The VO Pro Blog

The first time AI voices started sounding halfway decent, a lot of voice actors had the same reaction. That sinking feeling. The one that starts as a whisper in the back of your mind: Is this going to take me out?

For years, synthetic voices were a joke. Robotic, choppy, completely lifeless. Nobody took them seriously. Then something changed. The tech improved. AI voices started sounding more human. More natural. Some of them could even express emotions—at least in a way that fooled casual listeners.

Suddenly, AI wasn’t just a novelty. It was a tool that companies were actually using to replace human talent.

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If there’s one question every new single solitary voice actor asks starting out it’s this: How much should I charge?

If you're just starting out, the answer isn’t as simple as “pick a number and hope for the best.” Rates in voiceover aren’t arbitrary; they’re based on industry standards, market value, and, crucially, your level of experience.

So let’s break this down the right way, because guessing—or even worse, undercharging—can do more damage than you think.

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Why would anyone in their right mind PASS on a $1.1 million audition?

And Paul, aren’t you the one always beating us over the head with, “Stand up for pro rates, “Know your worth,” “Make it worth your time,” and on and on?

First of all, who ever said I was in my right mind?

Secondly, I absolutely beat the drum of “Stand up for pro rates, “Know your worth,” and “Make it worth your time.”

So why did I pass on a 1.1 million-dollar commercial audition? Why did I not even take a swing? Have I stroked out? Lost my marbles? Has Pauly’s Little Choo-Choo gone around the bend?

Today I’m going to lay out for you exactly why it took me less than two minutes to pass on this opportunity, and why… maybe…you should have, too.

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So, you’ve decided to get into voiceover. Whether you’ve decided you want to do this as a career or just looking to make some cash on the side, you need gear.

But not just any gear. The RIGHT gear. Because no one wants to overspend on a mic that makes you sound like you’re recording in a rest stop bathroom.

Lucky for you, I’m here to guide you through the maze of audio equipment and get you set up for success.

What I’m not going to do is put links in the description and show notes. I’m not tryingto sell you gear. But I will list the gear I’m talking about here.

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You’ve probably heard about “cold emailing” and thought, That’s just spam, right? Or maybe the idea of bothering someone with an unsolicited email gives you flashbacks to awful networking mixers where everyone exchanges business cards and fake smiles.

Whatever the reason, I get it—cold emailing feels like uncharted territory for a lot of voice actors.

But here’s the truth: it’s how I built my 6-figure VO business.

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You have the passion, the talent, and the excitement to kill it into the world of voiceover. But there is more to success in this industry than having a smooth voice and good gear.

Voiceover is a mix of artistry, business, and endurance. It requires strategy, dedication, and a commitment to long-term growth. To make it past the early stages and build a career that lasts, you need to master eight critical resources. These go beyond tangible items and touch on things that will define your mindset, workflow, and resilience.

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