Online, Voice-Over Work Pays: Turn Your Words Into Cash

Have you ever thought you could be the announcer on a movie trailer ("In a world where one man stands alone..."), or can you adopt a Scottish accent on demand? Can you convincingly portray a personality much different from yourself? If so, no matter where you live, or whatever the demands of your current employment, you can make great additional income doing voice-over work for car dealers in Bangor, Maine, or plastic surgeons in San Diego, California. Thanks to the Internet, new voice talents across the country are finding second-career opportunities.

Become a Voice-Over Talent

Web sites devoted to discovering voice talent are allowing ad agencies to find distinctive voices from around the nation. Now, you can be located in a small town in Arkansas and compete for jobs located in New York, Florida, or Alaska. The majority of these new voice agencies allow you to sign up for free, download examples of your narration skills, and submit your work for posted jobs. Like all agents, these sites take a percentage of your payment as compensation.

What you'll need

Most computers have the ability to create wav. files to submit your audio work. You should plan to purchase or borrow a good microphone to capture a high quality dub of your voice. You'll do most of your work from your home, recording your script on your computer and then sending the recording to your agency contact. Most commercial spots are only 30 seconds in length so your time invested in a project is minimal. Be sure you feel comfortable and knowledgeable in all the steps required to make a professional audio recording. You may want to have an audio-oriented friend available for consultation during your first few jobs.

What you'll make

Payment for talent ranges up and down the scale depending on the market size for the finished radio spot. A used car dealer in Duluth, MN will pay less than a national spot for NIKE. Don't worry about the national spots, get comfortable in making local spots that pay in the $50 to $150 pay range. The payments for local spots are small, but with practice, you could complete several in a single evening.

Some sites that specialize in this service are: www.voices.com, www.airtalentonline.com, and www.voice123.com. I like voices.com because they offer tutorials for beginning voice talent. Each web site is different so be sure you've read all of the rules and regulations for each company.

Try it; you could discover you have a voice worth more than gold.