Who Are all Those Voices?

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Bagged VO stars
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If you’ve ever sat through a string of TV or radio commercials and caught yourself thinking, “Wait… I swear I’ve heard that voice before!” — you’re not alone. Those friendly tones, silky narrations, and high-energy slogans come from a hidden army of talented people: voice actors. You might not see their faces, but you’ve definitely heard their work.


Voice actors are the invisible influencers of modern advertising. They sell us cars, insurance, smartphones, and even burgers — all with nothing more than the right tone, timing, and emotion. One smooth baritone might also double as the rugged voice of a truck commercial, the guy-next-door dad in a cereal ad, and the upbeat announcer introducing the next hit game show. Their craft is all about versatility and believability — being someone new every fifteen seconds.


Behind every line you hear is a professional who has trained their instrument — their voice — to tell stories with just the right mix of warmth, humor, and persuasion. Some come from acting or radio; others build entire careers recording from home studios for clients all over the world. They audition relentlessly, fine-tuning every syllable to stand out in a sea of other sound-alikes. The stakes? Only a prime spot on national television or during your morning commute.


What’s fascinating is that many of these voices become part of our cultural memory — even if we’ll never know their names. Think about the weathered tone that made you trust a pickup truck’s toughness, or the cheerful jingle voice that got stuck in your head all week. Those unseen artists are experts in connection. Their voices live rent-free in our minds, guiding our preferences, shaping our nostalgia, and quietly narrating our consumer lives.


So next time you find yourself humming along to a familiar slogan or instantly recognizing a brand by its voice, take a moment to appreciate the craft behind it. The people who bring those commercials to life might not walk red carpets, but they’re the unsung storytellers of our everyday world — using nothing but a microphone and a voice that feels, somehow, just right.

That’s what I’ve been doing for over 5 decades now. You no doubt have heard me pitching something and didn’t even know it was me. More “behind the voices” coming up. Stay tuned…..


Embracing the Future: Why Today’s Voice Talents Should Welcome AI

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🎙️ Why Voice Talents Should Embrace AI—Not Fear It

In the ever-evolving world of voice acting, one thing is clear: artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, and it’s changing the game. But contrary to popular fears, AI isn’t the villain in this story. For today’s voice talents, it’s a powerful ally.

🤖 The AI Boom in Voice Work

From virtual assistants to audiobooks, AI-generated voices are becoming more lifelike and widespread. Thanks to advances in machine learning, synthetic voices can now mimic tone, emotion, and cadence with uncanny precision. That’s not just impressive—it’s transformative.

But here’s the truth: AI can’t replace the soul of a human voice. What it can do is enhance it.

💼 Turning AI Into Your Creative Partner

Voice actors who embrace AI are discovering new ways to grow their careers, protect their health, and expand their reach. Here’s how:

  • Streamline Your Workflow Use AI tools to automate auditions, generate demos, or rehearse scripts. Less grunt work, more creative energy.
  • Go Global Without Leaving Home AI-powered translation and voice cloning can help you reach international markets—without learning a new language or hopping on a plane.
  • Create Passive Income Streams Licensing your voice to AI platforms can generate royalties while you focus on premium gigs.
  • Protect Your Vocal Health Long narration sessions? Let AI handle the filler content so you can save your voice for the emotional punchlines.
  • Experiment With Style Use AI to test different vocal tones, accents, or pacing—perfect for character development or refining your delivery.

🎭 The Human Touch Still Wins

AI can replicate sound, but it can’t replicate soul. Directors still crave the spontaneity, nuance, and emotional depth that only a human performer can deliver. Your voice isn’t just a tool—it’s a storyteller, a mood-setter, a character builder.

🔐 Stay Smart, Stay Safe

As AI grows, so do ethical concerns. Voice talents must advocate for:

  • Consent and Licensing Make sure your voice isn’t cloned or used without permission. Read the fine print and choose platforms that respect your rights.
  • Proper Attribution If your voice helps train an AI, you deserve credit. Period.
  • Fair Compensation Push for industry standards that ensure voice professionals are paid fairly for AI-related work.

🚀 Final Takeaway

AI isn’t the end of voice acting—it’s the evolution of it. By embracing these tools, voice talents can future-proof their careers, unlock new creative dimensions, and remain indispensable in a tech-driven world.

The mic is still yours. Now, it’s just smarter.

As a Voice Talent, what do you do on those days when you have no auditons or projects?

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On a day with no auditions or projects, a voice talent should focus on self-improvement, business development, and voice care to stay productive and advance their career.


Productive Activities
• Practice vocal exercises and warm-ups to maintain vocal health and technique, such as tongue twisters or breath control drills.
• Continue learning and skill development by taking online voice acting classes, working with a coach, or practicing new accents or characters.
• Update or create demo reels and portfolios, which can include editing previous recordings or requesting permission to use past work as samples.
• Market the business: reach out for networking opportunities with other voice actors, update casting profiles, and send follow-up messages to clients.
• Handle administrative tasks such as organizing files, sending invoices, or planning and prioritizing future auditions and work.
Self-Care and Maintenance
• Rest and hydrate the voice, ensuring vocal cords recover on off days by limiting unnecessary speaking and drinking plenty of water.
• Schedule personal time for relaxation and mental well-being, as maintaining a clear mind is vital for creative performance.
• Exercise and stretch, which can reduce work-related tension and improve posture for recording sessions.


Reflection and Planning
• Review and measure audition results and performances to identify what’s working and where improvement is needed.
• Set short- and long-term goals for auditions, skill-building, and business growth, then develop concrete steps to achieve them.


By using a day off for these targeted activities, a voice artist can make significant progress—even without immediate client projects or auditions

So now where do I find these great NEW CLIENTS.

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Finding potential clients can happen through various channels, both online and offline, depending on your business niche and target audience. Here are some common avenues where you might find potential clients:

  1. Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can be excellent places to connect with potential clients. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and share valuable content to attract attention.
  2. Networking Events: Attend industry conferences, trade shows, seminars, and workshops where you can meet potential clients face-to-face. Don’t forget to exchange business cards and follow up afterward.
  3. Referrals: Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients or professional contacts can be a powerful way to find new clients. Encourage your existing clients to refer you to others.
  4. Online Forums and Communities: Participate in online forums, discussion boards, and community groups related to your industry. Answer questions, provide valuable insights, and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
  5. Content Marketing: Create high-quality content such as blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, or infographics that address the pain points and challenges of your target audience. Share this content on your website, social media, and other relevant platforms to attract potential clients.
  6. Cold Outreach: Reach out directly to potential clients via email, phone calls, or direct messages on social media. Personalize your messages and clearly communicate how your products or services can solve their problems or meet their needs.
  7. Partnerships and Collaborations: Partner with complementary businesses or professionals who serve the same target audience but offer different products or services. This can help you tap into their client base and vice versa.
  8. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website and content for search engines to improve your visibility and attract organic traffic from people searching for solutions related to your business.
  9. Paid Advertising: Invest in online advertising through platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, or sponsored content placements on relevant websites to reach your target audience directly.
  10. Professional Associations: Join industry-specific professional associations or chambers of commerce where you can network with other professionals and potential clients in your field.

Remember to continuously analyze and adapt your client acquisition strategies based on what works best for your business and your target audience.

What do successful voice talents do when they have no projects scheduled and they have a free day?

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Voice Actor relaxing

    When successful voice talents find themselves without scheduled projects and have some free time, they often engage in activities that help them maintain and improve their skills, as well as enhance their career prospects. Here are some things they might do:

  1. Practice and Warm-Up: Voice talents typically practice vocal exercises and warm-ups to keep their voice in optimal condition. This can include scales, breathing exercises, and articulation drills.
  2. Review Scripts and Audition Materials: They might spend time reviewing scripts, audition sides, or upcoming project details. This helps them stay prepared for future opportunities.
  3. Work on Character Development: Developing and refining character voices is crucial for voice actors. They might spend time experimenting with different accents, tones, and emotions.
  4. Networking and Marketing: Building and maintaining relationships within the industry is important. They might use their free time to network, update their portfolios, or work on marketing themselves through social media or their website.
  5. Continuous Learning: Successful voice talents understand the importance of ongoing learning. They might listen to other voice actors, attend workshops, or take online courses to improve their skills or learn new techniques. This is also the perfect time to work with your coach.
  6. Record and Update Demos: Voice actors frequently update their demo reels to showcase their latest work and abilities. They might use their free time to record new demos or refine existing ones. This is also a great time to break demos into categories so as to focus on specific genres to send to clients.
  7. Personal Development: Some voice talents use their free time for personal development, which can include reading books, watching films, or attending live performances to draw inspiration and expand their creative horizons.
  8. Relaxation and Self-Care: Rest is crucial for maintaining vocal health, so successful voice talents might also use their free time to relax, rest their voice, and engage in activities that reduce stress. Obviously, a good time to spend quality time with your family too.
     By staying proactive and dedicated to their craft even during downtime, successful voice talents ensure they are ready to deliver their best performances when the next project comes along.
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