“Jeff, Do You Have Any Advice on Getting Started in Voiceover?”

Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I do!

I recently started recording TikTok videos and a number of my new followers have asked if I had any suggestions that might help them get started on their voiceover journey. It’s a question I’m asked quite often and it’s occurred to me that if you are reading this you might have similar aspirations. But in order to answer it I have to ask YOU, the Reader, a question or two:

Are you sure you really want to pursue a career in voiceover?

Do you really?

Are you SURE?

Before you answer, I’d like you to consider a few things.

To begin with, are you qualified to be a voice actor?

By that I mean have you ever acted before. Anywhere? At all? Because the job is “voiceover ACTOR.” You are giving a performance, not simply reading copy or doing funny voices (although occasionally you do get to do funny voices). You’re attempting to communicate with the listener. To do that you will use the same tools as an actor would when working on a role. You need to be able to analyze the script. You need to know who you’re talking to. You need to know why you’re talking to them. You need to know what you want. Just like an actor does.

Next: have you ever recorded anything and listened to yourself? There are many skills involved in the job that require you to be able to do that. And that means training. You need to know how to address the mic—once you know what that even means! You must be comfortable reading out loud for long stretches of time, and willing and able to take direction.

Do you have a space to record in? You’ll have to have someplace in your house or apartment where you can set up your recording equipment and it absolutely MUST be quiet! You can’t have airplanes flying overhead, dogs barking outside, lawn mowers or vacuums in the background of your recording. And you can’t have reflections—the echo-y sound you hear when you sing in your bathroom.

You should also ask yourself if you’re prepared to spend hours in a small, confined space while you’re recording. Most home booths are tiny, about the size of a closet. In fact, a closet is often a novice’s first booth, since the clothing that’s stored there is a good way to absorb room reflections. But if you suffer from claustrophobia this may not be the profession for you.

Sean Pratt, one of the busiest VO narrators working has devised a test he proposes any would-be narrator take (this is for audiobooks, but I think it is pertinent to any kind of narration). Find a book you love, set it up on top of a desk so you can read it and then begin doing just that. Read out loud for a couple of hours every day for 2 weeks. If you make a mistake, go back to the start of the sentence and begin again (which is what you would do in a real session). At the end of two weeks, if you still think this is something you’d love to do, move to the next step.

Are you prepared to buy the equipment you will need to do the work? We’re talking about a microphone, a mic stand, an audio interface (unless you have a USB mic), headphones, speakers, a DAW or Digital Audio Workspace, which is the software you record onto. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost a fortune, but it will cost something and the last thing you want to do is get cheap equipment. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve had to relearn the lesson that you get what you pay for. If you pay $20 for a mic, that’s the quality of sound you are going to get, and it won’t be nearly good enough. You’re going to need to find a microphone that is not only affordable for you but that makes you sound as good as possible.

Once you have your equipment, you will need to become proficient at recording, editing and mastering. Back in the day, when I started out, I would go to a local recording studio to audition and, if I got the job, go back to do the voiceover. I didn’t need to know anything about the mechanics of engineering—just where to drive to and how long I needed to pay to park. But that’s all changed. Now, I have to record myself and make sure the audition sample I send into my agents is as good a representation of my voice as I can possibly make.

Are you still with me?

I promise I am not trying to discourage anyone from attempting to do the job I have been lucky enough to do for the past 45 years. I just want to be honest about what it takes to even get started.

Assuming you haven’t been scared off and still want some answers about getting started in voiceover, I have decided to do a series of Blog articles to share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired. I’ll go into more detail about creating a space to work in, thoughts about equipment, where to go for training, stories from my career as well as suggestions and links you may find useful.

I hope you’ll join me!