Question 1

I'm Constantly Told I have a Great Voice. So How Do I Get Started in Voiceovers?

Accepted Answer

Having a great speaking voice DOESN'T make you a voice actor or even a candidate to become a voice actor. Getting frequent compliments about your voice doesn't mean you will succeed as a voiceover actor or be able to run your own voiceover company.  You have to learn how to be an actor in order to use your voice to the best of your ability and there are many components to that process.

Having a "radio voice" is a terrible fate and something that our industry doesn't want! Broadcasters (Disc Jockeys and News Anchors) are NOT voiceover actors and our professions share little in common.  If you want to be 'on the radio' then you need to pursue a career in broadcasting or communications, not voiceovers.

And if you sound like (or impersonate) a celebrity you might book work occasionally, (almost never if that celebrity is still alive and working.)  Voiceover clients pay for the real thing, not imitations. Only a rare few voiceover actors make a living doing celebrity impressions.

So, how do you get started?  You start at the same place as everyone else; by educating yourself on this industry. Voiceover acting is a profession like any other. You train/gain an education, apprentice, and hone your craft, and if you survive the trials of the industry, and an extraordinary amount of rejection, you might book work...eventually.

Question 2

I'm A Singer, Musician, Actor, Radio DJ, etc. How Do I Get Work; Does My Prior Experience Help?

Accepted Answer

Prior experience in any performance setting will make you a stronger voiceover actor and may help you to reach your goals faster than someone who has never done any performing before. In my experience, actors and singers bring the most pre-existing talent to the voiceover mic, and radio folks bring the least. (That pains me to say because I was in radio for many years, but it's the truth.) Typically, I tell those with prior or parallel experience that they are looking at a 1-3 year journey to becoming a working paid voice actor. This is in comparison to the usual 3-5+ years for those who have no prior performing experience. You may be able to fast track but you'll still have to put in a lot of hard work.

Question 3

How Much Money Does A Voice Actor Earn?

Accepted Answer

Earnings in voiceover depend on a lot of factors. Professional voiceover talent typically earns an average ($40,000) to above average ($100,000) living annually. Many voiceover actors earn $250,000 annually or more. And some earn much, much more than that. Experience and skill count for a lot. Like most professions, there are different levels and tiers of success.

Question 4

Do I Need To Build A Home VO Recording Studio & What Will It Cost?

Accepted Answer

Yes. At some point, you will need your own professional home studio. This is not something you need to do right this moment if you are brand new. You will need a home studio in order to be a working voice actor - we all have them. It will need to be a quality facility with a great computer, a professional microphone (not USB or headset), headphones & and studio monitors, an audio interface, acoustic material, and a spare closet or other enclosed, acoustically treated space for recording. The cost will be on average between $1500 - $5000 for a professional quality setup. If you are brand new, please don't go out and buy the equipment yet. Wait until you have taken some classes and understand what you are buying and why.

Question 5

How Important Is Voiceover Coaching or Training?

Accepted Answer

Education is Essential
Your first goal should be to understand as much about this craft as the professionals who already do it for a living. You will also need to know and understand the technology and equipment used in voiceover recording, along with the marketing and sales techniques that help you get voiceover work. All of this knowledge is acquired in order to own and operate your own freelance business.
 
Your education will also need to strengthen (https://www.youtube.com/giftofgab)and fine-tune your performance abilities.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/beginnerclasses) How good of an actor are you? You must have the intensity, believability, and improvisational skills of a professional stage or screen performer. The only difference is that you will work behind a mic, not a camera.
 
Your initial training (https://www.gabriellenistico.com/gettingstarted)can take months or years and I stress this point frequently. This includes practicing your skills often, reading books written by respected voiceover authors, and working with reputable voiceover coaches.
 
The voiceover profession does not require a degree or traditional collegiate education. However, while you may not invest 4 years and tens of thousands of dollars into full-time education,  you will need to invest a few years (at least), of part-time study, and a few thousand dollars (at least), to be well prepared.
 
You do not want to enter the voiceover industry prematurely or ill-prepared. Experts invest in their education in order to make a large return on that investment when they enter the job market. Your competition has already done the work, invested the time, and spent the necessary money. Are you willing to do the same?

Question 6

How Do I Choose A Voiceover Coach?

Accepted Answer

There are many wonderful and talented voiceover coaches (https://www.gabriellenistico.com/voiceoverresources)who can train you and aid in your voiceover journey.  You will likely work with more than one coach over time and throughout your career.  Selecting who to work with, why, and when can be daunting. If you are brand-new to the industry then I suggest the following: Select a coach who offers you a well-rounded view of the three main aspects of voiceover, performance, business, and technology.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/about)  Do your research and make certain the coach you are considering is a reputable, respected, active member of the voiceover community. And lastly, consider your coach's specialty within voiceover.  All coaches have a focus or area in which they excel. Does the coaches' experience align with your dreams? Seek the advice, mentoring, and experience of a voiceover coach who has a career that looks like the career you want!

Question 7

Is Remote, Off-site, or Computer Based Training a Good Idea?

Accepted Answer

That depends on one very important factor; do you have a home studio in which to record? It's difficult to learn something remotely for the first time. Imagine trying to learn how to play an instrument - like the piano - if you don't have a piano on which to play. The task would be largely impossible. You'd learn how to play 'in theory'. Trying to begin a voiceover career with remote training but without a studio is much the same. You'll learn the theory behind voiceover but you won't have practical on-mic experience that teaches you how to use the mic and work in a studio environment. There simply is no substitute for being on-mic for much of your training. This doesn't mean you should rush out and purchase voiceover equipment either. You can start your training without a studio if you are working with a remote instructor.

Question 8

How Do I Find Proper Voiceover Training?

Accepted Answer

First, decide on the training you wish to receive (the genre), then find the coach or coaches that are reputable and excel in those areas. Social media voiceover groups often discuss coaches. Voiceover conferences will attract and showcase the coaches too. Speak with the coach you are considering, read their websites; get a feel for their teaching style and methods with a one-time session first. Then invest more time with the coaches who challenged you, and helped you to think differently about the choices you make on-mic. Your education needs to be complete and your training should include performance, studio technology, and marketing/branding, plus a clear plan for what to do after your coaching with a particular person is done. In the end, you'll probably train with a number of people. You'll find more links to items mentioned in this question here.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/voiceoverresources)

Question 9

How Do I Get A Voiceover Demo?

Accepted Answer

Whoa, slow down. After completing sufficient training with VO coaches, (notice the plural), your first demo should be recorded by a reputable demo producer within your specific demo genre. Not all demos are created equal and not all demos are for the same purpose.  You should never rush the demo process or make one too soon. Most pros wait at least two years before making their first demo. Learn more about voiceover demos here.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/demos) Wanna hear some examples? You can listen to my demos at VoiceoverVixen.com. (VoiceoverVixen.com.)

Question 10

How Much Does Voiceover Coaching Cost?

Accepted Answer

Coaching costs vary. Typically a reputable, quality coach will charge anywhere from $125-$200 per hour. Sometimes more, sometimes slightly less. Location plays a role in cost. Coaches in larger markets like LA or NY will typically charge the most. To view, my coaching prices and options click here.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/beginnerclasses)

Question 11

How Much Voiceover Work Is There In My Area?

Accepted Answer

That depends on where you live. However, geography plays little bearing on your ability to make money in voiceovers. Our job is virtual. Big cities like NY or Chicago will have far more voiceover opportunities per capita than you'll find in Reno, Nevada, or Salem, Massachusetts. But since voiceover actors are equipped with home studios we can work from anywhere in the world for clients all over the globe. I get asked this question a lot in my home base (Charlotte NC). I have more overseas voiceover clients than the ones I have locally. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of clients I do voiceover work for in Charlotte. Yet, like most successful voice actors, I have hundreds of clients across the country.(voiceovervixen.com) Booking jobs in 'my backyard' isn't a priority of mine.

Question 12

I Bought a Microphone - How Do I Start Getting Voiceover Work?

Accepted Answer

Do you know how to use that microphone?  Did you buy the right microphone?  
Did you buy the rest of the gear needed to have a professional studio? 
Do you have an acoustically treated space? 
Do you have the acting skills, experience and education needed to fulfill the needs of voiceover clients? 
Do you know the expectations of voiceover clients?
Are you able to be competitive when auditioning side by side with voice actors who have been doing this much longer than you? 
Do you know how to properly audition for work? 
Do you have a professionally produced voiceover demo? 
Do you have a brand, website, social strategy, and resume? 
Do you know what to charge for your voiceover services and how to price yourself both fairly and competitively?

If you answer no to any of these questions...you are not ready to start working as a voiceover actor. 
Please read the rest of the FAQ and begin to implement the suggestions that I include. 
Also check out this page.(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/gettingstarted)

Question 13

How Do I Get A Voiceover Agent?

Accepted Answer

Most beginners are not ready for an agent, yet. It takes learning the industry, extensive training, and a thriving successful voiceover business of your own before most voiceover agents will be interested in working with you. Agents earn a percentage of what you earn. If you are earning nothing then they get 0% of nothing. Voiceover agents do not 'discover you', and they are not a fast path to work. An agent can only do so much. You must be prepared and have the tools needed to do the job (training,(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/beginnerclasses) demos,(https://www.gabriellenistico.com/demos) website, studio, etc.) because your competitors already have all those tools. If you are brand new to voiceovers, focus your efforts on training, NOT an agent.

Question 14

Am I Too Old To Become a Voice Actor?

Accepted Answer

Of course not! VO students come in all shapes, sizes, and ages! How old is too old anyway? Age is just a number. Retirees and empty-nesters frequently pursue voiceover because their income/retirement status affords them a way to do so. Will there be challenges? Of course. Your level of business acumen and how tech-savvy you are will play big roles. Likewise, your vocal age (how old you sound) will need to be determined. Finding your niche and having realistic expectations (just like any other voiceover student) is essential. Morgan Freeman booked his first major acting job at age 50. Maybe you'll book your first major voiceover job at age 65!

Question 15

Are There Voiceover Scams to Look Out For?

Accepted Answer

Yup. Most voiceover scams happen in college classrooms under the guise of "adult education" courses. The companies that host these events paint an incredibly rosy picture of the industry. You are told how much money can be made in voiceover acting. All the while they boost your confidence by convincing you of your amazing talent and potential. Shortly after, they pitch you a $3,500 - $6,000 ‘package’ for training, and a demo or two. Training lasts a few days or weeks. A demo might be made from your very first time in front of a microphone!  Then, you head out into the world and start trying to get work; and you realize you don't know what the heck you are doing. Eventually, you wonder; "What the F&%# did I pay for?"  If you complain, they try to sell you more training. The training 'taught' by these voiceover companies, schools, 'institutions', etc. is usually very substandard.  Private voiceover coaching (https://www.gabriellenistico.com/beginnerclasses)is how most voiceover actors get started.

Question 16

Do I Need To Be An 'Actor' To Do Voiceover?

Accepted Answer

YES! Acting is acting. Voiceover acting is no different from any other type of acting. It simply comes with specific technical and performance challenges that are unique to this art form, like working with recording equipment and a microphone.  This is not a career where you merely speak for a living. As a voiceover actor, you act for a living. Are you accepting of the possibility of life as a 'starving' artist?  Are you comfortable performing in front of others? If you never thought about being an actor or don't want to be one, this is not for you.

Question 17

What Do I Do If I Have No Acting Experience?

Accepted Answer

If you have little to no acting experience or you've never taken an acting class, you'll want to find and enroll in acting and improv classes in your area or online. Community Theater is a great option too.  Voice actors are actors FIRST. Anything you do to strengthen your acting skills off-mic will make you better on-mic. Try searching Google for terms like; Acting coach, acting class, improv classes, actor meetups near me, etc.

Question 18

What Are The Tools Of The Voiceover Trade?

Accepted Answer

There are tools that every voiceover talent uses to operate a successful voiceover business. Ask your mechanic how much money a year he invests in tools. The number will shock you. But it will also help you to understand why it costs so much to have your car repaired. The same is true for voiceovers; the tools of our trade can be costly. Computers, microphones, interfaces, headphones, monitors, software, demos, websites, and acoustic treatment are just some of the investments we make. 
 
You must have at least one voiceover demo that meets or exceeds industry standards. Without one, you have little chance of working. The demo creation process is complex. Good demos cost money and are created by professional, proven demo producers. You should have training and validation of your skills before making a voiceover demo. Do not attempt to create a demo on your own.
 
A demo is not the only marketing tool needed in voiceovers. Websites, advertisements and graphic design all cost money too. The voiceover talent who diligently markets will often outperform their competition. Your website helps promote and showcase your services to potential clients and talent agents. 
 
Studio access is absolutely necessary to be a voiceover talent. Talent is required to have access to their OWN recording facility. Studios are much cheaper to build and maintain than they were in years past.  However, the quality of the audio created by your studio will greatly determine your success and the amount of money you make performing voiceovers. You do not need a studio if you are simply exploring the possibility of voice acting. Once you decide that voiceover is right for you, you'll need to begin acquiring equipment and building an acoustically treated space for recording. You have time to plan for a studio, and planning for one is critical.

Question 19

Can I Sustain Myself & My Lifestyle With Voiceover Work?

Accepted Answer

That depends on your lifestyle. But the answer is, yes, probably. Unless you suffer from a speech impediment, yes, you can be a voiceover artist. There is no such thing as “having the right voice” and no one can tell you for certain if you will be a success. There is no test that can help you to determine if you can do voiceovers for a living. I believe that anyone who has the drive and determination to work in this industry can. Having the right attitude, the willingness to learn, and a commitment to hard work are the deciding factors in voiceover success.  A voiceover assessment (https://www.gabriellenistico.com/service-page/voiceover-assessment?referral=service_list_widget)with me can help you determine how performance-prepared you are, as well as your current strengths and weaknesses. 
 
You must crawl before you can run. If your primary goal is to be a cartoon voice, a character actor, or work in Anime, but you have no previous VO experience - you may be in for a long road. Your goals are not impossible, but they are lofty. You must learn the basics of the industry and be able to perform non-character reads first. You must find YOUR voice before creating characters.
 
Most voice talent earn an average or above-average income (roughly $40,000 to $60,000 per year) and many make $100,000 or more per year. Only an elite few earn millions of dollars in voiceover.

Question 20

What Is The Number 1 Thing You Want Newcomers To Know About Voiceover?

Accepted Answer

A Career in Voiceover is Just That - A Career

This. Is. Hard. Work. There's nothing easy about talking into a microphone for a living. If you're looking to make fast or easy cash, a part-time income, or a quick side hustle - voiceover is probably NOT the answer. You'll find the most success in voiceovers by choosing to (eventually) make it a full-time career AFTER you dedicate yourself to being a student of the craft. 
 
Having a great voice or being told that you have a great voice does not make you voiceover-ready. Having a great voice is only a very small part of this business. In fact, in some areas of voiceover, having a frequently complimented voice is something to overcome! This is because you must know how to use and market your voice. Voiceover talent are not simple well-spoken individuals – they are actors who make words come alive.
 
Learning to use and market your voice will be an investment of time (lots and lots of time!) money, and open-mindedness.  You must be teachable and flexible and able to hear criticism about your voice and your performance. You must be willing to work hard and you must be willing to fail.  Voice actors are risk-takers.

Question 21

What Voiceover Books Should I Read?

Accepted Answer

Check out this page (https://www.gabriellenistico.com/voiceoverresources)to learn more and see the full list of voiceover reading material I recommend.

Question 22

What Are Your Thoughts on Fivrr, Upwork and Similar Websites?

Accepted Answer

These online gig-economy sites are not the standard way to book voiceover work. 
While some people claim they are the 'new' way of booking voiceover work, I do not agree. 
These websites foster a bid-war / low-ball approach to voiceover rates and most have contributed to an over-all lowering of voiceover rates throughout the industry. 
I do not condone the use of these sites to find voiceover work. 
Traditional casting methods, agents, and fostering direct relationships with quality voiceover buyers still remains the norm for many in the industry, myself included.

GABRIELLE NISTICO

VOICE ACTRESS

VOICEOVER COACH

CAREER IGNITER

Frequently asked questions

Commonly asked voiceover questions - honest, thorough answers.