top of page

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.

3 Comments


mperkins080354
Oct 19, 2022

Thank you for sharing your story and tips, I have been told by many that I have a nice voice and should consider doing VO's, I've never looked into it and quite frankly don't know how to get started, I am 58 yrs young lol, retired in 2020 but just recently went back to work with the rising cost of everything, I had too, i would like to do something fun like VO's, I'm starting from ground zero, thank you for the tips! I'm going to take them all in and pursue my dream, your story is inspIring!

Like

jacorydeshon
Sep 18, 2022

I just want to say that your work inspires me so much. This is something that I've always wanted to do ever since I was a little boy. I dreamed of being an actor of any kind. I work from home so this will be a GREAT start to my voiceover acting career and it's because of YOU, Alice. I believe that God put you on my heart to help fulfill my purpose in life. As a Black "gay" male with the softest, news reporter voice lol, I believe my voice will be heard and wanted in this industry. I am ready to work so hard and get my name out there just like you did. Thank you for paving…

Like
aliceeverdeen
Sep 23, 2022
Replying to

J Deshon, thank you so much for commenting! What a sweet message. I am so proud of you for making this decision and following your dream! You've got this! Best of luck!

Like
bottom of page