Voice people read everything from commercials to corporate scripts, and can make a part or full-time living, depending on the type of voice and effort you’re willing to put in to it. Just think of all the commercials you hear on the radio and you'll notice how many different types of voices are required for some of them. If you’re interested in a career in voice work, here are some tips.
Practice Reading Commercials
Start listening to the types of commercials you hear on television and radio. Study how people change their voices, tone, and speed as they read. When you hear a commercial, see if you can mimic it. Doing this will help you determine where your vocal strengths are and areas for improvement.
To get even more practice, do a search for “sample commercial scripts” to obtain wording for some real-life commercials. Download a few and practice reading. Change your tone and energy level to make the commercial sound different. This will help you when you work on a professional recording.
Decide on Your Brand
The great thing about voice work is that you can succeed regardless of your voice type. That doesn’t mean, however, that you will get the same amount of work as someone else. Voices are all different, and there are certain areas that will match your voice more naturally than others. Do you have a high, girl-next-door type of voice? A deep baritone? Decide which areas your voice “brand” might be able to represent.
Record a Demo
When you’ve found a few practice scripts which might represent your brand, choose three to five to read for a demo tape. Contact local video production companies and advertising agencies to see if you can record a demo there. If your computer has the ability to record voice cleanly, you can also create an mp3 or wav file that way.
When you have the demo recorded, create a website or blog to showcase your voice talents. Upload the files so agents can find your work. Then, search out talent agencies in your area to see if they are looking for new voice artists. Uploading your files to a site like Voices.com can also help you get jobs.
Getting work can sometimes take time, so don’t despair if you take months or even a year to get work. What happens is that once you get booked by a certain producer or talent agency, they will remember you for next time. Also, certain projects call for just the right kind of voice, which could be yours! Getting established in the voice industry can take time, but with persistence you will get booked.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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