The Long and Winding Road to Voice Over Success (and How Not to Get Lost)
- Tom Dheere
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 11
If you're reading this, chances are you've either dipped your toes into the magnificent, maddening, and potentially lucrative world of voice over, or you're about to take the plunge. Over my three decades in this bizarre business, I've seen a lot of things come and go, but one thing remains constant: success isn't typically a straight line, and it certainly doesn't happen overnight. So pull up a chair, grab a metaphorical coffee (I prefer tea, but you do you), and talk about some of the patterns I've noticed among those who actually make a go of it in this industry...
Your Foundation: Why "Acting" Comes Before "Voice"
First things first, and this might sound a little counterintuitive: if you're just starting out, or even if you're a few years in and feeling stuck, look beyond the mic for your foundation.
I'm talking about good old-fashioned storytelling training. Think theater, on-camera acting, singing, improv, stand-up comedy – anything that teaches you how to connect with an audience, how to build a character, how to tell a story.
Voice over training is absolutely crucial, but it's like putting a beautiful roof on a house with no walls. Get those walls built first, and your VO training will layer on top of a rock-solid foundation, making you a far more effective and, frankly, hirable voice actor.
The Smart Money Move: Niche Down to Level Up
About making money. We all want to, right? Here’s where a little pragmatism goes a long way. Good voice over coaches (bless their hearts) are good at spotting where your natural talents lie. Listen to them when they tell you which genre you have the best chance of making money in right now.
I know, I know, you probably dream of being the next big anime voice, or narrating some epic documentary. But if your coach says you've got a killer commercial sound, embrace it! Get good at that, book those jobs, and then use the profit to fund the training and, yes, those expensive demos for the genre of your dreams. Think of it as a strategic detour to get where you really want to go.
Cracking the Code: Maximizing Your Pay-to-Play Potential
Let's talk about the dreaded P2P sites – those "Pay-to-Play" platforms. I've heard the complaints and some are valid. But here's the deal: legit P2P sites can be a goldmine if you use them effectively.
This isn't about just setting up a profile and hoping for the best. This is about optimizing that profile like it's your resume for the world that feeds the algorithm in question, and then auditioning consistently and well. And by "well," I mean not just performing, but understanding what these sites are looking for.
If you're sending out auditions into the void and hearing crickets, don't quit. Find an objective, professional ear – someone who knows the VO world – to listen to your auditions. And for Zod's sake, get someone who knows the specific P2P site you're on to review your profile. There are tricks to this, and you want to be in on them.
The Long Game: Patience and Persistence Pay Off
Virtually no one, and I mean almost no one, starts booking meaningful voice over work right away.
This isn't a sprint; it's an ultra-marathon. You need to develop your auditioning chops, learn how to edit your own audio, hone your communication skills, and learn how to negotiate your rates. It takes time! Years, even.
Most voice actors don't actually turn a profit for upwards of five years. Five years.
So, breathe. Be patient. Keep learning.
The Relationship Economy: It's All About Connections (sort of)
Most new voice actors have absolutely zero understanding of marketing in general, let alone the specific nuances of voice over marketing. Here’s the secret sauce: it’s all about slowly, organically developing relationships.
I don't just mean with agents and voice seekers. I mean everybody. The audio engineer running your session? Your best friend in the VO world! The casting director? Cultivate that relationship. Other voice actors? Network with them!
This is a community, and the more genuine relationships you build, the more opportunities will come your way. It's not about being a slick salesperson; it's about being a good human who delivers excellent work.
Think of it this way: the voice actors who are auditioning 10-15 times a day are the ones positioning themselves for success.
How do they get those auditions? Through effective relationships with reps, casting sites, and direct clients. It’s a numbers game, absolutely, but it’s also undeniably a relationship game. The more people who know you, like you, and trust you, the more likely you are to get that email with an audition request.
Your Booth, Your Business: Studio Quality Isn't Optional
You can be the next Mel Blanc, the most talented vocal gymnast on the planet, but if your home studio sounds like you're recording in your pink-tiled bathroom, you will not book anything. Period.
Voice seekers are listening to your audio quality just as much as your performance.
Invest in a good microphone, treat your space, and learn the basics of audio engineering. This isn't optional; it's fundamental.
Get Out of Your Own Way: The Power of Being You
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the voice actors who truly succeed are the ones who learn to get the hell out of their own way.
I see it all the time: the ones who are too in their head, too desperate for a job, too cocky, too in love with the sound of their own voice, too obsessed with sounding younger or older, or constantly trying to mimic their voice over idol or favorite cartoon character have no shot.
Stop it! BE YOU.
Your unique voice, your unique perspective, your authentic self – that's your superpower. Trying to be someone else is a losing battle. Embrace who you are, refine your craft, and let your natural talent shine through.
This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be good days and frustrating days. But if you lay a strong foundation, are strategic about your income, leverage the right tools, understand that success takes time, build genuine relationships, optimize your tech, and most importantly, stay true to yourself, you'll be well on your way to a thriving career in this amazing industry.
Now go forth and make some noise!
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Through VO Strategist, Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.
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