Nine Common Questions About Commercial Voiceover

Venturing into the world of commercial voice over is an exciting and potentially lucrative career path that beckons aspiring voice actors with the promise of creativity, variety, and the thrill of hearing one’s voice across various media platforms.

However, breaking into commercial voice acting is no small feat, requiring a blend of talent, training, and tenacity. From radio air talents expanding their repertoire to novices seeking to carve out their niche through coaching and relentless marketing, the journey into commercial voice overs is as diverse as the voices that animate the commercials we encounter daily.

This post offers some insights into a few common questions new or aspiring talent ask about how to get started, the potential earnings, the nature of the work, and practical steps to launch a successful career in commercial voice acting.

How do you get into voice over commercials?

If you ask a dozen voice actors, you might get a dozen different answers. Some people get into commercial voice over as part of their duties as radio air talent. Most will pursue coaching and then when they've built up their skill set, record a commercial demo and start marketing to commercial production companies, pitching themselves to agents, and using one of the various pay to play services.

Everyone benefits from coaching, so that is usually the best place to start.

How do I get better at commerical voice over?

To get better at commercial voice over, practice regularly to improve your vocal range and clarity, and take acting or voice coaching lessons to enhance your delivery and emotional expression.

It's important to remember that this is voice acting, yes even commercials are acting. So in order to be good at commercial voice over, as with any other genre of voice over, one must first be a good actor. Taking acting classes, especially improv classes, is a good plan. On-going coaching with a qualified voiceover coach who specializes in the commercial genre is also advised.

How much do commercial voice overs make?

Commercial voice over is priced based on the scope of it's use. As such how much is earned for a commercial varies widely; from a few hundred dollars for a short-run local radio ad to tens or hundreds of thousands for very large scale campaigns for major brands. But in general, a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per commercial that a voice actor's voice appears in.

While it can, and does if you're good, pay very well, voiceover is not a get-rich-quick business. It's very competitive and may not be a good choice for a side-business to bring in a little extra either, especially given the associated expenses of ongoing training, equipment costs, and various subscriptions. It's a wonderful job, if you can do it, but it's much more challenging than most think from the outside looking in.

What do you call the voice in commercials?

In a voice over script, this will often show up as ANNC or ANCR, or perhaps AVO (Announcer Voice Over). If there are male and female voices they'll often appear as MVO and FVO, or in the event that the voice actor is playing a role, it could appear as most anything, BOSS, MOM, DAD, etc.

While the actual terminology will vary based on their role in the project, most generically the voice in a commercial is referred to as the "Announcer."

How can you become a commercial voice actor?

As mentioned earlier, the path to voice acting is different for everyone. But generally speaking, you find a reputable coach who can train you on the ins and outs of commercial voice acting, work with them until you are proficient, then start pursuing bookings via direct marketing, pay to play websites, production company rosters, and agents.

What types of scripts are used in commercial voice overs?

There are primarily two types of commercial voiceover script; those for radio and those for television.

TV scripts tend to have considerably fewer words, as the picture in a television advertisement does the majority of the work. The voice is there to support the picture, not be the start of the show. As my coach, Nancy Wolfson, likes to say, it would be more appropriate to call commercial TV voiceover "voice under."

Radio scripts involve more words, and often multiple characters voiced by several voice actors. Since there's no image, the voice talent is leaned on more heavily to get the message across.

How do you practice for commercial voice over work?

Read aloud. Listen to commercials and emulate the pacing and inflection of the voices. Work with a reputable coach who can get you fully trained on breaking down a script, how to determine the key points that you need to emphasize, etc.

Another great option to practice is to find a workout group, these are group coaching sessions - sometimes led by a coach, someetimes peer-led. You get the added benefits in a group workout situation of hearing how someone else approaches interpretation of a script, and the feedback they receive, as well as feedback for your own reads.

How can you find TV commercial voice acting jobs?

There are a fair number of opportunities on various pay to play websites, but the majority of TV commercial opportunities, especially with larger brands on a national level, are still primarily found through agency representation.

How can you hire a professional voice actor for your commercial?

Generally when someone is casting for a commercial, they'll approach one or more agencies, or post a job on a pay to play website. They will audition several hundred, or thousands of talent and choose the one or two they need for their commercial.

That can be an arduous process, and other than dedicated full-time casting people, probably not a task for the weak hearted. The other option is that the production company producing the video may have a roster of talent to choose from, or as is becoming more common these days, you can go directly to the talent.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career in commercial voice overs is an adventure that combines artistry with the intricacies of marketing and personal branding. While the path to becoming a voice actor in commercials varies from one individual to another, success in this field requires more than just a pleasant voice. It demands dedication to craft, continuous learning, strategic marketing, and a deep understanding of the commercial landscape.

From honing your skills with a reputable coach to navigating the competitive world of auditions and agency representation, the journey is challenging but immensely rewarding for those who persevere. Whether you're aiming to voice the next big national campaign or make your mark with local brands, the world of commercial voice overs offers a dynamic platform for creative expression and professional growth.

Remember, the key to success lies in continuous improvement, strategic networking, and a relentless pursuit of opportunities that showcase your unique voice and talents.

If you're in the market for a versatile voice to to help market your brand's message, I'd love to connect. Reach out to start a conversation, or request a complimentary custom audition.