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Debbie Grattan

How Do I Get Started in Voice Over?

You want to be a voice over actor. You are certainly not alone.

In fact, the query “How do I get started in voice over?” is one I get so frequently that I’m compiling some basic information and advice. This way anyone who lands on my site with this question can check out this blog – instead of sending an email – for an overview of what I recommend.

You’ll find my advice may differ from other voice over actors, so you’re free to take it for what it’s worth. After spending nearly 30 years in this business, I’ve learned a lot and seen many changes from when I began.

Getting started or becoming proficient in voice acting is not as simple as it may seem. Contrary to what you may have heard or think:

  • You need MUCH more than just a voice and a microphone.
  • All the people and sites promising an “easy way to make money from home doing voice over” are way off-base.

Like any entrepreneurial venture, you have to be smart, and tenacious, and creative, and talented, and WORK hard. Yes, hard work is part of the deal.

It’s not an easy or obvious road to navigate and, for most, the challenge is simply more than they’re up for. Often, it takes years figuring out the right paths, and putting it all into play to actually start making money.

No “Get Rich Quick” scheme here. It’s all about building a business and career. Like anything worthy, it doesn’t happen overnight. But, like any venture, it can be done with proper commitment, talent, desire and some luck.

There are more voice over opportunities than ever these days, but the competition is formidable.

I don’t coach talent, but will pass along a link from a VO Pros group on Facebook. The link comes from a fellow voice over actor, based in Los Angeles, and offers a crash course in what to do to get started in the industry:

Crash Course for Getting Started in Voice Over

And here comes my take on what it takes to get started in voice over, with eight tips I freely share with anyone who asks.

1. Do Your Research

When I started, the internet did not yet exist (yes, I’m a dinosaur!). Now, it serves as a treasure trove of information – which can be a double-edged sword if you fall into the trap of information overload.

You don’t have to figure it all out overnight. But you will have to figure out what is helpful information, and what applies to you in whatever stage you’re in. There are lots of books, webinars, blogs, podcasts, groups, and on and on.

There is no ONE approach. It’s up to YOU to do your homework, and figure out what seems a good fit for your situation, your particular vocal strengths and what you’d like to focus on.

You’ll find a bunch of links throughout this piece, that I’ve personally selected from trustworthy sources, packed with solid information.

And remember, it’s a marathon. You have to take small steps and reward yourself along the way. Otherwise, it can all just be too much.

Do your due diligence, to see if it’s even something you truly want to pursue.

Making a Move

Many people have very limited knowledge about all that voice over entails. They may also not understand that most big commercial, animation and gaming work comes from talent agencies and casting companies in large markets, such as LA, NY and Chicago.

Your overall goal may be one that requires a physical move to get to the place where you can actually pursue the niche you want. (But I wouldn’t suggest making a big move until you’re truly ready and committed with your goals in place.)

Working from Home

A lot of VO work these days is done from home studios across the globe. That means it is possible to book work from anywhere—although it’s probably a lot less glamorous than what you might think. But you have to establish yourself first, and that can be the tricky part.

Do a Google search on “How to break into VO” and you’ll have thousands of links to peruse. You’ll also find tons of information on the topic on my own blog, so check it out for more specific details.

Here are two pieces you may benefit from right off the bat:

Knowing the Players

Part of your job is knowing who the players are. That’s the research I’m talking about.  Here are a few links for some basics to get you started. Bookmark them and visit often:

  • Vo Buzz Weekly: GREAT information from Chuck Duran (hottest VO demo producer in LA) and the incredible guests he has on this weekly show. There are archives of shows with VO actors, agents, casting directors and coaches. You’ll see some of the same names in links I personally recommend further down the page.
  • Voice Over Resource Guide: Extremely up-to-date information on casting companies, talent agencies, union rates, training, and demo production in the Los Angeles and NYC areas.
  • Global Voice Academy Rate Guide: This is a great guide for VO rates and other pertinent info on upcoming seminars, workshops, conventions, coaches and more. I use it all the time, to reference to clients, so they know I’m not just making up my rates out of thin air.
  • Nethervoice Blog: Get on the subscriber list for this blog. Paul Strikwerda is one of the most eloquent and astute bloggers on topics related to VO. I agree with nearly everything he writes.
  • Debbie Grattan Blog: And if you haven’t already checked out my website and blog, then bookmark that as well

2. Attend a Voice Over Workshop

Once you’ve done some research, seek out a good workshop. A good workshop is one that:

  • Is led by a true professional in a real recording studio (if possible)
  • Contains actual commercial and narration copy
  • Teaches you about interpretation, trends, working with a microphone and taking live direction

There is a lot of skill involved in voice over…more than one might think. It’s not as easy as it may seem. Kinda like when you watch a great golfer take a swing. It looks effortless. But of course we know the years of coaching, detail and practice that went into getting it just right.

An industry professional will share current vocal trends in the market, such as today’s focus on conversational, real-person voice overs. This may be trickier than expected to deliver in an audition, when the copy is often not written in a very conversational style.

Niche Markets, Major Markets

Certainly, it’s possible to be proficient in many VO niches. But each requires not only different skills in interpreting copy, but also variations in audio editing, marketing, demos, gathering prospects and clients and follow up.

You’ll find many more workshop classes in major markets, but there can also be offerings in smaller markets as well.  Even a community college might offer a class. Try it out somewhere to see what it’s all about. Your first encounter will give you a better idea if voice over is something you think you want to pursue.

Voice Over Workshop Benefits

Workshops also allow you to network with other VO actors, and find out what they’re doing to promote themselves and get connected in the industry.

Some examples of recommended workshops for VO in LA and vicinity:

  • Kalmenson & Kalmenson: Definitely one of the best in town. Also, watch Cathy and Harvey “Da Harv” Kalmenson on VO Buzz Weekly to get a personalized interview to hear what expert advice they have to offer.
  • Wallis Agency: A nice list from a Hollywood agent with several VO workshops in town.
  • Braintracks Audio: Super- hot VO coach Nancy Wolfson. You can learn a lot just from watching her videos.

Schedules may be different or on hold due to COVID, making patience a key.

One more important note:

The vast majority of working VO professionals have a rich background in performance, so it’s a BIG plus to have training or experience in:

  • Acting
  • Stand-up comedy
  • Improvisation

If you are lacking in these skills, best to get some basic training or brush up on techniques.

If you choose to pursue voice over as a career, you will be competing with top-notch actors. A background in performance will help you greatly.

3. Be Coach-Able and Be Patient

Allow your mind to embrace new ideas.  Don’t get in your own way with negative thinking. Any career in the entertainment industry is highly coveted and fiercely competitive.

You need to maintain your own personal support system to help you roll with the rejection that’s a day-to-day part of the job. Be kind to others and to yourself.

The truth is:

The actual recording part of a VO pro’s day is only a very small part.

  • 5 to 25% of the day: Time spent recording
  • 75 to 95% of the day: Time spent FINDING the work (especially in the early days)

That’s the challenging part.  And no matter how good you get, you’re still going to have to be your best cheerleader, your best salesperson, and learn to enjoy the challenge. Find the things you like about it, and celebrate when you’ve hit a goal or had a success!

4. Learn What It Takes to Run a Business

Most people find it hard being an entrepreneur, which is what you have to be as a VO actor. It’s a rare few that make it past the hurdles to actually make their living in VO or acting.

You must:

  • Take charge
  • Wear many hats, and be good at most (if not all) to succeed
  • Make up the rules as you go
  • Discern what’s working and what’s not
  • Be creative in your approach
  • Be tenacious

Whew. If that’s not enough, you must also keep going and going – even when the going gets tough.

While there are suggestions from everywhere, there is no ONE road to success. It’s different for everybody, and it’s up to you to find what personally works for you.

5. Invest in Yourself and Your New Career Path

You’ve heard “It takes money to make money?” Well, that’s definitely true in a voice over career.

You have to be willing to invest in your career. You will be required to spend money on the things that are vital to getting you up and running.  Think in possibility.

My order of spend for your career over the first year or two:

In-person or remote VO workshops or coaching sessions

  • Cost: $250 to $500+ depending on location and instructor

You’ll probably want to take more than one before moving on to the next step.

Home studio setup

  • Cost: $1,000+ for adequate studio setup

Essential for your own practice and ability to learn the basics of recording and editing. You’ll find tons of online info to help with home studio setups. Don’t invest in a WhisperRoom or a super expensive mic just yet.

A quiet place like a closet or corner you can treat with a noise dampening technique is a good place to start. When or if it becomes clear you want to pursue this venture further, you can upgrade your studio setup as needed.

Joining a pay-to-play (P2P) site

  • Cost: $199 to $300 per year to join at a beginning level

P2P sites let voice seekers post auditions for voice actors to submit. Major sites, like Voices.com, Voice123, VO Planet and others will have an annual membership fee. Since you won’t yet have your own professional website at this stage, P2P sites are a place to set up a temporary web presence with a bio and some demos of your work.

Beware: You may audition for hundreds of jobs on sites like these and not book one for a very long time – or ever! You have to not only be patient, but also get feedback from a coach or other industry professional to tell you what’s working and what’s not in your auditions.

Professional demo production

  • Cost: $200 to $2,500+

Many newbies want to make a demo right out of the gate. I don’t recommend doing so, as you have to learn and grow as a voice actor before your demo is competitive in the market.

Certainly you can DIY, but most professionals will hire a demo producer to take you from beginning to final. Don’t spend on the high end at this stage.

Many auditions want a custom demo, with their script. That means having any type of premade demo may not even be requested or needed anywhere else but your web page.

At least one professional demo, and perhaps several, will be imperative once you reach the point where you decide to make voice over into something more than a hobby. You’ll need demos if you wish to pursue agency representation, which is not necessary but helpful for bigger jobs.

6. Regularly Read Industry Blogs to Stay in the Know

The internet is your friend. It provides answers to nearly all of your questions. There are TONS of books, articles, blogs and other content about the business of voice over. Read something by Marc Cashman, for sure.

Once you start familiarizing yourself with industry pros, you’ll find those with whom you resonate. You’ll be able to keep up with industry happenings by continuing to branch out with those in the know.

7. Join Social Networking Groups for Voice Over

From Facebook and LinkedIn to Twitter and Instagram, get on the social networking platforms. You’ll find TONS of VO groups, with all sorts of advice on everything from where to get a demo to how to set up a home studio, to what producers you want to avoid.

Helpful links to get you started:

  • VO Peeps: Meetup group delivering resources and info about the industry. Great for networking and ongoing learning.

Search around for more group on all the social platforms. But be careful to not waste too much time chatting or posting. Like most social media, it can be a huge time waster if you get sidetracked. If you stay on track, it’s a fantastic way to get connected to others in the industry and LEARN.

You’ll find the VO community to be among the warmest and most helpful out there. Everyone was once in your shoes. They all had to figure a way to get wherever they are.

If you’re not in-person in a workshop, then interface with the VO community online:

  • In groups
  • Chat rooms
  • Podcasts
  • Webinars
  • Wherever you can

Keep in mind they are doing a favor in handing out any advice (unless you’ve hired them for coaching services). That means you don’t want to over-impose. And never send a one-line note asking, “How do I break into the VO industry.” That’s just a big turn-off for most VO pros.

8. Study Successful VO Talent in Your Chosen Category

Identify and study your competition. It’s really simple to do that nowadays, with that fancy little laptop or smart phone you have. Or just watch and listen to commercial spots to hear what’s current.

Google is your gateway to the world. Research other VO talent. Take notes on what you like about their demos, websites, communication, blogs and other content. Then use it to assist you in your journey.

You need to be aware of who you are competing with. You also need to find your own unique way to stand out amongst the competition. That’s something you’ll have to do with EVERY audition, so get used to it!

Summing It Up for New Voice Over Talent  

The MASSIVE amount of voice over information out there can be overwhelming, especially at first. But literally any question you can ask will have an answer – or multiple answers.

Podcasts to put on your list:

As mentioned, I personally do not coach talent, but there are many VO professionals who do. Marketing oneself as a coach for actors is an entirely separate business from acting and VO, and I only have the time and energy to devote to one. But there are good teachers out there.

If you follow through with the slate of info in this article, it will surely lead you to other important sources of information and the next step on the ladder. You’ll find many more steps past those listed here. In fact, the steps are never ending.  But if you enjoy what you’re doing, then it will always be a fun ride.

Just keep swimming!
Best of Luck!

Are You Willing to Do What It Takes to Succeed at Voice Over? – Part 3

The idea of a voice over career can be alluring indeed, especially when many people think it automatically delivers easy money, fun work and maybe even a chance to voice famous characters or worldwide campaigns.

For starters, it doesn’t always deliver those perks. True, a small percentage of voice over artists get to voice famous characters and worldwide campaigns – but they’re typically well-known actors to begin with. And thinking that any career automatically delivers easy money and fun work is an erroneous thought across the board.

Making it as a voice over artist takes a lot of proverbial blood, sweat and tears, along with the willingness to endure many things people may not even think about before they dive headfirst into the industry. As the third and final part in my blog series about launching a voice over career, this article is going to expose those things.

Part One of the series asked you to go deeper into your reasons for choosing a VO career. Part Two of the series asked you to determine if voice over delivered the legacy, mastery, freedom and alignment you need out of a career. Part Three is again going to ask a question, but only a single practical question:

Are you willing?

Are you willing to go to the lengths needed to make an honest attempt at voice over success? Before you answer, you probably want to know what those lengths would be. You’ll find them in the questions below.

Are You Willing to…

Give up that thing called job security?

Like any form of self-employment, especially in a creative field, the workflow tends to fluctuate. You may be overloaded one month, and get barely any jobs the next. You’ll also be paying for your own health insurance, sick days, vacation time and other expenses a full-time position would normally cover.

Even once you build up your voice over career with regular clients, monthly income can vary widely. But that doesn’t mean the monthly bills can go unpaid. Wise creatives save during the rainfalls so they’re properly prepared for the droughts.

Build your skills before you even begin?

Your first step in a voice over career is not to record a demo. It’s to strengthen your skills so you’re ready to record a demo. No matter how good your neighbor thinks you are at funny accents or character voices, unprofessional demos can be spotted a mile away. They can also work against you in the long run.

Building skills involves:

  • Hiring a voice coach
  • Attending voice and acting workshops and classes
  • Doing daily technical exercises to warm up your voice and improve control
  • Learning how to analyze scripts
  • Recording and listening to your voice with a critical ear
  • Practice, practice and more practice

Spend money (and more money) before you start making money?

Starting a voice over career is a big investment. Really big. In addition to the coaching, workshop and course fees, you’re going to need to invest in a lineup of other start-up expenses.

These include:

  • Home studio and equipment
  • Online or industry subscriptions
  • Demos
  • Website and marketing

Dedicate a portion of your pay to your team? 

Behind many successful voice over actors is a team of players. And those players need to get paid. Key players on the team can include:

  • Your agent, who typically gets about 10% of your pay
  • Your manager, who gets around 15% of your pay
  • Your marketing team, with a budget dependent on how much work you give them
  • Subcontractors, who handle the work you don’t have the time or skills to do yourself
  • Suppliers, who provide things you need on a regular basis (like your monthly subscriptions) 

Be a highly disciplined and strict boss – to yourself?

If you’re the type that needs a boss breathing down your neck, you’re most likely not going to cut it in the world of voice over. This profession demands that you BE that boss, pushing yourself to get things done. To be successfully self-employed in any profession, you need to be disciplined, self-motivated and strict enough to keep the ball rolling forward – even if it appears it’s going nowhere.

Learn how to run a business?

Being your own boss also means running your own business. A profitable business. In addition to the discipline and self-motivation mentioned above, running a profitable business takes plenty of know-how about the technical ends of things. These include invoicing, getting paid, balancing budget, providing optimum customer service, connecting with prospects and clients, and many other tasks. You’ll find the bulk of voice over work is often behind the scenes, rather than behind the microphone.

Spend more time trying to get work than actually doing the work?

Auditions. Marketing. Prospect and client correspondence. Follow-up and more follow-up. Only a small percentage of your time is apt to be spent actually recording jobs. Savor that time, but don’t get too used to it.

Sell yourself in the marketplace?

A voice over career is not for the weak. And it’s not for the meek. You’ll need to get out there and sell yourself. Marketing is a huge and necessary part of the job to get your voice heard above the fierce and never-ending competition. It’s vital to create a strong presence in the marketplace, and equally as important to nurture relationships with existing clients. This takes time, effort, professionalism and a service-oriented mindset. 

Embrace rejection?

While you most likely won’t be able to count on a steady paycheck, you can always count on a steady stream of rejections. Taking them personally will tank your career before it even gets off the ground. With so much competition, it’s only natural that rejections are the norm, not the exception. Grow a thick skin. A really thick skin. And use the rejections to make you stronger.

You can also do what I’ve learned to do. I submit an audition and forget about it, moving on to the next one. If it comes back with an offer, great. If not, I am not crushed or disappointed.

Sit alone in a booth for hours on end?

Some people need ongoing interaction with others throughout the day. You’re not going to find it with a voice over career. Any interaction is typically via email or an occasional business phone call. You’ll be spending lots of time alone, in a booth, with no one else around.

Sitting (or standing) alone in a booth for hours each day is just one of the potentially stressful aspects of the job. Unpredictability and ongoing rejection can end up getting to some people as well. If that’s the case for you, this may not be your best career option.

Enter a field that gives you no guarantee?

Even with the proper pieces in place, there is no guarantee you’ll get any voice over work at all. Ever. Hard work, determination and perseverance all play major roles when it comes to attaining voice over success, but there’s also a bit of luck involved. Being at the right place at the right time. Meeting the right people. And many other factors far beyond our control.

If you’re willing to endure the behind-the-scenes elements that come with a voice over career, you may have what it takes to make it work. That is, of course, if you’re willing to do one more thing:

Get up and do it all again tomorrow.

While the stakes are high and the return can be low, a voice over career can be a highly rewarding career. I know I’d have it no other way. I also know one of the most important aspects of the journey is to ensure you’re ready, willing and able to do what it takes before you even begin.

Points to Ponder before Zooming into a Voiceover Career – Part 2

So, you want to be a voiceover actor. Cool.

Often people may (mistakenly) regard voiceover work as a career that delivers fast and easy money, and maybe even with a bit of glamour too. Who doesn’t want to hear their voice on TV and radio, or even a video game, or wow – an animated movie!?

Unfortunately, the truth is that it’s a competitive and challenging industry. Folks who may think it is just about creating silly character voices come to a very rude awakening when they realize the long and arduous road that lies ahead for any real measure of success.

Even if the unemployment stats of actors at around 90% don’t scare you off, other aspects of a voice acting business most certainly can.

We discussed several of those aspects in Part One of this blog series, where we also talked about ways to determine if a VO career path may be the right path for you. Here in Part Two of the series, we’re going to dive even deeper with another big question:

Will a VO career give you what you really want out of a job?

Put the ideas of fast money and glamour aside, especially since they may not even be possible until much farther down the road of your career. Let your pride and ego move out of the picture.

Open your heart and check out four points to ponder to help you determine if voiceover could be a meaningful career choice for you.

Legacy

Legacy refers to what you leave behind once you’re gone. It can be thought of as what you did, and what you’re remembered for.

Why Legacy Matters

Your legacy is what you leave behind as a contribution for future generations. When people think of you, what will come to mind?

It’s easy to see what great artists and writers left behind as their legacy. Others still learn from their work today. Notable architects and scientists also leave an obvious legacy. I realize that even this collection of blogs is a bit of a legacy for me. But you don’t need to leave behind remarkable buildings, literature or works of art to pass something on to future generations, or to feel that your life mattered.

Does a voiceover career align with the way you want to be remembered?

When it comes to the legacy of a voiceover career, it goes much deeper than just a library of recording projects on YouTube or your website.

For me personally, the bulk of the recordings I do for my voiceover work consists of content that is pretty boring. True. Some clients even apologize to me in advance about how boring their script content is. In fact, from an artistic perspective, there are a very few projects out of the thousands I’ve done that would be terribly impressive to anyone.

Most of the time, I’m using my vocal skills to sell a product, explain how to do something and/or enhance someone’s service or brand. It’s rare that I actually get the chance to play a real character in a situation with any true depth of emotion.

It’s not that acting skills don’t come in handy. It’s just that there are much fewer opportunities to lend a voice to something with a real story, as in a feature film, animated series, or even a video game. That kind of work is coveted, rare, and often relegated first to the A-list actor pool, with any remaining scraps being highly contested through agency auditions.

That said, my personal legacy has more to do with pursuing and achieving a dream than showcasing a catalog of exciting work. From a young age, my dream was to be a working actor – to make my living in the industry. After decades of dedication, concentrated effort, good luck and the grace of God, I’ve ultimately found that success. I’m able to pass down the notion to my children: With focus, clear vision, and tenacity, dreams can come true.

Would that be a legacy worthy of your efforts in a voiceover career? Ask yourself what matters to you.

Mastery

Mastery involves using strengths you want to improve, and employing those strengths in a way you find rewarding.

Why Mastery Matters

Finding something you’re good at – and that you love to do – is one of the keys for creating a career that is more pleasure than work. While there will still be specific tasks within a career that are mundane or tiresome, selecting a career that allows you continuous use and improvement of your strengths is poised to bring ongoing rewards.

Does a voiceover career provide a rewarding way to use your strengths? 

With a history and degree in acting, along with a love of language, voiceover seemed a good match for me. It allowed me to use my skills and talent to bring scripts to life for my clients. I love the continuous improvement of my acting abilities through ongoing education, dialect work, and keeping up with the latest industry news, knowledge and trends.

I also enjoy the chase of the work – fielding auditions, inquiries and client requests – which is typically the day-to-day grind for most working actors. I like the organization of it all. I take pleasure in the challenge of starting each week, and each new day, with nearly a clean slate I am tasked to fill. Most of all, I absolutely love the work.

Realizing that the vast portion of your workday will NOT be filled with creating goofy character voices behind the microphone is something would-be voice actors need to accept. Your average day is instead apt to be filled with much more mundane and repetitive yet important tasks that bring you paying voiceover jobs (that are likely to fall into the “unglamorous” category).

Will that be a good use of your personal strengths? More on what those specific tasks are in Part Three of this series.

Freedom

Freedom can mean different things for different people. Some may view freedom as having all the money they need to travel the world or buy extravagant luxurious. Others may define freedom as flexible hours and the ability to work from home, wherever that home may be.

One of my agents has a great way of defining my home studio: it’s my own personal ATM which can generate as much income as I choose. How many jobs or careers can say that?

Why Freedom Matters

When related to a job, freedom can be thought of as the benefits, flexibility and salary you need to live the life you desire. It matters a lot for your overall life satisfaction levels. You can keep freedom front and center by thinking of the lifestyle you want, and then choosing a career that will help you lead that lifestyle.

Does a voiceover career deliver the freedom you want?

Freedom for me is the ability to spend lots of time with those most important to me, live in a gorgeous state with changing seasons, and have the opportunity to do what I love while making a living. Voiceover fits the bill on all of the above.

Unlike working as a stage or screen actor where geography matters, voiceover work can be done from anywhere in the world with the right equipment.  In my early days, it was beneficial for me to start in the LA market, which afforded me the chance to build a business. Once established, I was able to move out of that market to a Midwest haven, where we had room to breathe and grow as a family.

Especially as a woman in the modern acting world, it’s not easy to find a career that is as accommodating to motherhood as being a VO-preneur – especially when your husband is handling a lot of the business end of things.

I love being my own boss, making up my own rules, setting my own schedule, and creating something from nothing, every day!  But I must add that building any business to this level, and keeping it there, is a huge task, and not without enormous ongoing effort, tenacity, and continuous navigation in a ever-evolving market.

Alignment 

Alignment relates to feeling like you belong. It refers to the values, culture and priorities of the place you work or the field you’re in.

Why Alignment Matters

Anyone who has tried to work in an environment where they don’t feel comfortable with the overriding beliefs or treatment they get knows the major importance of alignment. When you’re aligned, walking into your workplace feels like walking into a place where you’re welcomed, needed and respected. It also feels like a place where you’re being challenged, growing and becoming the person you were meant to be.

Do you feel like you belong in a voiceover career?

Alignment with a career in voiceover is particularly important, since you’re mostly working alone in a highly competitive environment. You need to ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable working alone in a small booth most of the time – or will the solitude drive you crazy? Are you the type that can get things done on your own, or do you need consistent outside motivation, feedback and encouragement?

A voiceover career can be a lonely one. Unless you’re part of a live or in-person acting hub in a major city, your interaction with others is typically limited to emails or occasional phone calls. (Even the acting hub interactions have diminished during COVID-19.)

No one is looking over your shoulder to make sure you get things done. You have no bantering colleagues or built-in support system. Most of the time, no one is directing you in your auditions or recording work. And as with any artistic career, rejection rates are high and competition is fierce.

The alignment works for me, provided I balance out the solitude (which I enjoy) by spending quality time with family and friends. I also seek out other outlets when I’m not working.

Over the years, I’ve also learned to grow a thick skin when it comes to rejections. I don’t take them personally, and literally forget most auditions the moment I submit. If I do get the booking, it’s a nice surprise. (And secretly, most of my work doesn’t come from auditioning anyway…but that’s another blog!)

I also view my work as something more than just a job. As mentioned in Part One of this series, voiceover to me is about serving others. My role is one cog of a collaborating effort of the team, pulling together the final project. Our efforts ultimately help support the business we’re working for, our own livelihoods and, in the broader sense, the entire happiness of the world.

Maybe that sounds cliché, but these connections in our lives do have a way of branching out in ways that can be very meaningful.

My enjoyment of my career and track record of success over the past 20+ years helps me recognize that I belong in this field. It’s a good fit for me.

If you believe a voiceover career would bring you happiness in the way of legacy, mastery, freedom and alignment, perhaps it’s time to move forward. But there’s still one more aspect of the business to explore. Stay tuned for Part Three of this series where we’ll look at the practical side of the equation to see if voiceover work is truly something you want to pursue.

What You Need to Think about Before Even Entertaining the Idea of a Voice Over Career – Part 1

Lately, I’ve received much more communication than usual from people interested in knowing what it takes to get started in the voice over industry. The disruption in stage, TV and film production due to the COVID-19 pandemic has financially impacted a lot of working actors (and plenty of others), and many are looking for alternate or additional forms of income.

For most, there is an assumption that it’s a pretty easy way to make money from home using something most all of us possess: a human voice.

Working actors may be even more encouraged by the knowledge that they can capitalize on a skillset they’ve already mastered; namely, their trained ability to handle written copy in a way that brings it to life.

While the skills of a working actor are definitely a plus when entering the VO world, they are often not the most important factor. Nor are they necessarily the key reason one sustains continuing voiceover work.

Building a Voice Over Career

Establishing and maintaining a voiceover career is different than just getting a few opportunities here and there that might help with paying some bills.

Those who think of booking VO work (or acting work in general) as a fast, easy way to make money are living a bit of a fantasy. Most working actors already understand the dedication and connections needed to function successfully in the professional performance world.

They know the many unseen steps necessary to reach a point of not only making money, but making enough money to replace all other income streams, is rare. And it’s a never-ending gig economy, where there is no steady paycheck. For the most part, actors generally embark on a daily hunt for one-off jobs… a hunt that continues day after day… forever.

Certainly, there are new people entering the VO profession every day with varying levels of success. Most realize that immediate success is unlikely, but there is always that lucky break. It is possible to create a fulfilling career if you invest the necessary time and effort to do it right.

What does doing it right mean?

It means ensuring a voice over career is something you really want – for the right reasons – and then taking the necessary steps to attain it. To gauge if it’s something you truly desire, you need to go deeper than aiming for a fast and easy paycheck. Going deeper involves thinking about the reasons you’re choosing to take the voice over path in the first place.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Here are three questions to ask yourself to help determine if voice over could be a fulfilling career choice for you.

Why Are You Choosing Voice Over?

If you’re looking for short-term fast and easy money, we already ruled that one out. Once you’ve established yourself in your career, with the building blocks necessary to sustain it, VO may turn out to be a great gig for you.

The fallacy that you’ll be having tons of fun every minute of the day, or the incredible ease of simply reading into a microphone for a living, will also be revealed. You’re going to be expected to do much more, and you’re going to face fierce competition from those who’ve already figured it out. You want to be sure you’re onboard for the full ride, and won’t be discouraged after investing time, money and best intentions, only to come up with a big goose egg.

Better Answer

A good reason to choose a voice over career would be to use your strengths in a way you find rewarding. You enjoy acting. You have a highly versatile, strong and pleasant voice. And you’re excellent at juggling tasks, challenging yourself, and adapting to the various hats you’ll need to wear and ongoing changes you may need to make as a VO-preneur.

Using your strengths, and excelling with them, provides a sense of achievement. And a sense of achievement is high on the list of factors that contribute to life satisfaction. When you’re good at the job you choose, you’re also more apt to find it fulfilling – as well as monetarily rewarding. As with any job, the highly skilled are able to negotiate higher pay.

If you’re just starting out and feel you’ve yet to develop your full range of talent, that doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. As long as you’re willing to work smart and learn as you grow, you may have the right components in place to expect some positive results.

There is no shortcut to the time and experience necessary for success in any venture. Voice over is no different. If you’re able to stay the course and work against the odds, you’ll have a great asset working in your favor.

Another reason to move forward would be if you truly feel voice over is your calling. This happens when you’re less interested in career advancement or making tons of money and more interested in the sense of fulfillment you get from the work itself.

I know actors who enjoy the storytelling aspect of audio book narration and have found a good niche for their acting talents there. They stick with it out of enjoyment, even though it doesn’t come with the higher price tag commercial work does.

What Are You Looking to Achieve?

When someone I meet finds out in conversation that I’m a voice over actor, the first question they usually ask is “Where have I heard you?” They often think they may know me from the latest Pixar film or some character in an animated TV series.

Even though I can point them to some things on TV or elsewhere where they might have heard me, they’re usually disappointed to realize that I’m not a famous household voice. Those seeking fame or notoriety may end up sorely disappointed in the largely unglamorous world of voiceover.

Yes, there are actors who book that high-profile work (mostly A-list celebrities. You can check out my blog on that here.) But for most VO professionals, the bread and butter of the work is of the unglamorous type, consisting of projects that most of the general public will never hear.

Better Answer 

Using your talents to be of service is a fabulous achievement. It’s also one that’s close to my own heart. Being of service doesn’t have to mean being openly charitable (though I will sometimes work pro bono for certain philanthropic or student projects without a proper budget), but being involved with teams and in projects that have a broader reach than just recording text.

For example, some of my voice over projects involve teaching English to children in other countries and recording captioning for the blind. Many provide basic assistance to small businesses by promoting their product or service, or instructing their work force with necessary information. This mindset makes it all much less of a job, and more of a mission to help people.

I’m not only serving my clients with the recorded end product, but I’m also here to collaborate. This can include translating, correcting or editing the script, massaging the message to best speak to the target audience, or promptly answering a client email or phone call to provide immediate support.

Voice over to me is about serving others. The fact that my needs and desires may be met along the way is an extra bonus, but it’s more like an inherent reward that comes as an aside. I think of my role as not the center or “star” of the project, but more of an integral part of a team effort. This effort helps to keep our economy, our livelihoods and, in the broader sense, the happiness of the world spinning.

How Are You Going to Achieve This?

Getting started as a voice over artist ultimately requires you to find clients who need your audio recording services. If you’ve already got an agent for acting, they may be one resource for VO auditions, but agency auditions are often highly competitive and very hard to book.

Casting directors in larger cities like Los Angeles may be another avenue for established actors, but with the same competitive edge.

You will find a ton of audition calls listed online on various websites. Randomly answering those calls and hoping for the best is not the most strategic game plan either. In fact, it’s not a game plan at all.

For starters, many of the websites require a paid membership just to respond to the listed audition calls (aka pay to play). You’re also likely to get burnt out from submitting audition after audition, and then frustrated when no one books your voice.

Better Answer

Like any other undertaking, building a voice over career starts with a plan. Your first step is to get a firm foundation in place. This includes things like:

  • Setting up a home studio
  • Considering voice over training to improve your skills
  • Creating a quality website, brand and marketing plan
  • Recording demos and samples
  • Getting yourself into the right mindset  to increase your overall chances of success

Once your foundation is in place, it’s time to think about different strategies you can use to break into and maintain a presence in the field. Strategies I’ve used over the years include:

  • Researching the market and targeting my most likely prospects
  • Maintaining a compelling, SEO-optimized website
  • Using a variety of marketing tactics, such as social media, email newsletters, direct mailing, blogging, and others
  • Industry networking
  • Auditioning through multiple sources
  • Continuous improvement through ongoing training and learning
  • Upgrading skills and equipment as needed or desired

As with any type of career, there are a lot of different strategies you can use to achieve and maintain success in the voice over industry. What works for one person may not necessarily be the same for another. It takes trial and error to determine which strategies work best for you.

And there’s never any guarantee of success. But having a well-thought-out and executed plan gives you a better chance of success than having no plan at all.

Bottom Line

These three questions can be incredibly helpful on several levels. Not only do they help you dig deeper to determine if you’re choosing voice over for the right reasons, but they also let you examine your goals as well as the amount of effort it may take to achieve them.

If you’re satisfied with your answers, and truly feel a voice over career is something you are driven to pursue, you’re off to a good start. But there’s still more to do. Read about the next steps in Part Two of this series coming soon. Stay tuned!

10 Things Every Home Studio MUST Have to Create High-Quality Voice Over Audio

Even with the best voice, the best script and the best editing and direction, your voice over project is not likely to make the cut without one other key ingredient: a well-equipped home studio. The overall quality of your recordings is only going to be as good as the methods and equipment you use to capture and control the sound.

With more than 25 years in the voice over industry, I’ve landed on the essential components that I need in order to create the high-quality voice over audio my clients expect. Here are the top 10 things every home studio must have to do the same.

1. High-Quality Microphone

The higher the quality of your microphone, the better the quality of your recordings.

If you’re serious about a professional voice over career, the microphone is one place you don’t want to skimp. At all. Sure, there are dozens of microphones available in the lower price range – but investing in a really good mic is one investment you will never regret.

The microphone is the main tool you use to capture your voice. The better it sounds, the better you’ll sound.

My years of experience have made me a big fan of Neumann microphones. My current model is the Neumann TLM 102 Microphone. This particular mic is rather small and compact, yet its sound quality and versatility are amazing.

When I upgraded to this mic several years ago, I sound-tested four other very high quality microphones along with this one in my studio. I believe the TLM 102 was actually the lowest priced of all of the mics tested, yet when comparing the sound of my voice on all five mics, it was clear that this was the right mic for me. Someone with a different tone or register might have chosen a different option. So, the best mic for you may not be the most expensive mic that you can find. You should find the best quality mic that is a good fit for your voice but at the most reasonable price point.

My favorite features of the mic include:

  • Compact size: Doesn’t get in the way of viewing my scripts or screens
  • TLM technology: TLM stands for “transformerless.” That means the typical output transformer you find in microphones is replaced by an electronic circuit, which results in low noise and high clarity.
  • Built-in boost: There’s a vocal quality known as “sweetness,” which makes vocals really stand out. This mic has the capacity to enhance that quality, adding smoothness and dimension to vocal recordings.

2. Microphone Accessories 

Microphone accessories, like a microphone stand, shock mount and pop filter, can help enhance the sound quality even further.

The exceptional sound of a quality microphone can easily be ruined with excessive noise from other sources. These can include handling, mechanical interference and popping sounds made from fast-moving air when you’re speaking or singing. Three accessories can help decrease the chances of all of the above.

  • Microphone stand: This keeps the mic steady and stable while freeing up your hands for other things.  I actually have my stand mounted to the wall on a versatile boom arm. It is important that the mic stand be free standing and NOT attached to your desk to avoid extraneous noise and vibration. Even a floor stand can pick up vibration.
  • Shock mount: This piece of equipment supports your mic. It’s designed to reduce noise caused by mechanical vibrations and handling.
  • Pop screen: Noise protection that reduces or altogether eliminates popping sounds in vocal recordings. I definitely prefer the metal screen vs. the fabric screen.

Another perk of high-quality microphones is often finding some of these features already included. For instance, the Rode microphone I use as a backup/travel mic has a built-in pop screen. My TLM102 came with two types of shock mounts and I tend to prefer the elastic suspension style.

3. Audio Software, Quality Computer 

Also known as a digital audio workstation (DAW), audio software is what you use to record and edit.

Recording and editing software is a must, as is a quality computer that’s compatible with the DAW you choose. Slow or outdated computers can really kill your efficiency and productivity.

My DAW of choice is Adobe Audition Audio Software. It has tons of useful features that let me easily edit, clean up and enhance my recordings. It also has capabilities for restoring damaged recordings, adding music to fit an exact duration of time, and expertly exporting recordings. 

I originally used Sony Sound Forge which worked great for many years… Until Sony sold it to another company who completely failed on many levels. I was forced to change software programs a few years back, and it was kind of a painful transition. But, the way I do things now is much more speedy and efficient for editing.

4. Mic Preamp, Processor

A mic preamp amplifies the microphone signal, while a processor provides additional power to the preamp. They’re often combined in a single unit.

For best results with your recordings, both a mic preamp and processor are essential for your home studio. Most microphones have very low outputs, and a preamp ensures the output is boosted to a usable level. While most audio interfaces and mixers have built-in preamps, they may not be powerful enough to achieve the most professional results.

You can find the mic preamp and processor combined into a single unit, which is the case with my Harman DBX 286s Mic Preamp/Processor. This piece of equipment is a full channel strip processor with a quality preamplifier and four different processors. Each processor brings a different benefit to the sound quality. The four processors can be used independently or in any combination with the others.

Be aware that sometimes producers and engineers prefer that you NOT use any processor on your recording. I now use just a touch of processing on most recordings, but for many years I recorded very raw audio and let the producer tweak it to whatever degree they needed. You have to be careful with processors and not overdo it.

5. Mixer 

Mixers are used in home recording studios to combine and process audio signals, and then route them where they need to go.

In addition to letting you combine and route audio signals in a convenient way, the best mixers even let you change the dynamics of the sound. While it’s true many DAWs and other software programs have audio mixing capabilities, some voice over artists prefer the real knobs, buttons and faders you find on the hardware mixers.

I am one of those artists. I use the Mackie Onyx 820i Pro Mixer. This compact mixer allows me to quickly and intuitively adjust audio levels and other attributes to produce the exact sound I’m going for. It’s also one of my favorite pieces of home studio equipment. They don’t make them anymore, but a couple years back I bought a second Mackie Onyx, just to have as a backup.

6. ISDN Voice Over Equipment

Officially known as Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN enables recording studios to connect with voice over talent working remotely in their home studios.

In the old days, you used to have to show up in person to record with a client in a professional recording studio. Today, all you need is a connecting platform to connect your DAW/computer to the recording studio. ISDN was the original in this regard. ISDN has been around since the mid-1980s, and although there are now several competing platforms (Source Connect, ipDTL and even Skype) it remains to go-to standard for remote recording sessions for most recording studios and many voice over actors across the world.

CAVEAT: Be aware that ISDN is a soon-to-be-extinct dinosaur (although how soon nobody knows) so if you are a new voice talent, you probably won’t want to invest in ISDN and instead use something like Source Connect. That being said, I still prefer ISDN sessions over all other options.

The quality of the audio is so good on ISDN, you feel like you’re standing in your client’s recording booth, wherever that may be. It’s also good enough to capture the recording on the client’s end, which means you don’t have to record, edit and upload the files yourself. All is recorded in real time as if you were actually in their studio.

I’ve been using ISDN for twenty years, and my ISDN voice over equipment of choice is Musicam Suprima LC and Telos Zephyr.

There are other good less expensive alternatives to ISDN, my preference being Source Connect. Most VO talent and production companies are moving away more and more from ISDN, mostly because of telephone company costs involved and the fact that phone companies are phasing out this service over time.

7. Studio Headphones

Studio headphones are a lot different than your standard headphones. Those differences are what make them essential for home recording studios.

Even the highest-quality pair of standard headphones isn’t going to be useful for recording. They simply aren’t designed for the job. Studio headphones are. Being designed for the job means:

  • Providing accurate sound. Studio headphones give you the authentic sound of your audio, whereas standard headphones tend to automatically modify the audio in some way to make it sound more appealing. While you may want your music to sound better when you listen to it, you don’t want your voice to be enhanced in any way. You want to know exactly how it sounds as you’re recording it.
  • Having a wider frequency range. Standard headphones typically can’t detect background noises or other distortions that occur at extremely high or low frequencies. Studio headphones can. This allows you to remove the distortions as needed.
  • Being higher quality. Studio headphones tend to have superior construction. This makes them more comfortable, durable and longer-lasting.

8. Studio Monitors

You need at least one computer monitor to use your audio software, and adding a second one comes with many additional benefits.

I lived with a single computer monitor for years, as that’s technically all you need to access your DAW. The monitor can display your audio software controls, allowing you to use your keyboard and mouse to control your recording sessions in real time.

When we installed a new voice over recording system, I had a second studio monitor installed. Wow. It makes a huge difference in my productivity. The second monitor gives me access to everything else during a recording session. This includes emails, computer files, scratch videos the client sent via Hightail or DropBox, videos or online information, and even Skype.

My full setup has two monitors in both my office and my recording studio (four total). It took some design and detailed understanding of how to get this all setup. Fortunately, I have a husband who has knowledge in these areas and was able to consult with the right people to figure out what we needed.

9. Sound Card or Audio Interface

A critical part of your sound chain setup, sound cards and audio interfaces allow you to get the sound into and out of your computer.

Many professional voice over actors still like to use a sound card, as it can greatly affect the recording quality of your microphone. I use the Echo MiaMIDI computer sound card, which was easy to set up, easy to use, and helps with my audio editing when I’m using Adobe Audition.

However, going with the common theme here of things no longer being available, you can’t find this sound card anymore. I hear more and more that the audio interfaces are more common and preferred these days, so I suggest you do research on those for this aspect of your recording setup.

10. Soundproof Treatment

Soundproofing enhances the quality of your recordings by keeping unwanted noise out of your studio.

Whether it’s a truck going by outside or footsteps in the next room, external noises can be picked up by high-quality microphones. While you can get rid of some unwanted noise during the editing process, it’s not always possible to get rid of all of it. Besides, it’s preferable to spend the time and effort during editing working to improve the overall recording, not fix things that are wrong with it.

There are dozens of different soundproofing options, from professional installation to DIY varieties.

Watch out for tricky things like the sound of water running through pipes in the walls, air conditioning or furnace noise and, of course, the dreaded lawn equipment noise. One of the most important decisions is which room to convert into your studio. We had to move from a room located in the front of the house to a walk-in closet on the backside of our house, just to avoid the neighbors’ lawn equipment.

You can enhance the quality of sound in your studio even further by combining soundproofing with an acoustic treatment. Acoustic treatments are designed to absorb excessive ambiance to make the acoustics in the room sound better.

And, while most people pay attention to the walls and ceiling, it’s easy to forget about sound-proofing the floor. A thick pad can do wonders for knocking out low frequency vibrations.

In Conclusion…

With these 10 components in place, your home studio will be equipped to produce high-quality voice over recordings indicative of true professional. You’ll also enjoy a setup that lets you perform your work in the most efficient and effective way. Doing your research and investing in quality equipment is definitely worth the time and effort, as it will provide you with everything you need to produce exceptional recordings for years to come.

High Quality Voice Over Audio

Obstacles that Can Get in the Way of Following Your Dreams

Following Your Dreams

Following your dreams takes a lot of faith and courage. But it also requires persistence – the ability to keep on keeping on regardless of the obstacles that may crop up. And there can be many. While you may think obstacles only come from outside forces, the opposite is also true. In fact, the greatest obstacles tend to be those we create for ourselves.

Be sure to also check out part one of this two part series on Following Your Dreams.

Self-Doubt

Even the most successful and seemingly confident people have experienced self-doubt at some time in their lives. It’s a perfectly normal human trait. Those who have followed their dreams to success are the ones who have overcome it. Overcoming self-doubt involves nipping it in the bud. Realize when it’s plaguing you and then make a conscious effort to change your mindset.

Tips to help you conquer self-doubt include:

  • Surrounding yourself with positive, successful people
  • Paying attention to the positive feedback you get, not negative comments
  • Not worrying what other people think. Base your decisions on what you think is right, not what you think other people think is right.
  • Not comparing yourself to others. You don’t do yourself any favors by gauging your success as it compares to the success of others.
  • Set a series of smaller goals, in addition to your big goal, so you’re consistently achieving a series of wins.

Frustration, Giving Up Too Early

No one said following your dream would be easy, or that attaining it would be instantaneous. It can take incredibly hard, incredibly tenacious work to make it happen. You have to be in it for the long haul, no matter what. If you give up too early or too easily, it’s not going to happen.

When Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was trying to raise money from investors to make his coffee shop dreams come true, he hit a major brick wall… More than 200 of them, in fact. He spoke to 242 potential investors during the year he was trying to raise money – and 217 of them said no.

Colonial Sanders is another great example of persistence. He was 65 years old when the restaurant he owned failed and he went to plan B. His plan was to share his special chicken recipe with restaurants for free, in exchange for the restaurants giving him a percentage of the chicken sale profits. He got 1,009 rejections before someone agreed to his plan.

Those are two great examples to keep in mind when you feel frustrated and feel like giving up. Remember their stories, along with the old sales adage that says you’re going to get 20 “No’s” before you get a “Yes.”

Not Pushing Hard Enough

Not only are rejections par for the course, but they can also be an indication that you’re on the right track. If you go out of your way to only get a yes and avoid a no, you’re probably not pushing hard enough, according to author Andrea Waltz. She says this type of behavior “leads to a mediocre life where you’re always in your comfort zone.”

The success of your dreams is not where you are in your comfort zone, but above it. You have to grow and meet it if you want it. A few ways to push harder include:

  • Imagining yourself getting to your next level. Focus on what that next level is, and what you need to do get there.
  • Taking on a little bit more than you think you can. Challenge yourself to bigger and better things all the time.
  • Looking at how other people got where you want to be.
  • Remaining inspired and motivated. This can come from inspirational quotes, videos, images, meditations and support from someone on your side.

World Events, Such as COVID-19

Once you get past all the self-made barriers stopping you from following your dreams, you may still face forces beyond your control. What’s going on with the coronavirus is a prime example of this. With so many businesses operating on limited hours or, in some cases, not at all, you may think this is the worst time to follow your dreams.

That’s not necessarily true. You can still do the legwork for following your dreams. Perhaps you can enroll in classes or training you were too busy to tackle, or catch up on your industry reading or networking. You can also look for opportunities within the situation, rather than excuses for letting it slow you down.

Look for a need, and then offer to fill it. In my voice over business, for instance, I’ve made sure clients know I’m available for new messaging, commercial spots, retail in-store announces, IVR system recordings and more providing updated information or changing schedules due to COVID-19.

One final tip is to stay positive and optimistic. This is another mindset you can learn to cultivate with repeated efforts over time. As Sam Altman says in his “How to Be Successful” post: “I have never met a very successful pessimistic person.” So don’t let outside circumstances – or your own thinking – take you down and out. Keep moving forward, heading onward and upward instead.

Be sure to also check out part one of this two part series on Following Your Dreams.