How to become an audiobook narrator | The Booth (2024)

As a new audiobook narrator, consider voice coaching and audio tech training to enhance your vocal range and stamina. You can also use a voice over guide to improve your knowledge of the voice over industry. Learn about rates, how voice overs are made, finding jobs, or creating demo reels. Your voice is also your most important resource, so research warm-up and exercise tips to help you care for your vocal health.

To build a solid online presence, you need a website or portfolio that’s eye-catching and optimized for search engines. Since this is similar to a vocal resume, always include quality content that spotlights your voice range, past projects, and unique vocal talents. Then, use social media platforms to amplify your brand voice as a vocal authority. Be proactive by consistently sharing snippets of your work to grow an audience.

You need high-quality equipment to produce professional recordings as a remote audiobook narrator. The good news is that you can set up a DIY home recording studio that saves time and money. Resources like a microphone guide or equipment for a home setup teach you about the best microphones, computers, laptops, audio interfaces, digital audio workstations (DAW), headphones, pop filters, and acoustic treatment.

Learn vocal techniques like breathing and warm-up exercises to improve your enunciation, range, and vocal stamina. Practice different styles, like accents and sounds, to create diverse characters. Take acting workshops or classes to learn about character development, improvisation, and script analysis. Stay updated with voice acting trends and participate in voice acting forums to pick up more helpful voice acting tips and tricks.

Experienced audiobook narrators at workshops and conferences can share valuable industry insights to sharpen your vocal senses. Learn from their tried and tested strategies and ask for tips on voice care or techniques to narrow your search for audiobook narrator jobs. New audiobook narrators can learn valuable directions about pacing a delivery and using tones, pitch, and intonation to infuse emotions into characters. Check out our Ask the Pros series for additional tips from experienced voice actors.

Audiobook narrators can create high-quality narration samples to share with authors and publishers. The top voice over platforms are ACX, SoundCloud, and Voice123. Engage with the literary community on social media and join forums where you can connect with authors seeking narrators. Attend book fairs, workshops, and webinars to meet industry professionals and learn about new opportunities.

To find audiobook narrator jobs for beginners, join ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), which connects new narrators with authors. Voice123 offers multiple voice over opportunities, including audiobook narrator jobs for beginners. Freelancing sites also list narration jobs for independent short stories. Join online communities and groups for audiobook narrators on LinkedIn or Facebook to find beginner-friendly opportunities.