What are the emerging trends in voice-over work, and how are they changing the industry?

Voice-over artists are finding opportunities in niche markets and specializations, such as medical narration, character voices in video games, and commercial advertising. These specialized areas require specific skills and styles, creating new avenues for voice actors to explore.

The demand for audio content across various platforms, such as podcasts, audiobooks, and voice-activated devices, is on the rise. This trend has led to an increased need for high-quality voice talent to create captivating and professional audio content.

A lot of my customers specifically ask me not to try the old cinema trailer voice and be more natural. Not saying that I can even attempt the famous trailer voice, but imho that's a good thing.

A clear natural voice with good pacing will always stand out. We don't need 1000s of Don LaFontaines.

The voice-over industry is changing fast, and I’m seeing some trends that are shaping the way we work:

1. AI and Synthetic Voices: While AI voices are becoming common for simple tasks like chatbots, the real value of a human voice—its ability to connect emotionally—has never been more important. This motivates me to focus even more on bringing authenticity and personality to my recordings.
2. Global Reach and Multilingual Projects: As companies target international audiences, the demand for multilingual and culturally authentic voice-overs is growing.
3. Remote Work from Home Studios: Having my own studio means I can work with clients from all over the world, delivering professional-quality recordings quickly and efficiently. But it’s not just about the voice—technical skills are now a big part of what we bring to the table.
4. Authenticity Over Perfection: More than ever, clients want natural, relatable voices. Whether it’s a podcast, a documentary, or an ad, it’s all about telling a story that feels genuine. That’s a shift I really embrace—it’s where I feel my voice can make a real impact.

These trends make it clear: being a voice-over artist today is about more than just having a great voice. It’s about staying flexible, embracing new technology, and always finding ways to connect with listeners on a deeper level 

A trend I've personally observed is the rise of "content farms" on YouTube. Things like video essays, children's entertainment, A.I. generated content, and other meta discussions that can be churned out quickly for the sake of monetization.

While A.I. COULD be used to voice this content for these channels, I have worked with multiple clients who specifically chose a human, which thankfully has given me consistent work.

A.I. has definitely closed a lot of doors, but it has also created new opportunities. In terms of what that ratio looks like however, only time will tell.

I've seen a lot of answers talking about AI so I'll go a different route...

I've noticed many of my clients this past year, and even a bit into the year prior, wanting faster voice over. That may seem small but hear me out. I believe needing to get more information across quicker and quicker, whether in a corporate setting, employee training video, real estate ad, tv commercial, or even a game character has a lot to say about the future of media and the upcoming consumer.

Attention spans are dropping and your attention as a consumer is your most valuable resource to whoever is trying to show something to you. I've had to work with clients to fit 45 second reads down into a 30 second spot or even a 15 second spot in the past year, all while being able to maintain clarity and remaining engaging enough to catch someone's focus. 

Do I think this will happen to everything eventually? Not in an incredibly drastic and immediately noticeable way, but yes, I do believe it will. One of the best skills I forced myself to acquire this past year has been how to read fast with a "natural tone" or how to condense a read into less words or how to constantly keep the tone of my voice fluctuating so as to keep the attention of a viewer during an incredibly boring, but important, read.

It's a small trend I've noticed, but a unique one at least and something that I think can really put you ahead as a voice actor in the future if you put the skills in your toolbox today!

Voice-over work is evolving so fast these days, and it’s exciting to see where the industry is headed. One big trend is the rise of AI voices. Companies are using synthetic voices for things like audiobooks, apps, and even commercials. Now, don’t worry—it’s not the end of voice acting. Real human voices still bring a depth and emotion that AI just can’t match, but it’s pushing us to focus more on unique styles and specialties that AI can’t replicate.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the demand for more diverse and authentic voices. Clients aren’t just looking for that classic radio voice anymore. They want natural accents, regional dialects, and voices that resonate with different cultures and audiences. It’s all about storytelling and connection now.

And then there’s the explosion of online platforms. Sites like Voices.com and others have made it easier than ever to land gigs from all over the world. Plus, with more people creating content—YouTubers, podcasters, indie filmmakers—the need for voice-over talent is growing like crazy. It’s not just TV and radio anymore; it’s everything from TikTok ads to video game characters.

My advice? Stay flexible and keep learning. Trends like remote recording—thanks to the pandemic—aren’t going anywhere, so having a solid home studio setup is a must. And keep an eye on niches like e-learning and explainer videos; they’re booming right now. The voice-over world is changing, but if you stay adaptable, there’s so much opportunity to grow.

Without question, AI voiceovers. What was once the topic of a sci-fi future has quickly became our reality. More and more companies are resorting to AI voice services for their commercial reads, but in doing so, I've discovered more and more clients coming to me asking me to redo commercials or dub over temporary AI voices.

In theory, the idea may have been to replace the human aspect, but in reality it's become another tool for us to use to help get the best read possible for our clients.

When clients come to me to redo an AI voiceover, they walk away understanding why you just can't beat that human touch 

I'll stick with the theme already posted here, which is that AI is bringing the most significant change.  In my experience, though, much of my business is generated by people who use AI and are unhappy with the results.  They come to me looking for a "real" voice.