So you’ve decided to become a voice actor. You bought a mic, cleared out your closet, and now you’re waiting for your Oscar. Cute.
But let’s pause for a second — because while talent is wonderful, this business also runs on guidance, grit, and good old-fashioned community. You need people who know things. People who can steer you toward your next opportunity and away from the sketchy Facebook ad that promises you’ll make “$10,000 a week just by talking.” (Run. Don’t walk.)
If you’re going to spend money on anything, make it training and a great demo. J. Michael Collins is one of the best in the game when it comes to demos. Are they cheap? Nope. Are they worth it? Absolutely.
Think of it like buying your dream car — you could take the bus, but don’t be mad when your career doesn’t turn heads.
If you want to shortcut your learning curve and your loneliness, go to a voiceover conference. Two great ones:
VO Atlanta — It’s the Super Bowl of voiceover. Classes, panels, parties, and more energy than a double espresso.
Mid-Atlantic Voiceover Conference (MAVO) — Smaller, warmer, and hands-down where I got some of my best support. I’ve even spoken there a few times. MAVO feels like that family reunion where everyone’s actually rooting for you.
When in doubt, go NAVA. That’s the National Association of Voice Actors — the group you can actually trust. They offer classes, health insurance, guidance, and a strong moral compass. Their mission is to protect and educate voice actors at every level.
Let’s be real.
This industry is full of “experts” who will tell you that you can make six figures overnight. Spoiler alert: you can’t. You also don’t want to become what I call a Fiverr Diver — chasing $5 jobs that pay in lunch money. We are not here for lunch. We are here for legacy. You want a new house, a thriving career, and all the trimmings — not a gas station sandwich.
If you want to wade a little deeper into the VO pool with me, subscribe to my Substack. That’s where I spill the tea on coaches, conferences, newsletters, and even some affordable demo producers (nope,
not me — I’ve just got the plug).
Getting started in voiceover is like learning to swim — you don’t need to dive into the deep end without a floatie. Find your people, invest in your growth, and never settle for cheap when you’re building a million-dollar voice. The words coming out of my mouth — and now yours — are worth something. So make them count.