Hey there, Voiceover Achievers – can you believe December is almost over? The holidays will soon be behind us, but we have 2023 to look forward to and conquer! New Year’s is the perfect time to reflect on the past 12 months and set yourself up for success, personally and professionally, in the coming 365 days.
With that in mind, how can you best prepare for a thriving voiceover career in 2023? The best way is to stay on top of industry trends. If that sounds overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, relax – we’ve got you covered. Here are four voiceover industry trends that are here to stay in 2023:
- Technology will continue to advance
Expect to see more and more impressive evolutions in a variety of technology: virtual reality, artificial intelligence, among many others. Not only will there be advancements, but there will also be new applications for each of the tools. Virtual reality in the workplace, artificial intelligence increasing supply chain efficiency – the possibilities are endless.
For voiceover actors, this means more opportunities in tech. Virtual reality and artificial intelligence need a human voice to bring them to life, so be ready for more projects in this space.
- More businesses will create immersive customer experiences
In 2023, more brands will be looking to immerse their customers in an amazing buying experience that will impress them beyond good prices and high quality products. With interactivity at the forefront of consumers’ minds, you’ll see more businesses looking to have a definitive sound, a voice, in the marketplace to catch shoppers’ attention.
We already know the right voice can work wonders for brands, and others are catching on. As more businesses who haven’t used voiceover in the past start to incorporate it into their strategy, there will be more brands out there looking for voice talent. That means more opportunities for new clients. Be on the lookout for a brand you can help take to the next level.
- There will be more benefits to specialization versus generalization
More opportunities in growing industries means more work, right? Absolutely, if you play your cards right. While there is plenty of work to go around, it’s still imperative that you set yourself apart from other voice talent; and one way to do that is to have an area of expertise.
That doesn’t mean you have to pigeonhole yourself, but it’s worth considering which genres you are strongest in and where you want to spend most of your time to develop a reputation as the go-to actor for specific reads.
Another way to set yourself apart and let clients know what you’re all about is to have a strong personal brand. Sign up for a free 15-minute consultation here and let’s discuss how we can get your VO career where you want it to be.
- “Audio routines” will continue to be a popular daily habit
Now more than ever, people are engaging with audio experiences as part of their daily routines. Listening to podcasts on their commute, turning on a curated playlist while cooking, checking out an audiobook while out for a run – the options are endless. Audio continues to be appealing as it’s easier to multitask with compared to video experiences.
For VO, more audio content consumption means more advertisement slots. According to a survey by Voices.com, 50% of content creators are planning to focus on audio advertisements in 2023. Capitalize on this trend by looking for audio ads you can be the voice of.
- Work from home is here to stay
Last but not least, one of the more obvious trends we can share – remote and hybrid work will remain the norm in 2023. Employees and employers alike love the flexibility that WFH offers, from getting a team all across the country together with ease, to finding a balance of in-office versus remote that’s most productive for your work style.
What does this mean for voice actors? Continue to invest in and maintain your home studio – virtual auditions and recordings aren’t going anywhere, so it’s invaluable to have a high-quality setup to keep up your booking ratio.
Anything you’ve picked up on that we missed? Feel free to share in the comments. In the meantime, Happy New Year, Voiceover Achievers – thank you for helping us make the magic here at CSM!
– Celia Siegel
