Side Hustle: Voiceover Work

Making Money From Voiceover Work

Voiceover work involves recording your voice for use in videos, adverts, audiobooks, apps, animations, games, or online content.
Companies, YouTubers, and content creators constantly need natural, clear voices for their projects and they often hire freelance voiceover artists to record short clips or full scripts from home.
You don’t need a professional studio to begin.
A decent microphone, free editing software, and a quiet room are enough to get started.
If you have a clear speaking voice, enjoy reading aloud, or can adapt your tone, voiceover work can be a fun and flexible way to earn extra income.

Pros of Voiceover Work

Flexible: Work from home and choose your own schedule.
Low Start-Up Costs: A good USB microphone and free software are enough.
High Demand: Businesses and creators always need voiceover content.
Creative & Fun: Great for people who enjoy reading, acting, or presenting.
Scalable: Can grow into regular freelance work or even a full-time career.

Cons of Voiceover Work

Competitive Market: Many beginners start on the same platforms.
Requires Practice: Tone, clarity, and delivery take time to develop.
Irregular Income: Work can fluctuate week to week
Sound Quality Matters: Poor audio reduces opportunities.
Client Revisions: Expect feedback and revision requests.

How to Start Voiceover Work

1. Set Up a Simple Home Studio

You don’t need expensive equipment to begin.
A basic starter setup includes:
Microphone: Blue Yeti, Fifine K690, or Audio-Technica ATR2100x
Headphones: Closed-back headphones to monitor sound
Software: Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition (paid)
Recording Space: A small, quiet room with soft furnishings, wardrobes full of clothes actually work extremely well for reducing echo.

2. Practise Reading Aloud

Voiceover success is more about clarity, pace, and tone than having a “perfect voice.”
Practise by reading:
Books
Articles
Ad scripts
Social media posts

Listen back for:
Volume consistency
Pacing
Breath control
Filler sounds (um/ah)
Free practice scripts can be found on Voices.com.

3. Create a Demo Reel

Your demo reel is your CV.
A 30–60 second collection of clips showcasing different tones:
Friendly / conversational
Corporate / professional
Upbeat / commercial
Calm / narrative
Keep it simple. Clean vocals, no music, no effects.

4. Create Profiles on Voiceover Platforms

Once you have a demo reel, upload it to trusted platforms:
Voiceover-Specific Sites
Voices.com Leading marketplace for all types of voice jobs.
Voice123 Beginner-friendly with frequent auditions.
Bunny Studio Voice Trusted by major brands.

General Freelance Platforms
Fiverr Ideal for beginners to build reviews
Upwork Professional clients and repeated bookings
PeoplePerHour Well-known UK platform

Tip: Start with smaller, low-priced gigs to build ratings.
Increase your rates as you build experience.

5. Promote Yourself

Make it easy for clients to find and hear your voice:
Upload demo samples to SoundCloud, YouTube, or your own website
Share behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram or TikTok
Contact podcasters, YouTubers, and businesses directly
Create a simple portfolio using Canva or a one-page website

Networking works extremely well in the voiceover community.

Helpful Tools & Apps

Audacity (free) record and edit voice clips
Reaper affordable pro-level software
Adobe Audition high-end editing
Krisp.ai removes background noise
Fiverr / Upwork / Voice123/ Voices.co find paid jobs
Canva create branding or simple portfolio pages

Rough Earning Potential

Voiceover earnings vary depending on experience, quality, and niche:
Beginner: £50–£300/month
Intermediate: £500–£1,000/month
Experienced: £1,000–£5,000+/month

Typical job rates:
Short YouTube intro: £10–£50
Online advert script: £20–£150
Audiobook narration: £100–£400+ per project
eLearning narration: £150–£500+

Is Voiceover Work Right for You?

Voiceover work is creative, flexible, and surprisingly beginner-friendly.
You can start with simple equipment, practise consistently, and grow at your own pace.
If you enjoy speaking, reading, storytelling, or performing, this can become one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to earn extra income all from home.

Close-up of a studio microphone with pop filter, ideal for recording audio.

Disclaimer

The side hustle ideas shared on this page are for general information and inspiration only.
We have no affiliation with the platforms or companies mentioned, and results can vary.
Earning money online carries some risk. Income is never guaranteed, and success often depends on time, effort, and personal circumstances.
Always research each opportunity carefully before getting involved.

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