When most people hear Craig’s List they often think, “Oh, that’s the online destination to sell furniture your ex-roommate left behind”. What’s more, they also tend to think of it as being a place for creepy old pervs to solicit a sexual – or casual encounter – with hot girls, who often turn out to be other creepy old pervos or spambots. In fact, one might call Craig’s List the Mois Esley of the internet: a hive of scum and villainy. So it would seem like the last place on earth for any seasoned voiceover artist to seek out paying work, right? Well, maybe not.
In today’s automated world and with the rise of online casting sites, voiceover actors are flocking to the web in hopes of monetizing their craft. Increased accessibility, of course, means a rise in low-paying jobs. Or what I like to call “dolla-a-holla” spots. Craig’s List, more often than not, caters to a bottom feeding cadre of dilettantes and quasi-actors. Moreover, the type of people who haven’t a modicum of experience, training, or professional quality mics. Furthermore, if you asked them what the difference between mono and stereo was, their eyes would flash vacancy lambently.
As such, a major portion of voiceover jobs on Craig’s List tend to be embarrassingly below industry standards, and some even offer no pay at all. Rather, you’ll often encounter ads that include the notorious claim of future work, or copy and credit. You get the point. Avoid these like the plague, and if you care about the art form, flag the living hell out of them. If you have some free time and the ad is really despicable, feel free to post your own ad in response to that ad in which you (viciously) school the poster:
Here’s an actual and unaltered Craig’s List VO ad that was discovered by John Miles, of John Miles Voiceovers:
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Director in search of Voice Over Actress for Great looking Short film tomorrow in mid-town studio bet 3-5p. The Original actress is unavailable and we want to release this within the month. We are looking for a youthful ( mid 20’s ) and sexy voice. We have a great post house ready to let us do a few hours ( which should be more then enough). The movie is 90% done. Only missing V.O and color correction. This is for credit and $50. Please respond with headshot, voice sample and contact info
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: $50
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Okay, so this poster probably doesn’t know that voiceover is a difficult – and expensive – skill and not McDonalds. But before you go impugning the entire site and wringing your fists in fury like Spock, there are actually some decent paying and legitimate postings as well. You just have to be vigilant and patient, which can be a time-suck.
Yours truly has managed to book high paying voiceover jobs in a variety of genres used for web, radio and film. Now obviously these were non-union jobs, but they all offered pay commensurate with the current VO Rate Card and often led to repeat work. Oh, and they provided proverbial reel. So before you start groaning and grumbling at the idea of Craig’s List being a legit outlet for professional voiceover work, take a glance at this LA-based posting
Now unfortunately this gig wants someone local to LA who can come to their studio and record, but you’ll find a majority of work can be performed remotely for those with pro recording capabilities. That’s another thing: most VO Artists now have to be sound engineers as well as talent, therefore they have their own studio/editing capabilities. This means that said talent doesn’t just have to search for VO work in LA and NYC, but all over the country. That’s right, the hinterland has a lot of regional work to offer and at fair pay.
In the end, most seasoned talent does better seeking out work from reputable online casting sites such as The Voice Realm, but Craig’s List does have a little but more than just dolla-a-holla and sloppy seconds. Like everything else in today’s ever increasing pool of entertainment, you just have to look for it and use caution. And you know the drill: if the ad has $$$ or is in all caps, flag like there’s no tomorrow!
FAQs
If you know any voice talents, producers or casting directors, ask for their opinions on local agents and agencies. Recruit your voice talent friends to honestly listen to your demo. If they think it's strong, ask if they might “walk you into” their agency and have their agent listen to your demo.
Is it easy to get jobs on Voices com? ›
With access to over 42,000 companies posting more than 5,000 jobs each month, Voices helps you focus less on finding work, and more on getting paid to do it. As a free Voices member you can be privately invited to jobs, or upgrade to Voices Premium to be automatically matched to jobs.
How do I get local voice over work? ›
Use social network sites like LinkedIn and Facebook to connect you with potential clients. Create a professional demo reel showcasing your vocal talents to potential clients or agencies. Don't overlook local opportunities; contact local production houses, radio stations, and advertising agencies for voice acting jobs.
How do I market myself for voice over work? ›
Consider this your Couch to Mic guide. Here are ten steps that can help you market your voice-over skills:
- Give yourself permission to talk about your work. ...
- Make the time for marketing your voice-over skills. ...
- Define what success looks like and track your progress. ...
- Get clear on what your brand is. ...
- Connect with people.
Give them the important details only – they don't need your life story – let your voice reel do the work for you. Agents receive dozens (even hundreds) of requests for representation every week, so give them time to respond to your request. It can take weeks before they have the time to respond. Be patient.
How much does it cost to hire a voice over? ›
Non-Broadcast Jobs
| Finished Minutes | Word Count | Typical Budget |
|---|
| 50 – 59 seconds | 100 – 119 50 – 59 seconds | $50 – $400 |
| 1 – 2 minutes | 120 – 349 1 – 2 minutes | $100 – $499 |
| 3 – 4 minutes | 350 – 749 3 – 4 minutes | $250 – $749 |
| 5 – 14 minutes | 750 – 2,249 5 – 14 minutes | $400 – $999 |
8 more rowsA: Yes, voice actors are particularly in high demand in animation, video games, and audiobooks.
Does Voices.com actually pay? ›
At Voice.com, you'll find gigs in animation, audiobooks, movie trailers, telephone, voice assistant, and more. Payment control. To guarantee voice actors get properly paid for their job, the site takes care of the negotiations and pays the actors once the job is complete.
How to get started in voice over work? ›
Develop your craft through acting classes and voice coaching, define your voice, record a demo reel, audition consistently, practice every day, and network in the industry to get into voice over work. By taking acting classes and voice coaching, you can develop your craft and define your voice.
Are voice-over jobs hard to get? ›
“It wasn't difficult to get into voice acting,” he says. “[But] it's more difficult to be successful in it.” Meanwhile, Brewer's path was more gradual, although the jobs she booked still stemmed from her other acting work. “For me, it was a very slow entry.
While things are different in different parts of the world, here are some suggestions that should be generic enough to apply anywhere.
- Learn. Take a course in voice-over work. ...
- Find an agent. Sometimes, in some places, it's best to find an agent who will find you work. ...
- Try it on your own. ...
- Build a website.
Similar to Voices.com, Voice123 is another reputable and helpful platform for finding potential clients, showcasing your skills and experience, and securing well-paying voice acting gigs. Moreover, to make sure your name is out there, we recommend signing up for multiple platforms to widen your reach and opportunities.
Can anyone do voice over work? ›
No formal training is required for voiceover. Unlike stage or film acting, it's rare for aspiring voice actors to pursue a university degree exclusively to learn more about voiceover. Honing your technique, knowing your genres, and putting in the work are they keys to getting started in voice acting.
Is voice over work profitable? ›
Potential earnings from voiceover work vary depending on niche, experience, location, and individual skill set, but most VO actors earn between $20–$500 per finished hour (PFH). SAG-AFTRA members earn a minimum rate for VO projects that fall under union contracts.
How much should you charge for voice over work? ›
Your hourly rate for voiceover work is calculated based on the per-finished hour (PFH). For example, for zero to two finished minutes with a word count of under 400, you can usually charge $100–$500; and for 45–60 finished minutes with a word count of over 5,500, you can usually charge $1,300–$2,500.
How much does a voice acting agent cost? ›
The cost of an agent for voice acting is typically a commission on the jobs they book for you. In the voiceover industry, the standard commission is between 10-15% of the total fee for each job. For example, if you book a job for $1,000, your agent would receive a commission of $100-$150, leaving you with $850-$900.
Do I need an agent for voice over work? ›
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to sign with an agent is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer, and what works for one voice actor may not work for another. Consider your own needs and goals, and make the decision that's best for you.
How do I reach out to voice actors? ›
Another way to contact a voice actor is by using Voice123's search tool to get an instant quote based on the length of your script and request a booking from the voice actor.
How do I find an agent for my acting? ›
Talk to your actor friends, teachers and the rest of your network about potential options for an agent or agency, and use the Internet to find local SAG-AFTRA agents. You should understand which agents and agencies are right for the type of acting you do so that you're making connections with the right people.
