Voice-Overs.com Blog

  I am daily inundated with requests for information about getting into voiceovers. The most important response I can give is to let newbies know that voice-over is a business. 

Starting your business 

 Somewhere down the line, someone gave the impression that it doesn’t take much investment to get into this business.  Yes, it costs less than some franchised fast food chains… but it is unrealistic to expect to be able to start any business with little investment of time or money.

Some things you’ll need to spend money on are:

• A computer
• A cell phone
• A web page
• Training (from day one you are competing with seasoned talent who have a lot of experience.  No matter how good your voice is, you will not be able to compete without the wisdom and knowledge of professionals who have gone before you!)
• A professional demo    (do not expect people to hire you without one!)
• Online lead services such as voices.com, voice123.com, and voplanet.com. Typical  cost for such a service is about $200/yr. Many do offer free listings (but you really won’t get any work from the free listings) and free trials. Voice123 offers free 30 day trials of its Premium membership to students who were recommended by a coach who has a partnership agreement with them (as Julie Williams does)
• Home studio (strongly recommended, but not a necessity. Some agents no longer represent talent who don’t have home studios for auditioning purposes.)

FREE Resources for talent:

While there are many talent coaches who have newsletters, and some offer free auditing of their live classes, here are some of the best FREE voiceover resources on the web:

• The VoiceOver Insider, (formerly known as the V-ZINE)  is a monthly online magazine for voice actors. It is subscription only. In it are useful articles written by some of the best voice talent in the world. It contains timely and pertinent information and tips to help you keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the VO industry. It also lists who some of the top VO coaches are, and how to reach them.  You can sign up for the VoiceOver Insider at www.voice-overs.com. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• Voice-Overs.Com Forum is a discussion group open to all voiceover talent, and anyone else in the VO industry. There are forums in which talent can ask experts questions, review products, read what other talent have said about products you my be considering buying, post demos for critique by your peers, and connect with other voice talent from all over the world. Sign up at www.voice-overs.com/forum.  Talent who review products keep the products as compensation.
• The Voice-Overs.Com Calendar of workshops and other events that are relevant to voice actors. Access the information at www.voice-overs.com/calendar.  Submit calendar items to Sameera@voice-overs.com.
• VoiceOverXtra is a portal to the online world.  John Florian keeps this site fresh and updated with articles from top talent, podcasts, and other resources relevant to voice artists.