From Robin William’s landscape-shifting voice performance as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin to the hard-working stable of voice actors (Steve Blum, Grey DeLisle, etc.) that voiced the cartoons of your childhood, the allure of working as a voice actor has captured the hearts and minds of many people. That said, it’s a difficult industry to crack into, and going in without a plan is an easy way to wipe out fast.
So what are your options?
Well, we’re glad you asked. With this guide on what you need to know about voice over jobs, you’ll be booking gigs in no time! So sit back, switch that microphone on, and let’s get started!
The Different Roles of Voice Over Jobs
While most people think of voice actors in terms of movies and television, those aren’t the only industries that utilize voice actors. Video games require many people to lend voices to the colorful characters within them, and radio (especially radio advertising) relies on strong voices to carry it to success.
Podcasts and audiobooks have also found a new level of popularity in recent years, requiring those who can convey great charisma and passion through their voice alone.
Many companies also need voice over artists to record promotional materials and advertisements for their company. This can take the form of an employee training video or a video detailing the history of the company. Strong voice prompting recordings help make a business feel more professional, drawing in more customers.
Voice Over Job Requirements and How to Get Better
While there are no formal requirements to become a voice actor, getting some sort of vocal and acting training (as well as practicing your craft often) will help you elevate your talent from good to great. You should also take the time to practice good breath control. This will help you maintain a full sound when speaking and not have your voice seem too faint or meek.
To get a job in voice over work, you’ll need to do a lot of networking. Take free jobs to get your name out there and craft an audition tape of your best voices to show off to prospective clients. Once there’s good word of mouth around you, you start getting picked for more gigs, building your reputation and talent further.
If possible, try to take roles that highlight your vocal strengths too. Going for a role requiring a British accent when your British accent is spotty as best isn’t the best way to build hype around your career.
Finally, gaining some skills in audio editing could go a long way towards your voice acting career. Editing your audition to remove background noise or weird gaps helps sell it as more professional, and could prove an extra selling point if the freelance gig requires you to master the audio as well as provide the voice over.
A Brand-New Opportunity
Now you have this guide to what you need to know about voice over jobs, you’re ready to kickstart your new career and seize every opportunity that comes your way! And for more tips about making it in the voice work industry, make sure to check out the other articles on our blog!
