How to become a Voice Artist

Becoming a voice artist takes time, practice, and dedication. It’s important to remember there is no-one size fits all approach to getting work as a voice actor. AND there are no absolutes. What works for one person might not necessarily work for you and vice versa.

We’ve compiled a list below of SOME steps you can take to start your journey into voice over. We hope they are useful.

1. Develop your skills: Start by practicing your speaking skills. Try reading books aloud or recording yourself speaking. Tongue twisters are also great to get the mouth working! Breathing exercises are useful too. Understanding where your voice sits in your body (head or belly)… This will help you become more comfortable site reading, speaking and allow you to develop your voice.
2. Study voice acting: There are many resources available to help you learn about voice acting. Consider taking classes or workshops in voice acting or finding a mentor who can help guide you. And if that isn’t an option for you, there are SO MANY resources on youtube to help guide you. Check out renowned vocal coach Nancy Wolfson – she’s incredible! You certainly don’t need to spend fortunes on education. Ultimately, the best way to study voice work is by listening to it. Listen to other reels, listen to ads on the radio/TV. You’ll soon realise we are inundated with ads and voice work everywhere!
3. Create a great voice reel: As you develop your skills, create a portfolio of your work. This can include recordings of your voice, samples of scripts you’ve read, and any other work you’ve done in the field in the form of a voice reel. The importance of a great voice reel cannot be overstated. It’s often the first impression that casting agents or clients will have of you, so it’s essential that it showcases your talents and abilities in the best possible way. A well-crafted voice reel can open doors to new opportunities, while a poorly made one can close them just as quickly. Take the time to create a great voice reel, and you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals as a voice artist.
4. Find a Voice Agent: It is possible to get work as a voice actor without representation from a voice agent. However, it’s much easier if you have a VO agent onside. To improve your chances of securing representation, you should focus on building your skills, creating a great voice reel, researching potential agents, making contact in a professional manner, being patient and persistent, and networking with other professionals in the field. Remember, building inroads with agents and clients takes time, so stay focused on developing your skills and expanding your network. With dedication and persistence, you can achieve success as a voice artist.
5. Find work opportunities: Look for opportunities to get your voice out there. This could include auditioning for voice-over work, creating your own content on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, or even volunteering to record audiobooks for local libraries or charities. Patience is key here.
6. Network: Connect with other professionals in the field, such as voice directors, casting agents, and other voice actors. If you’re an actor and have a show on, invite voice agents to the show to see/hear you, and not just that but to also forge a genuine relationship with them. Attend industry events, join online forums or social media groups, and reach out to people you admire in the industry.

Remember, becoming a successful voice artist takes time and persistence. Keep practicing, building your skills, and seeking out opportunities to showcase your talent. Also, have other irons in the fire. Take this with a pinch of salt, but when it comes to the creative industries it’s important to spread yourself thin. Try things out. Experiment. As you build your standing in each community, somethings will move faster than others. It’s important to have a range of services and offerings that you feel passionate about so that when one feels a little like its dragging you have another to pick yourself back up.

You’re in this for the long-haul sister/brother… keep at it. Power through. It’s coming.