Voiceover Industry

A Voice Actor’s Lessons from VO Atlanta 2025

March 30, 2025 by GenevieveBaer

VO Atlanta 2025

I’m back from second VO Atlanta (I’ve gone 2 years in a row) and once again, I am impressed by just how much I gained in those 3 days.

So much as been written about whether or not voice over conferences are “worth it”. For me? The answer is ABSOLUTELY!

Look, conferences are what you make of them. So, if you’re going to stay locked up in your room and not engage, then you’re not going to get anything out of them.

But if you put yourself out there, attend the sessions that are available, and simply involve yourself in conversations, it’s almost impossible not to come home with massive gains.

My Gains

I could go on for hours, so I’m going to limit myself to 5 incredible gifts of VO Atlanta 2025.

Insight: I’ve been a voice actor for over 20 years now, and I am still learning about the inner workings of the business. For example, this year I learned more about the different opportunities that are afforded a voice actor who is on an elite LA/NY VO roster. I learned important information about the prolific Commercial voicecasting agency (Voicecasters) casting process. This info will affect how I audition for their projects in the future. And the list goes on and on. Not to mention, that the business is constantly changing…so just when you might think you have a full grasp on how it works? It evolves once again.
Connections: Once again I walked away from the conference with a multitude of new business connections. From the direct email address of the fabulous Denise Patierno (in charge of VO casting for CNN promo department) to being added to the direct roster of a prevalent Casting Director, to learning the name of a large Automotive advertising company, I have not doubt that the connections I made this year will continue to serve me throughout my career.
Relationships: This business can be a lonely one. We are working all day, by ourselves, in padded rooms. The value of connecting with others who completely understand what my daily life is like cannot be understated. It feels amazing to know that I have a pretty sizable group of voice actors that I feel comfortable reaching out to should I have a question or simply need commiseration. Mental health affects productivity (among many other things) and having trusted friends in the same business is a huge boost to my mental health.
Perspective: Meeting all of these colleagues and learning all of this information in a short amount of time immediately adjusts my perspective on my career as a whole. I found that it was a reality check that was both positive and negative. On the plus side, I left inspired and the experience reaffirmed my belief that no dream is too big and nothing is really off limits as long as I keep working towards it. On the other hand, I was reminded that achievements often take many, many years, a whole lot of frustration, and the feeling that you are scratching and clawing your way to your dreams. I was also reminded about the fact that there are SO many wonderful, talented voice actors out there who are competing for the same jobs. Again, this is good and bad. On one hand, it’s a whole lot of competition making each job statistically unlikely. On the other hand, it’s a good reminder not to take it personally when I don’t land a job.
Belonging: Finally, I left with a deeper sense that I am in the right place. I reaffirmed that fact that I love this business with all of my heart and I deeply enjoy the other people who are part of the voice over industry. It is creative industry full of funny, open-minded, generous, and warm people. I am so lucky to be a part of it and it is true gift to feel like I belong there.

One thing I do wish I had done was take more pictures! But I will include one that was sent to me from Saturday night (after a great dinner with Harry Dunn, Andy Barnett, Imari Williams, and Libby Clearfield).

I have no doubt that this will not be my last VO Atlanta conference. Until then, I return to y booth with renewed inspiration and a fuller heart. ♥️

New and old friends!

Tips and Advice for Attending Voiceover Conferences

September 8, 2024 by GenevieveBaer

Thinking about attending a Voiceover Conference?

From VOAtlanta to Vocation to OneVoice, SOVAS, MAVO…there are a lot of them out there! But…are they worth it? Should you go if you’re a total newbie? A long-time working pro? Well, there are a whole lot of opinions out there when you ask those questions. I happen to live by “to each his or her own” and I don’t think there is one right answer. But I did want to share my own unique perspective in case it helps someone get a more positive conference experience.

My First Voiceover Conference

In 2023–after almost 20 years as a working voice actor–I FINALLY attended my first voiceover conference. Why did it take me so long? Well, that’s a long answer for another day. 😜 All I can say is that I wish I had done it sooner. I got back from conference #3 less than a month ago. I have gained so much from each one…from valuable knowledge to blossoming friendships. 💕

Each time, I’ve gotten a little bit better about how best to approach these things without getting completely burnt out or overwhelmed. I thought I would pass along those tips for anyone thinking of attending their first conference in the future. So, without further ado…here is one random voice actor’s….

DO’s and DON’Ts of VOICEOVER CONFERENCES!

✅ Do: KNOW YOUR LIMITS – These things are not for everyone–and that’s ok! There are plenty of other ways to learn and network. Find the ones that are right for you.

❌ Don’t: KNOCK IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT – Give it a try before you rule them out. I was shocked at just how much I got out of each one.

✅ Do: TREAT YOURSELF KINDLY – Speak positively to yourself and use that inner voice to build yourself up. That confidence will project outward and draw people to you.

❌Don’t: BEAT YOURSELF UP – I get it. I can be hard on myself too. But please remind yourself that we are all at different places in our journey and you are okay…wherever you are.

✅ Do: PROTECT YOUR VOICE – Conferences involve a whole lot of talking and often in loud settings. Take breaks, drink plenty of water, and take care of that “money-maker”!

❌Don’t: OVER SCHEDULE YOURSELF – While it’s important to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered, remember that down time (and time to connect with colleagues) is also crucial.

✅ Do: PACK SNACKS AND LAYERS – I learned this one the hard way. Conferences tend to take place in hotels–where the temperature varies wildly and the food is expensive!

❌ Don’t: BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR – I’m not saying that anyone is being purposely deceitful. What I mean is that, we all have our own perspectives but often tend to present them as if they are absolutes. Remember that it’s valuable to listen to many people’s thoughts and ideas and decide which ones resonate with you. There is no ONE way to go about this career.

✅ ❌ DO or DON’T: BRING A TRAVEL RIG: Speaking of doing what is right for you…this very much applies to the whole travel rig question. Many voice actors travel with them and many don’t. This is completely up to you and where you are in your career, whether you want to just be in “conference-mode”, etc.

Say Hello!

I hope these suggestions were helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I’d be happy to help. And if you DO see me at a conference, please come and say hello!

Two Nominations for Voice Actor Genevieve Baer!

August 5, 2024 by GenevieveBaer

Voice over Award Nominations

This year was the first time I submitted for the One Voice Awards and I was extremely pleased to receive not one, but TWO nominations! The One Voice Awards are the only voiceover industry awards that do not charge an entry fee; as a result, they get far more entries than any other competition.

I had the honor of being nominated in the category of “Best Political Demo” and “Best Political Commercial Voiceover”. You can hear my demo HERE and the Commercial Spot I was nominated for HERE. I am blown away by the recognition and honored to be listed amongst some of the best voice actors in the industry.

Awards Ceremony on August 10, 2024

The Awards will be presented in Dallas on Saturday evening 8/10/24 and will include a red carpet type photo op followed by a 3 course dinner and ceremony. I have been dreaming of a little red carpet moment since I was a little girl and posted this picture on Linkedin as proof that I have been practicing for quite some time. The fabulous Kay Bess will be the emcee for the evening.

One Voice Dallas Conference

But of course, One Voice is not just an awards ceremony. It’s also a fabulous conference for the voiceover industry with a ton of learning and network opportunities packed into the weekend. I am really looking forward to connecting to so many of my VO colleagues as well as various casting directors, agents, and other industry experts. I have signed up for a few workshops led by casting director Elaine Clark, Sumeet Iyengar of Cope Management, and Arielle Negrin of Atlas Talent.

Each time I attend a workshop like this, I always walk away with priceless knowledge and insight into the business and new tactics and tools to apply to my reads.

My Goals

My intentions for the weekend are to simply soak it up, be as present as possible, connect with people I have not met before, gain new knowledge, and stay healthy! It’s a long list for two days for sure.

Once I have recovered from all of the fun, I will be sure to post a new blog detailing the weekend. Check back soon for pictures and a recap of my experience!

Advice for Becoming a Professional Voice Actor

July 3, 2024 by GenevieveBaer

A Professional Voice Actor’s Most Common Request

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.

My Voiceover Advice for New Talents

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 no quick way to break into the voiceacting. 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. 🎙️🙏 ♥️

A Spring in my Step

May 2, 2024 by GenevieveBaer

Spring Voiceover Motivation

Spring has always been my favorite season. I am giddy with all of the gorgeous flowering trees and bulbs and other blooms seemingly appearing overnight. I love the colors, the smells, and watching my dogs sunbathing on our deck. The creeks are flowing and our favorite hiking trails are green and lush. Each year, the sight of our gorgeous Eastern Redbud tree blooming in all of it’s glory takes my breath away.

Hope Springs Eternal

So what does any of this have to do with voice-acting? Nothing. And everything! It’s a chicken and egg situation but– just as there is new energy, growth, and hope in the air–those same things are appearing in my career right now as well.

It’s been a busy and incredibly fruitful couple of months for me with lots of wins and new and exciting projects. Right after I booked the campaign for UC Health Cancer Care, I booked and recorded a new navigation voice for Waze, a digital campaign for Pampers, and an upcoming session to record a couple national radio spots for a huge brand.

At the same time, Political voice-over season is in full swing and I’ve had the great pleasure of voicing quite a few spots in recent weeks. I really enjoy Political VO. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my skills could potentially be helping to make a positive impact to the world.

Seasons Change

Here in Colorado, the saying is “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute” in reference to the fact that our weather varies an incredible amount from day to day..even hour to hour.

The same can be said for the voiceover industry. After 20 years in this business, you would think I’d be totally comfortable with the natural ebb and flow of things. Sometimes I am so busy that I don’t have time to eat and emerge from my booth at the end of the day like a groundhog being rudely forced from slumber. My voice and style seem to be right on trend and the bookings come fast and somewhat “easy”. Other times are far slower and the anxiety and doubts creep in.

Just as it feels like the gray winters will never ever end whilst in the midst of the winter months, I start to worry that the slower times will be my new normal.

And so the cycle continues year after year just like the changing seasons.

Enjoying the Moment

Is there a lesson in all of this? I think that my takeaway should be to continue to recognize the patterns in everything and strive to maintain my trust in myself and my skills through the ebb and flow. It would be wonderful if I could learn to recognize the successes and so-called failures equally and not put too much weight in either.

It’s a work in progress and most likely something I will be working towards my entire life.

In the meantime, I’m going to try and stop and smell the roses…literally. Because, despite the fact that seasons change, here we ARE in this beautiful one and I want to savor every drop of it.

Happy Spring and may your days be filled with vibrant color and hope.