What does it really take to become a Voice Actor?
There are so many variables involved in the process of becoming a successful voiceover artist that it's impossible to predict success. It can take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on your experience and dedication. It's also unrealistic to think that you'll become successful in a few weeks or months. You need time for your voice and performance to mature and develop its own unique sound. This takes time!
Invest Time, Money, and Effort into Building a Successful Voiceover Career
To be successful, you need to invest time, money, and effort into building a career in voiceover. This can be done by:
Hard work
Due diligence (researching the industry), and
Setting realistic goals that are within your reach
Respect the voiceover industry as a legitimate business, and you will gravitate toward practices that will enable your success.
Finding the Right Training and Coaching
Once you've decided to pursue voice over, the next step is finding the right training and coaching. Investing in coaching and training will allow you to refine your performance skills and learn how best to market yourself. There are many different programs out there that offer different services at different prices. It's important to do your research before committing yourself to any one program or coach so that you know exactly what you're getting into and whether or not it's worth your time and money. Most reputable coaches will offer a free consult, so take advantage and find one that you resonate with for the most optimal learning experience.
Have a strong work ethic, be relentless, do the work, even the work that you may not want to do.
Embarking on the path to voiceover success begins with acquiring valuable experience.
You can't expect to be great at something without putting in the time and effort required, so it's important that you practice your craft regularly. Concentrate on building up your portfolio by taking on as many different voiceover jobs that you can. This will help you gain a better understanding of what genres you excl in, as well as what it takes to succeed in this field, and give you an opportunity to showcase what makes you unique as an artist.
Marketing and networking are two of the most important aspects of being a successful voice actor.
If you're not marketing yourself, it's unlikely that anyone will find you or your work. You may be able to get by with only one or two clients at first, but as time goes on and your reputation grows, more people will become aware of who you are and what services you offer. Effective marketing includes:
Develop an online presence (website + online casting profiles)
Reach out to potential clients via email or phone call.
Utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
While you're getting your voiceover career off the ground, it's important to understand the costs of running a business and set up a budget.
Start simple to avoid unnecessary spending and make smart decisions as you build your voice over career. Use free or low-cost tools like Twisted Wave for Mac or Audacity for Windows, and set up a walk-in closet with clothing as a starter studio (search “Voiceover Home Studio setup” for inspiration). As you gain experience, prioritize upgrading your performance skills through coaching, and consider enhancing your studio setup. When ready, explore advanced editing software like Adobe Audition or Pro Tools for greater efficiency and flexibility in editing audio. Start small, grow strategically, and build a setup that works for you!
Becoming a successful voiceover artist takes dedication and hard work.
Investing in coaching and training is essential for building a successful voice over career, but understanding the business side is just as important. It may take time to see a return on your investment, but with persistence and dedication, the rewards of being your own boss and doing what you love are well worth the effort!
Thanks for reading! - Anne
About Anne
Anne Ganguzza is California-based Voice Actor, Voiceover Coach, and award-winning Director & Producer specializing in target-marketed Voiceover Demo Production.
