One of the most important lessons I have learned in my journey to become a Voice Over Artist is that it does not happen quickly. I am in my second year since beginning my voice over journey and I have not scored a gig nor made a dime. I am not placing blame on anything but myself, and I will touch on that later, but I originally thought that once I put myself out there – people would hire me. I now know that is not the case.
As a teacher, husband, and father I have been hit hard with the realization that you don’t just start making major bucks from Voice Over. I work at school every day, I help my kids with homework, I help cook (sometimes), take the kids to extra-curricular activities. Somewhere in all of that, I have to find time to audition and self-market. This is usually limited to about 3-4 days in the week and, usually one and a half to two hours each day, in the evenings (which is not the most ideal time to audition and self-market). So I have recently come to the conclusion that, if this is something that I want and love to do(which it is). Then it will take time. It will be a slow climb to get myself in a spot where I can stop teaching go into Voice Over full time. Right now, I can’t afford it. However, I know that I will get there.
My advice to anyone thinking of starting into Voice Over is: If you have a family that is dependent on your current salary, the transition from your current job to Voice over will take a long time.
That is not to discourage anyone, I have full confidence that I will get there. But, it will not be a quick trip. Do your research, listen to what the big names say, and have fun. Don’t stress about “making it” in Voice Over. It will happen…eventually…I hope.