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10 Pieces of Terrible Voiceover Advice
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By Joan Baker and Rudy Gaskins, November 11, 2024
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Voice acting is a field in which finding a reliable source for routine information can be hard to come by. It’s even harder with social media making it possible for just about anyone to jump in with an opinion. From the mouths of our students and expert colleagues, we have put together a short list of some of the worst career advice ever given to voice actors.
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1. “With a voice like yours, you should go into voiceover!”
It’s the classic compliment, usually dished out by someone whose biggest voiceover knowledge is probably narrating bedtime stories to their 4-year-old. If it were that simple, we’d all just walk into studios with “cool voices” and call it a career. In a perfect world, this advice might sound more like: “With a voice like yours, a personality that shines, creativity that never quits, nerves of steel, an open mind, and a work ethic that says ‘I have no weekends ’voiceover could be a great fit!”
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2. “Practice with magazine ads.”
Because nothing says “real-life voiceover” like reading out a three-page spread about why Ben Affleck and Jenifer Lopez aren’t getting along. Here’s the thing: ads in magazines are meant to be read while sipping coffee, not spoken aloud under a 60-second time limit with the pressure of making people care. Radio and TV spots are on tight schedules and need to be punchy. Sure, magazine ads are technically words, but unless you’re rehearsing for a job as a talking magazine stand, practicing with them probably won’t help much.
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3. “Just study TV and radio commercials, and you’ll learn everything you need!”
Ah yes, because every commercial ever made is a gold standard of excellence, right? Spoiler: some commercials are about as useful to study as a soggy cereal box. Watching commercials can give you insights, but it’s kind of like staring at pastries in a bakery window. You’ll still need a lot of skills to bake one yourself. Used wisely (with a teacher who knows their stuff), analyzing ads can actually help. Just don’t expect your average car dealership ad to be the pinnacle of creative inspiration. By the way, there are two dozen other genres outside of TV and radio commercials.
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4. “Find your niche, make a demo reel, and you’re off!”
Sure, and with that, just look out for your inevitable red carpet invite! Truth is, finding your voice takes time, training, and probably a few hundred takes where you question all your life choices. The last thing you want to do is slap a “niche” sticker on yourself too early. Let others do the pigeonholing. Your job is to grow, expand, and become a vocal chameleon. Because if there’s one thing the voiceover world loves, it’s actors who keep them guessing.
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5. “There’s too much competition to waste time trying to succeed in voice acting.”
If this idea speaks to you, congrats, you just saved yourself a lifetime of self-doubt, questionable auditions, and an alarming amount of caffeine. Voice acting isn’t for the faint-hearted or pajama-clad dreamers who wish success would just drop by. No, this is for those who thrive on a bit of risk, slap on their “winner” badges, and treat rejection like a handshake. If you’re ready to swap cozy slippers for real shoes, then you’ve got a shot. After all, successful voice actors weren’t born behind a microphone, they decided to go find one.
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6. “You don’t need an agent. They take 10 percent and do nothing for it.”
Ah yes, because agents just float around the industry collecting 10 percent for looking charming. In reality, agents are more like fairy godparents, minus the wand and sparkles. They’re out there knocking down doors, networking, pitching, and sweating the details so you don’t have to. You think booking’s the end? Your agent’s the one wrangling the best deal, handling payments, and making sure the whole thing doesn’t implode. So while they’re working their asses off for their “tiny” 10 percent, focus on making the most of your 90.
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7. “If you’re serious about voice acting, the first thing you should do is set up a home studio.”
And so begins the grand tradition of “cart first, horse second.” Setting up a studio before you know your craft is like buying a chef’s hat and calling yourself a master chef. Voice acting success has a sequence: training, demos, networking, agent-hunting, and then MAYBE consider that fancy studio setup. Clearly, you need a serviceable recording rig if you want an agent, so the time to do it is when you’re “agent ready.” Building a career takes more than good equipment; it takes a thoughtful process and, yes, probably fewer Amazon mic stands.
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8. “Stay away from conferences and networking events that charge you money. They’re all a scam.”
Right, because conferences, like lemonade stands, should operate on pure goodwill. Truth is, conferences are about connections and insights. The good ones are kind of like going to a voiceover boot camp, but with a curated educational slate, better snacks and way more fun. Plus, you’re investing in yourself, your network, and getting out there among the pros. The payoff? You might just get that life-affirming moment where you realize you’re exactly where you need to be, even if it came with a price tag.
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9. “Skip the AI protection clauses in your contracts.”
After all, clients always prioritize your well-being – just like that time your roommate promised they’d do the dishes “eventually.” Trust freely and remember, nothing says ‘professionalism’ like blind faith!
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10. “Why bother hiring a lawyer when your client’s attorney has crafted the perfect contract just for you?”
Think of it as a cozy little gift bag, minus the ‘gift’ part. Besides, legal advice is so 2019.
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Joan Baker and Rudy Gaskins are the visionary co-founders of SOVAS® (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences™), creators of the annual That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo and the celebrated Voice Arts® Awards, known as voice acting’s biggest night. Together, they’ve helped transform the landscape of voice acting, setting a standard for excellence, community, and opportunity globally.
Contact: Joan@sovas.org or Rudy@sovas.org
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences:
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences:
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