New to VO? Great. Don't do this.

The Biggest Mistake New Voice Actors Make (And How to Avoid It)

t’s become so common that I feel the need to give you a little public service announcement before you fall into the same trap.

New to VO? Great. Don't do this. - 4:16

Hey friends, thanks for joining me for another edition of The Gift of Gab.

Today, I want to talk about something I see constantly—especially among beginners, new talent, and aspiring voice actors. It’s become so common that I feel the need to give you a little public service announcement before you fall into the same trap.

What am I talking about?

Well… every single day—this is not an exaggeration—whether it’s in an email, a phone call, or a Zoom meeting, I hear the same story:

“I just bought a microphone and some gear. I made a studio!”

And then comes the kicker… they have absolutely no idea how to use any of the gear they just bought.

So here’s my official Voiceover PSA:

Stop.

Stop spending your tax refund, your paycheck bonuses, your birthday money—whatever it is—on voiceover gear the minute you decide you want to be a voice actor.

Let me put it this way…

I could go online right now and buy almost everything I’d need to clean teeth—or even fill a cavity. (Nitrous oxide might be harder to get, and I’m not entirely sure it’s legal without a license, but you get the point.)

Would that mean I know how to do it?

No.

Would it mean I have any business owning that equipment?

Also no.

Voiceover is no different.

If you’ve just decided you want to start cooking, you might buy a decent set of pots and pans. You wouldn’t immediately go spend thousands at a restaurant supply store on professional-grade kitchen equipment. Why? Because buying all that gear doesn’t make you a chef—it just makes you someone who spent a lot of money.

The same is true for voiceover.

Owning a high-end microphone, interface, and soundproof booth doesn’t make you a professional voice actor. It makes you someone with expensive equipment… and, if you’re not careful, less money in your bank account.

Here’s the truth:

You should not buy gear until you know what you’re buying, why you’re buying it, and whether it’s the right gear for you.

That’s why I tell every new voice actor:

Start with education. Learn the craft, the business, and the technical basics.

Understand your needs. Your voice, your space, and your goals will determine what gear will serve you best.

Invest wisely—later. Gear should be second, third… maybe even fourth on your priority list.

If you want guidance, I have a ton of free resources for you. On my website, gabrielnso.com, you’ll find a full VO Resources page with links to tools, training, and information to help you start off right. I’ve also created plenty of videos about equipment and gear selection so you can avoid costly mistakes.

Bottom line?

The most important tool you can have when starting in voiceover isn’t a microphone—it’s knowledge.

Learn first.

Buy later.

704-674-8294 / GabrielleNistico.com / gabby@voiceovervixen.com

Gabrielle Nistico, Gabby Nistico, The Voiceover Vixen, The Business First VO Coach, #VoiceoverVixen #VoiceOnFire #BusinessFirstVOCoach Voiceover, Charlotte, North Carolina, Voiceover Demo, Voiceover Coaching Advice, tech, home studio, engineer, recording studio, microphone, DAW, interface