How to Succeed in the Voiceover Industry

by Victoria DeAnda on May 4, 2017

It is no secret that the voiceover business can be intensely competitive, especially when just starting out and making a name for yourself. It takes practice and a serious investment of personal time to learn the skills needed to become established as a go to voiceover actor. So, what are some tips to succeed where others have failed in the voiceover industry? Below are some expert tips that have been tested and can help you on this journey to make it.

  • Read anything and everything you can find on voice over. For example, pick up a copy of “The Art of Voice Acting” written by James Alburger, a multiple Grammy winning voiceover artist. The wisdom of those who have succeeded in the path you are now on is worth the investment.
  • Get some professional training. This is not just limited to voiceover specific trainings either. Try some acting classes or even some production workshops. It will help to know what other performers are doing so you can use best practices across the board in your own work. This also can include finding local classes offered at a community center or adult learning center or, if you have the resources, hiring a private coach to mentor you.
  • Produce a killer demo. This is the first impression many companies will have of your talent. By putting in time and money to produce a great demo, you can save a lot of time and money down the line on networking and marketing for yourself. Bonus tip: do not rush into producing your demo and instead take your time to make sure it is ready to distribute.
  • Quality equipment is your best friend.  You can have the best voice in the world and immeasurable talent but that makes no difference if you are using an old and battered microphone to seize your voice. How and where you record your sound will play a huge part in how your final product comes out and DIY digital audio recording cannot replace recording done in a studio.

Finally, and most importantly, have fun with your craft. If you don’t love it, it will show and you can’t expect anyone to want to hire a passionless voiceover artist. Let your passion bleed into your work.

 

Give to Get in the Voiceover Industry

by Victoria DeAnda on November 6, 2014

Voiceover artists have a lot to offer in the voiceover industry, especially those that have been working for a few years. They understand what it’s like to learn the skills, find work, and keep clients coming back for more. Some of the more seasoned voiceover professionals also know how to find full time work. If you do voiceover work, you may want to consider what you know and how you can help others trying to get into industry or grow in it.

The Idea of Giving to Get in the Voiceover Industry

Life can get busy. Many people work day in and day out to be able to earn a decent income. They go out and apply for gigs, go to auditions, and continuously market themselves. While it can be rewarding when jobs are granted to these people, there’s nothing more rewarding than doing more than just helping yourself.

When you’re able to look beyond yourself, you will be able to see how comforting it is to help others with their career. When you’re able to take someone by the hand and make their dreams of a voice over career come true, you are growing. You are growing personally and professionally.

At this point, you may be saying, “I just don’t have time for that.” Many people believe they don’t have the time for it, but in actuality they do. They just need to prioritize. As you’re spending an hour or two looking for work online without finding anything, you could have spent it helping someone hone their skills or find work in their niche. It’s a very selfless thing to do, right? Well, not exactly. Here’s the get part.

When you share the knowledge you have, you are showing people how much you know. You become a hero or heroine to someone. People around you will see you doing this and they will find it incredible how giving you are. This is a positive attribute that will take you far.

Not only will you be able to put your work helping budding voice over artists on your resume, but through the connections you’re making with others, you could start to be recommended for jobs. In the voiceover industry, it’s not as much about what you know, but who you know. For every person you help, that’s a connection that could lead you to someone who could turn out giving you the opportunity of a lifetime.

It can be hard to let go of your success to help someone else’s, but give it a try. Teaching others will boost your confidence by making you feel good about yourself. That vibe you send out will make prospective clients want to use you more than ever, and that’s how the concept of give to get can work for you.