How To Become a Voiceover Artist

What do Daffy Duck, Perry the Platypus, and Tarrlok (The Legend of Korra) have in common? Dee Bradley Baker — an American voice actor. Do you think all these voices just leaked out of him overnight? Of course not!

If you want to become a voiceover artist, you need to put in the work. Think of this endeavor as a step-by-step career. Like anything worthy, it will take time to build. Check out our practical tips below on how to achieve your voiceover dreams.

1. Do Your Research

Everything you need to know to be a voiceover artist is right at your fingertips. Google away to learn the essentials of voice acting. You can choose from a diverse range of sources, from blogs to podcasts and social media groups.

Here are some things you should learn how to do:

● Recognize your strengths and weaknesses.

● Discover the types of voiceover work available.

● Build a home studio for remote work.

● Create a high-quality demo.

● Find voiceover gigs.

2. Get your Gear

Buying the right equipment and recording gear will set you on your path to success and prevent any headaches in the future. To start, you'll need proper soundproofing and acoustic treatment, a microphone, an interface, and a laptop.

3. Hone Your Skills

This Backstage article states that a whopping 85% of auditions get disqualified because of the lack of skill or lackluster performances.

Being a voiceover actor takes a lot of skill - much more than you might think - and having a "nice voice" isn't enough to land you jobs. Keep developing your expertise by taking classes, attending seminars, or hiring a coach.

4. Gain Experience

Like with any occupation, your experience matters. Whether you want to make voice acting a career or a side gig, gaining experience can do wonders for you.

Before you get your first voiceover job, these are some things you can try:

● Practice reading out loudly — on your own or in front of people.

● Record voiceover demos and check for improvement opportunities.

● Accept a few pro bono gigs to beef up your resumé.

● Get as much time in front of an audience as you can, from plays to stand up and open mic nights.

● Audition for as many fitting roles as you can. Pro tip: some projects allow actors to work from home. Don’t limit yourself to nearby locations.

5. Study Successful Talents

The voiceover industry is a competitive one. The same Backstage article mentioned earlier also reveals it takes an average of 200 auditions to land a job. If you want to thrive in this industry, study the successful talents in your niche. Take a page out of their book to learn a thing or two about standing out.

6. Network

We mentioned that voice acting is a career, making networking advantageous for growth. Find networking events for budding voiceover actors like yourself to discover employment opportunities, build friendships, and even find potential mentors. These events will help you understand the industry better as a business and help you create a strategy for success.

7. Score Voiceover Gigs

There are plenty of ways to find gigs in voiceover, from auditioning, to getting an agent, to direct marketing to production and advertising companies. Finding out what works for you will be key to your success.

Begin Your Voice Acting Journey

Being a voice actor has many perks. You can work from home, manage your hours, and be your own boss. But, getting to the top takes hard work, dedication, and patience.

Follow the tips above to jumpstart your voice acting journey. If you have more questions about this career, get in touch with me at Alice@AlicEverdeen.com.