How To Become a Voice Actor

1. Meet The Industry

A voice-over is the voice of an unseen narrator, a recording performed by a voice talent that gives life to characters, tells a story, or sells a product.

What is a Voice-Over?

A voice-over is  the voice of an unseen narrator, in a movie or a television broadcast.  It is a recording performed by a voice talent that gives life to characters, tells a story, guides you on a tour, or directs your telephone calls. Usually, professional voice talents are enthusiastic, funny, charming, are flexible, and interact well with other people.  They have the ability to take direction or criticism from others and can interpret copy to sell a product, concept, or a message.

Who is a Voice Actor?

A voice actor is a voice-over professional who interprets a script to meet a specific
commercial, leisure, or educational goal.  Voice talents provide the voices that you hear during a commercial on television, imaging on the radio, podcasts, narrators for film, voices for movie trailers, telephone systems, educational resources, and a wide assortment of web and kiosk applications.

A voice actor (or voice artist) is also the person who provides voices for computer and video games, puppet shows,  amusement rides, audio dramas, dubbed foreign language films,  and animation works (including cartoons, animated feature films, animated shorts), and radio and television commercials. 

2.  Learn from the Masters

If producing your own voice-over work seems like a daunting task, there are professionals who work from their own rechelp you succeed.

Voice acting is an art, and very truly, it is acting. Although most voice work is recorded in the privacy of your own studio away from the glare of the cameras, a voice over will serve as a performance for the hundreds if not thousands of people who will receive the message you are giving voice to.

Studying with a voice over coach who will help you to assess your talent and develop
your skills is the best preparation and nourishment that you can invest in to build a solid foundation for your voice over career.

Before the home recording studio, or calling agents for representation, it is more than advisable to consult a teacher of voice over who will inyour voice to make a living.
 

Finding Help on the Internet

Voices.com, the Internet portal for voice actors help sections, a Frequently Asked Question database, blogs, and podcasts.  Voices.com is a reputable, transparent organization with clear, focused goals and open business practices. Explore the site and the opportunities available to you to make an inforead testimonials from both voice talent and clients that have used their site.

Coaches & Teachers

It's not only helpful but quite wise to enlist the services of a voice over coach or vocal instructor before jumping in the deep end of the voice-over pool. There are cases where the roles of voice teachers and coaches vary, however, their principal objectives are to see that their clients improve their technique, style, and overall vocal health.  Some talents will bring their voice-over work to their coach to ask for advice. This is not uncommon, however, an even more common reason for
approaching a voice coach is to prepare for recording a voice-over demo, especially if the demo is a first effort by the student.

3.  Recording Your Voice Over Demo

The first thing that you'll need is a marketable voice-over demo [PDF].  Your demo will present your voice to clients.  They can listen to it and evaluate your services first hand.  Creating a variety of voice over demos rounds out your portfolio showcasing the styles of voice-over that you can perform.

Since nearly everyone has heard a radio program, you should expect that your listeners have grown accustomed to hearing material produced in a certain way. Here is suggested framework for mapping out your production.

4. Create a Business Environment

You've made the decision that you would like to become a voice-over talent.  Now what?  In order to be successful in this endeavor, you'll need to develop a plan that you will commit to.

To run an efficient online voice over business, you need to have the tools of the trade.  Here is a shortlist of the essentials that you will need to operate your voice-over business online.

Essential Home-based Business Technology

- High-speed Internet connection
- Personal computer, printer
- Business software MS Word, Excel
- Accounting software such as Quicken, QuickBooks, MS Money is recommended
- Telephone w/ voicemail
- Fax
 

5. Creating a Web Presence

Learn how to give yourself a web presence by building a Profile, executing a branding strategy online, and offering additional services.

The Main Idea

Visibility is the most significant dynamic for any business, particularly in a field where professionals compete directly with each other.  You can achieve visibility by investing in your own website or by subscribing to a online marketplace that gives you your own web page, where you can include your voice over information.

Participating at an Online Marketplace

As mentioned earlier, there are some great job websites that will help you find voice-over work.  These sites are referred to as an 'online marketplace' - where clients and voice talents can connect to complete a project.

What to Look For In a Marketplace

- The ability to manage and change your content on your own without a fee.
- A good number of projects that you can audition for every week.
- The ability to be contacted directly by a client without the neutral party intervening.
- Diverse advertising opportunities for voice talent to attract a variety of clients.
- Opportunities for voice talent to be found in multiple ways.
- A trustworthy and transparent site with open business practices.
- Good customer service and support, both online and offline.
- An innovative and proactive web content provider.
- Active marketing campaigns on your behalf.
- Responsive to voice talent suggestions.
- Easy to navigate.
- A professionals site where you will feel proud to be featured.
- Access to resources and templates that will save you time.
- A consistent track record of voice-over jobs.
- Accountability.
- Personal contact.
- Acknowledgment in the press.
- Integrity.
- A good variety of testimonials from both voice talents who use the service and clients who
have experienced the service first-hand.
- Considerate to the needs of the voice talent.
- Looking out for the talents best interest.
- Easy to use auditioning system.
- Efficient system that provides you with a record of auditions submitted.
- Free from overt advertising.
- Annual membership fee can range between $99 and $199.

6. Promoting Your Voice

Now that the hard work is done, it's time to start spreading the news.  Begin by reading this chapter about promoting your voice.

Reasons To Spread The Word

Promoting your demo is the fulfillment of your overall mission as a voice talent.  If you don't promote your voice, at least initially, who else will do it for you?  Remember that you invested time, energy, and love into your craft and that it should be shared with your intended audience.  How better to start gaining clientele than to actively promote your voice?

7. Go For It

Ready to take the next step?  Start your experience today by joining Voices.com.  Enjoy access to business and voice over resources, friendly customer care representatives, and create your very own voice talent website for free to showcase your voice and highlight your abilities.