As a working professional, it’s important to keep up with all the latest trends and developments in your field – and voiceover is no exception. VO talent should look for ways to stay current on industry news, keep their skills sharp and start building new ones, and expand their knowledge of the craft, regardless of where they’re at in their career.
Don’t be overwhelmed, Voiceover Achievers! Fortunately, there are a ton of professional development resources out there for you to take advantage of. We’ve compiled a list of five of our favorite types of professional development resources, and just a few suggestions of the many good ones out there within each category, to get you started. Check it out below:
Books
- The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson
- This book is not voiceover specific, but it’s full of valuable self-help and business advice applicable to every area of life – including your career. Naval Ravikant is a successful entrepreneur, philosopher, and investor, and author Eric Jorgenson gathered Ravikant’s best wisdom for building both wealth and lasting happiness.
- Relentless Execution by Yolanda Spearman
- Many self-help books give traditional, step-by-step guidance on how to live a happy life, but in her book “Relentless Execution,” member of the CSM family Yolanda Spearman helps you uncover the emotional barriers keeping you from the best version of yourself. Get inspired and follow through on your goals in both your personal and professional life with the help of this fellow voice talent.
- Zen and the Art of Voiceover by Dan Friedman
- Dan Friedman, a CSM talent, wrote his latest book Zen and the Art of Voiceover about the art and skill that goes into voiceover communication. A collection of personal stories, tips and tricks of the trade, as well as general information for succeeding in the industry, Dan’s new book debuts May 29 and is available for preorder now.
- Voiceover Achiever by Celia Siegel
- Our very own Celia Siegel wrote a book with all her secrets on how she built many career-launching brands for CSM clients. Take your brand to the next level with her Voiceover Achiever insights.
Podcasts
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- On their podcast Speechless, voice actor Kim Wilson and CSM team member Natasha Marchewka sit down to discuss real life in the voiceover biz. The duo tell stories, express opinions, and share valuable resources to help other VO pros navigate this amazing, yet sometimes overwhelming, industry. Tune in Thursdays at 5pm ET to hear the latest episode, or explore their robust episode library to find topics that fit your interests.
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- VO Buzz Weekly is made by LA-based voice talent Chuck Duran and Stacey J. Aswad. The duo speak with talent agents, voice directors, teachers, accountants, studio tech gurus, and more to cover all the facets of the voiceover industry. New episodes come out every Sunday.
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- Jodi Krangle, another CSM star, hosts the Audio Branding podcast, which overall explores how audio impacts people in different ways and in different parts of their lives. She does this by way of short, research-based episodes, as well as longer interview-style episodes with industry experts. While it’s not always 100% VO-focused, this podcast will teach you the science behind the art of VO and help you articulate the value you bring to brands as a sound professional. (Bonus–check out March’s blog post for a list of some of the best episodes to get you started!)
- This Week in VO with J. Michael Collins
- Check out This Week in VO to hear CSM’s very own J. Michael Collins sit down with talent from all realms of the voiceover industry to chat about business, as well as how they got to where they are today. With over 40 available episodes and new ones released weekly, there’s plenty of content for you to check out and learn from.
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- In Everyday VOpreneur, voice actor Marc Scott dives into the business acumen behind being a successful voiceover professional. Skill and talent in the recording booth isn’t all you need to succeed in the industry – you need to know how to market your brand, manage your finances, and more. Marc offers practical and actionable advice in each of his weekly episodes to help you become the best VOpreneur you can be.
Online Courses
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- CSM alum Joe Zieja is a VO pro who packaged all his knowledge into a step-by-step online course for aspiring voice actors of all skill levels. With over 120 lessons including how to build a home studio and creating character voices, this comprehensive resource is available any time for you to learn at your own pace. All you have to do is pay a one-time fee for lifetime access, and as a CSM insider, use code CELIA25 for 25% off.
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- Tina Morasco is a world-class voiceover coach who created this course for talent who are looking for on-demand access to VO advice at any hour of the day. A one-time fee buys lifetime access to Tina’s guidance on how to deliver your most authentic reads every time, foundational training broken down by topic, tips for self-directing, how to navigate new industry trends, and much more.
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- From courses and webinars to mentoring forums and social events, Gravy for the Brain is a comprehensive online voiceover training resource for beginners, experts, and those somewhere in the middle alike. There is over 100 hours of content on a variety of topics to choose from, all hosted by industry experts. You can choose from a monthly or annual subscription plan, and you’ll receive a certification upon completion of each different course track.
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- TED Talks
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- While not necessarily what you’d call an “online course,” TED Talks are an excellent free video resource that impart knowledge and wisdom to viewers on many different subjects. Dive into talks like “The Workings of a Voiceover,” “How I bring life and emotions to words as a voice over artist,” or “The Magic of Voice Over” for a quick dose of inspiration.
Coaching
Voiceover coaches work with you to uncover and harness what is unique about your sound. While coaching is more time consuming and expensive than the above resources, it is also a much more personalized experience and your coach can provide real-time feedback specific to your questions and projects.
A common trait of top voiceover performers is that they’re lifelong learners; they always have coaches and mentors no matter where they’re at in their career. It all begins with finding a coach that is right for you. Some of our CSM artists are also coaches, so reach out to our team if you need somewhere to start!
Conferences
Voiceover conferences are a haven to sample all kinds of teaching and learning, while also connecting with others who are passionate about VO. From educational seminars that cover various genres and trends to networking with voice actors at all stages of their careers, conferences offer the opportunity to both learn about voiceover and build a community of fellow VO professionals.
For a glimpse into what voiceover conferences can do, check out our recap of VO Atlanta 2023.
Books, podcasts, online courses, coaching, conferences – you are well on your way to becoming the best Voiceover Achiever you can be! But once you’ve learned more about being a successful voiceover professional, don’t think you have to apply the knowledge alone.
Thank you for tuning in! Happy learning and happy branding!
