Although the results are far better than they were a few years ago, so far, computers still don’t do a great job with voice-overs and book narration. Because of this, if you have a great voice, consider freelance voice-over work as a way to make money.
It’s never been simpler to do it. You could be a voice-over actor or audiobook narrator. The technology that you can set up at home is every bit as good as a professional system. So let’s look a bit closer at doing voice-overs.
What is It?
A voice-over artist usually reads a script into a recording for their clients in the way that their clients desire them to. They may read advertisements, announcements, and more. They may also record audiobooks by narrating printed books.
Essentially, most voice-over actors simply use their voice and not their body or face for the work. If you’re good at pronouncing words and names and reading a script while sounding natural, being a voice-over artist might be just what you need to do for your business.
How Does This Work?
You’ll set up recording equipment and then read the lines in the way that your clients direct and need. You’ll be able to do it from home, upload it to the shared workspace in your project management system or in the system provided by the platform such as Fiverr.com or platforms like voicebunny.com offers.
Equipment You Need
To build a home recording studio, you just need your regular computer and a quiet place to record. It can be something as crazy as your closet. The main thing is that it should be quiet, not have a big echo problem, and comfortable enough that you don’t mind standing or sitting in there through the duration of the recording. What you need depends on your space and budget, but you’ll need a good mic that cuts down on room sound, a mixer that helps with sound, and headphones that work. Plus, of course, you need recording software like Adobe Audition, Audacity, Sound Forge, or others.
How to Get Started
The interesting thing about doing freelance voice-over work is that there are systems and communities set up to help you already. At Acx.com, you can find hundreds of voice-acting gigs. You set your own rates, and you get paid after you’ve successfully delivered on your promises.
You can also use a system like Fiverr.com to help you get started. You’ll want to create samples so that anyone can find out what your work is like before hiring you. These examples can live on your own website, social media platforms, and inside the platforms that you advertise on like Fiverr.com.
However, even though you want to be on the platforms that others are looking at when trying to hire a voice actor, you also want to create a web presence outside of the platforms – on your own website, your own social media accounts, and so forth.
A few tips as you set up your voice actor profiles:
Don’t compare yourself to a celebrity
While you might think you sound like James Earl Jones, it’s better to use descriptors like “warm, very deep, male voice”. The main reason is that this can upset the actors since their own voice is how they make money. Also, prospective clients may not know who you are comparing your voice to so it does not help them decide if you are who they want to hire.
Build a professional online presence
When you are focused on building an online presence as a voice actor, be very professional about it. Even if people aren’t seeing your face when they hear the voice, your customers want to know who you are so they can trust you, so don’t hide your face in your ads or on your website.
Ask clients for testimonials
Every time you finish a project, give it a couple of weeks then ask the client for a testimonial. Send an autoresponder email to them that links them to fill out their own survey or write a testimonial by reminding them about what you did for them.
Network with potential clients
When you’re making a name for yourself, you want to be around anyone who can hire you. Go to events, both online and offline. Let people hear your voice more often, and they won’t forget what you do.
Create the highest quality product you can
Don’t skimp on equipment. You want the product to be as professional as possible for your customers. You can find interns and low-cost helpers via your local college or university if you need help with this. But also, practice will help too.
Create demos for each style you do
To avoid disappointing your clients, provide demos for every style you do so that they can choose their style. This way, they know in advance what you’re going to sound like, so it’s less likely that they’ll be dissatisfied and more likely you will get a testimonial.
Use your real voice
If you do have the ability to change your voice for different styles and types, that’s okay, but also show your real voice so that you can be consistent. It is difficult to keep up a consistent sound to your voice when doing different styles.
Sign up with several online platforms
Don’t stay on just one platform, sign up for every freelance voice actor site you can if it’s legitimate. This is going to help you find more customers than if you stick to just one. This is one way in which having your own online presence can help as you can link to it from all these different platforms.
Volunteer in your community
Local people often cannot afford to hire big names, but they may be happy to work with you on a volunteer basis while giving you an opportunity to create your portfolio. Churches and other nonprofit organizations who need voice-over work are plentiful – just ask.
As you become more comfortable with the freelance voice-over work that you get, you’ll build a portfolio of work that can help you make even more money as you get more popular. After all, the more booked you are, the higher rates you can command.
