Frequently asked questions

Getting Started in Voice Over

Training & Demos

Equipment & Home Studio

The Business of Voice Over

FAQ

There is much more to being a successful voice actor than just having a good voice. In fact, that is the least important aspect of my job. A successful voice actor is, first and foremost, an actor! I went to college & graduate school for acting and have been pursuing voice over for over 30+ years. I learn new things every week! It is not a skill that comes naturally; it is something that takes a ton of focus to learn.

With that in mind, the first thing you need to do is determine if you have talent, and I'm not talking about doing impressions that make your friends laugh. I'm talking about the ability to tell a story, to seek the writer's truth, to truly engage with an audience and make them feeling something, or at least convince them to buy something.

Find a coach that can help you determine if you have the potential to be a successful voice actor. Here's a list voice over coaches I trust: https://www.voiceoverstrategist.com/blog/categories/coach-recommendations

Have more questions? Book a free consult and let's chat...

No! All accents and voice types are welcome in the voice over industry. However, you need to be aware of current casting trends, as that changes frequently. For example, the classic "announcer" sound and "in a world" trailer voice has been out of fashion for over a decade. This is why you need a good voice over coach to help you find your sound. Have more questions? Book a free consult and let's chat...

Starting a career in the voice over industry is not cheap. Do not invest any significant amount of money into your new business until you are 100% sure that this the right vocation for you. Many folks have learned the hard way that they can't make a living at this.

Determine if you have the talent to be an effective voice actor. Schedule a diagnostic with one of these amazing voiceover coaches. Even if you do have talent, talent is not enough.

You need to be prepared to initially invest anywhere from $5,000-$20,000 in your new business. This includes performance training, demos, a home studio, a website, marketing materials, and more.

Do not pay money to produce a demo with anyone who does not first offer you training, and I don't mean only four sessions. Lots of people want your money and will charge anywhere from $100-$4000 for a demo that will do nothing for you. Research every coach you consider and feel free to ask for my opinion.

If you determine you have the talent, time, and resources to become a voice talent, keep a few things in mind:

The voice over industry is not 'A Chorus Line' or 'American Idol'. You will not be “discovered”, get “lucky”, or be given “your big break”. It just doesn’t work that way. Those are external factors you have no control over. You control what truly counts: your training, your resources, your business plan, and your will to succeed.
The voice over industry is a small, small world. Treat everyone kindly, as you don't know where your next gig may come from. And we all talk to each other…
Figure out what success looks like for you. If you want to do voice overs for grocery money, that’s totally valid. If you want to voice major video games or be in a Pixar film, that’s awesome, but you need to do different things to achieve different types of success. Each person must follow a different path. There is no set way to become a professional voice actor.

Have more questions? Book a free consult and let's chat...