What drew you to the world of voice-over work, and how did you get your start in the industry?

I watched a lot of Japan animation during my childhood but I only know the word of "voice over" when I was 12.

Becoming Japanese voice over artist was my dream since middle school. I discussed about study aboard to Japan with my parents and they agreed but it came with some conditions. I fulfilled the conditions so I was able to study aboard in Japan to become a voice over artist (sei-yu).

After completed my study, unfortunately I faced "Visa" problem. I was unable to find any job because they only allow me to find a job that related to my study field and it must has a stable salary. (And the voice over artist doesn't have a stable salary.)

I go back to my own country and start researching where I could get voice over work. I saw a lot of of voice over artist share they work online in their YouTube videos. So I started searching the platforms that I could find the jobs.

After 3 years, I won't say the income I earned in voice over could cover all my expenses in this moment. But it increases gradually every year. I strongly believe I will be able to pay all my bills in the next coming year and I am very happy about earning my income by doing the things I love. 

Starting life as a theater nerd, I met actors who subsidized their income with VO work and always envied them. I worked in Public Television for a while, on-air hosting and then became a media rep for several companies. Then I switched it up to go behind the camera and worked in series television as a script supervisor. I needed a more creative outlet, so I decided to create my own sound studio and utilize all my skills and also get to work for myself. 

The simple thing that got me into voiceover was a friends suggestion. The full story: We had to read a book and decided to team up. Taking turns we read aloud to each other. Next thing I know they said "blah blah blah...reasons... try it...!"

I grew up spending Saturday mornings and my time after school watching cartoons. I fell in love with the way emotions could be conveyed in such stark and bright ways using only a voice. From there, I got involved with public speaking both at school and at the church my family went to during that time. When an opportunity presented itself to perform shows in high school theater, I jumped at the opportunity and once more fell in love.

My first chance at proper voice acting came along while I worked in Walt Disney World in Florida. I asked around with managers if there was anyone I could talk to about voice work, or any opportunity. To my surprise, they invited me into the radio broadcast room under the park, and I had the chance to record a handful of broadcasts for the Cast Members that played in all the employee areas.

As fun and exciting as that experience was, it wasn't until my fiancé encouraged me to try out Fiverr that I realized voice acting was something I could do for a living. Thanks to her, almost six years later, I get to type a message like this to hopefully encourage new voice actors to take the plunge and try it!

My onramp was drama in high school followed by 20 years in radio, during which time I did a LOT of voiceovers in the form of commercials, newscasts, promos, image voicing, voice-tracking DJ shows, etc.  On the side, I started freelancing voiceovers, and eventually was making more in my spare time doing that than I was earning working in radio, so it was a no-brainer to make the transition.

Unlike a lot of these awesome folks who have answered this question, I had nothing to do with Voice Over before I started. I met someone who told me they were getting into it and I just had a ton of questions! I have always loved media and creating videos and things. I started a YouTube channel but it just took so much work! 

I started doing research into Voice Over and realized it could be a really lucrative side-hustle that wouldn't require a ton of my time but could actually pay pretty well!

I found a teacher who had really good advice who recommended against all the hype that many people get caught up in. He said to get an ok microphone but make sure your recording area is treated well. Then start working on a DIY Demo so you can start getting work. After you start making a little bit of money, pay someone to produce a professional commercial demo and start marketing. 

It's an amazing profession and it will give you back what you put into it. But like many other creative-type careers, it can take a while to get going. That actually makes it a better industry because it weeds out the people who aren't willing to stick with it to make something for themselves! 

I hope if you're reading this, you'll feel inspired to get started and stick with it! I would love to connect if you have any other questions!

I've always been fascinated by the world of voiceover.  Even in my youth I would keep track of various cartoon characters voiced by the same actors.  I got my start recording radio ads from a local recording studio, thanks to a connection I had.  A big part of this industry is getting your foot in the door, so once I had some samples to share with potential clients, I found more opportunities in the industry.

I started public speaking when I was in Elementary school. I was really good at it. Winning competitions and so for.  I also had a passion for music.  So when it came time to look at career options, I thought, why not try radio.  

I started working in broadcasting as a coop student in high school. They kept me on and I has the chance to do a bunch of small bit parts in commercials.  Eventually I landed an on air gig. And commercial voice over was just part of the job. But I enjoyed it! 

After 13 years in broadcasting I decided to seek a new career. And I went back to university to become a Chiropractor. Freelance Voice over paid the bills. And the more my side hustle grew the more I grew to love the variety of projects I took on and the clients I met.  

I am now working my dream day job as a Chiropractor, but voice over is still a part of my life. I just enjoy using the skills I have to bring projects to life. And now 30 years later, I'm still voicing away and loving it.