The voiceover industry changed dramatically over the last ten years with all the advances in home computer technology. Used to be, you needed to be close to a professional studio; now you can do non-broadcast projects out of your own home without a monster up-front investment in tons of equipment. I'm using my older laptop, now repurposed as my sound recording machine. I invested in a kick-ass microphone, decent pro headphones, and an M-audio interface box to control them, but my recording software is the absolutely free program Audacity, and my "whisper room" recording booth is my master bedroom closet tricked out with padding, carpeting, and heavy blankets for sound baffling.

The other thing you need to do if you want to try voiceover is get training. I've been working with a local coach who operates a full-blown studio in Fairfax, and I've also taken training with the Great Voice Company out of New Jersey. I checked them out online and through some current voiceover artists before I plunked my money down, and I think the training investment is a large part of what will make me successful. My training has been not only in copy interpretation, voice acting (and all voiceover is acting, make no mistake about that!) and microphone technique, but also in how to record and edit, and how to market myself as a voice artist. Once I have my pro demos, I'll start pitching myself as a performer to the producers publishers hire to create audiobooks, and also hit on online forum where producers, authors, publishers, and artists seek each other out. The other niche I intend to hit is elearning - especially online training courses.

Depending on where you live, you might be able to get some free training and mic practice reading textbooks on a volunteer basis for Learning Ally, the organization formerly known as Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic. Check them out at http://www.learningally.org Learning Ally uses special software that connects the recording to the pages of a text, so you have to read in one of their studios; it's not something you could do from your own home studio. But it's one way I'm getting more behind-the-mic practice. :)

Go chase your dreams! I'm finally chasing mine, and while it feels scary, it also feels good!