Do people tell you that you have a beautiful bugle voice? Have you ever taken voice training or spoken in public? Are you looking for something more on the artistic side of the work from home industry? Well, keep reading.
There is now a part of the population working from home make money doing voiceovers – especially as audiobook narrators.
Below, we’ve shared with you what audiobook narrators do, the skills you need, and where to find work.
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What does voiceover/narration work involve?
Usually, when someone mentions voiceovers, they are talking about Disney cartoons or movies, in which celebrities use their own voices or one of their many “actor” voices to speak for the characters.
Being able to perform voiceovers is a combination of speaking, oral reading and acting. All this is done off stage and off camera, in other words “behind the scenes”.
Actors or voice-over artists are used in radio, television production, filmmaking, theater, video games, e-book and audiobook narration, and other presentations.
For this article, we will primarily look at the narration of eBooks and audiobooks.
How to Become an Audiobook Narrator
If you’re new to narration or voiceover work, the first step is learn the trade. Many professionals take acting classes, voice lessons, or work with private coaches before recording their first work.
Some things that can help you get started:
- Practice reading aloud, but try to make it sound natural and engaging.
- Learn to breathe from your diaphragm to avoid a jerky delivery
- Be comfortable staying in character while reading long passages
- Study proper mic technique and script pacing
- Consider hiring a voice coach or taking a beginner-level storytelling course
It’s also a good idea to listen to professional audiobooks and pay attention to tone, rhythm, and inflection. Audiobook narration is a unique form of performance, and mastering it takes practice and feedback.
What equipment will you need to narrate audiobooks?
If you’re serious about this type of work, you’ll eventually need to invest in a quiet recording space and high-quality audio equipment. Some beginners rent studio time to create their demo recordings, but many choose to build a home setup over time.
To get started, you will need:
- A decent laptop or PC to handle audio files
- A quality USB or XLR microphone (not a headset microphone)
- Studio headphones it doesn’t let the sound flow
- A microphone stand and pop filter to reduce plosives and mic handling noise
- Recording software like Audacity or Adobe Audition
- A quiet, echo-free space to record (ideally treated with sound-absorbing panels or blankets)
Recording in untreated rooms (especially with low-end equipment) can result in poor sound quality and rejected submissions to platforms like ACX.
Where can you find freelance work doing audiobook narrations?
You’ve probably seen voiceover jobs listed on independent platforms like CinqrrUpwork, Freelancer and Guru. Many narrators start there to gain experience and build a portfolio. However, the salary is often low to begin with.
There are also several platforms specific to VO that are worth checking out:
1 – ACX.com
ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is one of the best audiobook narration platforms, especially for beginners. You can create a profile, upload samples and audition for books.
Many listings pay only through a royalty share, meaning you’ll only make money if the audiobook sells. Others offer pay per finished hour (PFH), where you receive a flat rate for each hour of audio completed.
ACX also provides marketing tools for authors and narrators and lets you track your projects and payments.
2 – Voices.com
Voice is a professional-level voiceover platform. You’ll need polished audio samples and possibly a subscription to access premium job postings.
Although the site includes audiobook projects, most opportunities are for commercials, corporate storytelling, and training videos. It’s a competitive site, so make sure you’ve practiced and produced a solid demo before you take the plunge.
3 – Studio Rabbit
Rabbit Studio is a platform known for paying well, but it has strict entry requirements. You’ll need to pass a test to be accepted, and they expect clean, professional-quality audio from the start. It’s not ideal for beginners, but it may be worth keeping on your radar as you gain experience.
How much can you earn doing voiceovers?
Rates vary depending on your experience, type of work, and where you find clients.
On independent sitesbeginners can charge between $20 and $50 for short readings or commercial scripts. Audiobook narration is typically paid per finished hour (PFH), with rates ranging from $100 to $300 PFH for non-union work.
If you join SAG-AFTRA (the actors’ union), unionization rates are higher and more standardized.
Many audiobook projects on ACX offer royalty sharing only, meaning your income depends entirely on how well the book sells. Some narrators avoid them; others use them as stepping stones in the beginning.
It’s also worth noting that for every hour of audio completed, it can take 3-6 hours of recording, editing, and mastering. So, given this, PFH compensation reflects work completed and not total time spent.
Tips for Launching a Freelance Career Doing Voice Overs
Start by learning the trade. There are many free and inexpensive online tutorials, courses, and YouTube channels that provide beginner-friendly voiceover training.
SO:
- Create a quiet recording space
- Practice and record a sample demo
- Start small with independent platforms or short royalty-sharing projects
- Get feedback on your work from professionals or coaches
- Gradually upgrade your equipment and hone your audio editing skills
It takes time, but many people have started from scratch and built a solid supplemental income, or even full-time careers!
Are you interested in training for voiceover work?
Get paid to do voiceovers is a free mini-course that you can take if any of the following apply to you:
- You’ve thought about audiobook narration as a way to make money
- You are curious about voiceover work in general
- You want to work from home doing something flexible and creative
The course gives you a basic overview of what this industry is like and can help you determine if it’s something you’d like to pursue more seriously.
Go here to check it out if you want to sign up and learn more!
Good luck in whatever you choose to pursue!
Photo by Amin Asbaghipour: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-microphone-3710191/
Leisa Good has worked in the corporate world and has also managed and operated a full-time virtual assistant business since 2006.. She wrote the eBook on this one! She is also a PFYP certified career coach and owner of the blog, Powerfully designed for success. It allows people aged 50 and over to find fun, flexible and financially rewarding work, now and in retirement. However, this time it will be work/life on their terms.
