The Skills You’ve To Learn Before Landing Your First Voice Acting Job

I often get asked questions like: “What is the standard rate Breadnbeyond vo?” or “How much Breadnbeyond voice rates?”

That’s a fair question, and one we hear quite a lot.

Since we’re a one-stop explainer video production company, not a dedicated voice-over agency, our voice-over cost is already included in the full video production package.

In other words, when you work with us, you get everything, including scriptwriting, animation, sound design, and voiceover, all under one roof.

At Breadnbeyond, we collaborate with professional voice actors from around the world who bring life and personality to our clients’ videos.

Over the years, I’ve personally learned a lot from working with these talented people, from countless email exchanges to late-night Skype calls, and every project has deepened my respect for their craft.

And here’s what I’ve learned:

Voice acting is one of the hardest creative skills to master.

That realization led us to explore the world of voice acting further.

I’ve spoken with several of our best voice actors to understand their techniques, training, and what it really takes to break into the industry.

Based on those conversations, I compiled an infographic highlighting the key skills you need before earning your first dollar as a voice actor.

How Much Do Voice Actors Make?

Voice acting is a diverse profession with a wide range of pay scales.

Top-tier Hollywood voice actors, like Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, reportedly earn around $300,000 per episode.

But according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the average hourly wage for voice actors is about $17.50.

Meanwhile, related roles such as radio and TV announcers have an average annual salary of $35,360.

This shows how broad the field can be. Your earnings depend on your experience, the type of project, and how well you market your skills.

How to Become a Voice Actor?

You can decide to become a voice actor anytime. After all, you already have a voice. But turning that voice into a source of income is where the real challenge begins.

From what I’ve learned working with professional voice talents over the years, voice acting is more than just reading a script out loud.

You must be able to interpret emotion, rhythm, and intent to deliver a message so it feels authentic and alive.

Before recording, everything starts with the video script. In voiceover production, the script is essentially “the voice on paper.”

It’s the foundation that guides how each line should be delivered, whether it’s upbeat and friendly for a product demo or calm and reassuring for a corporate explainer video.

At Breadnbeyond, we always make sure our explainer video scripts are written with the voice actor in mind.

The way we structure lines, emphasize key words, and pace dialogue helps our talents find the right tone and energy in their performance.

If you’re planning to start a career in voice acting, you’ll need to show clients that you can bring their message to life clearly, confidently, and with the right emotion.

Here are some of the essential skills you’ll need to develop before you land your first paid project.

Enunciation Matters

Unless you’re a mumble rapper, then enunciation should be a good skill to have, whether you’re a voice actor or not.

However, enunciation is particularly important for voice professionals such as voice actors, narrators, announcers, and public speakers.

Mumbling annoys listeners, and people don’t want to hire your services as a voice actor if you annoy people.

Nobody likes asking “What did you say?” more than once. On rare occasions, mumbled words can cause phrase mix-ups. For example, when you say goin’ and mean go in.

On top of that, mumbling makes you look like you doubt your arguments.

This reflects a lack of self-confidence and is not valued by brands or employers.

Tempo Management is Crucial

Speaking too fast can make what you’re saying appear salesy, as though you’re trying to sell something.

When, instead, you should be imparting expertise on a subject matter while being persuasive.

For example, in a promotional piece like an explainer video, the ideal pace is between 140 and 160 words per minute, and not any faster.

Why Voice Actors Can’t Speak Too Fast

• They lose the listeners’ attention
• It creates a negative impression
• They lose the clarity of the message
• They aren’t rappers
• No one likes to feel like they’re being sold an item or service

I compiled more skills that you need to land your first voice acting job in an infographic you’ll find below.

You can share this infographic in your blog posts by using the embed code at the bottom of this page.

Mini FAQs About Voice Acting

1. Do I need a special voice to become a voice actor?

Not necessarily. You don’t need a “radio voice” or a deep movie-trailer tone to get started. What matters most is control, clarity, and expression. The best voice actors aren’t the ones with the most dramatic voices, but the ones who can adapt their tone to fit different characters, scripts, and emotions.

2. How can I practice voice acting at home?

You can start by reading scripts out loud. Try audiobooks, commercials, or explainer video scripts. I often recommend recording yourself and listening carefully to your pacing, pronunciation, and energy. Over time, this helps you recognize your strengths and areas for improvement.

3. Do I need professional equipment to begin?

Not right away. A good-quality USB microphone and a quiet room can be enough when you’re starting out. When we first test new voice talents for Breadnbeyond projects, what matters most is audio clarity and delivery, not expensive gear. You can always upgrade your setup as you gain more experience and clients.

4. How do voice actors find jobs?

Many voice actors get their first gigs from freelance platforms, talent marketplaces, or networking with video production studios like ours. Once you have a demo reel —a short sample of your voice showcasing your range —you can start pitching yourself to clients who need narration, commercials, or explainer videos.

5. How long does it take to become good at voice acting?

It depends on how often you practice and how seriously you take feedback. The voice actors we work with at Breadnbeyond didn’t become great overnight. They trained consistently, learned from coaches, and built a strong understanding of timing and delivery. If you treat it like a craft and stay patient, you’ll improve faster than you think.

Interested in Being a Voice Actor?

Voice acting is both an art and a skill, one that takes patience, practice, and a lot of heart.

From what I’ve seen, clarity, consistency, and emotional delivery are what truly set great voice actors apart.

At Breadnbeyond, we work with professional voice-over artists who know how to bring energy and authenticity to every project.

Whether you’re creating a product demo, explainer video, or training content, we’ll help you make your message sound as good as it looks.

You can check out our packages (voice-over included) and get a free consultation to discuss your next project.

Or, if you want a quick estimate, try our Video Cost Calculator to see how much your video might cost in just a few clicks.