5 Things you should NOT do when Getting Started in Voice Over

[@chef50001]

I have been watching you for 4 years off and on. I’ve turned my closet into a sound room, gotten all the equipment…. Made profiles…. Gotten my sound floor….. I know this is my calling but I’m paralyzed in fear….. I just need to do it!!!!! I have heard you say countless times that you wished you had jumped in sooner, so now I’m chastising myself for procrastinating…..

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Don't waste all that effort, just do it! You decide what you want in life, fear does not.

[@christianmorgenroth1677]

@@chef50001 damn... I'm in the same situation. I keep steering myself away from it and then become depressed. But now I'm taking a class to grow my business and also get into dubbing work hopefully. We've got this and we're amazing 🥳🌈🤗

[@daryaansary6810]

@@christianmorgenroth1677 congratulations!! 😍👌🏻 What do we do after creating demo.? How do you find the employers or How do you get into dubbing work ? Can anyone explain please 🙏🙏

[@therealbrentmiedema]

@@chef50001 same! The fear is real.

[@ashjvlogs]

I've definitely been stuck in the research/procrastination stage and over thinking. Thanks for this video today Angela, I needed to hear this today.

[@rudyo.4130]

I found your channel today and am so grateful to have found it! I'm just beginning to set my sights on voice acting so I'm definitely in the procrastelearning stage! Thank you!!

[@Kailma]

As I been doing voice over full time for the last two weeks. Im glad youtube put your channel in my algorithm. Im currently listening to every word you're enunciating and how fast you speak in this video. The voice you're talking in sounds like a great tutorial/Audiobook voice.

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Thank you!

[@jazznutz]

Angela!! Algorithm hasn't shown me your video in a long time! So good to see you!

[@Seareos]

I did an audiobook recording and basic montage with my phone, and yes it took months (I did 1 chapter/week, so 36 weeks in total), but I could see my improvement at the end compared to the first chapters, a lot less mess ups to cut, but yeah, as you said, recording an audiobook takes time and dedication.

[@esthering1000]

Thanks for being real. I'm going go for it! I'm searching for a creative outlet.

[@VOTECHGURU]

A great video for new folks for sure. Editing is an area where A TON of time can be saved by not overthinking things; performance as well. Great job, Angela!

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@VOTECHGURU thank you sir! ❤️

[@curiousandruew]

You really hit the nail on the head with number 3, well, for me that is. I’ve tried using my own voice on my channel, for practice, and every time I hear it , I definitely cringe. Thank you for the video. I think I’ll give it another go. ❤

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@curiousandruew Yes! Just do it, it does get easier!

[@curiousandruew]

@@VoiceOverAngela Thanks again for the encouragement!

[@CindyLarsonMusic]

You are SO spot on with all of this and I hope a lot of people starting out listen!! 👍😃👍

[@VoiceOverAngela]

🙌

[@JLMoore-m8q]

Thank you for your re-assurance! I am starting out and have invested thousands with what you mentioned - I have professional demos and now submitting them for bios. And I said the same thing to myself. They don't sound the same as my pro demos. But ya gotta move on and keep on submitting. I just found AU where I was using Audacity. What a huge difference and I am glad I found AU. I do have a passion for this, I want to record all the time! Thank you for your inspirations! I am going to listen to this one again and again!

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@JLMoore-m8q thank you so much! We all need it from time to time 😉

[@keithclark8030]

Thank you! I just started researching this week.

[@chrisvelasco1535]

Im not sure if im in the procrasti-learning? I think im past that slightly. Im where im looking to find where to upload demos. So soon, hopefully, lol😅

[@Drifters_Productions]

..could you do a video on the stages of being a voice over artist? Month 1 - learning your daw Month 6 - Regularly on ACX/fiver 1 year - full audio books with pfh. Etc etc I guess in essence a roadmap??

[@HarleyTaylorVA]

I'm not some super pro, but I WILL say that I think setting rigid time milestones for yourself might be too harsh. Some people learn their DAWs instantly, others struggle for months, for example. Everyone isn't ready for the same steps at the same time. Just start playing with your DAW, and reading scripts. And save up for coaching in the mean time. You've got this!

[@scottcosta7119]

Thank you for the insight, information, and gold nuggets even as simple as 1, 2, 3, Go ! 😊 Just a guy watching videos on the topic for the past couple days. Thank you for your calming nature. ✌

[@photony]

I love your voice. And you're right that we are our own worst critics. This is great advice, I'm still learning, though I always will be. And I've booked several jobs.

[@besoulmatereadytv]

WOW! "Procratalearning Stage" ... overthinking. Yep😆😆😆

[@kainovember]

Felt lmao

[@Clellisfindlay]

I do have many questions. The main question I have is what kind of classes at my local college would help me with this type of career. Also once I get my foot in the door where being a narrator will have a job on a regular basis.

[@Drifters_Productions]

@Clellisfindlay hello! Just wanted to offer my .02.. I've been working on my audiobook narration and voice acting for over a year. All I can say is that, go out and get started. Download audacity and just grab a book and start recording. Once you get some time in and feel it out then I would start looking into classes that better suit the direction you want!! Good luck!

[@ehdforlife]

Great advice!

[@imartsy]

I'm stuck at the demo phase. So many opinions about whether you should make your own or not - but also seems hard to get work without one. I need work to afford a demo....

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@@imartsy make your own. In 6 years, I've never paid for a demo

[@j4ta680]

@@VoiceOverAngela really?! I've had so many professional VO artists say not to make your own because you need to know audio engineering, adding music, etc. Not to mention coaching. You got work with your own demo? Did it have music?

[@Xx_Lara2323_xX]

What equipment do you recommend for a beginner? As in headphones, microphones and computers?

[@kennymonty8206]

I've been doing VO for a couple of years now. I can't tell you how many times I've made changes and adjustments to my fx chain. I have different chains for different platforms. My ACX chain is very different than my Fiverr chain for example. Try producing an acx audiobook with music in it if you want to find out how difficult things can get.

[@VoiceOverAngela]

I've produced audiobooks with music, and multiple narrators, it's not easy.... I've also had racks for different applications, I've finally got to a place where everything can be done with the same rack, which is incredibly awesome.

[@kennymonty8206]

@@VoiceOverAngela I'd like to hear more about that.

[@erikacalvert9481]

Awesome advice, as usual, Angela! Thanks for keeping it real!! ❤

[@jamiehowell6752]

Thank you. Great and encouraging advice as always.

[@Helpcooked]

Thanks for the great information. Hoping to do well with the start acx and audible

[@hotpinkbear31]

I am stuck in having no dedicated space to record in. I have no spare closets. I would need a put up and tear down daily set up until i can move. I have not found a good tutorial on how to make one of those and im basically making studio forts lol

[@VoiceOverAngela]

That's understandable and what some people do. Pvc pipe for an armature or frame, draped in blankets.

[@ElizabethBiceCavalli]

Thank you so much! ❤😊

[@BrianBriscoe-g6q]

Fantastic tips and insight, Angela. Thank you. I am a new subscriber and journeying into the voiceover world.

[@pastorrandy]

Just signed up for Platinum plan on your website. Wanting to learn to do this the right way from the beginning. Got an Amazon profile and an Upwork profile but I need to check that I am doing them the right way.

[@VoiceOverJack]

Angela - I recently subscribed to your channel - want to know why? Because you are fast becoming my VO therapist ! As a writer, I have an English voice tone, 'accent', whatever - and am marketing myself as such, BUT - you, I maintain are my new therapist ! Excellent 'DO NOT DO' comments. Any more?

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Thank you, on both counts! I'll have to make another one of these. :)

[@brianSalem541]

New subscriber here and new to VO. I'm almost done setting up my home recording space in my walk-in closet. Great video! Still wondering how a brand-new VO gets that first narration contract but I imagine I'll find out sometime.

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@brianSalem541 welcome! And thank you. Yes, you gotta get out there to get work. It may take some time, but just keep at it.

[@Shannon_Robbie]

Good advice! Do you think this career could be ruined or severely altered by AI voice over taking jobs?

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@@Shannon_Robbie it hasn't so far. AI has no soul, no depth.

[@sherrimango1088]

I'm about to do a demo for a friend's book and wondered what people think (who know how to do this) about adding FX? I would prefer not but maybe I should listen to more audiobooks. Also- Angela, the facebook page hasn't been updated since Oct. 2022. :)

[@Drifters_Productions]

It for sure can spice it up! It really depends on the authors intent and direction. They may feel it takes away from the book. I would do both and let them decide. 😀 it's always good to have practice and the skill set from accurately putting fx is valuable

[@triciamckeown1618]

Hi Angela! Which microphone are using in this video? And ty for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Narration and audiobooks are my dream jobs🤘

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Get started, what's stopping you? I'm using a Sennheiser MKH 416.

[@Ohknottme]

Great advice! I have been lucky enough to do commercial work for some large companies here in China, but I always meet the clients in a professional studio. As a result, I have full video commercials to use for a demo reel, but I’m nowhere near proficient enough to produce something of that caliber on my own. What do you recommend that I do in this case? Should I put some sort of disclaimer, or just make it clear to any potential clients that I was not the one producing the material?

[@tarrynhorter6895]

Hey there, i love your videos.! I have a question I'd like to ask : How long does a 6-hour audio book take to record, edit, and submit on a professional level? What is the +/- time duration you would say it'd take for a new voice artist?

[@Drifters_Productions]

A good rule of thumb is double per stage. If it takes 20 minutes to read a chapter( to yourself), then it will take about 40minutes to record and about 80 minutes to edit. This is in my experience and opinion fairly accurate. It can be said that the edit stage will get faster as you practice and skill goes up, but to do it professionally for 20 minutes of audio I would accept about 60 minutes of editing.

[@suewright9542]

I am newly retired at age 70. I have always had a passion for vocal expression through my 13-year (and ongoing) tenure with Toastmasters and my 18+ years of reading stories and novels with my kids. Is it worthwhile for me to start in this industry at my age?

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Absolutely! Go for it!

[@123iambex]

Watching this while I'm in my procrastilearning stage 😅

[@andrewjarvis7777]

I'm just about done putting together a demo reel to share on Fiverr...it's quite literally the first time I've heard my voice recorded in this type of format. I hate it so much. I sound completely disingenuous and it's almost as if I'm mocking the process and product I swear lolllll It sounds incredibly baddd. I'm forcing myself to trust the process and hope I'm just being self critical to a crazy degree. I suppose time will tell, eh lolll

[@VoiceOverAngela]

We are our own worst critics. If you want true and honest feedback, join a group and ask for it. 😉

[@j4ta680]

@@VoiceOverAngela what's an example of a group that can give me feedback on my demo? Thanks, Justin

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@@j4ta680 my Facebook Group for one, The VO Workshop.

[@Lovelfe88]

Great video!

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Thanks! ♥️

[@segagenesis7708]

Okay, don't crush myself because I don't measure up to David Attenborough right out of the gate. Got it. Lol.

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@@segagenesis7708 🤣♥️

[@segagenesis7708]

@@VoiceOverAngela I truly appreciate the video. I guess I’m in the research stage (?). But I also have a Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury. So I’m really taking it slow, I’m trying to find work I may be able to manage and I’ve always received compliments for my voice. So I started practicing and sure enough, 3 and 4 happened, before I saw this video. So as I’m watching it, I’m texting a friend and once you hit points 3 and 4, I said to them, ‘My God, this is gonna be harder than I ever imagined’ LOL!. But this is all great information. Thank you.

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@segagenesis7708 just keep at my friend. I'm glad to help.

[@ashenmorire1869]

Goodness I overthink all my editing 😅 and it takes me so long to finish audiobooks because of this 😅

[@ashenmorire1869]

Also it kills me seeing those adds like it just took me 3 1/2 months to do an entire audiobook 😭 I wish it was that easy

[@VoiceOverAngela]

It does get faster the more you do it!

[@ashenmorire1869]

@@VoiceOverAngela I hope so! 😁

[@leannaMA]

​@ashenmorire1869 don't worry it does! It used to take me an hour to edit 10 minutes, now, two months later, it takes about 20-30 minutes. It could be faster but I have to work on my breathing more.

[@BannerSound]

I would also add that in ANY business, unless it's directly related to a project, keep your personal politics and social views out of it! VO groups are NOT the place to start political debate, even though some of them, even some group admins, do it; One "gatekeeper" (not necessarily MY word to describe him however many others do) in particular does this constantly and seems not to care that in doing so, he eliminates a good percentage of his potential clients...

[@MikeActualLi]

Procrasti-learning really reached through the screen and called me out 😅

[@VoiceOverAngela]

@MikeActualLi it does hit hard, doesn't it? It did for me too.

[@cyndyrella]

I'm in the procastalearning phase...ugh

[@VoiceOverAngela]

Good! Once you recognize that, you can move past it!

[@duanechez_isumataq]

hot garbGE??

[@prvdzz]

Hi, Angela! Fan of your YT work👏 I'm a self-taught narrator and translator from Russia. Maybe I should ask about it in e-mail, but I wanted to know, if you'd like to allow me to make translation and voiceover for some of your videos like this one. I think, your content is very useful for beginners in VO, like I used to be. Please, contact me, if you have any interest in this. Respectfully and thanks anyway! Sorry for my English😅