Voice Acting For Dummies

by David Ciccarelli

  If you were to go to a professional recording studio, you’d discover that it often charges separate fees for editing, mixing, and mastering. Editing in general takes twice as long (if not longer in some cases) as the time it takes to record the voice-over itself.

  Asking any questions you have about the script

  You need to cover all the questions you have about the script before you sign off on voicing it. These questions may include what direction to take your read, how to pronounce unfamiliar names, or when to request clarification on how the client wants you to send the finished work.

  You also may need to ask how certain words are read. For instance, if you have to read numbers out or read web addresses, you may want to double-check on how to do that. When considering how to say a domain name, is it “www dot” or “triple w dot?”

  Sometimes your questions may be more technical in nature when it pertains to the recording itself. For example, if the job is for a telephone system, you may need to break the files down into prompts, giving each part of the telephone system its own file, such as the auto-attendant, interactive voice response(IVR), any messaging-on-hold, and voicemail boxes.

  Finalizing the Agreement

  As with any business contract or arrangement, make sure you have a work agreement as well as a schedule for payment, including the estimated delivery date. On some online marketplace sites, such as Voices.com, you can include work agreements when you’re finalizing terms.

  Some professionals are hesitant to use contracts because they feel clients will feel offended or sense a lack of trust. In actuality, using a contract protects both the voice actor and client from misunderstandings or unmet expectations. The key is to present the contract as a customary and beneficial tool to the client instead of as a legal weapon for ensuring payment. It’s all how you present it. The agreement describes the work you provide to the client, when to expect delivery of the audio files, the level of service you provide, and how payment is arranged for your services.

  Viewing the job offer

  After a client selects you to record the voice-over, your next step is view the job offer. Larger projects are often broken up into smaller, more manageable pieces with their own deadlines. These are often referred to as milestones and include

  A deliverable (what’s to be sent to the client)

  A payment (the amount you’re paid for delivering the goods)

  A deadline (when the due date is for the deliverable)

  Accepting the work agreement

  A work agreement describes your services and outlines the price, turnaround time, delivery method (for instances where it may not be a file upload), number of edits, file format, and so on. After a client has accepted your work agreement, you can move ahead with recording the voice-over. Not all clients will expect a work agreement, but you, as the professional voice actor, should be prepared to present your clients with one.

  Signing a nondisclosure agreement

  If you’ve been in voice-over for any length of time and are doing well, you may have run across situations where your client has made you sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) or advised you not to share that you are the voice of the campaign, product, or company.

  Although you may have had to sign one, have you ever thought about why you were asked to and what the motivation behind that request was?

  In the voice-over industry, a lot of high-profile work goes without credit in a public sense. Perhaps allowing people to guess at who did the voice does more for a company than actually confirming who voiced the project because it kept the brand and commercial alive in discussions on the topic.

  In some instances NDAs are used to keep something under the radar, including the script’s contents, in order to protect someone or a particular group. For example, the expert panel discussion at a voice conference where a friend had recorded voice-overs for a branch of law enforcement specific to prison guard training. By not revealing the contents of that script or potentially the artist’s name, an entire profession is protected because that information isn’t disclosed.

  Sometimes NDAs are used from a competitive standpoint, hiding the identity of the voice actor, producing an incognito voice-over as a result. One example is how the Republican Party, during John McCain’s run for the presidency in 2008, chose to conceal the identity of the campaign voice “Joan,” stating that her identity was a corporate secret.

  You may find that you’re not bound to an NDA legally, but many times, there is still an air of, “We’d rather you didn’t promote the fact that you recorded this,” which makes you hesitant to claim the work as your own or mention it in detail on your resume. While there are no technical or legal restrictions, you may feel bound by your desire to keep working for the client and agree to not list them among your recent customers. By not openly revealing who did the voices for something, a company may be trying to maintain an air of mystique, or perhaps, magic.

  If you find none of these examples to be the case but you still weren’t credited for the work (assuming it would’ve been reasonable to do so), there is reason to follow up and see if it was an oversight. Recently, we reviewed an audiobook that on first glance had hidden tracks. To our delight, we excitedly wrote about the extra material that we considered to be a bonus and contacted the voice actor to congratulate her on her work, only to find out that she, although featured narrating four tracks on the CD, had no idea that her work had gone without credit on the CD packaging and on the publisher’s website. This product had also been nominated for a Grammy! After this realization, she decided to follow up with the producers to inquire to see if it was indeed an oversight. Considering her talent and involvement in the project, we sincerely hope that it was an oversight.

  Planning for Contingencies

  Inevitably, you won’t be able to do every job that comes your way. But what do you do when you’re sick, on vacation, or too busy to take on a voice-over job with a tight deadline? Instead of just passing on the gig, how about applying some thought to creative solutions that will still help you to serve that client and be perceived as helpful.

  This section covers specific instances of when you need a contingency plan for getting the job done. But in general, follow these tips:

  Make a list of backup actors you can refer just in case the need arises.

  Create a client account at Voices.com in case you need to outsource the voice-over job.

  Instead of simply turning your client away with nothing, make a recommendation or cast someone in your stead.

  This process helps clients achieve their goals and meet their present needs. They’ll appreciate it and find value in your creative problem-solving skills.

  What to do if you’re sick

  Being sick isn’t fun, especially if it means that you have to pass on work opportunities. If illness affects the desired timber of your voice or quality of performance, it really is in the best interest of your vocal health (and your business) to use your time wisely to rest, heal, and build up energy reserves.

  Some voice-over actors may say that their voices are still in demand when they’re sick; however, if you do record and speak when your voice should be resting, you may find that you set yourself back in the healing process, thereby prolonging or worsening your illness.

  Some actors give discounts if they are in poor voice but still want to do the job. The thinking behind this is that you aren’t at your best and you also won’t be able to replicate that sound as easily again. The choice is up to you, but keep your voice and health in mind when making that choice!

  What to do if you’re on vacation

  Everyone needs to take a break, right? If you have plans to go away for a vacation, there are a couple of things you should do well in advance of your trip that will make your getaway more relaxing and less inconvenient for your regular clients.


  One idea is to write an email newsletter that you send to your client list. Many voice actors do this a couple of weeks in advance of the date they’re leaving. By letting your customers know you’ll be unavailable well in advance, you can give them a much needed heads-up and also the opportunity to record before you leave. This results in grateful customers and can also lead to an influx in work for you prior to your vacation.

  For those of you who have regular gigs and need to deliver regardless of where you are (even if you’re vacationing), consider these recommendations:

  Make contact with a fully equipped recording studio in the city you’re visiting.

  Bring a portable recording studio with you (laptop, microphone, and so on).

  If recording in your hotel room, insulate the “studio” area well using pillows or heavy blankets, such as a comforter or duvet, to block out extra noise. You can drape blankets over yourself and your recording area to further insulate the area.

  Ensure that your Internet connection is sufficient to deliver large files.

  In the event that you take your gear on the road, which is becoming more common among voice acting professionals, you can squeeze in emergency recording sessions from just about anywhere, given you have the right tools with you and can record in a suitable environment. Hotel rooms are great places to record, what with all those pillows and comforters you can use to soundproof with.

  Some voice actors manage to record remotely while on vacation and use their vehicles as mobile recording studios. You may not have thought about it before, but the inside of a car can block out a lot of noise, and its upholstery can help create a good buffer zone between you and your microphone and critters in the great outdoors.

  What to do if you’re too busy

  On some days you may be booked with back-to-back sessions. If you also teach, produce, or consult, in addition to voice acting, this could be even truer. In a given day, you’re auditioning, promoting your voice, recording work, and juggling any number of other responsibilities. So it’s likely that a day may come where you’re simply too busy to take on a project.

  Instead of simply saying no and leaving the client stranded and without a voice, refer another voice actor who you believe could do the job instead. In order to do so, you need to have built a network of your peers (other voice actors you trust) who can step in and do the job just as well as you could. We recommend that you find one or two people who you know have a voice and capabilities similar to your own. The client may want to work with you because of your voice age, voice type, or accent. Of course, you’ll also want to have a few people’s names on hand who have voices decidedly not like your own in voice type, gender, accent, voice age, and so on, in case your client asks you to manage or produce a project with multiple voices. Something else that may be helpful in this instance is to have a voice sample of theirs on hand and to know how much those voice actors charge for their services. This way, you have their rates right on hand and will know who might be the best fit for a client in a pinch.

  Taking a job that you can’t reasonably fulfill by the client’s deadline sends the wrong message, wastes the client’s time, and also gives the client a poor impression of your talent. In that regard, be selective and only take on work that you’re confident you’ll be able to complete on time. Should the opportunity arise to refer a fellow voice actor, pay it forward and present the opportunity to someone who you know can do the job.

  Working On Multiple Jobs at Once

  If you find yourself in a situation where you’re juggling multiple jobs at the same time, make sure to use good judgment and only schedule in work that you know you’re capable of doing in a professional and timely manner. Other tips include

  Finding a good way to budget your time

  Keeping an online booking calendar for your clients to view your schedule

  Discerning which projects can be recorded and which ones can’t

  Having a list of actors you can refer the extra work to

  Always allowing yourself a buffer by adding at least two hours on top of how long you believe it should normally take

  These sections discuss important points to remember when working on multiple jobs at the same time.

  Managing your workload

  While recording for clients should take priority, don’t forget that you still need to be auditioning for some part of the day and getting your name and voice out there. You may want to allocate certain parts of your day for specific purposes, such as auditioning, client work (this could mean recording a voice-over or editing) and working on your own business.

  Something else you could try to help you manage your workload better is to group like activities. If you have a few telephone voice-over jobs to record, why not do them all at once? You’ll be in the groove and the work may get done faster.

  Similarly, if you have a number of character-related jobs to do, consider setting aside time to record character voices and take advantage of the creative mental space you’re already in. Your voice will likely be warmed up, which can help you more easily use the full range of your instrument in fun and challenging ways.

  Prioritizing projects

  Tackling projects isn’t difficult when you can factor in which ones need to be completed quickly in comparison to others that may be less urgent. Prioritize your jobs by which ones are smaller and easy to do, and get them out of the way first. If you’re trying to complete a larger project, devote significant chunks of time to that project to ensure it’s completed on time.

  If you really are in a pickle and there’s simply too much work to do all at once, consider getting some help. Maybe it’s help with the marketing of your business. For most voice actors, it could be enlisting the services of an audio engineer who can help out with editing to save you time.

  Outsourcing editing

  Are you finding that audio editing is becoming a hindrance to marketing yourself and recording work for your clients? Many voice actors are outsourcing audio editing to capable audio engineers who can get the job done for a reasonable price and in a timely fashion. When outsourcing audio editing, you can save time, money, and your health.

  While outsourcing in general terms isn’t new, a number of actors are realizing how much time they can reclaim in terms of spending it with family, pursuing other opportunities, or getting a good night’s sleep. Some voice actors have found ways to incorporate this time-saving strategy to make life a little easier on themselves. Working with an audio editor halfway around the world maximizes productivity, because their waking hours are spent editing a project while the voice actor carries on with other tasks or sleeps.

  Time is money. If you find that your time could be better spent doing something else (like recording for more clients), you may find that outsourcing, although it means paying someone else to do the audio editing for you, may in fact save you money in the long run and even afford you the opportunity to earn more money because you can take on more projects.

  Regardless of how your audio editing gets done, just be sure that it gets done in a manner that doesn’t drag you down. Some voice actors choose to do their own editing because they enjoy it; however, being the artistic people that voice actors are, artistic license also plays a role in the desire to maintain control over the final cut. So long as you’re not stressed over deadlines, audio editing is something that can be enjoyed and not outsourced.

  Chapter 15

  Getting Paid for Your Work

  In This Chapter

  Earning money from voice acting

  Quoting for your work

  Getting paid

  Managing invoices

  Voice actors, in the eyes of many, are living the dream. Who doesn’t want to get paid for something most people think is as easy as speaking into a microphone? Talking couldn’t be t
hat difficult after all, right? Although voice actors do speak into a microphone and get paid for their efforts, voice acting is much more. If you want to achieve any measure of quantifiable, financial success, you need to know the ins and outs of assessing a project, quoting for work, and getting paid for recording a voice-over.

  This chapter covers making money with your voice, including how to quote for a variety of projects in a number of different ways, how to run your business like a business, and how to manage invoices.

  Making Money Doing Voice Acting

  You may not be completely sure if voice acting can turn into a viable way to make money. We’re here to tell you that you can make money. You just need to have an understanding of how you can create revenue streams and grow your voice acting business.

  Getting paid for your work requires that you understand how voice actors are paid. Fees in the voice acting world are largely determined by the usage and the size of the audience hearing the recording. A longer voice-over recording doesn’t necessarily earn more than a shorter one. What matters is how the recording is being used and how many people will hear it.

  For example, a commercial airing in New York City commands significantly more money than a commercial airing in Poughkeepsie, even though they may both be the same duration in length. Likewise, a voice-over recorded for a larger brand may garner substantially higher fees than one for smaller companies. In the world of business and advertising, voice-overs can range from hundreds of dollars per job to five figures in the realm of movie trailers and the like.

  Many voice actors face challenges in knowing what rates to set, where to draw the line for fees, and how to charge for what. Because no certain rates are imposed on people in many areas of the world, you have the freedom to set your own rates; however, you have to be careful to quote fees that are competitive and still make a career in voice acting viable for you and those who depend on you.