Voice acting is a dynamic and rewarding profession that draws many people due to its creative potential and flexibility.
It’s also diverse in terms of the kind of work you can do, including narrating audiobooks, voicing characters in animation, voicing commercials, e-learning, on-hold, dubbing or so much more.
However, let’s talk about the misconceptions that I hear over and over from aspiring voice actors who are looking to dip their toe in the water.
Some of the myths below can affect your approach to how you get into the business, or frankly, even whether it’s the business for you at all.
Myth Number 1: I’ve Been Told I’ve Got a Great Voice, So I Should Be A Voice Actor.
This the most basic of the comments I hear. Sometimes from the individual, sometimes from a relative or friend. Having a great voice isn’t the be all and end all of voiceover.
Of course, it can help. Being tall doesn’t make you a great basketball player. It just gives you a slight advantage over others if you train and have a natural ability in what might come next.
Controversially, I going to suggest that having a great voice might actually be a disadvantage. Much of the industry today is seeking out an “everyman”, the person next door. One of the most frequent notes I see on casting is “no announcers whatsoever – real sounding person wanted”.
Interestingly, a distinctive voice is potentially more helpful. You’re looking to stand out, be something different and to capture attention.
The Truth:
If you’ve got a great voice, don’t believe that you made it and it’s a walk in the park. On the other hand, if you don’t have a stereotypical great voice, understand that hard work and technique will make a difference.
Voice acting is not about having a perfect voice—it’s about versatility and authenticity. The voiceover industry thrives on unique, genuine voices. Whether you have a high-pitched voice, a quirky accent, or a distinctive tone, there’s a niche for you.
What matters most is your ability to take direction, convey emotion, create different characters, and connect with your audience. Voiceover artists are often cast for their character or the personality they bring to a role, not necessarily the “ideal” vocal quality.
Myth Number 2: Voice Acting Is Just Reading Scripts Aloud and/or Talking.
This is one that will get under the skin of another voice-actor very quickly. If you’re hoping for advice, don’t say this. If you believe it, then re-consider.
There are some voice actors who have such a level of skill that they appear to just be talking or lifting the words off the page. To actually do it is a whole other ball game.
The best talent in any field shine by making it look so easy that anyone can do it. Voice acting is no different.
The Truth:
Voice acting is an art form. It’s not just about reading words—it’s about acting with your voice.
Successful voice actors have the ability to transform the written word into a performance, adding depth, emotion, and personality to a character or message.
Whether you’re voicing an animated character, narrating an audiobook, or recording a commercial, voice acting requires an understanding of your intention, knowing who you’re speaking too, expression, timing, and the ability to engage your audience through vocal nuance.
In other words, voice acting is like any other type of acting—it’s about conveying a performance through your voice. The best voice actors understand how to create memorable characters, evoke emotions, and deliver lines with a sense of authenticity.
Myth Number 3: Voiceover Work Is a Quick Way to Make Big Money
Many people are drawn to voice acting because they’ve heard stories of voice actors earning huge paychecks for a single commercial or animation gig. While there are certainly high-paying opportunities in the voiceover industry, the myth that voice acting is a “get-rich-quick” career can set unrealistic expectations for newcomers.
The Truth:
Voiceover work is an incredibly competitive field, and while there are lucrative opportunities, most voice actors spend years building their careers and networks. There are people in business who earn millions per year. There are sportsmen who win a tournament with a 7-figure prize package. They didn’t walk in off the street and do that. It’s the culmination of years of training, work and building a career.
In the early stages, many voice-over artists struggle to secure steady work, and when booking paid work, you’re expected to be at a professional standard. There isn’t really the ability to build your way up as you might in other fields.
Also in the early days, you’ll be working very much in a gig-to-gig manner. You might need to constantly audition and build your business network at the same time. It’s important to approach the field with a long-term mindset and understand that success often requires persistence and a great deal of hard work over time.
I’ve heard it said that you should expect to take up to 3 years to build a full-time career from the point where you start. That sounds about right to me. If you’re stepping into this field because you’re chasing a quick and easy way to earn money because whatever else you’re doing is suffering a down-turn, then I’d look elsewhere.
Myth Number 4: Training isn’t important to Voice-over – I just need a studio or a demo.
This is almost two or three myths in one, but they tend to go hand in hand. If you haven’t had voice acting specific training, then building a studio or getting a demo is not what you need to do next.
A great microphone isn’t much use without great technique. If you’ve paid for one of those “Demo at the end of the session” packages, then the chances are you’ve been nursed through the session and may have some great audio. The bad news is that when you land a real job, perhaps a live session with a studio, no one is nursing you. Your inexperience will shine and probably get you a bad rep for future gigs.
The Truth:
Voice acting, like any form of acting, requires training and practice to hone your craft. Even professional voice actors continually improve their skills through acting lessons, vocal exercises, and studio time.
You train to build your skills and be able to do it without thinking. Then when faced with the stress of live sessions, sometimes with awkward customers, you’ll be cool and instinctive about doing the work. No shiny microphone will compensate for that.
The other thing I’d say is that however you come to voice-over you’ll have blind-spots. I’ve worked with actors who are amazing but can barely operate a computer. When it comes to the technical skills of recording a remote session or editing audio to a professional standard, they need help. I’ve worked with radio people, who can edit anything to top standard, but don’t have the experience of acting and emotional connection. Fill in your gaps.
Myth Number 5: You Need to Move to a Big City to Make It
For many years, the idea of becoming a successful voice actor was often tied to living in a major entertainment hub like Los Angeles, New York, or London.
The Truth:
It is true, especially in certain sectors. But not in others. Also, post-Covid there has been a further opening up of accepting remote actors for particular kinds of work.
Assuming you have a good quality home studio and skills, you can work with clients around the world. If you’re niching into a particular sector, then do your research into that sector, but it’s no longer a given that you need to be LA-based to do the work.
Final Thoughts
The myths surrounding voice acting can be frustrating, but they don’t have to hold you back. If you’re passionate about voiceover work, focus on building your skills, setting realistic expectations, and finding opportunities to hone your craft.
- You don’t need a “perfect” voice; you need a voice that is authentic and adaptable.
- Voice acting is much more than reading scripts; it’s about bringing characters to life and conveying emotions.
- Voiceover work is not a quick path to wealth; it takes time, persistence, and steady effort to succeed.
- Voice acting is a skill that requires ongoing training, practice, and dedication.
- You don’t need to live in a big city to succeed; you can build a career remotely.
By recognising and challenging these myths, you’ll be better prepared to start your journey in voice acting with the right mindset, tools, and strategies.
Make sure you seek out the community, which is so much easier now than it has ever been in social media groups. Listen and take notes. Get the real facts from the horse’s mouth.
About The Author
Tony Collins-Fogarty
British Voice-Over Artist and Actor
Tony Collins-Fogarty is a British Voice-Over Artist, with a background in broadcast, alongside training as an actor. His radio career began in 1988. He began providing voice-overs regularly in 2005, becoming full-time in 2012. He has worked with brands like Tripadvisor, Squarespace, Fox, Danone, Xero and others.
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