Did you know that you can make money with your voice? It may sound a bit foreign but in this age of the unlimited reach of technology, anything is possible!
With that in mind, voice acting or voice over jobs are becoming increasingly popular. This is especially so for those who are freelancers or remote workers.
If you are thinking about going into the field of voice acting and want to make money with your voice online, read on as we explore:
- What exactly voice acting is
- The types of voice acting jobs
- The skills that you need to make money with your voice
- How much you can get paid to use your voice
- Where to find voice acting jobs
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What Is Voice Acting?
Broadly speaking, voice acting or voice over jobs are where one uses their voice for the audio of a particular work.
This is usually done to either:
- bring a fictional character to life (think animated characters),
- to tell audio stories, or
- to provide information such as traffic reports or announcements in audio form.
That being said, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The ability to make money doing voice overs has skyrocketed with the increased demand for voice actors.
At the end of the day, voice acting is essentially a performance and various industries require such performances and that are willing to pay handsomely for the same!
Types of Voice Acting Jobs
While on the surface it may appear that voice acting is primarily required in the entertainment industry, there are many areas in which you can get paid for your voice.
Before we delve into the types of voice acting jobs that you can do to make money with your voice, you may be wondering if voice acting is for you in the first place.
Well, you can dive into the world of voice acting or voice overs if, among other things, you:
- like acting
- love talking but are camera-shy
- have great voice modulation, can project your voice, and can speak clearly
- like reading out loud
- love telling stories
- have a knack for giving information to people in a clear and concise manner
If you’re ready to take on voice acting and use your voice to make money, then these are just some of the types of voice acting jobs you can consider looking into:
1.Narrator
A voice over narrator tells stories or describes and explains things that are happening.
This can be for:
- Audiobooks
- Documentaries
- Marketing videos
- Educational videos
- Audio tour guides
2.Announcer
A voice over announcer usually works to make announcements for various purposes.
These can include:
- Audio advertisements
- Audio traffic reports
- Audio only announcements on talk shows
3.Actor
This is one of the more interesting types of voice acting jobs. Being a voice actor allows one to diversify their voice talents.
This is because a voice actor can use their voice in a range of different roles in:
- Animations
- Cartoons
- Audio dramas
- Video games
- Dubbing for TV or movies in a foreign language
More importantly, being a voice actor is likely to give you a substantial amount of exposure to increase your chances of being recognized as a credible voice talent in the world of voice overs!
4.Podcaster
Podcasts are all the rage now. As people are constantly on the go, they prefer to get their information via audio.
There are plenty of things you can do via a podcast. You can:
- Teach an area that you are well-versed in
- Tell children’s stories
- Conduct interviews
- Narrate stories
- Give motivational tips
As you can see, if you are on a quest to look for how to make money with your voice, the possibilities are endless and the career opportunities are more than promising.
How Much Can I Earn With Voice Acting Jobs
This will depend very much on your experience and the type of project that you are undertaking.
Here’s a quick guide to give you an idea of how much you can earn with voice acting jobs.
| Type of Voice Acting Work | Potential Earnings |
| Short radio commercial for a small company | $35 to $50 |
| A 30-second commercial for a big brand or company | Up to $400 |
| Audiobooks | $2000 – $5000 |
You can also find a more detailed guide on how much you can earn with your voice at Voices, one of the biggest marketplaces for voice over work.
If you are looking at how to make money recording your voice, it is important not to undervalue your services as well. A good way to do this is to set a minimum rate for any work that you take on.
This can be done as follows, depending on practice time, recording the actual work, and any post-recording editing work that may need to be done.
Payment Per Project
This is where payment is made on a lump sum basis for the entire voice acting job. It can be for one voice over or a series of voice overs, depending on the project itself.
Payment By Time
This is where the rate of payment will depend on the duration of the voiceover or voice acting work. For example, $15 per 20 seconds of voice acting.
Payment By Words
This will be at a rate per number of words that you will be required to act out, depending on the script in question.
What Skills Do I need For Voice Acting Jobs?
It cannot be denied that voice acting is a relatively unique job. As such, there are certain skills that you should ideally possess before you get started on your voice acting and voice over career.
Good Voice Control and Modulation
A smooth, clear voice is the most valuable asset of any voice actor. The ability to adjust your tone and to speak clearly and confidently are vital skills to being a professional voice actor.
Immaculate Pronunciation
This is of utmost importance. When you do voice acting jobs, you are essentially delivering messages or stories. To get the point across via audio, enunciation is key, regardless of the language of the voice over job.
Consistency and Practice
There is a common misconception that voice acting or voice over jobs may not seem like the most difficult thing to do. However, there are so many elements that go into a voice acting job.
As such, it is important to be consistent in practicing your voice acting skills. This can include practising your pacing, breathing, and pronunciation.
Attention To Detail
Know your work! It is important to be able to create a connection with the work that you are expected to deliver.
You can do this by paying close attention to the script and even do some research into the subject matter of the voice over job that you have signed up for.
Acting Skills
Regardless of the type of voice acting job you take on, no matter if it is a 10-second radio commercial or an animation series, you will most certainly need some acting skills!
You will need to embody the character that you are playing or inject a certain level of enthusiasm into the role if it is for a commercial.
Having some acting skills will most certainly set you apart and increase your chances of getting recurring voice acting jobs.
How Do I Get Started With Voice Acting Jobs?
If you woke up one morning and thought to yourself “today is the day to make money with my voice”, then there are some good ways to get started!
If you have no experience with voice acting jobs, then you can start off by signing up for some voice acting training courses.
1.Intro To Voice Over by Julie Eickhoff
A great voice acting training course that is available online is Intro To Voice Over.
Julie has been involved in voice overs since 2011 and has narrated more than 100 audiobooks.
She is also an Audible Approved Producer.
Her FREE mini-course teaches you the basics of voice acting jobs and briefs you on the basic skills that you need to get your career in voice acting started.
2.Work From Home Doing Voice Overs by Julie Eickhoff
If you feel like you are ready to take the plunge and invest in your voice acting career, then Julie Eickhoff’s Work From Home Doing Voice Overs is a one-stop comprehensive voice acting course.
Among other things, Julie teaches you about:
- Building the perfect recording space
- The equipment that you need for voice acting jobs
- The skills to pick up to start your voice acting career
- Where to find jobs and auditions for voice acting jobs
- How to run your voice acting business
More importantly, Julie gives you the option of breaking up the payment for the course into 8 affordable monthly installments.
3.Beginner’s Guide To Working As A Voice Artist – Gravy For The Brain
This free voice acting webinar is presented by Hugh Edwards, who is a voice and casting director, and Peter Dickson, a voice artist.
It teaches you how to begin your career as a voice actor and you also get an exclusive free eBook titled “Essential Voiceover Business” that teaches you how to run your voice acting business.
4.Be A Voice Actor: Making A Living With Your Voice
This is one of the best-selling voice acting courses on Udemy.
It is a great beginner course that teaches you about the various tools and techniques you need to get started in the world of voice acting.
Among other things, this course eases you into:
- Good recording skills and studio etiquette
- Basic audio editing skills
- Creating a practice demo that you can use when applying for voice acting jobs
5.The Complete Voice Acting & Voice Overs Course
This is another great all-encompassing voice acting course that covers voice acting from A to Z.
It gives you a step-by-step guide into how to get started with earning a living from your voice.
Over and above this, it teaches you how to use Audacity, which is a popular audio recording and editing software. This will give you clearer audio recordings for your voice acting jobs.
Voice Acting Jobs Hiring Now
1.Voices
Voice is the world’s number 1 marketplace for voice over jobs. It is used by trusted brands such as Microsoft, The History Channel, and the Discovery Channel.
It connects voice buyers to the voice talents who have signed up on the Voices portal.
Once you sign up, you will have access to the job posts that you can view and apply for.
2.Voice123
Voice123 is the world’s first voice over and voice acting marketplace.
They have been around since 2003 and match voice talents with voice buyers.
Once you build your profile on the Voice 123 portal, you will receive invitations to projects that match your skills. You can then submit your audition or demo tapes, negotiate your rates, and get hired.
3.ACX
If you prefer to narrate audiobooks, then ACX is a great place to build up your voice acting profile. ACX is Amazon’s marketplace where authors, literary agents, and publishers connect with narrators.
Acx has a great step-by-step guide on how to get started with them.
All you need to do is to create a profile and upload samples of voice acting. You can then search for the audiobooks that you would be interested in recording and audition for it.
It is as easy as that!
4.Backstage
Backstage is a platform that advertises open casting calls and auditions for voice acting jobs.
Those who require voice talent post up openings here and you can submit your samples to them. Do make sure you read the posts carefully though as some jobs only accept submissions from certain countries.
5.Bodalgo
If you are multilingual, then you can find voice acting jobs on Bodalgo. They offer voice acting services in over 80 languages!
Whether it is commercial, explainer videos, corporate videos, or e-learning presentations, you are bound to find a voice acting job that suits your skills and abilities.
6.Bunny Studio
Bunny Studio is a one-stop marketplace for all things content-related.
They make it extremely easy for you to sign up as a voice over artist and once you have set up your profile, the platform will match you with voice buyers.
7.The Voice Realm
The Voice Realm is the largest network of casting websites.
They are constantly on the lookout for voice talents. You can easily upload your details and any demo or samples that you may have and they will contact you accordingly.
8.Fiverr
Fiverr is a general freelance marketplace where you can create your profile and advertise your services.
All you need to do is to search for voice acting or voice over jobs and you will be matched with those who are looking for voice talents.
9.Upwork
Upwork is another great freelance platform where you can post your voice acting samples and get matched with those who are looking for voice talents.
10.Linkedin
Linkedin is much more than a professional network.
If you ensure that your profile is updated with the voice over work that you do and you indicate that you are looking for voice acting jobs, it is a great platform to match voice buyers and voice talents.
Tips To Succeed At Voice Acting Jobs
If you are looking to stand out and apart from your competitors in the voice acting world, then there are a few things you can do.
- Use good quality recording equipment. This Toedury Microphone Bundle is a great set for beginners!
- Become proficient with recording and audio editing software such as Audacity.
- Exceed the expectations of your client in terms of the tone and delivery of your work. If you are not sure, it is best to clarify with them.
- Deliver quality voice over work and you are bound to be recommended by your existing clients to others who are looking for voice actors.
- If you are using matching platforms, check if your clients are willing to leave you ratings. This will enhance your profile and increase your chances of getting repeat voice acting jobs on the platform.
What Is The Average Pay For Voice Over Work
Now that you have an idea of how to make money with your voice, you are probably wondering how much you can make.
According to ZipRecruiter, a voice actor makes an average of $76, 297 a year. This is roughly $37 an hour.
However, do keep in mind that the more experienced you are, the higher you can charge for your voice acting talents. Now that you are armed with all the information you need to become a voice actor, go ahead and start looking for voice acting jobs!
You can see that you can make money with your voice from the comfort of your home. This makes voice acting the perfect remote job that you can do from anywhere.
Remember that the most important thing when it comes to voice acting is to continue to improve your craft. With dedication and constant learning, you will be an experienced and high-earning voice actor in no time!