People say you have a booming voice and lots of character in your tone. You are an eloquent and proficient reader and love to tell stories. If this is your case, a voice-over job might be your perfect match. But how do you find voice-over jobs? Are there remote opportunities for this type of gig?
This piece guides you through the process of finding the right voice acting job for you. Whether you want to land a paid gig or gain more experience, the tips below will help you get started.
First, let’s get back to basics.
What is Voice Over?
Voice-over is the process of providing narration for a film, television show, video game, or other production. The professional who does voice-over is a voice-over actor or artist. This individual can produce the voice-over in a recording studio or remotely.
Voice over comprises different categories, including:
- Animation: Animation is the most popular category of voice-over. It uses digitally animated or hand-drawn images to tell stories.
- Commercial: Many voice actors make their living through commercial voice over. It usually involves advertising a product or service on TV, radio, the web, or social media to promote a product or service. A commercial voice-over can generally pay a higher wage in 15, 30, 60 second formats due to union minimums, multiple territories, and buyouts/renewals.
- Audiobooks: Audiobooks are “live reads” of books where the author reads the book with the help of a professional narrator. Some authors prefer this format due to the ability of the human voice to bring subtle nuances to the story.
- E-learning / instructional: This category involves recording instructional videos inside and outside an organization. It can include lecturing, audiobooks, corporate presentations, and training videos.
- Narration: When a voice narrates over images or motion pictures, it can tell the story either from the character’s perspective or from a third party’s perspective.
- Video Games/Interactive: Voice-over actors usually portray oral dialog between characters in video games. This often happens between protagonists and antagonists but can also occur between locations.
- Corporate: Most large companies use corporate voice-over in some capacity. As a training tool or to offer in-depth explanations of specific roles, corporate voice-over can assist employees in learning about their responsibilities.
- Trailers: Trailers give viewers an idea of the content of the entire production. Deep male voices have dominated the trailer category until recently, but now it is starting to reflect more diversity.
Voice actors who know their stuff can comfortably change their vocal style based on the character. Some productions require an accent to represent the characters’ backgrounds accurately.
The best voice-over actors are skilled at mimicking accents and providing the appropriate tone for each medium.
Can You Do Voice Acting Remotely?
Absolutely! Even before COVID-19 struck, many voice-over jobs were done remotely. However, the pandemic increased the demand for voice actors who can produce high-quality voice-over work remotely.
According to Voices.com 2021 Trend Report, voice-over jobs for internet videos, eLearning, and animation have grown the most over the past year. In 2020, internet video jobs increased by almost 200%.
With the proper knowledge and attitude, you’ll be able to choose from a pool of voice-over jobs for beginners and land a job that fits you perfectly.
How Much Does Online Voice Over Work Pay?
As with any job, the more you work, the more you earn.
When beginning your career and building your portfolio, voice-over work doesn’t pay much. But there is no reason to worry because as you grow as a voice actor, your income will grow too.
Voice-over actors can earn over $18,000 to above $50,000, depending on their experience level. The great thing about this job is that you can do it part-time to supplement your income or as a full-time career option.
Thanks to the rise of IoT devices, voice assistants, and SMART home systems, the demand for voice-over work will rise in the coming years. The industry is forecast to be worth $10 billion in 2026. That means more voice-over jobs for beginners.
How to Find Online Voice Over Jobs
Before sending out your demos, applying for jobs, and doing voice-over work from home, there are a few boxes you must check off.
Like any other remote job, if you fail to prepare yourself properly for online voice-over jobs, you could fail miserably. Follow these three steps below to find an online voice recording job today.
1. Choose a Niche
There are different voice-over categories, and it is not unusual for newbie voice actors to think they can do it all. You should avoid this mistake when searching for voice-over jobs. Trying to do them all will never make you a master of your craft.
Of course, some experienced voice-over actors do more than one category, but these professionals have spent years mastering their skills. After booking your first gig and staying consistent, you can expand your horizons and try other voice categories that interest you.
2. Enroll in a Voice Acting Class
It’s nice that everyone thinks you have an incredible voice that the world needs to hear. But there are many people like you in the world with beautiful voices. Professional training will make you stand out.
Online voice-over training and courses for beginners are available on platforms like:
- Udemy,
- Skillshare,
- Coursera,
- EdgeStudio.
Enrolling in an online class will sharpen your skills and prepare you for the job ahead.
3. Become Proficient at Reading Aloud
Read out loud over and over again till you can feel the rhythm, hear your voice, and adjust your interpretation. Practice reading regularly, on your own or with a friend, family member, or teacher, to overcome inhibitions.
4. Boost Your Portfolio by Offering Your Services for Free
While searching for voice-over jobs for beginners, offering your services for free is a smart way to build your portfolio.
Many nonprofit associations, schools, and churches have small projects requiring voice-over work. By volunteering, you can gain valuable feedback on your performance while building your resume simultaneously.
5. Establish an Online Presence
Finding online voice-over work means setting up shop online first. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube can help you connect with others in your industry and potential clients looking for voice-over talent like you.
Optimize your profile, feature samples of your work, and engage with the online community to get your name out there in the virtual world.
A website can also go a long way in helping you build your reputation. It helps with branding and search engine optimization – two things that help boost your credibility with clients and future employers.
6. Network With an Online Community of Voice-Over Actors
Connecting with like-minded individuals for advice and guidance makes a huge difference when you’re just starting.
Join online communities, attend virtual conferences, get tips from experienced voice actors, and join social media groups to exchange ideas and share your experiences.
The beginning can be tricky, but being surrounded by people who understand your struggles helps you avoid pitfalls and stay focused.
7. Create a Voice Over Demo Reel
One of the most crucial boxes you must check when looking for voice-over jobs for beginners is to put together a reel to showcase your skills. This material can make or mar your first impression with prospective clients and employers. You must do more than just an ok job.
Your reel should have clips from at least three projects under your belt.
Remember to check the quality of each recording before you start editing together your demo reel to make sure it is smooth and consistent.
8. Send Your Demo Out and Follow-up
Now that you have done your due diligence, the next step is actively looking for your first gig. Send your reel to potential clients along with a short cover letter and resume (if required).
You can follow up with a phone call or email to check the progress of your application. Be patient but persistent while waiting for responses. Landing your first voice-over job can take longer than expected.
Where to Find Online Voice Over Jobs
The four most common ways to find voice-over jobs for beginners from home are:
Pay-to-Play Sites
Pay-to-play sites require users to pay a fee to access a searchable database of voice-over jobs and hire voice-over actors directly. Paid membership allows you to select gigs and submit auditions to prospective clients and employers. Some of them include:
- Voices.com
- VoiceBunny
- Voices Pro
- Cheap Voiceover Talent
- Bodalgo
- Voice123
- Stage 32
Freelance Online Marketplaces
These platforms allow you to bid on projects and apply for voice-over jobs ranging from narration to commercials, podcasts, explainer videos, etc. Some of the top freelance online sites in this genre include:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- People Per Hour
Ad Agencies and Production Companies
Advertising agencies always need talented voice actors for commercials, radio spots, websites, and social media. It’s one of the most popular places to find online voice-over work. The first thing you need to do is to learn what they are looking for in a voice-over artist.
Another effective way to grow your voice-over career is to market yourself to voice-over production companies. Their work ranges from explainer videos to commercials to documentaries, depending on their focus.
Cold Outreach
Cold outreach can be via email or phone calls to different communication companies. Get in touch with prospective clients and employers and find out if they have any open voice projects available now or in the future. Though this method of looking for voice-over work for beginners can be overwhelming and time-consuming, the reward is worth the hustle.
What Equipment Do I Need For Voiceover Work From Home?
Your home studio should include at least: Desktop Computer or Laptop (Mac or PC)
- Headphones (Separate Audio Control)
- Microphone (Non-Chorus Condenser)
- Any software required for recording and editing (Audacity, Adobe Audition, etc.)
- Pop Filter (to reduce plosive sounds)
- Microphone Stand
- Quiet space to record
Land Your Dream Voice Over Job
As you can see, finding online voice-over jobs for beginners isn’t impossible. All you need is perseverance and a willingness to learn. The results will follow when you focus on improving your voice acting skills and your proficiency in the studio.
Sure, it will not be all roses and rainbows in the beginning. But as long as you keep practicing and refining your skills, one day, you might find yourself voicing something for a big brand like Facebook and becoming a future star in the industry.
Happy hunting.
