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Voice acting jobs for beginners can be a great source of income from home. You can do it as a side hustle or as a full-time job if you have the required talent. It’s time to find out!
Is there anything different about your voice? Is it soothing, is it edgy or aggressive? If anything is unique or appealing about the way you talk then you can make money with voice over jobs for beginners.
You encounter voiceovers more often than you realise in your day to day life. You hear it when making a call, you hear it while watching cartoons and at so many other places.
This shows that there is work for voice-over artists and people are making money doing so. You can also earn money with voice over jobs for beginners from home.
Just use your voice, some training and basic equipment and you are ready to earn money from your home.
Read on to learn more about this unique opportunity.
What is the Meaning of Voice Over Jobs?
As I said earlier you consume voiceovers daily. To understand it further let’s say anything that needs narration so that consumers can get the meaning needs voice over jobs.
You watch animal documentaries on TV, someone has to tell a story about what is happening. It will be so boring to watch mute documentaries.
While watching cartoons, you know they are not real so someone has to lend their voice to the cartoon characters so that they can communicate or entertain you.
Think about podcasts that are so popular nowadays and audiobooks.
All these things need someone to lend their voice. And the people who give their voice earn money doing so with voice over jobs.
There are many VoiceOver side hustles for beginners, you just need a few things to get started.
How to Get Started as A Voice Over Artist
By now you are convinced that you have the raw voice to be a voice-over artist. Just before you start applying at the places we will describe later in the article there are a few basic things you need to have sorted to have a better chance of getting the job.
Identify Persona of Your Voice and Practice
Most of the places where you will apply for voice over jobs will be just as an audio consumption. That means there is no face or your voice is the face of the job. For example a podcast. Your voice needs to suit the topic. If there is something angry is being said, your voice needs to show it or sound angry.
It’s not just a dictation job. Your voice needs to have a character. It comes with practice, so the places you are going to apply to will demand a few such things. You need to be prepared.
The best practice for voice-over artists is that they first identify what their voices sound like. What is the basic character of their voice? Is it sound like a kid or is it a romantic voice? Based on that they decide on a niche and polish their skills around that niche. Then they specifically apply to those jobs that demand such a voice.
For example, if your voice suits cartoon characters it will make more sense to apply to cartoon charter shows than at documentary making places.
Basic Equipment requiements
For getting started as a voice-over artist, you don’t need fancy equipment. But to start as a voice-over artist from home you need a few things at least.
First of all, you need a quiet place to record without any background interference. A quiet background is very important for voice over jobs to have a clear and understandable voice.
Then you need a microphone to record and some audio mixing software. For starting you don’t need complex software, you can start with the free ones.
Create a Demo Reel
So you have set up a basic infrastructure for a voice-over job as a beginner from home. The best way to test if it works or not is by recording a demo reel.
Record a one to two minutes reel of your voice playing some character or showing your voice qualities.
When you will apply at the places for voice over jobs from home these are the resume you will send them. Based on your demo reels you will be selected or rejected.
Depending upon the job you are applying for, record a reel showing that you can fit the job description.
If it’s a general kind of job without any description then record different tones of your voice with different intensities in short intervals to showcase your diversity.
Voice Over Training
To get voice acting jobs for beginners, it might be worthwhile to get the specific training that prepares you for the job.
A trainer who is experienced in the field will help you find out your strengths and limitation very fast and will cut down the learning curve.
One such artist is Julie Eickhoff who have made over 100 audiobooks making a full-time income with voice over jobs. She has created this free small course to help beginners like you.
Register here for her free mini-course to get voice-over work faster.
Promote Yourself
Getting started as a beginner in any field is difficult. The same is true for voice over side hustles for beginners.
When starting you does not have a client base, so you need to spread the word yourself by promoting your skills. You need to network with the right audience at social media sites and groups dedicated to the same.
You can even make a dedicated website for your service. That gives a professional look to your profile.
You can even reach out to agents who have connections in the industry. For a small commission, they will get you the auditions for new jobs.
How Much Voice Over Jobs Pay?
Depending on the experience and type of jobs, the salaries of the voice-over artists vary. While celebrities earn millions for lending their voice to characters for a few minutes, for beginners it is not that easy and rewarding.
Payments range from $20 to $100 for beginner artists. According to indeed, voice-over artists make around $39,000 per year.
You can earn $20 at least working from home as a voice-over artist. In the starting, it will be difficult to get voice over work from home, but once you have clients you can get consistent work working from home.
Places to Find Voice Over Jobs for Beginners from Home
1. Voice.com
It’s a marketplace for voice-over jobs with a very good reputation. They have been doing this for around 20 years.
Their platform connects voice-over artists with clients who need their work. Agencies and people who need people to work on projects post different gigs with requirements.
As a voice-over artist, you can easily join voice.com and create a profile. Just upload a demo and people can find you for jobs and you can also start applying for gigs.
When you find a potential client just connect with them and discuss the projects or give auditions. After completing the project you get paid on the platform itself. Everything from starting to end happens on the platform.
After completing jobs, clients can give reviews or ratings. In the starting, you can start working for lesser money to get the jobs as you don’t have any reviews yet. As soon as you start getting good reviews, you can start charging more for your work.
It will be also easier to get work after you have positive reviews.
Though a free account gives you have enough job opportunities, you can also purchase their premium account for $499/year for more job options.
2. Voice 123
Twenty years ago a couple wanted to become voice-over artists but they realised how difficult it was. Especially the casting process was difficult and complex.
To cut the chase, they recognised the opportunity and created a platform where producers who were working on voice acting jobs could meet the voice over actors without and middleman.
In the process, they have become one of the most trusted websites for finding voice over jobs. There are thousands of opportunities for voice-over artists whether beginner or experienced.
Artists can make profiles and upload their demo reels and clients can post their jobs and can select artists directly according to their needs cutting the middleman.
Voice 123 is free to use but they also offer premium membership at $395/year for added benefits such as an entry in search etc.
3. Voice Bunny
Another great site for voice over jobs for beginners from home. Here clients and voice-over artists can find each other easily.
There are thousands of voice over artists that look for jobs on this platform actively. In addition to making a profile, you need to pass a basic test to join the platform.
Once you pass the test, you will start getting jobs. There are other ways to get the voice over work from home like contests that run on the platform.
They don’t have any membership fees, if you pass the test, all the job listings will be accessible to you. Based on your experience and project length you can set up your rates and decide the schedule making it a great job option from home.
4. Snap Recordings
They are some of the oldest players in this field. They are around since 1996 and hire voice over artists for businesses.
Snap Recordings prefer to hire bilingual voice over artists. They are a great option for artists working from home as you don’t have to do any editing or mixing.
Artists are given jobs, they have to read and record and upload at their website. The next step of editing and processing is done by their team.
Payouts are generally based on the number of words. The longer the lines, the more money you will earn from the job.
5. Fiverr
A common marketplace for all kinds of works including voice over jobs for beginners. Freelance voice-over artists can search for jobs on Fiverr.
As in all cases, you need to create a profile and provide a sample of your skills and clients can find your profile.
You can set up your work’s prices according to you in increments of 5 dollars. Clients can give you reviews for your work. The more positive reviews you accumulate, the easier it will be for you to get your next job. That is why if you planning on using this platform that is based on reviews or any platform for that matter, initially concentrate on getting more positive reviews even for lower payments.
Once you have a good profile, you can start charging higher prices.
6. Mandy Voices
If you want a voice acting job in the entertainment industry you can try Mandy Voices of Mandy Networks.
Mandy Voices is a big network of professionals, job seekers and job givers. You can find great voice over jobs from home here from their massive listings.
Their listings are updated every month with new additions. In addition, you can network and make connections with fellow voice over actors.
You can set up your account to get notifications when a job with your specific conditions show up.
7. Upwork
Like Fiverr, Upwork is also a great marketplace for freelancers to get work.
At Upwork, you can also look for voice over jobs for beginners from home in one of the categories.
You just need to create an account and profile. After that, you can filter listed jobs as per your liking. If you like some job, you can bid for that job.
If you both agree you can discuss the details and start working on the project.
8. Earworks Media
It’s a production company that make videos for which they need voice over artists. They work with TV production companies and Advertising companies for whom they make videos.
They have very big clients such as Nike and Toyota to name a few. So if you get selected to work for them, you can expect good payments.
For joining them, sign up at their website and make a profile. Other requirements include a home studio and some experience along with a demo reel.
9. Freelancer
When you are looking for voice over jobs for beginners from home, it’s best to apply at as many places as possible.
One another such marketplace for freelancers is Freelancer. It’s a general website where different kinds of jobs are posted that freelancers can take up to make money.
Just create a profile on the website and start looking for voice acting job opportunities. Submit your bids on the projects you like.
You can set up your own prices and time frame after discussing with the clients.
10. LinkedIn
It’s a place where all professionals hang out. It’s not just for socializing with your fellow workers. You can get jobs and network with potential clients.
Start by making a complete profile showcasing all your skills and experience. Start by networking with people in the same field and making connections. Connections go a long way when starting out a new hustle.
You can find different kinds of professionals in your field who are at the hiring positions for voice over artists. Start drawing their attention so that they know who you are. When the time comes it will help you as they have some sort of prior connection with you.
11. Amazon ACX
Now you can get voice over jobs for Beginners from home on the Amazon Platform with a chance to earn up to $200 per hour.
Most voice acting jobs for beginners on the platform are related to audiobooks. If you want to be an audiobook narrator then it’s a perfect place for you to work.
they convert books to audiobooks that are sold over different platforms such as iTunes. If you have a voice that makes listening to books interesting and fun you might score easy money with this hustle.
Just open an account and upload a demo reel to get started. Then you can choose and audition for several jobs on the platform.
There are thousands of voiceover projects there and many more added daily. Just look at the budget of the project and start applying to the ones that interest you.
12. Boldalgo
A casting platform that has casted thousands of voice over actors for different projects over years in 80 different languages.
The company was started in 2008 and have operations worldwide. You can start looking for jobs on the platform after simple signing up.
After approval, you can make a profile and clients can reach you for the projects. This is free to use for beginners.
if you want more exposure, you can choose a premium account that costs you around $300/year. if you pay for premium account fee, then Boldalgo will not charge any fees for any projects you do with clients. You can keep all the money you earn from clients. In addition, you also get to know all the listings with a premium account.
13. Voice Crafters
Another old and reputed voice over agency with a variety of voice over jobs for beginners from home available such as advertisements, audiobooks, games and so many other things.
You can sign up at their website to get full-time work if you have a professional studio at home. You need to provide a demo reel to get going.
Based on your demo, they will accept you or reject your profile. So it is important to give your best shot showing your skills in the demo.
14. Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices is a platform like others in this list where people looking for voice over jobs from home can connect with people who hire them.
They work mostly on audiobooks. Authors upload their books on the platform and voice over actors can connect to them or apply for the job.
When you apply for a job, you can further connect with the author and send them samples. If they like your sample, you may finalize the deal and get voice over work from home.
Payments are generally based on the number of hours you put in work. Longer the book, the more time it will take and the more money you can make from that project.
15. Filmless
A production company that specialises in producing videos. For making videos they hire voice over actors to lend their voice in their videos.
If you are looking for voice over jobs for beginners from home then you can apply with them as they are always open for freelance voice actors.
These projects are time-bound, if you work on a project you have to provide the audio within 24 hours after mastering the lines. If you have a good silent recording place at home, you can look at their website for voice-over opportunities.
16. Backstage
It’s a well know casting company that have ties with some big production houses in the industry such as HBO, Disney and many more.
If you want to work in the entertainment industry with your voice over talent, then you should give them a try for sure.
Contract with such a big house shows that they have a good reputation and good amount of work for freelance artists. Other than these big houses they have thousands of other clients who are looking for voice artists.
If you keep checking on their website, you will find many new roles posted regularly. Just like any other company to get started just sign up on their website and create a profile. After that start applying for auditions for different jobs that interest you.
17. Behind The Voice Actors
Behind the Voice Actors company specializes in voice over gigs related to cartoons, video games and animation.
If your voice suits such characters, then you can start looking for job opportunities available with them. Their job description is clear and well described with things like how many actors are already applying on the project and what are audition deadlines and who is the employer etc.
Then you get a line for the role that you need to record and send to them for assessment. If they like your work, you can get the project.
18. Funimation
A company owned by Sony pictures specialise in animation production, especially East Asian media productions.
Japan is a hub for animation with a lot of things produced on large scale. Funimation is an American company that translates Japanese anime into the local language.
If your voice suits, you can get major or minor roles in the projects. To bag the roles, be sure to send an impressive demo reel that showcases diversity with your voice that suit anime characters.
They do not disclose remuneration, but since they are owned by Sony, you can expect a fair pay rate.
19. Envato Studio
A great website to work for with a minimum of $40 per project. They have numerous voice over projects for animation, video games and more.
They are different from others in this list in the way that they handpick the voice over actors from the crowd. For applying you need to sign up and fill out an interest form and provide demo audio. After assessing your form and voice reel you can be selected if they like it.
All these quality checks assure that only a few are selected and once you are through a screening process, it will be easier to get the jobs.
Another benefit is that less competition, and as you are one of the handpicked that means you are in the bracket of better artists and accordingly you will be paid more compared to other platforms.
20. Voquent
It is a UK based voice agency that hires mostly experienced and professional voice over artists.
Thus you can apply only if you have some sort of experience and a professional home recording studio is a must to have the jobs on Voquent. They have a diverse array of clients ranging from cartoons, animation, TV commercials and audiobooks and more.
Signing up is free, so if you have experience sign up on their website and upload your demo reels.
Based on the project length and complexity you can charge different rates in different projects.
21. The Voice Realm
It’s a marketplace where voice over actors can connect with the clients who need their work. On their website, clients such as Spotify invite voice over actors to give auditions.
Then based on the auditions, clients can pick the artists that suit their projects best. There are flat rates for each project so there is no bidding on the projects, unlike a few other sites where due to competition artists have to work on lower rates.
Pay rates are decided by the number of words in the project. Longer the project more money you will be able to earn.
You can sign up on their website and upload a demo reel. Upon approval of the account, you can start applying and get voice over work from home.
Final Thoughts on Voice Over Jobs for Beginners
Many people are not even aware of voiceovers they hear all around throughout their day. So very few know that such voice acting jobs exist.
Other than traditional voice over jobs such as TV documentaries, cartoons there is a growing need for voice over artists for audiobooks.
There is an increase in the trend where people prefer to hear books while they are travelling instead of reading. That means more and more books are being converted into audiobooks leading to more work for voice-over artists.
So if you think you have a voice that other people like to listen then you can also jump on this hustle even as a part-time or full time. Voice over jobs for beginners from home can be a good source of income if done on the side and if you dedicate enough time, you can even replace your full-time income working from home.
Let us know in the comments about your voice over the journey.
FAQs About Voice Over Jobs for Beginners
Is Getting Voice Over Jobs for Beginners Difficult?
Voice over industry is ever-expanding more than ever before with the increase in audiobooks and podcasts. Equipment is cheaper to set up your basic voice over studio at home. With the increase in the demand, there is also an increase in the number of people looking for such people, so there is definitely some competition.
But if your voice is good and you practice enough, you can land those jobs as a beginner. What will make it easier if you are still struggling to get started in the field is courses like this that prepare you and show you inside out of the industry.
What is the Easier Way to get Voice Over Jobs for Beginners?
If you are just starting out, it will be difficult to get your first clients. Like I said earlier getting some help will definitely help you. On the other hand, you can start with the websites that give work for freelancers like Fiverr.
On these websites, you can take initial jobs for cheaper rates and provide excellent work. With the good work at lower prices, you will get more positive reviews. As the positive reviews pile up, you will start getting more work and money over time.
You can gain more experience and polish your skills and show these experiences at other places to get more work.
What is the Highest you can Earn from Voive Over Jobs?
Though in the starting you will earn starting from $20/hour as a beginner. But there is no limit to the money you can earn. Well, reputed actors earn millions for voice over jobs. You might not get that kind of money but you can always inspire to earn that.
You need to practice and become the best at this work and people will find out the quality of your work. If you can give life to the characters with your voice, then you can command a higher price and more roles.
Is a Degree Required for Voice Over Jobs?
There is no need for a degree to start a voice-over job as a beginner from home. The best thing you can show your clients is your demo reels and auditions for the roles.
If you practice your skill and keep improving there is no need for a degree. There are definitely acting courses that help you recognise and police your voice, but they are not a requirement.
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Sumeet is an experienced side hustler who replaced his full-time income with side hustles. His work has been quoted on major finance websites like CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, GOBankingRates, CEOBlogNation, SideHustleNation, and more. He has helped thousands of people find side hustles, and he is here to help you find your extra source of income. More about him.
