UVT Blog

If you’re brand new to voiceover, here’s the honest truth most people won’t tell you right away: you probably don’t sound as good as you think you do yet—and that’s not a knock, it’s just reality. A simple place to start is to grab your phone, open your voice memo app, and record yourself reading a short script. Then listen back. Ask yourself if it sounds natural, believable, and like something you’d actually hear in a commercial or narration. If your answer is “not really,”

1. “Wow, that rate is really low.” I get it. We’ve all seen some questionable rates. But commentary isn’t your job here. If it doesn’t work for you, pass. Quietly. Professionals don’t complain—they choose. 2. “How do I submit?” If there are no instructions, fair question. If there are instructions and you missed them? That’s on you. Agents are slammed. They don’t have time to babysit—and ignoring directions is a fast track to the exits. 3. “I’m not reading the whole script—it

Let’s just call it what it is. Starting something new is uncomfortable as hell. Whether it’s voiceover, music, acting, or launching a business, you’re stepping into the unknown. And your brain? It’s wired to protect you from exactly that. So it starts talking…

I grew up in a very abusive home, and there was absolutely no support for the arts or anything creative. My late mom—bless her soul—was loving in some ways, but in other ways, incredibly harsh. Acting, performing, anything artistic… I was told it was dumb and a waste of time. I heard that constantly. Not just from home, but even from people who were supposed to guide me. I had a high school counselor and even a health teacher tell me I would never amount to anything. Those ki

Updated April 11th, 2026 Every Saturday, I do a roundup of the most popular questions asked about voiceovers during our “Ask Terry Anything About Voiceovers” segment on Friday, along with my answers for everyone. A lot of people have found this very helpful—so here we go! 1. Do you have any discounts on your voiceover training programs? Absolutely! We are currently offering significant discounts on our Big Kahuna and Junior Kahuna programs. These programs include one-on-one

I put together a few voiceover demo samplers to showcase some of the production work I have done for our students. Many students have gone on to book work regularly and secure representation with talent agencies. Commercial Demo Sampler Video Game Character Demo Sampler Radio Imaging Demo Sampler If you're interested in coaching with us, getting some demos produced or both, visit the training programs page or contact us direct via the chat or contact page.

Let me save you a pile of frustration. Most voice actors sabotage themselves in the very first email. They try to book the job immediately. They unload demos. They list credits. They explain their studio chain in painful detail. Somewhere between “broadcast-quality audio” and “48kHz WAV files,” the buyer mentally checks out. Here’s the truth: your first email is not the sale. It’s the handshake. The only goal of that first message is to start a conversation and set up a brief

Thinking About a Career in Voiceovers? Here’s What Really Matters if You Want to Succeed! If you’re looking for shortcuts, guarantees, or a “six figures in six months” fairy tale… this probably isn’t the right blog for you. What this is — is the honest version. The one based on decades of professional experience, coaching hundreds of voice actors, producing demos, marketing, booking, and watching people succeed (and sometimes fail) for very predictable reasons. If you want th

Let’s be honest. AI is cheap. AI is fast. And for a lot of clients, AI is “good enough.” Pretending otherwise just makes you sound out of touch. But here’s the part most people miss: you don’t beat AI by arguing against it. You beat it by being human in a way AI can’t touch. If a client is shopping purely for a voice, you’re already in trouble. They’ll always find something cheaper, faster, or easier. Your job isn’t to sell your pipes — it’s to sell you as a partner. That’s t

How many times have friends, coworkers, or family members said those famous words: “You should do something with your voice!” For many of us, that sentence is the spark. It definitely was for me. After nearly two years of hearing it, I finally decided to stop thinking about voice acting and actually start. It was exciting, terrifying, and uncomfortable all at once—because that’s what happens any time you leap into something meaningful. But here’s the truth: a strong support s

If you’ve been thinking about starting a voiceover career, replaying the idea in your head for months (or years), this is your sign: there is no better time than right now. Here’s the big one… If you start training now, we could have your professional demos produced by January. That matters because Q1 is historically one of the strongest seasons for voice actors. Advertising, corporate training, and educational budgets reset after the new year, and production ramps up fast. T

So, you’ve been told you “have a great voice,” or maybe you’ve always been fascinated with cartoons, commercials, or audiobooks, and thought, I could do that. Welcome to the world of voiceover! Before you run out and buy a mic or start experimenting with recording apps, let’s pause for a moment. Voiceover isn’t a quick side hustle or an overnight path to easy money—it’s an art, a craft, and yes, a business. The good news? If you take the proper steps early on, you’ll give you

One of the biggest mistakes I see new voice actors make? They jump straight into chasing money, agents, and shiny recording gear—without first investing in the one thing that actually matters: the craft. Yes, talent agents and fancy microphones are great. But here’s the truth: if you don’t understand the fundamentals of performance, business, and workflow, none of those things will get you anywhere. A $2,000 microphone won’t fix a flat performance, and an agent won’t magicall

Let’s get something straight: good recording gear does matter. But it should never hog the spotlight. What actually gets you the job? Spoiler alert—it’s not your mic, your interface, or the latest shiny plugin. It’s you. Your performance. Your interpretation. The way you bring a script to life and connect with the listener. That’s what makes a client hit the “hire” button. The Role of Gear in Voiceover Now, don’t get me wrong—gear still has its place. A quiet space with low f

Your Demo: Your #1 Marketing Tool (Not a Science Experiment) If you want to book voiceover work—or even get on an agency roster—you need a professional demo. Period. A demo isn’t just a shiny “audio resume.” It’s your single most important marketing tool. But here’s the kicker: a professional demo isn’t just about having one. It’s about what it sounds like. First Impressions Count—So Lead with Fire Your best performances go up front. Casting directors, producers, and agents d

In the voiceover world, your email inbox can be the gateway to your next big client—or a black hole where perfectly good opportunities disappear without a trace. So how do you make sure your outreach emails actually work? It starts with remembering the real purpose of that first email: to start a conversation, not close a sale. The #1 Mistake Voice Actors Make I see this all the time—voice actors send their very first email to a potential client, and it’s loaded with: *A ful

Let’s talk truth. Voiceover can be one of the most rewarding, creative, flexible, and downright fun careers you’ll ever stumble into. But if you’re here because you just got laid off yesterday and you're googling “easy work-from-home side hustles,” I’m going to ask you to slow your roll. Because voice acting ain’t a quick fix! It’s not a one-click “get-rich-with-your-voice” scheme. It’s not about having a “nice voice” (though hey, that’s cool if you do). And it’s definitely n

Welcome to the business of voiceovers. It’s an exciting, creative, and deeply rewarding industry—but let’s not sugarcoat it. If you’re just starting out, there’s something you really need to know: The vultures are circling. I’m talking about the smooth-talking, hashtag-happy “coaches” and “demo producers” who flood social media like it’s a feeding frenzy. They’re selling shortcuts, hype, and big dreams—often with zero substance behind it. These folks aren’t here to help you s

So… you’ve been thinking about getting into voiceovers. You’ve got tabs open with coaching sites. You’ve binge-watched VO YouTubers. Maybe even whispered a few lines from a car commercial into your phone mic while wondering if your closet could double as a studio. Relatable? Yeah. We see it all the time. But here’s the deal: thinking about voiceover isn’t the same as doing voiceover. And if you’re truly passionate about this work? Procrastination is the sneaky little dream-ki

I put together an audio stack that works great for voiceover recordings. It’s clean, controlled, and doesn’t squash the life out of my performance. Whether you’re just starting in VO or refining your sound, here’s a look under the hood of my “Magic Stack.” 🎛 Track Effects (in Adobe Audition) 1. Parametric Equalize r I cut out low-end rumble with a high-pass filter at 80 Hz, using a 24dB/oct slope. Then I shaped the voice slightly with subtle EQ moves: +2 dB at 200 Hz for a l