5 Ways to Become a Better Voice Over Actor

Like so many other professions, voice over acting is a constantly evolving line of work where being competitive is one of the keys to success.  Actors must always be on their A-game, and they have to consistently deliver top-notch products if they want to make it in the industry. Here’s how you can elevate yourself from “good” to “great” and become a better voice over actor.

1.    Keep your ego in check, but give yourself props when they’re due. This is all about balance in how you view yourself.  You could be the greatest VO actor who ever lived, but you shouldn’t think that about yourself. Those kind of thoughts lead to massive egos, which will only hurt you in the long run. However, you do need to acknowledge the skill you have and the success you’ve found, and applaud yourself for that. 

2.    Recognize that there’s always room for improvement.  This goes hand-in-hand with #1. You can always do a better job, and you should always be growing as an actor. Take acting or voice classes, attend workshops, and practice and learn any way you can. Discover your strengths and weaknesses, and use this information to your advantage.

3.    Take care of your body. If your physical health isn’t important to you already, you’re doing yourself - and your career - a huge disservice. When your body isn’t healthy, your voice can suffer as well, so take action to become healthier.  Drink lots of water, exercise, eat the right foods, don’t smoke, meditate - not only will you feel better, you’ll sound better, too. And don't neglect the health of your teeth. We all know that teeth that are damaged can effect your speech, however, poor dental hygiene can effect your whole body when decay is occurring. Personally, a clean mouth makes for a clean performance. That may just be in my head but I tend to brush my teeth often throughout the day as I'm working in the studio.

4.    Set goals for yourself. Most people perform better when they’re working toward a goal, so set a few for yourself. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do an audiobook, or perhaps you want to develop your own fictional character. Whatever it is, take some time each week to work on a specific goal. Not only will it help you expand your career, it will help you be a better voice actor as well.

Be adaptable. Times change, and so must you. If you don’t move forward with changes in the industry, it’s going to leave you behind. You have to be willing to adapt to new situations. The same goes for working with clients; flexibility is imperative. If you’re not willing to make changes when necessary or to compromise with others, you’ll develop a reputation as a difficult actor, and it’ll damage your career.