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.

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.

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.

There are many wonderful and talented voiceover coaches 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. 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!

Is online voiceover training worth it? Well, that depends—do you have a home studio to record in? Learning remotely without a studio is like trying to learn piano without a piano. You’ll get the theory, but not the hands-on experience. Being on-mic is crucial for mastering the craft. That said, don’t rush out to buy gear just yet. You can start training without a studio if you’re working with a remote instructor.

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.

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. Wanna hear some examples? You can listen to my demos at VoiceoverVixen.com.

Voiceover coaching costs can vary. A solid, reputable coach usually charges between $125–$200 per hour—sometimes more, sometimes a bit less. Location matters too; coaches in big markets like LA or NY often charge top dollar. Want to see my coaching prices and options? Click here!

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. Booking jobs in 'my backyard' isn't a priority of mine.

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.

Too old for voiceover? No way! Voiceover students come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Age is just a number. Retirees and empty-nesters often dive into VO because they’ve got the time and resources. Sure, there are challenges—like tech skills and finding your niche—but nothing you can’t handle. Fun fact: Morgan Freeman landed his first big acting gig at 50. Who says you can’t book your first VO job at 65?

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 is how most voiceover actors get started.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Voiceover is a legit career—emphasis on career. It’s not some quick side hustle or easy cash grab. Success comes when you dive in, learn the craft, and treat it like a full-time gig. Got a great voice? Cool, but that’s just one tiny piece of the puzzle. You’ve gotta know how to use it, market it, and bring words to life. It takes time, money, and a whole lot of learning, failing, and growing. Ready to take risks and put in the work? Then voiceover might just be your jam!

Check out this page to learn more and see the full list of voiceover reading material I recommend.

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.