Looking into 2021 Voice Over Actor Opportunities

 

2020 brought many changes to the world, it also changed the way the voice-over industry adapted for the year.  The new year is a great time to assess what brought you the most job opportunities and where they came from. 

When planning for your voice over acting career, it is best to look at the opportunities that will be trending in the industry.  Here is a guide to planning for a successful year.

Conversational Reads Will Still Be Wanted

Conversational reads are popular every year, and 2021 will not be the exception.  There is still a need for voice over actors who can read with this style.

Conversational can be very hard for some voice over actors as it is not always a skill that gets much training.  However, if you can be successful in this style, you will find the opportunities that will come your way.

Remote Collaborations Are Here to Stay

Remote work is not going away, which means you need to have your home studio setup.  The quality of your recordings will improve your booking rate.  If you need a guide check out my post Home Studio Equipment a Voice Over Talent Must Have.

Brands Will Continue to Seek Voice Over Actors for Messaging

Brands last year saw the need to use voice over actors to get their message out.  The voice-over industry saw an increase in jobs as brands realized they needed to ensure their messages were high quality.  While many brands cut marketing budgets last year, this year they need to be more successful, and that means getting the word out they are open.  This means more voice over jobs for professionals.

Increase in Internet Jobs

As 2020 meant more time at home, it also meant that there was more online viewing of videos.  The increase in screen time of short-form internet videos was not only in the U.S. but all over the world.  Internet videos are a varied category and include company explainer videos, social media videos, blogs, and YouTube.

Looking ahead into 2021, there is no sign that the need for these videos will be slowing down, and the digital studios are ramping up for a busy year.  Brands have found the benefits of working with a voice-over actor for their explainer videos.

eLearning Jobs

The demand for eLearning will not lessen this year and the opportunities for voice over actors in the world of eLearning will also rise.

Not only will it be more classes, but specialized training, company training decks, and more will be created and updated.  The industry is predicting demand for voice over actors that can work in this area.

AI Technology

AI has provided several job opportunities for Voice Over Actors, with social distancing and the need for industries to create non-touch sanitary options, voice technology is going to increase.  From voice assistants to recorded voice options like Alexa to other smaller applications within businesses and library creations.  The voice assistant category is on the rise.

Reflect on Last Year and Plan

A great way to start the new year is to reflect on the work you did last year.  The best way to start is to look at the type of work you did. Whether it was commercials, audio books, eLearning, corporate videos,  explainer videos, etc. look to  see what areas gave you the most opportunities.

Where did you find your job opportunities?  Did the jobs come from an agency, director, online postings, your website, acting coaches, and social media?  Understanding where you are most successful will help you create a strategic plan for this one.

Reflect on your strengths and areas that need improvement within your acting.  Listen to your demos as well as look at the demos that you are sharing.  Do they showcase your skills?  The new year is a great time to update your portfolio, take some classes, and hone in on your skill sets.

Cheers to a successful 2021!