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How to Earn Extra Working from Home as a Voice Over Artist

How to Earn Extra as a Voice Over Artist

Perhaps someone has told you that you have the perfect voice to become a voice-over artist. If you have an enthusiastic, unique, or silky smooth tone, they may not be wrong. As a voice actor, it is your job to bring a script or character to life. Working as a voice-over actor can be extremely rewarding and flexible. With a little time and luck, you could earn extra working from home as a voice-over artist.

Necessary Skills for a Voice Over Artist

Even with the right voice, it takes more to become a professional voice over artist. It is your job to bring the words to life. You must be able to make the characters relatable and real. It is also important that you can create distinct voices and personalities for each role. You need to be able to act and interpret the script through the characters. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need acting experience, but it will definitely help you land your first job.

The second aspect of working from home as a voice-over artist involves technological know-how and communication. Most scripts and recordings are exchanged digitally. This means emails will be a top priority. You don’t want to lose out on opportunities due to missed correspondence. Additionally, you are going to need a workspace and quality recording equipment. The last thing you want is faulty equipment preventing you from getting a potential job. While it may require a small initial investment, it could pay off in the long run if you find the right gig.

Types of Voice Over Work

Voice artists are used for a wide range of recordings. Here are the most common types of paid work in the industry.

1. Commercials and Radio

Advertising is one of the largest employers for voice actors. Since most voice-over spots are under a minute, they don’t take long to record and produce. If you pursue this kind of job, it is essential that you understand the heart of the script. You have a very limited time, so you must interpret the copy and create a believable character. As an added bonus, commercials are also a great way to develop your character range.

2. E-Learning

Educational recordings are another great way to get into voice acting. This type of work requires less characterization, but a greater investment of your time.  You won’t need to vary your voice according to characters, but you will still need to deliver the material in an engaging way. Therefore, if you are a natural-born teacher, this could be a great option for you.

3. Audiobooks

If you are an excellent storyteller or enjoy reading to your kids, then you might consider recording audiobooks. These are usually long-term projects which generate more income as well. The voice-over style is largely dependent on the subject matter. No matter what genre you are lending your voice to, a gifted storyteller can keep their audience captivated.

4. Phone Prompts

This last option is one that is widely used in the corporate world. Large and small businesses frequently hire voice artists to create automated voice prompts. These are usually for answering services to help direct call flow and deliver announcements. If you have a friendly and conversational tone, then this could be your ticket to earning cash from home as a voice-over artist.

Where to Get Hired as a Voice Over Artist

Breaking into voice-over work can seem like a daunting task. This is especially true if you don’t know where to look. The fastest way to find your first paying job is by auditioning online. There are tons of online casting sites that recruit new talent. Spend some time developing your voice and creating a demo recording. If you are still uncertain, find a blog or video tutorial to help you prepare for your first audition.

It may take a while to find your first paying job. You will likely encounter a lot of competition and rejection in the beginning. However, don’t get discouraged if you truly want to pursue a career working as a voice-over actor. There are tons of opportunities out there just waiting for you.

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Tips for Dealing with a Bad Work Environment

tips for dealing with a bad work environment

If you’re unhappy in your job, it may be time to take action. In today’s article, I share tips for dealing with a bad work environment that will hopefully alleviate some of the negative feelings you’ve been facing.  

It’s the last leg of Memorial Day Weekend, and for many of us, that means we’ve enjoyed a three-day weekend in honor of the men and women who died serving our country. Whether spending more time with family, going away for the weekend, or simply just resetting your brain for the week ahead, it is undeniably nice to have that extra day off. But, that extra day doesn’t really matter if you work in an unhealthy atmosphere and always dread going back to work every week. That kind of negativity can not only affect your productivity but your overall mindset as well, which could essentially be holding you back in your career.

In fact, professional solutions agency Willis Towers Watson states “employees suffering from high-stress levels have lower engagement, are less productive and have higher absentee levels than those not operating under excessive pressure,” as shown in their 2014 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey. Leaving your job for another is easier said than done, but it does not mean that improvements can’t be made. Below you’ll find some tips for dealing with a bad work environment.

Tips for Dealing with a Bad Work Environment

#1: Have a Daily Refocus Meeting

If you manage a team or the office as a whole, try to incorporate a daily refocus meeting with the group. By doing so, you can make sure everyone is on the same page with the big picture. Discuss goals and the focus of the day to help keep everyone on track. The objective is to maintain a focus at work, keep everyone positive, and deter people from office pettiness. If you don’t hold a management position, see if your supervisor would be willing to do this and explain your reasons why you feel it is necessary.

#2: Implement a Plan of Action

In the daily refocus meeting, express or suggest a series of steps that staff or coworkers will take to achieve the daily tasks. Again, if you are not in control of this, see if this is something you may be able to work out with your boss.

#3: Assist with Time Management

Some people do not do well with time management, and sometimes this occurs due to a lack of direction or not enough to do. With more time on their hands, it leaves room for work pettiness to happen. When you notice this, follow up with your staff on current projects and make sure they have a clear to-do list. You don’t need to micromanage, but you do need to keep tabs on projects. The challenge is to not overload them while also ensuring they do have enough to do to keep them focused throughout the day.

As the co-worker and not a manager, you can simply be an advocate for the daily office goals by not feeding into the negativity of others. It may get lonely, but you’ll keep yourself focused on what you are paid to do instead of paying attention to unimportant details and office drama.

#4: Take the High Road

Being the bigger person does not mean you are better than anyone else; it simply means that you are looking onward and upward. Remember, too, that we all have our own personal challenges we are facing, so try not to take comments or issues personally. Instead, see how the individual is doing and how you can help them, even if just taking them for lunch to let them vent about their life. Knowing someone cares may be all they need to help them find better outlets or ways of dealing with their problems.

As a former office manager, I have had to hold the position of mediator on more than one occasion in order to improve office morale. If you do not have control of this at your job, you can still avoid overstepping by having a one-on-one meeting with your boss and letting them know how the work environment is affecting your own productivity. You do not need to mention any names in the office, but it may prompt your manager to take action.

However, if you do not have a supportive boss, these are issues that may never be resolved, and it, unfortunately, may be time to look into other working for another company. Hopefully, though, the above advice can help you in your current situation, at least in some aspects.

What tips for dealing with a bad work environment would you add to the list? 

A Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business

home-based businessFulfill your 2017 resolution by starting a home-based business.

If you’ve been dreaming of running your own business like many others, you’ll need some helpful knowledge to be as successful as possible. Perhaps you know what type of business or what industry you want to be in, but you are unsure where to start. The information discussed in this article will be useful to making your business efficient and profitable.

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