Voice Over Jobs - How to Find Voice Over Work

9 Tips to Help You on the Path to a Voice Over Career

I meet potential voice over talent every day who want to jump into voice over with both feet.  They figure "I can read and I can talk so I can do this."  So here are 9 tips that will help you find voice over jobs.

 

1 - Learn the Craft of Communication

Get training and learn how to do this properly.  Voice over work is about communicating ideas from a client to a listening audience.  

You need to use inflection, the pitch of your voice, phrasing and emotions in your voice to convey both the logic and the emotion of the clients message. 

And the client wants their copy performed in a certain way.  You need to make their direction sound like it's your own expression. 

So take Voice Over Classes or get Voice Over Coaching so you know what is expected of you.  Then jump in and earn while you learn.

2 - Get a Voice Over Demo

Every business has its own calling card.  An on-camera actor has a headshot.  And a voice over talent has a Voice Over Demo Reel. The basic demo is a commercial voice over demo.  This is a fully produced example of around 6-8 spots that demonstrate your range and abilities. 

Don't try to produce this yourself.  Work with a pro.  They can help you chose appropriate copy, provide detailed direction to improve your performance, and edit the finished reel to achieve industry standards and style.  You wouldn't take your own headshot, would you?  Have a professional produce you demo.

 

3 - Time to Market Yourself

You have the skills and you have the demo to back them up so you're ready to take your act on the road.  Uh, where is the road??  The answer is, it's all around you!  There are local voice over jobs in narration, commercials, animation, promos and audio books, etc., etc. 

Jobs are available in major markets like Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago.  But many voice over projects are produced in smaller markets as well.  Contact the types of clients that use voice talent such as advertising agencies, video production services and internet companies. 

If there is a large company with it's headquarters near your town, contact the corporate marketing department.  Look for local and regional work.

 

4 - Set Up Your Home Recording Studio

You should also create your own Voice Over Home Recording Studio so you can participate in these markets without leaving the comfort of your home. Nowadays this can be done with broadcast quality for a few hundred dollars.

 

5 - Head Toward The Big Time and the Bright Lights

I don't encourage you to move from Moose Jaw to the Big Apple but most of us live reasonably close to a major city.  Here you may find local Voice Over Agents that can also promote your skills for larger local and regional projects. 

 

6 - Take Your Career Across the Country with Online Casting

Hey! This is the 21st century!  You have a whole new way of participating in voice overs:  Online Casting.  There are two internet sites that allow you to audition and obtain jobs throughout the country (and the world).  These are Voice123.com and Voices.com. 

Besides being an excellent way to obtain small and medium size jobs, these sites give you daily copy to improve your voice over audition and recording skills.  And every audition you submit can turn into a paying job--now that's earn while you learn!

 

7 - Join in the Union

The top of the mountaintop in voice over work is union jobs.  If you live in New York or Los Angeles then joining SAG-AFTRA, the Acting Union should be in your game plan.  Union jobs are often large regional and national commercials, animation roles and high end industrial work. Union work often pays residuals as your performance continues to be used.  Ultimately your goal should be to work SAG-AFTRA jobs obtained for you by a franchised agent.

 

8 - Take Advantage of Our Expertise at Aliso Creek Voice Over Classes

We've been producing, teaching and coaching voice over in Los Angeles for 25 years. And we love to pass on what we've learned.  So check out the in-depth Answers to Your Voice Over Questions in the box above. 

Then Click Here to Request More Info on classes, coaching and demo production. 

Or call us at 818-954-9931. 

If you live in the Los Angeles are and your ready to get started, call for a free consultation.  We'll show you the facilities, answer your questions and help you make your voice over career a reality.

 

9 - Take These Steps to Achieve Your Dreams

So you wanna be a voice over star?  It can be done.  Get solid voice over training.  Get a professionally produced demo.  Set up your home studio and achieve broadcast quality recordings.  Market yourself directly in your market and seek the assistance of an agent to give you a wider reach in the voice over marketplace.  And for the top jobs join the unions and play in the big leagues to win voice over jobs.

 

Good luck and go for it!  And keep talking!

 

by William Williams