The other day, while I was digging through articles about the profession, I stumbled upon something that hit me hard. It really got me thinking, and quite a few of the pointers were things I had on my mind, waiting for a little nudge, much like the one I got from this article. It’s a treasure trove of insights from a seasoned voiceover artist with an extensive and diverse professional journey. Armando Plata Camacho, a Colombian voice artist, dishes out some real talk about the essentials for any pro in this field.

I thought I’d share these tips with you, hoping they might spark the same spirit of continual improvement that they did for me. Check out these 46 tips that can transform you into a top-notch voiceover artist:

1. Let your creed as a voiceover artist be grounded in ethics, excellence, integrity, respect, discipline, conviction, security, and passion.
2. Remember, you’re not just a player in the industry; you’re a magician creating enchanting projects.
3. Your voice is your identity, your emotions. Be authentic. Be yourself.
4. Keep that ego in check. There’s no such thing as a good or bad voice. You’re not the best, nor the worst.
5. Experience doesn’t automatically mean superiority. You could be making the same mistake over and over again.
6. Listen, respect, help, and learn from the younger folks. That’s how you stay relevant.
7. Being the voice of the moment is temporary.
8. Your voice serves the producer. Always follow their lead.
9. Don’t let success or failure get to your head. Stay humble and down-to-earth.
10. Not every project is a match for you, and you’re not the right fit for every project either.
11. Dubbing work is like the Ivy League for voice-over artists.
12. Keep experimenting with your voice. Embrace the madness that fuels our work.
13. Understand your strengths and weaknesses like the back of your hand.
14. Rejection is part of the game. Learn to handle it, and use it as fuel to keep pushing forward.
15. Voice-over work is unpredictable. Don’t judge your progress weekly or monthly; look at the bigger picture annually.
16. Manage your time efficiently and always seek profitability.
17. In some places, it’s more lucrative to work as a company rather than an individual.
18. Get a grip on the basics of business and administration.
19. Explore new markets. Use the power of media to your advantage: think radio, TV, cable, advertising agencies, creative boutiques, video developers, audiobook companies, translation firms, and more.
20. Avoid getting stuck in one place for too long. Embrace change to expand your network and experiences. Say no to monotony.
21. Be wary of overexposure, especially if you’re branded as “the official voice” of something.
22. Say no to projects that could tarnish your image: psychic ads, adult content, etc. Steer clear of Text To Speech (TTS) gigs too.
23. Seek guidance on technology, marketing, branding, and trends.
24. Invest in a producer for your demos. If the big shots are doing it, why shouldn’t you?
25. Stay curious, take risks, and be bold. Don’t get stuck in a rut; always strive for more.
26. Study the styles of the most sought-after voices. Don’t copy them, but adapt their techniques to your own style.
27. Overcome your insecurities, fears, and selfishness. Share your knowledge and experiences with your peers. It’s a path to growth and fulfillment.
28. Embrace the richness of multiculturalism. Think globally and don’t limit yourself to your roots.
29. Create projects that give you global exposure and free publicity.
30. Let your unique talents shine through in your demos.
31. Set aside 15 to 25% of your income for education, branding, and marketing.
32. Aim to save 10 to 20% of your earnings.
33. Your website is your storefront. Your demos showcase your strengths and weaknesses. They’re the keys to your success.
34. Invest in SEO to boost your website’s visibility.
35. Build strategic partnerships with voice artists worldwide. Join international associations and attend conferences.
36. Tune into radio and TV from various countries. Listen closely, even if you don’t understand the language, and learn from different voices and languages.
37. Create your networking strategy. Take inspiration from Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
38. Trust your instincts.
39. Aim for global recognition in talent agencies, casting companies, translation firms, voice banks, freelance platforms, recording studios, post-production facilities, web developers, and wherever there’s demand for professional voice services.
40. Make the most of LinkedIn for your voice-over marketing. Consider investing in premium plans for direct access to decision-makers.
41. Your future hinges on the excellence of your work.
42. If you’re resisting change and constantly reminisce about the “good old days,” you might be on the path to decline.
43. Nostalgia can be deceptive and limiting.
44. Focus on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on the past.
45. Be transparent. Your talents may be exceptional, but your lasting reputation depends on word of mouth, client reviews, and recommendations from your peers.
46. Your market is as big as your network. Whether it’s local or global, your circle shapes your opportunities.

You can find the original article (in Spanish) for more insights here.

I’m already putting these tips into practice myself!

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