Can I Pick Your Brain?

That’s usually how the message starts out. It seems like every other week there is someone reaching out who wants to “pick my brain” about getting into the voiceover industry. And hey, I don’t fault them in the least! After all, I love this work with a passion.

But I do find myself answering a lot of the same questions and I figured it was high time to make a list of sorts to have at the ready for when the next VO hopeful comes calling.

For the last couple of weeks, I released my top tips for hopeful voice actors on my Linkedin page which you can access here. I figured I would go ahead and publish them here as well. I hope this is helpful.  Some of the tips are geared toward those who are totally new while others will be helpful for voice talent who have a little experience under their belt.  Keep in mind, I started my voiceover journey over 20 years ago…so “breaking in” to the VO industry looked very different back then. My path undoubtedly differs from those who began more recently.

Regardless, here are a few tips:

Genevieve Baer’s Top Voiceover Tips

1️⃣ The sound of your voice is really not important. So many people look into VO because they’ve been told they have a great voice. And many voice actors do have gorgeous voices…but that’s not a necessity nor is it going to open many doors for you. Today more than ever, the VO industry is focusing on “real” and “authentic”. So an every day–not particularly remarkable voice–is just fine if the delivery is relatable. Far more important are the following: acting ability, great reading skills, determination, resilience, drive, worth ethic, and patience.

2️⃣ There is not quick way to get into voiceover. If you are really determined to break into the industry, expect to put in considerable time and cost. This includes training (your FIRST step) with a reputable teacher(s), purchasing home studio equipment, paying for professionally produced demos, perhaps joining a fee-based online casting site, creating a website and other marketing materials, and the list goes on and on.

3️⃣ Please note, however, that not all of these costs need to come at once. In fact, they shouldn’t! As I mentioned, your first step is to train. This can be done in a group setting, one-on-one, in-person, or virtually. Take the time to properly vet the various coaches out there. Also remember that not every coach will be right for you. Find one who you vibe with & maybe don’t stop with just one. Before you make any demos, make sure that multiple, trusted folks have told you that you’re ready. If you make a demo before you’re ready, you will be doing yourself a disservice and wasting your money.

4️⃣ Be a sponge. While you’re training, soak up as much knowledge as you can from other sources. There are literally a kajillion podcasts and facebook groups devoted to voiceover. Listen, read, and learn! Before asking a question on a FB group, please do a search to see if that question has been answered before. Take in everything…but take it in with a grain of salt. There are of course egos and opinions to wade through. But there are also tremendously talented, and generous people out there willing to share their knowledge.

5️⃣ Don’t try to cut corners. While you don’t have to start out with the most expensive equipment, you do need to invest in quality. You will at least need a decently treated space to record in, a good VO mic, an audio interface, and recording software. If you try and get by without any of that your audio will not sound good enough to make the cut. And trust me, people can tell. There’s so much information out there and many experts ready to help. For example, the folks at Sweetwater will be more than happy to hop on the phone and advise you about a decent starter package.

6️⃣ This leads me to the next tip which is: learn from the experts. From how to use your recording software, to dialing in your studio sound and various plugins, to training in specific genres, to how best to market yourself…there are experts and info galore out there. Some of that knowledge is free for the taking (again podcasts, youtube vids, etc.) and some will cost you money. It’s worth it.

7️⃣ At the same time? Do your own homework. While there are people out there ready and willing to help…please don’t expect everyone to hold your hand and do the work for you. Do your own research. Study and practice. Respect people’s time when you reach out for help.

8️⃣ Work ethic, attitude, and hustle are everything. This industry is saturated with talented people. If there are multiple people great for the job but one of them radiates gratitude, positivity, and efficiency…well, the choice is easy. Be human, be humble, be responsive, and don’t forget how gosh-darn lucky we are to be in this business.

Some other things to consider

-Work on your cardiovascular health. Being a great voice actor takes a lot of core strength and breath control. Bike, hike, swim, or take a tip from Taylor Swift and sing while you’re on the treadmill!
-If you haven’t already, take an acting class and/or get involved in theatre. Voice acting is ACTING and you will be required to convey every emotion and scenario with your voice as the only tool. Develop those skills.
-Read out loud. A lot.
-Pay attention to commercial spots as you’re watching TV.
-Listen to yourself as you converse with your loved ones. As the fabulous and wise Tina Morasco would say (paraphrasing here!): pay attention to how you talk to your partner in the morning while you’re having coffee. That is the real you. The you that is grounded and only speaks in order to convey necessary information. Try bringing that same “you” to your VO copy.

I hope that these tips have been helpful! I understand why there are so many people out there curious about the world of voiceover. It’s not easy but it’s Oh. So. Good. 🎙️🙏 ♥️