clients often audition ten or more voice actors for the same job, which means that you need to nail your audition.

In this section, we’ll cover a few ways to improve your audition performance.

1. Keep Auditioning

Simply auditioning more often is a great thing you can do to improve your skills.

You’ll learn something new every time you try out for a new job, and you’ll also build your confidence as you work with more clients.

Getting jobs as a voice actor takes time, so keep working at it even if you don’t hear back.

2. Focus on the Right Projects

While auditioning is good practice on its own, you shouldn’t waste time or effort on jobs that don’t match your skill set.

You’ll probably have trouble convincing the hiring manager that you’re the right fit if you don’t believe it yourself.

Focus on building your reputation in the niches you’re interested in.

3. Read a Small Part of the Script

If a client posted a full script for the audition, don’t record the entire thing.

In general, casting directors will only listen to a short section of each audition.

Recording anything longer is a waste of time and energy you could be putting into another audition.

20 or 30 seconds should be more than enough in most cases.

This also allows you to record the part of the script you feel most comfortable with.

You’ll have more time to work on your material if you limit the audition to a small section.

Feel free to jump straight into the script rather than stating your name or the part you’re auditioning for.

We highly recommend adding a water mark to short auditions, especially when working with a client you aren’t familiar with.

This will prevent them from using your audition commercially.

In Summary

Building a successful career as a voice actor doesn’t happen overnight.

Still, it’s a more realistic goal than you might think, and it’s more accessible than ever in 2024.

These tips will help you get the equipment you need, improve your skills through training and education, and connect with the voice acting jobs you’re looking for.

Did you like this article? Have any questions? Please feel free to comment below.