Are you dreaming of pursuing a career as a voice actor, or have you always been told you have a perfect voice for radio? Then it may be that you should consider becoming a voice artist. If you possess some talent in acting and have a good voice, you are likely to go far in this business. But it takes training to go all the way.

In this post, we will go into depth about how you can become a professional voice actor, what a voice actor does, and how you can develop and refine your skills so that you stand stronger, better, and more credible for castings and auditions. Interested? Then keep reading.

What is a voice actor/actress?

In VoiceArchive we call them voice artists, but a voice actor or actress is a performer who uses his voice to tell, inform, entertain or market products. It can be in connection with advertisements, films, audiobooks, videos, e-learning and much more. We call it voiceovers.

Since a voice actor or actress is rarely seen on screen, they are dependent on being able to communicate their feelings by simply using their voice. They need to practice a lot and improve their vocal skills and the emotional registers of the voice if they want to deliver the best possible performance for the project in question.

How do you become a voice actor?

There is no specific recipe for how to become a good voice actor. The way to get there can vary from person to person, and it is also different whether the voiceover artists work full-time or part-time. However, there are some tips that you can use if you want to increase your chances of achieving a successful career in voiceovers.

  1. Listen to professional voice actors

Watch commercials, listen to audiobooks, or play video games to hear how professional voice actors work. Maybe you have a favorite that you like. Listen to the way they deliver their lines and note how they vary in their tones and emotional registers. There are several voice acting podcasts that are worth listening to. Here you can get an insight into how their approach is to specific roles and tasks.

  1. Take classes in acting

A voiceover artist must also be able to perform a convincing act if he or she is to be able to deliver a line authentically and believably. Voice acting is much more than simply reading a few sentences aloud. It also requires the ability to act. Take some acting classes where a teacher can help you hone and refine your skills to become more confident and a better voice performer.

  1. Hire a voice acting coach

Being a voice actor requires more than just being able to do some funny voices or good imitations. Here, a voice acting coach can help you improve your technical skills such as e.g. pronunciation, articulation, delivery and breathing, so that you know how to best perform a line.

  1. Lots of exercises

As with anything else, you won’t get far if you don’t train. So even if you don’t have access to a professional sound studio, it’s important that you train your voice and your skills. Many professional voiceover actors have their own home studios where they can practice. If you invest in the right equipment yourself, you have the option of recording a script and then listening to the recording. In this way, you can train your voice so that it appeals to casting officers and different target groups.

  1. Record a demo

With a well-executed demo portfolio, you as a professional speaker can show your range when it comes to voiceover jobs. It is very different whether it is all gathered on one demo or if you send separate demos with your commercial skills. Here you have to come up with mixes of different lines or dialogues that you have performed in different voices.

  1. Go to auditions

Auditions are an essential part of becoming a good voice actor. Although it may seem intimidating, you just have to throw yourself into it. At the start of your career, try to go to auditions that match your talent. In this way, you avoid unnecessary rejections. You can start by looking for open casting jobs on the Internet and make use of speaking agencies where you can submit your auditions.

  1. Use your network

With a solid network, you’ll have a better chance of finding job opportunities, building friendships and learning a lot more about being a voiceover actor. However, it is important that you keep in mind that you must also return the favor, so help your connections and show interest in their successes.

How to become a speaker at VoiceArchive

At VoiceArchive, it’s easy to become a professional speaker. You can apply to become a speaker here on the website, where you just have to tell us about your experience in the industry and why you want to be one of us. We will then process your application and return with an answer.

Want to know more?

Whether you have questions about life as a voice talent at VoiceArchive, want to listen to our other talents, or want to know more about our team, we are ready to help you!