10 Voice acting tips from VO pros!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a voice actor??
This week, we’ve got 10 must-know VO tips from two professional voice actors – Pippa Vos and Erikka J – on how to start and succeed as a voice actor!
?
10 Voice acting tips to help you start and succeed in VO
1. Get Voice Over Training
Once you’ve learned how to use your voice, you’ll still need to learn how to understand and navigate the voice over industry to run a successful voice over business. Online platforms like Gravy for the Brain offer a monthly membership for cost-effective training.?
2. Make Professional Voice Over Samples
Your voice over samples are your resume. Make sure they showcase your range and quality. As your career grows, update them with auditions that match real client requests. And you don’t even need background music at first—just a straight voice over to showcase your skills.?
3. Get the Right Equipment and Sound Treatment
High-quality sound is non-negotiable in voice over because your audio needs to compete with the best. Voice123 offers a SoundCheck service where you can have your audio assessed by experts and get tips from audio engineers on how to improve your audio quality.
4. Look for Work Everywhere & Don’t Give Up
Voice acting isn’t a 9-to-5 job. It takes time to establish yourself, and the first few years can be tough. Be persistent. Search for gigs, network, and look for work everywhere and anywhere. Even if those around you don’t understand your career path, keep pushing forward.
5. Learn How to Market & Brand Yourself
Freelancer sites can get you started, but long-term success means branding yourself as a voice actor. A professional voice acting website with your samples, an email strategy to reach out to production companies, and a social media presence can help you stand out.
6. Learn the Business Side of Voice Over
Passion is great, but knowledge is power. Understanding industry rates, recording usage rights, and business management will help you create a sustainable career. Treat your voice over work as a business and invest time in learning how to run it effectively.?
7. Learn the Tech Side
It’s not just about having a great voice—you also need technical skills for voice actors, like how to record, edit, and deliver high-quality audio. Learn about your signal chain, noise floor, and other technical aspects to ensure your recordings meet professional standards.
8. Learn to Act
Voice acting is just that—acting! Take classes, read books, and study performances. The ability to bring a script to life separates great voice actors from the rest. Check out our voice over script library for practice scripts to improve your voice acting.
9. Watch Market Trends
You’re in the media industry, so stay current! Watch TV commercials, follow industry news, and pay attention to emerging trends on social media. Knowing what VO trends are popular can help you adapt and book more jobs.
10. Have Fun with It!
Your level of interest, engagement, and excitement will come through in your recordings. Enjoy the process, play with different styles, and bring energy to your work. You’re much more likely to book the jobs where you enjoy reading the script!
Don’t Forget:
The voice over industry thrives on relationships. Connect with other voice actors, attend industry events, and engage in online forums. You never know where your next opportunity might come from!
Start voice acting with a special discount! For first-time members only. T&Cs apply.
?? Want more VO insights?
Subscribe to Voice Acting Tips and get the latest VO tips, trends, and industry highlights every Thursday!
Stay tuned for more tips on how to start and succeed in VO!
Chris
Marketing Lead at Voice123