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Have you ever been told, “You should try voice acting!”? If you have a unique voice or can express yourself in various tones, you might be a great fit for this field. However, breaking into professional voice acting requires more than just having a good voice.
Successful voice actors possess ambition, refined talent, and strong business acumen. Therefore, not only should this be a passion of yours, but you may also need to take voice training classes to refine your skills before you can secure your first role.
If you’re interested in pursuing voice acting, it’s essential to get started as soon as possible. Voice acting is a valuable skill that offers a range of opportunities, but the journey can be challenging. However, this career path is filled with excitement and can be incredibly rewarding. It provides various clients, flexible hours, and the possibility to audition and work from home.
Below, we outline how to embark on your journey as a voice actor.
What Is a Voice Actor?
A voice actor is a performer or an artist who uses their voice to entertain, narrate, or market in various media formats. This can include commercials, animation, audiobooks, video games, and educational content.
Voice actors may be tasked with performing impressions, mimicking characters, or bringing fictional personas to life. It’s more than just reading from a script; voice actors must convey emotions and tones through their voice, which can be quite challenging.
Many voice actors consistently practice and train to enhance their vocal skills and range, aiming to deliver outstanding performances that help them stand out in a competitive industry and attract clients.
Voice actors typically read and record scripts in a vocal booth or home studio, delivering their lines in ways that suit the project’s requirements. They need to adjust their inflections and tones while ensuring clear enunciation, often providing multiple samples for clients to consider.
How to Start Your Voice Acting Career
Voice acting requires practice, and diving in is the best way to start. A key aspect to learn is the various script genres within commercial voice acting, which includes styles such as real person, announcer, spokesperson, character, PSA, and more.
Different genres demand specific interpretive skills and vocal tones. While promotions, audiobook narration, animation, and ADR are common, genres also include comedy and drama. Depending on your interests and abilities, you may find yourself more suited for one genre over another.
Once you grasp the different genres, focus on timing, relaxation techniques, projecting a natural tone, microphone skills, and bringing scripts to life in a recording booth.
This differs from acting in film, TV, or theater, as you typically won’t have other actors to collaborate with. You’ll need to leverage your imagination to deliver the appropriate voice for your projects.
There’s no age limit to starting a voice acting career. Some voice actors begin as children, while others start later in life. Regardless of your background, it’s essential to find a good vocal coach.
Research options in your area or online to find the right coach. After sufficient training, your coach will assist you in creating a demo reel that you can use to secure projects.
The Benefits and Downsides of Voice Acting
Like any career, voice acting has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to weigh both before committing your time and energy to ensure it aligns with your aspirations.
Some benefits of voice acting include:
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Meaningful projects. Even the simplest voice-over work can significantly impact a project. Each client you collaborate with has a mission, and your voice can play a vital role in achieving that. This can be incredibly fulfilling for the voice actor.
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The community. The voice acting community includes producers, coordinators, and fellow voice actors who are eager to connect. By networking, you can forge valuable professional relationships, opening doors to future opportunities.
Engaging with this community can lead to friendships and professional connections that you may not have encountered otherwise.
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Your clients. You may find yourself working with the same clients repeatedly, fostering ongoing relationships that can lead to new opportunities. Your clients often appreciate your work and may recommend you to others, expanding your network.
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Flexibility. The ability to work from home and set your own schedule is crucial. Voice acting typically allows you to work from anywhere with internet access, making it an attractive option for many.
Numerous successful freelance voice actors have expressed gratitude for achieving a better work-life balance that accommodates their family dynamics and personal schedules.
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Endless opportunities. Voice acting resembles running your own business — your income correlates with your effort. Your voice is your brand, so treat it as such. Since you’re your own boss, your success is determined by your dedication; the possibilities are limitless.
However, not every aspect of voice acting is positive. There are drawbacks to consider before pursuing this career path.
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Time commitment. From training with a coach to setting up a home studio and learning about the industry, the time investment can be substantial. Ensure you’re prepared to dedicate the necessary time to reap the rewards.
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Isolation. Working remotely can feel isolating, even for seasoned voice actors. It’s crucial to balance your work with other activities and engage with the voice acting community to mitigate feelings of solitude.
Isolation can lead to overexertion, so make sure to schedule breaks and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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Costs. Running a voice acting business can be more expensive than anticipated, especially if you’re aiming for it to be a full-time career. Initial investments in quality studio equipment, professional tools, and training can add up, along with the costs of hiring a voice coach.
How to Train as a Voice Actor
We’ve emphasized the significance of finding a coach, so let’s delve deeper into their role. Voice-over coaches are experts in the field who introduce you to various techniques and concepts that can enhance your skills.
They can help you expand your network and connect you with opportunities to start generating income. Coaches are typically available for online or in-person sessions.
While many coaches offer general training for beginners, many also cater to advanced voice-over professionals, providing specialized training in specific niches.
Coaches can assist with audio production education and demo creation, which are crucial for landing clients. They may also offer services such as accent training, character voice development, and marketing strategies tailored to your services.
Voice Actor Salary
Like any other freelance career, determining your rates can be challenging, but it’s an essential aspect of the industry. You should feel empowered to set your prices based on your worth.
A good starting point is to research average voice actor salaries to gauge where you stand. Various factors may influence your pricing, but many clients emphasize that quality outweighs cost when they find the right voice actor.
When considering your pricing structure, factor in the costs associated with running your business, including studio space, equipment, training, and your level of experience. Understanding the voice-over business model will help you make informed decisions about your rates.
Once you’ve accounted for these considerations, ensure that your pricing allows you to turn a profit before presenting it to clients.
How to Set Up a Home Recording Studio
Creating a home studio doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. A home studio opens doors for more opportunities and enables remote work. Before setting up, consider whether you have sufficient space to establish a recording area, be it a room, closet, or something else.
If you’re looking to create your home recording studio, consider these tips:
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Soundproof with blankets. Soundproofing doesn’t need to be extravagant. Heavy blankets or comforters can absorb unwanted sounds effectively.
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Expensive isn’t always better. Your recording equipment doesn’t have to be the priciest option. Higher cost doesn’t equate to better quality. Conduct research and remember that you can always upgrade your equipment as you start generating income.
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Use what you have. Your recording studio can be as simple as a closet in your home; you don’t need to build something elaborate from scratch.
Many other factors may influence your success as a voice actor. Do your research, start small, and engage with other professionals in the industry to help you reach your dreams.
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Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
Expert
Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.
