This document provides an overview of different types of voiceover work and careers. It discusses narrators, voices for advertisements, voice talent actors, radio imaging, and voices for video games. The key types are narrators, who record presentations and training materials; voices for advertisements, who record commercials; voice talent actors, who perform audiobooks and animated projects; radio imaging voices, who perform between advertisements and songs; and voices for video games and apps. The document stresses finding your niche within one or two types of voiceover work to specialize in.

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Published by Jenny Lewis.
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2. Introduction
.......................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 1: What Types Of Voiceover Work Can I
Do?......................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2: Developing Your Skills As A Voiceover Artist
................................................. 14
CHAPTER 3: The Voiceover Industry
.................................................................................. 30
CHAPTER 4: Your Voiceover Demo
..................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER 5: Building Your Own Home Studio
................................................................... 42
CHAPTER 6: Recording And Editing Your Voiceover
......................................................... 63
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3. Introduction
Voiceover artists read everything from movie trailers to radio commercials to
video game soundtracks to corporate training videos. This book outlines the
skills, know­ how and the business of voiceovers for anyone who is interested in
becoming voice artists. Topics covered will include what a voice over is, what's it
like to be in a studio doing a voice over and recording your own audio.
The art of using your voice to inform, sell and even entertain on television, radio,
online or through narrations is an amazing way to share your talent and make
money at the same time. However, it takes much more than a great sounding
voice to be successful in the voice over world.
In addition to speaking clearly, you need to sound sincere, believable with great
timing. Natural talent has very little to do with a successful voice over career. Of
course, that helps but it can be learned and continually improved upon but it also
takes persistence, preparation and a strong desire. The possibilities are endless
from doing radio and television commercials to narrations of non­fiction books.
You don’t have to be a celebrity to do voice over work.
Producers are always on the lookout for new voice over talent. With proper
training and equipment, a good demo and a strong desire to be successful, you
can enjoy an exciting voice over career from your own home, instead of working
a 9 to 5 job. A voice over career is an excellent way to make a living from home
and can be quite lucrative. Depending on the project, fees can range from $300
for as little as 1­2 minutes to $1,500 for one to two hours of work. For more
information about what voiceover artists charge per minute, visit freelancer.com.
Another excellent website for training and information is greatvoices.com owned
by Susan Berkley, the voice behind AT&T.
There are many websites to audition and find gigs that include voice123.com and
voices.com. Each project is listed with the audition script that you can record and
send to the employer that is doing the hiring for that project. The budget is listed
for each project so you can bid what you feel is a fair price for the job. The
projects listed are for everything from audio books to commercials.
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4. Keep in mind that you cannot be all things to all people. It is important to
find your voiceover niche.
For example, are you someone that can understand and pronounce technical
medical terms? Then you might be able to market yourself to those types of
project.
Do you have a high energy voice that comes across well on­air?
Commercials might be your niche. Whatever it is, find your passion and area that
you can be that ‘expert’ voice.
You might be someone that does well with shorter recordings as opposed to
recording audio books that take quite a bit of time but can be quite lucrative.
Many projects will offer royalty share in addition to a recording fee.
All of this needs to be determined up front in a signed contract that you can be
developed and sent to the employer or they may already have a contract with the
particulars outlined for you to agree upon.
Companies look for all sorts of styles from movie trailer voices to suitable voices
of various age ranges. Determine which style of voice that you fall into naturally
or enjoy performing. You might be able to create a character voice for animated
films or perhaps your voice works well for being a mom in a commercial.
Whatever it is, voiceover work takes dedication, multi­faceted skills and time.
Schedule some time each day to record auditions and send in audio demos for
prospective projects.
If you decide to meet with a voiceover coach, it is worth every penny.
They can help you find your signature voice, work on intonation, different ways of
saying the same line, recommend the proper equipment and much, much more.
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5. Creating a professional voiceover demo that sells your voice talent is key.
You can include a variety of voices and projects on one demo CD or MP3 file that
can easily be sent to producers by email, preferably or regular mail.
You might want to utilize a professional recording studio that can compile all of
your voiceover samples into one demo that highlights your voice talent. You do
not have to be a celebrity to enjoy a lucrative career in the voiceover world.
As a voiceover artist, the possibilities are endless. You might be required to
double up as an actor in an audiobook by bringing one of the characters to life. It
takes practice and talent to find just the right voice for a character.
Learning how to use technology and the right equipment is a necessity for a
voiceover career that can easily be learned. It really is up to you to sell yourself
and be responsible for your own voiceover business. Here is to your success and
welcome to the wonderful world of voiceover.
©VOgenesis .com 6
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A voiceover is a recording of someone reading, or working from memorized or
written and narrations online.
What do you like about the voice you hear? Does the voice material, without a
visual image of that person. When you hear that person’s voice, you get a visual
image in your mind of what that person might look like or act throughout a story.
In other words, your voice tells the story.
Most people think of commercials when they hear the word ‘voiceover,’ however
there are many types of voiceover artists.
A professional voiceover artist is a very important part of any work that requires a
voice, whether it is a narration, marketing video or audiobook. Take some time to
listen to some audiobooks put you to sleep or make you want to hear more?
Voiceover artists are unique and different in their own way.
It is just a matter of choosing the right professional voice for a particular
production. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of voiceover types:
Narrator
Narrators may do a variety of projects that include narrating a presentation or
video, for example. Corporations look for narrators to record training materials for
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6. videos within their industry or company. It is important for a narrator to speak
clearly and concisely with a pleasant voice.
However, you can find your niche in this category. For example, if you have a
medical background and can pronounce difficult medical terms, then this would
be a perfect specialty for you to pursue.
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Voice For Advertisements
Voiceover artists can specialize in recording advertisements for both television
and radio. Often, their voice is distinct and interesting while portraying trust to the
listener. It might involve a few short sentences or a full 30­seconds commercial,
however each phrase must be recorded perfectly.
It is important to have a timing feature when you are recording so you can make
sure to stay within that 30­second timeframe.
Voice Talent Actors
Voiceover actors are needed to perform audiobooks, cartoons and other projects
that require bringing the character to life. Emotion, intonation, passion and feeling
must come across to be believed by the listener. Sometimes a video requires a
voiceover actor to match the words in the script or the movements of the mouth
in the character, something that takes quite a bit of skill.
Radio Imaging
The voiceover world uses the term ‘radio imaging’ to refer to radio performances
that are used between advertisements and songs. A radio imaging voice must be
heard above all other sounds and music, grabbing the attention of listeners.
Voice For Video Games
Today, a new type of voiceover artist has come into play that involves recording
content for mobile apps, phone menus and video games. Your voice must be
distinctive and pleasant because the user will hear it constantly. A fairly generic
voice is preferred for this increasingly popular niche.
Regardless of the type of voice work needed, a voice talent needs to understand
the scope of any project, what the producer wants to achieve throughout
production and the exact purpose of the work. A good voice talent can make
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7. changes in their voice to suit each project.
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Figuring out what voice niche you would like to pursue may come through trial
and error based on the type of voice you have. Not all voiceovers are the same,
and you cannot be the voice for all projects.
It is rare to find a voice talent that works in all the many categories in voiceover.
Typically, a voiceover artist might work in 2­3 categories. For example, they
might do narrations for websites, perhaps audiobooks and a commercial now and
then.
A voiceover artist will look in different networks to find voiceover work and in
some cases, a different name is used. Take a look at the specific types of
voiceover demos that you might consider auditioning for:
“Live” Announcing work
The possibilities are endless and it might take some trial and error to find your
niche. Creating audio demos in these various niches can be used to audition for
a variety of voiceover jobs. If you are someone that can create unique voices,
then you may want to consider auditioning for animated films.
It takes quite a talent to bring a character to life with nothing but your voice and
they are in high demand. This talent can also be used in audiobooks,
documentaries and video games.
When it comes to doing your voiceover demo, you might consider recording a
variety of voices and characters to show your range of voice talent.
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Radio or television commercials
Corporate phone message recordings
Audiobooks
Narrations for content on websites
Corporate training videos
Video games or podcasts
Documentaries
Promotional recordings such as in­store videos
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8. Voice for an animated film
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Creating voices for television or film projects can be an exciting career and one
that can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. If you enjoy recording
for long periods of time, Cracker Barrel offers a nice selection of audiobooks that
road travelers can listen to while on the road.
When they get to their destination or next major city, they can drop off the
audiobook at the next Cracker Barrel. The point is to listen to as many recordings
as possible to get an idea of the niche you would like to pursue.
If you are interested in working under a specific particular category, here is
what you need to know:
Commercials
First and foremost, create an excellent demo in an MP3 format and CD that you
can send to producers and audition on various websites. Producers are always
looking for new talent and voices and will often welcome the opportunity to hear
your voice. This goes for both radio and television.
In some cases, a radio commercial will translate into a television commercial.
Visit backstage.com and audition for a variety of commercials. They offer a
14­day free trial period when you register on their website.
Narration for Film and Television
Being a narrator for film and television is not just limited to celebrities voices.
There are full­service agencies that book narrators for television and film
projects. Media Access Group at WGBH offers full service offices in Boston and
Los Angeles, California. A pioneer in the business, they have been working in
film and television since 1972. Visit access.wgbh.org for more information or
send them an inquiry letter by email at access@wgbh.org.
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9. Narration for Corporate or Industrials
Corporations and industrial firms are always looking for professional voice talent
to narrate their tutorials, e­learning projects and other training videos. One of the
best sources for this niche is ProComm, a combination production company and
talent agency. You can submit your demo to them online procommvoices.com or
send your CD demo by regular mail to:
ProComm Studio Services Attention: Talent Liaison P.O. Box 857 Fletcher,
North Carolina (NC) 28732­0857
Animation
Animation can be a difficult niche to break into as a voice talent. One of the main
reasons why is because a voice talent may not understand the character they are
auditioning for. As a voice talent, even if you prepare something for a specific
audition, the director, producer or client may want you to go in a different
direction with your voice. For example, if you are reading for a specific character
voice, you may want to come up with several options for the same lines.
You must be versatile and take direction well in the voiceover industry. Voicebox
Productions in Vancouver, Canada is one of the best production and casting
company in the animation voiceover industry. Know your strengths, get some
professional training and create an excellent voiceover demo that will get you
noticed.
Computer Game Characters
One of the newest voiceover niches today is computer game characters. They
rival film production and require just as many voiceover actors and actresses,
sometimes needing an excess of 100 voiceover roles to fill just one project.
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Some computer games require a strong, serious voice while other games need a
more ambient voice with a steady, even tone. It is a good idea to have some
strong experience in voiceover before pursuing this particular niche.
Computer game voices require working with producers and directors who are
often committed to the game themselves. Very often, you will have to deliver
lines in a booth such as “Let’s get out of here” or “He’s down.”
In other situations, you might receive a script of all the characters in the computer
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10. game, much like a script for a film.
Video games offer a whole new avenue for the voiceover world that brings
everything to the table from edgy and extreme to comedy. The trick is to making
the script sound real for the video game to work.
Audio books
Visit ACX.com and register your name, demo and contact information. They will
regularly send you emails with auditions for audio books. Some authors pay an
hourly rate while others prefer to pay a royalty fee.
All of this is explained at the beginning of the project plus the website makes it
easy to write a note to the author of the audio book. They are also excellent at
letting you know if you got the job or not in a timely manner.
Voicemail And Pre­Recorded Telemarketing Pitches
Visit edgestudio.com for submitting your voiceover demo as they will know of
companies that need a voicemail recording done or telemarketing pitches. You
might have just the right voice they are looking for in this particular niche. Though
telemarketing may not sound too glamorous, it is still an excellent voiceover
niche.
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Audio Content For Websites
Recording content for a website can include everything from narrating about a
particular product or service to recording a script that goes with a video that is
posted on a website or the Internet. For example, if you are fluent in another
language, you could offer your services as a voice talent in that language.
Perhaps, you can pronounce difficult medical terms from your background as a
nurse in the medical field.
Build your identity based on your strengths and what you do best.
If clients and producers enjoy working with you, they will very often give you an
opportunity for future voiceover work. Whatever your chosen niche is, it is very
easy to get started doing voiceover work online these days within your own home
studio. There are many online companies that welcome your audition CD or
demo sent to them in an MP3 format. Finding work as a freelance voiceover artist
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11. is a lucrative and flexible way to share your voice in the niche that is right for you.
Keep in mind, you cannot be all things to all people so take some time and find
your area of expertise. That might be narrations for websites in the health
industry or you may have a voice that is perfect for audiobooks. Whatever it is,
working in voiceover as a home business brings endless opportunities.
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Developing your skills before looking for work or creating a career in voiceover
talent requires you to develop your skills as a voiceover artist. The good news is
that you can learn, perform and succeed as a voiceover artist from the privacy of
your own home. The following is a list of skills that you need to develop in order
to succeed in the voiceover industry:
Articulate – Speaking clearly with a distinct voice without mumbling or garbling is
a skill that is highly coveted in the voiceover industry. A voiceover artist must
strike a balance between enunciating their words with just the right articulation. In
other words, you do not want to overdo it or under do it but perform the words
just right.
NO Mouth Noise – Most narrators have some level of mouth noise that can be
minimized by drinking water, staying hydrated, using herbal teas, chewing gum
or sucking on lozenges between recordings. The less mouth noise that has to be
eliminated by the editor or recording studio, the better chance you will be called
back for more work.
Be Consistent – A voiceover artist that has consistent energy, pacing, volume
and articulation is a dream scenario because the director or employer knows that
you can deliver what is needed every time.
Get Connected You must genuinely interested in what you are reading over the
microphone, otherwise it will not come across as believable. Be enthusiastic
about what you are reading and it will translate and engage the listener. Make
facial expressions while you are recording to convey emotion and actually move
your body physically to interpret action throughout the script.
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Scan Ahead Always read through the script first and mark where you need to
take a breath. It will allow you to read ahead, knowing where you are in the script
at all times.
Speak In A Conversational Manner This may sound easy to do, however it does
take some skill to speak at a typical pace, like you would in everyday
conversations. Sounding natural will engage the listener and maintain their
attention throughout your reading.
Cold Readings This skill is very important if you plan to record nonfiction
audiobooks, instructional videos or E­learning modules that require recording
hundreds of pages of text. Since it would take too much time to read through the
entire book or text, you must develop the skill to scan ahead and make sense of
all the sentences.
That includes navigating around incorrect punctuation or run­on sentences that
require excellent eye­brain­mouth coordination. Practice by reading out loud
often to your children, pets or family member that will help you become a great
cold reader in the voiceover world.
Be Quick Some scripts require the voiceover artist to record 40 seconds of copy
into 30 seconds without sounding rushed or garbled. Speaking fast is definitely
an essential skill in voiceover. The more you practice, the more confident you will
feel in speaking quickly.
Strengthen Your Mental Muscle Memory This skill is developed when your eyes
are able to take in the words off each page, make the connection in your head
that comes out of your mouth.
Reading hundreds of pages of copy without making a mistake is quite the skill
and it needs to be mastered if you want to record audiobooks and narrations.
Sound Convincing Even if you don’t know what you are talking about, sound like
you do. It may require the right amount of energy, a friendly tone or sounding
believable is the hallmark of a convincing narrator.
Control Your Voice Controlling your voice means controlling your volume, pitch
and breath in your voice. It could mean being consistent throughout a reading
and getting through phrases and words confidently.
This is especially important if you record at different times and the recording
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13. studio has to put them all together. Your voice must sound the same throughout.
Be Prepared Nothing helps build your confidence more than being prepared
before a recording session. Regardless if you record at home or go to a studio,
your overall performance, presence and phrasing will build your confidence that
gives you believability and stamina. Being confident also teaches you patience,
something you may need during some recording sessions.
Always remain calm, cool and collected during a recording session. It will lead to
a successful performance that will lead to more work. Infusing and developing all
the skills listed above will guide you into a lucrative and satisfying voiceover
career.
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Professional Training
Having a distinctive voice and the desire to learn proper technique from
accenting words in a script to knowing when to take a breath is critical. It is
imperative to bring a script to life with your voice and that takes some talent and
training to dig deeper that will find its true voice.
While you may have a positive attitude and willing to whatever it takes to get the
job, hiring a voiceover coach or teacher can help you get to the next level in a
professional manner. The question is, where do you start?
You can begin by asking other voice talent if they have a voiceover coach and
get referred. The other option is contacting voiceover talent agencies to see what
they offer. One of the best is Susan Berkley, the voice of AT&T and Citibank.
Her website is http://www.greatvoices.com and she offers workshops and
seminars throughout the year that are affordable and very effective. One of the
best things about Susan Berkley is that she stays current in the voiceover
industry, making it feasible to find excellent opportunities for all.
Finding your niche is the golden rule of opportunity and she offers realistic steps
to get there and succeed.
The relationship between voice talent and their coach is definitely a two­way
street and you want to bring your best to each meeting.
A voiceover coach wants to work with students that are professional, on time,
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14. serious, willing, motivated and diligent with their career. Be prepared to share
your background, experience and education so they know how much time and
effort you will be able to contribute to the process of learning about the voiceover
world.
Knowing more about you makes it easier for your voiceover coach to direct and
guide you through the process of learning voiceover. A good voiceover coach will
become aware of your capabilities and talent, drawing out the best in you.
Taking Voiceover Classes
Besides a willingness to learn all you can about the voiceover industry, you will
need to think about taking some voiceover classes and/or workshops. Classes
will introduce you to specific techniques for doing all types of voiceover work
including radio voice acting and commercials. You will learn vital tools that will
help you translate commercial copy (content) into a convincing and captivating
performance.
Many voiceover classes are held in recording studios that offer classes from
beginners to pros that include online videos, modules and tutorials.
Voiceover classes will teach you quite a bit about maintaining a career in the very
competitive world of voiceover. Many voiceover classes are held online over
Skype or FaceTime, allowing students to hone their voiceover skills and learn
where their future might be. Contact studios in your area and find out if they offer
classes in their studio or if they know of a coach that is taking on new students.
Edge Studio is a company that offers coaches and classes all over the country so
that you can get the proper training you need, no matter where you live. Classes
are divided into phases that include webinars, teleclasses and workshops.
You dial into the class a few minutes before it begins and the training begins. Be
prepared to participate if the opportunity presents itself.
For example, you might be asked to read a few lines for a commercial or read the
same lines in three different ways. Critiquing is part of the process but you will
learn quite a bit from the experience.
Shut Up And Talk teaches voiceover talent from beginners to veterans. They
provide studio experience, one­on­one coaching and a variety of classes and
workshops. And then you ……
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