Getting Started in Voiceover

If you intend to start a career in voiceover, as much as it’s a performance field, it’s important to know that this should be approached as a business. You will be hired by clients to record jobs, and you will have to send an invoice after the job is done if you want to get paid. All revenues and expenses must be recorded in accounting software, as you will be expected to pay applicable income taxes at the end of the year.

Even though many voiceover jobs are fun and informal, you must conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times. Our Best Practices can help guide you.

You must gain knowledge of what professional voiceover rates are for the genres you will be voicing, and the markets in which they will be used. You should understand terminology related to the industry, such as usage, cycle, buyout, etc.

You also need to know home recording studio basics if you intend to record from your professional home studio instead of an external studio. You must understand the audio file specifications required by clients for their deliverables.

Be prepared to be your own marketing expert, technical support expert, administrator, negotiator, and contract reviewer, among other administrative tasks and roles. Of course, once you sign on with an agent, some of these responsibilities will be taken care of for you.

Generally, voice talent complete a training period with their school or coach(es). Then, when ready, they can approach a demo producer who will showcase their work. They will usually need to create a website to host their demos, video reels, biographies and contact information.

Auditioning is a big part of being a voice talent. You need to have a thick skin because rejection is part of this business.