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Exercises for Voice Over Actors to Combat Life in the Recording Booth


As voice over actors, our vocal cords regularly get a hearty workout. But the same may not be true for the rest of our bodies which is why we need special voice over exercises. Even if we consistently schedule exercise into our off-work hours, it may not be enough to combat the effects of spending our days in a recording booth.

Whether we sit all day or stand while recording and then sit for editing, we’re still not moving around all that much. While a combination of sitting and standing can be better for you than prolonged bouts of just sitting, the effects of a largely inactive job can still add up.

Detriments of Sedentary Jobs

When we engage in extended, uninterrupted bouts of inactivity, a number of negative biochemical reactions can actually start to occur. Our bodies become less effective at breaking down cholesterol and blood sugar, which increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes.

Being sedentary for extended periods can result in:

  • Higher blood sugar levels
  • Increased triglycerides, which are fats known for causing disease
  • Lower levels of HDL (aka “good”) cholesterol
  • Increased fatty buildup and calcium in the heart’s arteries
  • Increased risk of obesity
  • Higher risk of heart disease and cancer

If you switched your extended hours of sitting for prolonged hours of standing, you can end up with an entirely new set of risks. These include:

  • Lower back issues from constant compression of the spine
  • Deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins and other cardiovascular problems
  • Double the risk of heart disease over people that mostly sit

How to Lower the Health Risks   

Being aware of all the risks gives us great motivation for correcting them, and we have several things we can do.

Maintain Good Posture: One of the most important is to maintaining good posture, whether sitting or standing. We voice over artists tend to maintain good posture when recording, as we know the effects on our delivery if we don’t. But we may still hunch over or slouch when we’re editing or otherwise working at the computer.

Follow the 20-8-2 Rule: Another recommendation is known as the 20-8-2 rule. For every 20 minutes we spend sitting, it recommends eight minutes of standing and two minutes of gentle movement. Since this may be impossible to keep up based on our recording schedules and deadlines, we can at least get up and move around when we get a few minutes between tasks.

Physical Exercises for Voice Over Actors

One more way to help combat the negative effects of inactivity is with exercises specifically designed to work areas that tend to stiffen up throughout the day.

Neck and Shoulder Stretches 

Stretch the sides of your neck by sitting tall and dropping your left ear towards our left shoulder. Keep your shoulder level, making sure you don’t raise it to meet your ear. Hold for five seconds, then repeat on the right.

Stretch the back of your neck by dropping your chin toward your chest, then smoothly and gently rolling your head from one side to the other side.

Stretch your shoulders by shrugging them up towards your ears. Hold for five seconds, then release. Repeat five times.

Upper Body Stretches

Open your chest by bringing your palms together behind the middle of your back. Sit tall, pressing the palms together and holding for at least five seconds. 

Stretch your sides by extending your left arm over your head, then reaching as far as you can while bending to the right. Hold for several seconds, then repeat on the other side.

Do a seated spinal twist by turning your upper body to the right, putting both hands on the arm of your chair. Drop your shoulders and twist to the right, lengthening your spine as you inhale. Look over your right shoulder and hold for at least three seconds. Repeat on other side.

Stretch your upper back by intertwining your fingers with your palms facing outward. Reach your palms upward towards the ceiling as you inhale and elongate your spine.

Lower Body Stretches and Exercise

Do mini squats by standing up from your chair, and then sitting back down 10 times in a row.

Work your calves by standing up behind your chair, holding the back for support. Start with feet flat on the floor, then raise your heels as you stand on your toes. Lower back down slowly. Repeat to complete three sets of 10.

Stretch your glutes by putting your feet flat on the floor while seated, and then lifting your right ankle onto your left knee. Gently press down on your right knee three or four times. Repeat on other side.

Stretch your legs with a knee hug. Bend your right knee, then lift your knee to your chest, wrapping your arms around it to pull it as close to your upper body as you can. Hold for at least five seconds, then repeat on the left.

Although we may still spend hours in the recording booth, these tips can help offset the detrimental effects of daylong inactivity. Moving, stretching and exercising throughout the day, even briefly, can also make us feel more energized while bringing on longer-term benefits.

Eye Health for Voice Over Actors

Eye Health for Voice Over ArtistsWhile voice over work may not be at the top of the list of professions with on-the-job hazards, we still have a few potential risks to think about. Our eye health is one of them.

Like millions of other folks in this digital age, we’re typically staring at the computer screen for extended periods every day. We might start to get headaches, feel pressure behind the eyes, get dry eyes, blurry vision or neck and shoulder pain. All these are symptoms of what is known as digital eye strain. Voice over actors can have a higher risk of eye strain due to dim lighting and proximity to our computer screens. We’re frequently in dark recording booths looking at a bright screen, and we may sit closer than an arm’s length away from the screen to view it properly.

Being aware of what digital eye strain is and how it affects us can help us avoid it. So can developing new habits to maintain good eye health both in and out of the recording booth.

Digital Eye Strain by the Numbers

Voice over actors aren’t the only folks at risk for digital eye strain. The condition can occur to anyone who spends a notable amount of time in front of the TV, computer or other digital device.

A report from The Vision Council noted nearly 60% of American adults experienced one or more symptoms of digital eye strain.

  • 32% reported eye strain
  • 27% reported dry eyes
  • 28% reported headaches
  • 28% reported blurred vision
  • 35% reported neck and shoulder pain

Voice over talent would align with the 80% of adults who say they use digital devices for more than two hours each day, and we may even match up with the 67% who say they use two or more devices at the same time.

Even when we’re not officially at work, we could be checking our phones, watching TV or continuing screen time in other ways. Nearly 80% of adults say they use some type of digital device in the hour before going bed, and 55% percent use them within the first hour they’re awake.

How Voice Over Actors Can Avoid Eye Strain

Keeping our eyes healthy can start by adjusting our work environment and habits to reduce the risk of eye strain. These tips can help immensely.

Give Your Eyes a Break

Eye strain tends to occur when you’re in front of the computer for an extended stretch of two hours or more. You can start to experience what’s known as focusing fatigue, which occurs when eyes tire out from constantly focusing on the screen.

Avoid it by implementing what doctors call the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen to focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives the focusing muscle a chance to relax.

You can also focus on something in the distance for at least 10 seconds, then focus on something up close for at least 10 seconds. Alternate between the two 10 times. This exercise helps ensure your eyes’ focusing ability doesn’t lock up during extended screen time.

Blink Frequently

We tend to blink much less frequently when we’re reading from a computer screen than we do when we’re reading off a printed page. Blinking keeps our eyes lubricated, helping us avoid irritation and dryness.

Make a habit of blinking 10 times every 20 minutes to keep eyes moistened. If you’re still having dry eye issues, lubricating eye drops may be helpful. Just make sure you pick those designed to lubricate the eyes. Those meant to get the red out only decrease the size of the blood vessels without necessarily easing irritation.

Blink to prevent eye strain

Pay Attention to Lighting

Staring at a bright screen in a dark recording booth can increase the risk of eye strain, due to the contrast between the dimness of the booth and the brightness of the screen. This causes your eyes to put more effort into focusing and more strain on your vision.

You can decrease the risk of eye strain with several tactics:

  • Reduce the brightness of your monitor, adjusting it to more closely match the level of illumination in the booth.
  • Increase the contrast, which makes dark text on a light background stand out better for easier focusing.
  • Increase the font size, which can also make it easier for your eyes to focus.
  • Add a small light source, such as a mini USB lamp, to even out the lighting.
  • Eliminate any glare, which you can usually do by turning the screen away from any light source shining directly on it. If you wear glasses, you can get lenses with an anti-reflective coating to protect your eyes even further.

Adjust Your Work Setup

The layout of your voice over workstation has an impact on your eye health. You want your monitor to be at least 20 inches away from your eyes, with the center of the screen angled about 15 degrees below your eyes. This makes reading it more comfortable and ensures you’re not craning your neck.

If you’re reading from both a screen and a printed page, put the printed pages on a stand next to your screen so you can look back and forth with ease. Use a small light on the printed page if needed, ensuring that it doesn’t create a glare on your screen.

Your overall posture plays a role in your eye health, as well. Sit up straight, and keep your chair at a comfortable height that lets your feet rest easily on the floor.

Try Computer Glasses

If you wear glasses, you can look into customized computer glasses that are designed to work at the exact distance you sit from your computer screen. These can be particularly helpful if you have bifocals or progressive lenses that would normally make you tilt your head to get just the right focus through a specific band on your lens. All that head tilting can eventually lead to a sore neck, back or shoulders after extended periods.

Computer glasses instead give you an entire lens that’s adjusted for optimum viewing of your computer screen. You can also get an anti-reflective coating to cut down on glare, along with photochromic lenses that darken to shield your eyes from harsh indoor or outdoor light.

Just put the custom glasses on when you work at your computer, and then switch back to your regular glasses when you’re done. My husband normally wears progressive lenses, and he has a pair of custom computer glasses that he says makes a huge difference in his comfort and ability to see the screen clearly from any angle.

Additional Eye Care Tips for Voice Over Actors

It’s important to pay attention to eye health even when we’re not at work, and a few tips can help. Getting regular eye exams is always a good idea, as is wearing sunglasses to protect our eyes from bright sunlight. Regular exercise and a healthy diet likewise contribute to good eye health.

Even though our voice may be our greatest asset as voice over artists, our eyesight is equally important both on the job and off. Not only are these tips are easy to follow and add to our daily routine, but they can make a big difference in the long run.

What You Need to Know About Voice Over Coaching – Part 2

Many factors contribute to a successful voice over career, and one of those can be good voice over coaching. Voice over coaching has become more popular than ever, something I looked at in the first part of my voice-over coaching blog. This second part dives deeper into the VO coaching scene, with input from three highly respected and successful VO coaches:

  • Kim Handysides is a voice over coach with 25+ years’ experience as an award-winning voice actor, with a stellar reputation built on her talent, creativity and relentless work ethic. More at www.kimhandysidesvoiceover.com/coaching.
  • Julie Williams is a voice over life coach with 40 years’ experience as a voice over pro. Her coaching guides clients through every aspect of their voice over lives. More at www.juliewilliamscoaches.com
  • Marc Cashman is Voice President of Cashman Commercials, with over 40 years of experience as an award-winning voiceover talent, casting director, copywriter and producer, where he offers V-O coaching in commercial copy, narration, promos, trailers, e-learning, animation, videogames and audiobooks. More at www.cashmancommercials.com.

As you’ll note, all three are established voice over actors who offer professional voice over as well as coaching services. I sent several questions their way, and they responded with the valuable insights below.

What Can Voice Over Coaching Do for Clients?

Marc:

V-O coaching gives voice actors tools they can use and apply for the rest of their career. It helps bolster their strengths and diminishes or eliminates their weaknesses. It gives them confidence in their abilities and helps put those abilities in perspective. It exposes them to many different genres of V-O, and challenges them in areas they weren’t sure they could tackle.

It breaks them of bad habits and fosters good ones. It lets them make mistakes while training so they don’t make those mistakes in the workaday world. It holds their feet to the fire and gives them constructive feedback. And by listening to a recording of their coaching sessions, it gives them an objective view of their progress.

Julie:

It can make the difference between whether they can actually get work or remain a “wanna be.” As a Whole Voiceover Life Coach, I guide clients through all aspects of their VO careers, both by myself and by referring them to others with different areas of expertise.

What Makes a Client a Good Fit vs. Bad Fit?

Marc:

I know if a V-O coaching client is a good fit for what I offer when I hear if they’re able to listen, to take constructive feedback, to apply that feedback quickly, to understand that I’m here to support them with best practices – and if they have a great attitude and sense of humor.

Julie:

The students who are a bad fit are the ones who think they already know it all.

Can You Tell if a Client is Primed for Voice Over Success?

Kim:

Yes, especially after the first session. Sometimes even before. A successful client has to be able to identify any emotional roadblocks and be willing to remove them. Emotional roadblocks can be external, like a demanding family or day-job situation, or internal, like not being able to handle rejection.

I coached one very talented client who will not succeed because their fear of failure is greater than their willingness to try. And that’s sad.

My most successful VO clients take the work very seriously. They make plans and follow through on them. They work on their craft, their marketing, their knowledge of equipment every day. They are consistent. They try. They take risks. They study ones who’ve succeeded and learn to bring their own special something to the mix.

Julie:

I can only tell if a client is likely to succeed once I start working with them. Some are great naturally but haven’t developed any skills. Others just don’t learn well. There’s only so much I can do with them.

[Indications of likely success include] taking direction well, being open to listening, and having a good attitude. 

Marc:

I can tell if a V-O client has the skills necessary to be competitive in the industry, but I can’t tell if they can be successful, because that depends on so many variables: timing, connections, self-promotional abilities, luck and myriad others. I’ve worked with many talented voice actors who’ve dropped out of sight, and others who’ve made huge strides. There’s just no telling how successful someone will be in this anonymous side of show business.

Can You Tell if a Client Has Little Chance of Voice Over Success?

Kim:

Yes. You need talent, a keen observation of the human condition and to be able to keep people’s interest when telling stories. You also need discipline, flexibility, an open mind (and heart), a strong drive, and the ability to communicate well with people. Unfortunately, a lot of people are under the misconception that all you need is a “great voice.” That is such a shallow view of this industry.

Others who may have little chance of success include people who are too busy or disorganized to do the work, or not committed to the reinvention of oneself we need to undertake to ride the waves in the industry. There are some instances where the client may literally be chasing an impossible dream. Someone who speaks a language other than English as their mother tongue, or has an unmarketable accent.

More often though, clients who don’t seem to have what it takes are the ones who aren’t willing to do the work. And the work is extensive, especially if you’ve come from something other than acting or a broadcast background.

What do You Tell Clients Who Don’t Seem to Have What It Takes?

Marc:

I tell them if they really want to pursue V-O, they need to be competitive, which takes skill, dedication and relentless focus. I also remind them that V-O is an anonymous side of show business and that not everybody who wants to be successful can be.

But I also remind them of the mantra of the used car business: There’s an ass for every seat. Somebody is gonna get the part, and it could just as well be you. I’ve worked with students who I thought were marginally talented who’ve gone on to make a career of V-O because they were diligent and tenacious.

What’s One Piece of Advice You Wish Every Client Knew? 

Kim:

It takes work. A lot of work. You have to be disciplined and set goals and strive to reach them, then set more. This is not an easy profession. But if you’re willing to work hard and diligently, you may succeed and be able to make money doing something you love. And that’s a dream come true.

Julie:

Realize that you’re starting a business.

Marc:

Don’t do a V-O demo until you’re ready. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Understand that anything you want to do well takes time and practice. Understand the 10,000-hour rule of competency. Double that to achieve proficiency. Triple that to achieve greatness.

Summing Up Voice Over Coaching

As you can tell from the responses of these three VO pros, dedicated voice over coaches are equipped to help you learn a lot about the business – and yourself. I’ve worked with several good voice over coaches over the course of my own career, and it was particularly helpful during my early years in voice over. While much has changed since I got my start in the early 1990s, great voice over coaches will always be an asset to the business.

Thank you to Kim Handysides, Julie Williams, and Marc Cashman for taking the time to respond to our questions and share their knowledge with the world.

Why Work Is Not the Be-All and End-All of Life (Not Even Voice-Over Work)

Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love my job as a voice-over talent. Being able to make a living doing something I enjoy and am skilled at is a fortunate blessing. Yet I have many other blessings outside my job that also bring me joy and a sense of fulfillment.

That’s where many in today’s society have gone wrong. Instead of having passions outside their jobs, they have been told make their jobs their passion. Many become compelled to only take jobs they feel have meaning, purpose and represent their true calling. They refuse to even consider any type of work unless they think it’s going to bring them fulfillment and contentment.

This alarming shift is outlined in an article in The Atlantic, where writer Derek Thompson explores the phenomenon of “workism.” And it’s wreaking havoc on the nation as a whole.

What is Workism?

Workism is the idea that work is more than just a way to earn money. It is instead viewed as the core of a person’s identity and life’s purpose, a way to find contentment and fulfillment. In other words, it’s pretty much the worship of work.

The roots of workism can be traced back to the long-standing American Dream, the idea that you’ll enjoy material riches and success only if you work hard and give it your all. But workism takes it to the next level, promising not only success on the material level, but on the emotional and spiritual levels as well.

Workism, for many, is taking the place of traditional faith, which is on the decline in the U.S. The workism movement has spread across generations, and particularly hits hard with millennials.

It’s become such an obsession that a full 95 percent of teens responding to a Pew Research study ranked “having a job or career that they enjoy” at the top of the list of “extremely or very important” things to have as an adult. The report, by the way, was examining the epidemic of youth anxiety.

Workism Side Effects

It’s no coincidence the Pew study had been investigating youth anxiety, as anxiety is one of the foremost side effects of worshiping work. Others include mass disappointment, disillusionment and inevitable burnout.

Expecting More than You’ll Get

Work was designed as a way to earn money, not as the be-all and end-all to the meaning of life. One of the dangers of trying to make your work be meaningful is that most work is not meaningful. It’s work, and generally something you probably wouldn’t do unless you’re being paid to do it.

When people devote their entire lives to work, worshipping something from which they can actually be fired, they’re setting themselves up for a painful fall if the market doesn’t behave. And its behavior is out of anyone’s control. The concept of workism is falling flat itself, with Gallup reporting nearly 90 percent of workers are not engaged in their jobs. It’s also creating a culture of misery, perhaps explaining why anxiety and depression have increased significantly over the past 40 years.

‘Meaningful’ Jobs Saturated

The jobs that appear somewhat meaningful, or seem that way to the masses, are becoming saturated with people seeking out their life purpose in their work. This creates a big supply of people interested in that type of work – resulting in low demand and even lower pay. That tends to make “meaningful” work some of the lowest-paying around unless you happen to be the owner of the business or high enough on the totem pole to command a good salary.

The voice-over industry has experienced a massive influx of job seekers over the past few years, as have other industries that appear to have jobs that people think will bring on good feelings and a sense of wholeness. Now is exactly the wrong time to be pursuing so-called meaningful work, since so many young people are doing exactly that. A more strategic tactic would be to pursue a career in something that pays the bills and then have a meaningful life outside of work.

Most people are actually happiest when they’re spending time pursuing their hobbies or with family and friends – not jammed behind a desk looking for the meaning of life.

Finding Meaning in Anything You Do

Another important thing to remember is that you bring meaning to your work; it doesn’t bring meaning to you. No matter what you do for a job, you can always create the meaning you want. While this might seem like a controversial idea to some, if you really examine it, you’ll find it to be true and accurate. More to come on this idea in the near future.

Depending on a person’s mindset, being a plumber or HVAC technician could have more meaning than being a Broadway producer or star. After all, which changes a person’s life more? Seeing a really great Broadway show or getting their furnace repaired so they can have heat during the winter?

Most folks would agree getting the furnace fixed is a more meaningful thing for them because it impacts them all winter long. You can make a huge difference in peoples’ lives by doing very ordinary things. This is the missing piece in today’s way of thinking about work. Millennials especially are failing to realize that THEY create their own meaning in what they do.

So yes, my voice-over work is very meaningful. I enjoy it, am passionate about it, and am extremely grateful to have it. But it’s not my only source of joy or the only way I find enlightenment in life. And, like any job, it can sometimes be a source of frustration, stress, and discomfort. That is the nature of the reality we live in. Nothing is perfect, every job has its drawbacks and downside. The attitude and perspective you have about those areas especially will make or break how much joy you experience in your work.

Are you looking for an experienced and passionate voice-over talent for an upcoming project? Your search is over… Contact Debbie today.

What AI Can Do For America, and the Voice Over Industry

From voice assistants that can order our groceries to vacuum robots that do a better job cleaning our floor than we do, America is being swept away by the artificial intelligence revolution. The country just so happens to be at the forefront of that revolution, and an initiative launched last month is aimed at keeping us there. The initiative outlines what AI can do for the country, and I took a look at the impact of artificial intelligence voice over.

American AI Initiative in a Nutshell

We Americans may love our AI toys, but we also love our country’s economic and national security. In a move to strongly maintain it, President Donald Trump launched the American AI Initiative.

The initiative pretty much covers all the bases when it comes to ensuring the U.S. remains a leading player in the AI field. In addition to directing federal agencies to put AI investments in development and research at the top of the list, it also increases access to federal computing resources and data for the country’s AI researchers.

It likewise aims to pave a smooth road going forward, touching on:

  • Job markets by asking federal agencies to help Americans gain skills relevant to AI technology
  • Industrial and technologies sectors, by directing regulatory agencies to establish guidelines for the use and development of AI
  • Safety and technical standards of AI systems, by calling on the National Institute of Standards and Technology to lead the way
  • The future of the U.S. as a global AI leader, by supporting American AI industries and research as well as securing our critical AI technology

The belief is that our country’s ability to stay at the forefront of AI is critical to boosting prosperity, enhancing national and economic security, and protecting American values. And if you think that sounds good, just wait until you take a look at how voice over fits into the bigger AI puzzle.

Where Voice Over Fits with AI

The advancement of artificial intelligence is creating fresh opportunities across the country and beyond, and this certainly applies to the voice over industry. While some may immediately bring up the fact that AI applications are powered by synthetic or computer-generated voices, you have to remember that those voices had to originate somewhere. That somewhere is usually from a voice over actor.

More often than not, synthetic and computerized voices need a human voice to establish the foundation of the vocal database. Voice assistants are a prime example, and their popularity and reach continue to explode. As noted in a past blog about voice assistants, the three big ones are Google’s Voice Assistant, Amazon’s Alexis, and Apple’s Siri – but there are many, many more.

Going Beyond the Artificial Intelligence Voice Over Assistant

Smart speaker sales have also exploded, as more people embrace AI technology in the home. The movement is predicted to get even bigger, with smart homes and “internet of things” devices expected to increase exponentially over the next several years. Any devices or apps that feature a voice response option are likely to have had a human voice as a starting point.

The same holds true for the virtual assistants and voice apps used across a variety of industries. Whether it’s an AI-powered chatbot that answers your online questions, or a virtual travel assistant that provides hotel and flight suggestions, those that use voices are apt to have originally recorded them from VO actors.

Even some AI apps that don’t currently use voice responses are expecting to add them in the future. Google Maps, for instance, is planning to implement its voice assistant into its Map application so it can both show and tell you where to go.

Rather than looking at the AI explosion with disdain or fear, we can look at it as a chance to embrace new opportunities. Besides, no matter how advanced artificial intelligence may become, AI is still a long way away from producing a voice that is as natural and welcoming as a real human’s. That means robots won’t be taking our VO jobs, at least not any time soon.

What You Need to Know about Voice Over Coaching, Part 1

A survey recently caught my attention, and it would probably catch the attention of most folks involved in the voice over industry. That’s because the survey reported there are now more voice over coaches than actual voice talent in the U.S. Wow is right. People with whom I’ve spoken have given mixed opinions on the survey, some stating there’s no way that could be true. True or not, the survey did bring up a notable point: professional coaching is rapidly on the rise.

This rise applies to professional coaches across the board, from life coaches to business coaches, spiritual coaches to recovery coaches, writing coaches too – of course – voice over coaches.

Voice Over Coaching Hotter than Ever

Not to be confused with voice coaches who focus on improving your vocal performance, voice over coaches are focused on helping you launch and develop a voice over career. Voice over coaching would fall into the same category as business coaching, which has exploded to rake in $10 billion in revenue for 2018.

Worldwide, the International Coach Federation (ICF) reports that coaching has grown from 47,500 coaches in 2012 to 53,300 coaches in 2016, or at the rate of 1,500 new coaches entering the industry every year.

Because voice over coaches share a category with business coaches, it’s tough to discern the exact number of voice over coaches that have joined the fray. But I can say I have been seeing more and more voice over coach discussions, promotions, and ads encouraging people to hire them.

Why the Rise in Voice Over Coaches?

Coaching, in general, is believed to be on the rise because people are beginning to realize the benefits of coaches. Skilled and qualified coaches can help you make significant changes in your life to get you where you want to be – as long as you have the motivation and drive to do your part. Voice over coaching is no different.

Instead of being in a large workshop or class with training directed at a group, voice over coaches can provide one-on-one attention tailored to your exact needs. They can assess your individual talents and abilities, help you uncover your strengths and weaknesses, and work with you to establish a path of action that aligns with what you want to achieve.

A good voice over coach will also double as your cheerleader, confidant and great motivator, holding you accountable, pushing you out of your comfort zone and celebrating your successes. This type of personalized attention is a unique element of voice over coaching and, based on the rise in popularity, people appear to be benefiting from it.

How to Choose the Best Voice Over Coach for You

Good coaches can help you achieve great things, but not all coaches may be all that good. The industry is not as regulated as many others, which means anyone who wants to call themselves a coach pretty much can. Researching a voice over coach’s background, credentials and experience can help you determine if the coach is qualified. Look at the industry experience of voice over coaches as well as life experience.

And just because a voice over coach may be experienced, trained, credentialed, and loved by many doesn’t mean that person is a lovely fit for you. Everyone is different. Your search for the best voice over coach starts by researching, narrowing down your list, and then interviewing the top coaches to determine if they can provide what you need and want.

Other things to look for in a voice over coach include the ability to help you:

  • Generally, improve your voice over delivery and acting skills
  • Understand how to properly analyze and present audition copy
  • Master vocabulary and pronunciation – accent work (learning or losing an accent)
  • Become knowledgeable about prominent actors, training and trends in the industry
  • Grow in your voice over career, as well as other aspects of your life
  • Gain confidence and personal insight
  • Take risks, move out of your comfort zone
  • Set and achieve specific goals, with your VO skills as well as marketing your career
  • Discover what makes you and your voice over work unique

Depending on your specific coaching goals, you may also be looking for help with demos, auditions, marketing, and other services.

Two more things to look for in a voice over coach, or any coach, may be the most important. One is honesty. You want someone who will give you an honest, no-nonsense assessment of your abilities and skills. The other is the right focus. No matter what specific elements you choose to work on, the focus should always be on you, the coaching client, and not the coach.

In the world of coaching, you are the star of the show. You’re the one who maps out the path to build your future. And that means you’re the one who has to put in your best efforts and hard work to make it happen.

While I have never offered coaching services (despite being asked on an almost weekly basis), I have worked with many good voice over coaches over the course of my career. It was especially important to do that in my early years of the business, to make sure I was learning good habits and techniques. Of course, a whole lot has changed in the voice over biz since I got my start back in the early 1990s, but certainly, finding a great coach to work with should be top of the list for anyone looking to build a long-lasting voice over career.