How to Become a Voice Actor: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve got a voice people love. Maybe you’ve been told, “You should do voice acting!” Sounds simple, right? Just grab a mic, record some lines, and start booking jobs.
Not so fast.
Breaking into voice acting isn’t just about having a good voice—it’s about skill, strategy, and persistence. If you’ve been wondering how to become a voice actor but feel lost in a sea of conflicting advice, you’re not alone.
Let’s cut through the noise. No fluff, no gimmicks—just a clear, real-world guide to starting and succeeding in voice acting.
What is a Voice Actor?
A voice actor is a performer who uses their voice to bring characters, brands, and messages to life. They work in commercials, audiobooks, video games, animation, eLearning, corporate training, and more.
Their job isn’t just reading a script—it’s conveying emotion, personality, and intent through voice alone. Some specialize in character voices, bringing animated heroes and villains to life. Others focus on narration, guiding listeners through documentaries, audiobooks, and training materials.
Voice Acting vs. Voice Over
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. What is the same is that both professions require acting, training, and dedication to the craft.
Voice acting is about performance. It involves creating a character, expressing emotion, and using vocal techniques to bring a script to life. This is common in animation, video games, and audiobooks, where the goal is to make the audience feel something.
Voiceover is more about delivering information, although conveying inspiration and feeling is still important. It’s used in commercials, corporate videos, eLearning, and medical narration. The focus is on clarity, professionalism, and making sure the message is easy to understand.
Let’s focus on how to get started on building your career.
Types of Voice Actor/Voice Over Work
Voice actors work across a wide range of industries, each requiring a unique style and skill set. Here are some of the most common areas:
You hear this everywhere—TV, radio, YouTube ads, and social media campaigns. The goal? Sell a product or brand with the right tone—whether that’s friendly, persuasive, or high-energy.
Animation and Video Games
This is where character work shines. Voice actors bring animated characters and game protagonists (or villains) to life with personality, accents, and emotional depth.
Narrating audiobooks takes stamina and storytelling ability. Voice actors embody multiple characters, adjust pacing, and keep listeners engaged for hours.
Businesses and schools rely on voice actors to make online courses and training materials clear, professional, and engaging. These projects require a confident but conversational tone.
Some voice actors specialize in complex, information-heavy scripts—think medical guides, legal briefings, or scientific content. Precision and proper pronunciation are key.
IVR and Phone Systems
Have you ever called a business and heard, “Press 1 for customer service”? That’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response). A friendly, professional tone helps companies create a good first impression.
Movie Trailers and Promos
Some voice actors specialize in big, dramatic reads for trailers and TV promos. These require strong delivery and perfect timing.
Dubbing
Foreign films, TV shows, and anime require voice actors who can match lip-syncing while maintaining the emotional tone.
8 Steps to Become a Voice Actor
Breaking into voice acting takes skill, persistence, and a solid strategy. Here’s how to get started:
Step #1. Study acting to build strong performance skills.
Voice acting isn’t just about having a good voice—it’s about performing. Take acting classes, study character development, and learn to convey emotion through your voice. Even if you’re focusing on narration or corporate work, acting techniques will help you sound more engaging and natural.
Step #2. Practice consistently to develop vocal control.
Your voice is your instrument, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Read aloud daily, experiment with different tones, and listen to/study professional voice actors. Work on articulation, breath control, and pacing to build vocal endurance.
Step #3. Find your niche to stand out in the industry.
When I was starting out, I asked my mentor, Larry Hudson, what niche he thought my voice might be best suited for. He told me, “You don’t choose your niche—your niche chooses you.” And he was right.
It’s smart to explore several genres, especially early on. Try styles that relate to your own life experience or current interests. You don’t have to do everything, and you’re not supposed to. Over time, you’ll start to notice where your voice naturally fits—and where the work starts to stick. That’s your niche taking shape.
Step #4. Set up a home studio for professional quality recordings.
A solid home studio is essential. You’ll need a quality microphone that is well-suited for your particular voice, DAW, an audio interface, and proper acoustic treatment to deliver clean recordings. Many clients expect professional-grade audio, so investing in proper equipment setup will give you an edge.
Step #5. Create a portfolio to showcase the range of your voice.
A strong demo reel is your calling card. Hold off on making one until a trusted coach says you're demo-ready. Rushing into a demo too soon, or producing one yourself without serious production experience, can actually hurt more than help.
This industry has a sharp ear, and a poorly produced demo can give the wrong impression. When you're ready, invest in a professionally produced demo by someone reputable. It should highlight your range—commercial reads, narration, characters, or whatever fits you best.
Step #6. Audition for roles to gain experience.
Start applying for jobs on online casting sites/platforms like Voice123 and Bodalgo. Auditioning regularly helps you refine your skills and build confidence. Expect rejection—it’s part of the process—but keep improving with each attempt.
Step #7. Network to connect with potential clients and other industry professionals.
Success in voice acting is all about relationships and connections. Join voice-over communities, attend industry events, and connect with producers, casting directors, and fellow voice actors. Many jobs come through word of mouth.
Step #8. Keep learning, training, and adapting to stay competitive.
The voice-over industry evolves, and staying relevant means continuing to learn. Take workshops, update your demo reels, and adapt to industry trends. The best voice actors never stop improving.
Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Voice Acting Career
Breaking into voice acting takes time, and avoiding common mistakes can help you move forward faster. Here’s what to watch out for:
Skipping acting training. A good voice isn’t enough—you need performance skills to bring scripts to life.
Neglecting vocal health. Overworking your voice or using poor technique can lead to strain or long-term damage. Warm up, stay hydrated, and rest when needed.
Ignoring sound quality. A cheap microphone or a noisy recording space can make even a great performance sound unprofessional. Invest in proper equipment.
Rushing into auditions unprepared. If your demo reel isn’t polished or you don’t fully understand the script, casting directors will notice.
Trying to do everything. Focusing on a niche or two (or three)—at least early on—can help you book work faster instead of competing in every category.
Undervaluing your work. Many beginners take low-paying jobs, but knowing industry rates will help you set fair prices and build a sustainable career.
Avoiding feedback. Critiques help you grow. Take constructive criticism seriously, whether from coaches, clients, or peers.
Not marketing yourself. Voice acting is a business. Clients won't find you if you don’t promote your work through networking, social media, or a website.
Final Tips Before You Begin Your Voice Actor Career
There’s a lot more to voice acting than standing behind a mic. Before you jump in, here are a few real-world tips that can make a huge difference:
Get comfortable with your DAW. Your DAW (digital audio workstation) is the software you’ll use to record and edit your audio. There are free options like Audacity, and paid ones like Adobe Audition or Twisted Wave.
If you're unsure where to start, I highly recommend Larry Hudson’s DAW courses through VO Heaven. His Audacity and Adobe Audition classes are packed with practical tips—and the skills transfer across most platforms.
Listen and learn through VO podcasts. The voice-over community is incredibly generous with knowledge. Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to keep learning and stay inspired.
I love the Atlanta Voiceover Studio podcast with Mike Stoudt and Heidi Rew, and the VO School podcast with Jamie Muffett. You’ll hear real talk from working voice actors and pick up advice you won’t find in a course.
Remember, you’re also a small business owner. Voice acting isn’t just performance—it’s running a business. That means organizing your time, handling finances, managing clients, marketing yourself, and wearing a lot of hats.
If you treat it like a business from the start, you’ll be in a stronger position to grow and sustain your career.
How to Become a Voice Actor: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get into voice acting?
To get into voice acting, start by training your voice and learning basic acting techniques. Practice reading scripts aloud, study working voice actors, and work on vocal control.
One of the best things you can do early on? Find a reputable coach. Online VO communities—many of which are free to join and searchable—can point you in the right direction. Search for “coach” in respected groups, and you’ll find names people trust.
Do your research. The VO world, unfortunately, has its share of snake oil salespeople selling shortcuts and unrealistic promises. The good news? With the right community and guidance, you’ll be able to spot them a mile away.
Once you’ve got a solid foundation, build a professional home studio, create a demo when you're ready, and start auditioning on platforms like Voices.com and VO Planet. Relationships matter too—networking with industry professionals can open the door to real opportunities.
Can I be a voice actor with no experience?
Yes, you can become a voice actor without experience, but you’ll need to gain experience through consistent training and practice. Take acting or voice-over classes, join a VO workout group so you have opportunities to perform and direct other VO talent, listen to how professionals deliver scripts, and practice recording and editing your audio files. Build a portfolio by working on small projects, such as indie games, student films, or online ads. As you gain experience and improve your skills, you'll want to update your demos to show the latest and greatest of what you can do.
Is it difficult to become a voice actor?
Becoming a voice actor takes dedication, but it’s achievable with talent, hard work, and consistent training. The biggest challenges include developing acting skills, improving vocal performance, and landing auditions. Competition is high, and work isn’t always consistent at first. However, with regular practice, professional-quality recordings, and persistence in auditioning, many people build successful careers in voice-over.
How much do voice actors get paid?
Voice actor rates vary widely and depend on several factors, including the genre, usage, length of the script, and terms of the project. It's not about how long you've been in the industry; it's about the value of the work and the needs of the client.
Some jobs pay per word (like medical narration), while others, like audiobooks, often pay per finished hour. Commercial work can vary depending on where and how long the spot will run.
For a solid reference point, many professionals look to the GVAA Rate Guide (U.S.) or Gravy for the Brain (U.K.), which outline standard industry rates. Keep in mind: union jobs don’t always pay more than non-union ones. What matters most is understanding your worth and pricing accordingly.
Let’s Connect—Hi, I’m Lauren Bandman
With a rich background in music, education, and voice artistry, I've experienced firsthand the nuances of our industry. Whether you're a fellow voice actor seeking to exchange insights or a client eager to bring a project to life, meaningful collaboration is key.
Let’s connect and explore opportunities to learn from each other and create inspiring and impactful work.
