Searching for voice acting jobs can feel like fishing in a fountain—frustrating and often fruitless. Many aspiring voice actors are surprised to learn that the most lucrative opportunities aren’t always where they expect. This is why I emphasize to my students the importance of diversifying their careers. Relying solely on one income source, like an agent, isn’t enough.
Let’s explore the most profitable areas of voice acting. We’ll look at two main earning categories: Time Behind the Mic Return on Investment (TBM ROI) and Speed of Income (SOI). Understanding these can help you strategize your career effectively.
Time Behind the Mic Return on Investment (TBM ROI)
TBM ROI measures how much money you earn per minute spent behind the microphone. For example, if you earn $500 for an hour of work, that’s your TBM ROI. While this concept is simple, voice acting isn’t as abundant as other jobs. You won’t spend 40 hours a week recording.
People often get excited about earning $1,000 for a commercial, but forget they won’t book 40 commercials a week. Your monthly income might be less than expected. Understanding TBM ROI involves distinguishing between earnings from a single job and earnings over time.
The best TBM ROI comes from Union Class A commercials. These are TV ads on major networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC. They offer residual payments based on how often the ad airs. For instance, a national campaign I worked on netted me over $60,000 for about 90 minutes of recording. That’s $60,000 per hour!
However, Class A commercials are rare and hard to book. This was more common in the ’80s and ’90s before cable TV and contract changes. Ideally, you want commercials that run continuously, providing ongoing payments. This could be on Class A networks or regular cable and radio stations, where payments are cyclical, typically every 13 weeks.
Speed of Income (SOI)
SOI refers to how quickly you can earn money. Unlike traditional jobs with fixed salaries or hourly rates, SOI is crucial in the gig economy. It’s about finding the most abundant voice acting work.
Many assume that rare jobs like animation, anime, and video games pay the most, but that’s not true. Anime, for example, pays very little. To maximize SOI, balance easy-to-get work with good pay. In my experience, corporate videos hit this sweet spot. They pay $100 to $500 per video and take 5 to 10 minutes to record.
Corporate videos are plentiful because they’re easy to produce. They range from internal training to promotional content. Booking a few of these weekly can quickly surpass a day job’s earnings. They’re easier to secure than three commercials a week.
E-learning is another fast income source. It’s widely produced and typically low-budget, making it easy to create. Depending on your rate, e-learning can earn up to $1,000 per finished hour. A few hours of this work weekly can be quite lucrative.
Securing Work and Building a Career
The challenge is finding work. I teach my students various methods to secure jobs and stand out as voice actors. It’s a grind and a hustle, but that’s the trade-off for pursuing an artistic career. There’s potential for high earnings, but also the risk of dry spells.
Many are surprised by the realities of voice acting. The public often thinks we’re rich from cartoons or video games, but that’s not the case. Resources like the GVAA rate guide can provide a clearer picture of industry earnings.
Remember, life isn’t just about money. Projects that don’t pay much can still be creatively fulfilling. Anime might not make you rich, but it can tell a meaningful story. Most voice acting won’t make you wealthy, just like any other career.
The key takeaway is that the voice acting industry is diverse, with more opportunities than you might think. This is great news for aspiring voice actors. Understanding where to get the most value for your time is crucial for career growth. I encourage you to research the various types of voice acting work available.
Ready to start? Check out my free eBook! Now, get behind the mic, and I’ll see you in the next blog post!
