As our world has become more digital, the voice-over industry is also remarkably growing that is why there has been an increased demand for voice talent. Voice-over is everywhere. From the commercials that you’ve heard on the radio or seen on the television, audiobooks that you listen to, narration, films, explainer videos, podcasts, e-learning/training, voice automated recordings, videogames, and more.
Voice-over although challenging is considered an appealing and rewarding career because of the flexibility of working hours and the workplace. You can work on your home or anywhere that has an internet connection and on a schedule that best suits you.
Voice-over is an industry full of exciting opportunities, so if you are a newbie, searching up “how to get started into voice-over, here are six of my important tips:
Start Recording Your Voice
You do not need fancy gear to start, you can start recording yourself on your phone, tablet, or computer that has a built-in recording application. Find some scripts online or an audiobook and practice reading out loud. You can read books out loud to your kids, family, or friends. After recording, listen to the playback and see if you like it or ask yourself how you can improve.
Learn the Editing Software
It is just not knowing how to record or like how to act. You have to be able to edit your voice. When you use quality voice-over software, you can lay down amazing audio files easily. Editing your voice-over is an integral step before you publish or submit your work to a client. Voice-over editing software allows you to polish your files and add music and sound effects to improve the overall quality of your output.
Study Other Voice Artists
Seek out voice-over performances like radio, advertisements, audiobooks, and more. Be attentive and listen to how they deliver and note vital aspects they apply when varying their tone and articulation and things they do to make them great. After listening, try to mimic the one you find impressive. In time you’ll find your distinct style but being aware of voice-over around you is important.
Keep Improving
Get Better Gear- Invest in setting up your home recording studio. You may start small and focus on the basic necessity, and then reinvest the money you make into upgrading your equipment and set up. Here’s a list of the primary things that build your home studio: a soundproof workspace, microphone, xlr cable, computer, mixer, recording software, and professional soundproofing materials.
Get Better Acting Skills- Voice-over requires technically gifted and possessing a high acting skills level. If you are a beginner, it’s advisable to hire a voice-acting coach who will help you refine your acting abilities and improve them. Acting instructors will also help you more confident and become a great performer. Voice-acting trainers also help actors when it comes to breathing, pronunciation, articulation, and performance delivery.
Find your Money Voice & Make Killer Samples
Finding your money voice is an important one. Make killer samples. When you’re just starting out, you might have a tendency to develop a wide field of unique voice “sounds” to appeal to many clients. The best thing a newbie voice-over artist can do for themselves when developing their portfolio is to work on one distinct voice. Having a signature voice will get you more work. It will be your voice money-maker and will make your job much easier. In the long run, you can create a voice for each one, then you’ve got a few money voices laid out, then people are willing to pay money to read the script for them.
Start with people who will hire you
Share it with the people who will potentially hire you. Establish building an online presence including sharing client reviews and being active in relationship management between clients and voice-over communities. Expand your social network. As a voice-over business, you need to recognize that you need to market yourself. This involves ensuring you get your brand, your business, in front of the right people.
