PodcastsArtsVO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

Paul Schmidt
VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting
Latest episode

189 episodes

  • VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

    Talent vs. Business Skill in Voice Over

    2026/05/21 | 10 mins.
    Are you a talented voice actor, but your bank account says otherwise? The problem often isn’t your skill set.

    Discover why so many voice actors stay broke, even with real talent, and how you can finally break free from the starving artist cycle.

    In this video, we’ll reveal the hidden habits sabotaging your income, unpack actionable steps for building a sustainable voiceover business, and share the real mindset shifts that transform side hustlers into full-time pros.

    Ready to ditch avoidance, own your niche, and market with confidence? Watch now for your roadmap to bookings, income, and creative freedom.

    Take the free Voice Actor Avoidance Audit & Scorecard: https://welcome.vopro.pro/avoidance-audit

    SAVE 50% when you join VO Pro with code HIDDEN50: https://vopro.pro/vopro

    #voiceover #voiceacting #voiceactorbusiness #starvingartist #creativeentrepreneur #vopro #fulltimevoiceover #mindsetshift #breakthecycle

    Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

    ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

    🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

    📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

    🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

    🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

    📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

    🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

    🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

    🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

    Tools and Tech:
    💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
    💻  Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
    📑  Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
    📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
    ⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
    🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
    🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
    🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
    🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

    Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    About (Paul) Schmidt:
    Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach. 

    He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level. 

    Paul has been a voice actor for over 25 years and full-time for the last several. He lives in beautiful Richmond, VA.
    Send us Fan Mail
    Support the show
  • VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

    The Truth About Audiobook Narration in 2026, with Elise Arsenault

    2026/05/14 | 28 mins.
    Is audiobook narration still worth pursuing in 2026… or is AI about to wipe it out?

    In this conversation, I sit down with audiobook narrator, actor, entrepreneur, and founder of The Global Actor, Elise Arsenault, to talk about the REAL state of the audiobook industry right now.

    We dig into:

    * Why audiobook narration is still growing
    * The truth about AI and virtual voices
    * Why long-form narration is different from short-form VO

    Elise also shares how she built a thriving audiobook career with more than 160 audiobooks, why strategy and systems matter so much for creatives, and what newer voice actors should focus on if they want sustainable work in today’s industry.

    If you’re a voice actor wondering whether audiobook narration is still viable in 2026, this conversation is packed with practical insight and honest perspective.

    Learn more about Elise and her free audiobook training here:
    Narrate Your Way to Abundance Free Class: https://audiobookadventure.com/class

    Check out The Global Actor Podcast: https://theglobalactor.com/podcast/

    #VoiceOver #AudiobookNarration #VoiceActing #Audiobooks #VoiceActor #AI #Freelancing #VoiceOverBusiness #Narration #VoiceTalent

    Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

    ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

    🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

    📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

    🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

    🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

    📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

    🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

    🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

    🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

    Tools and Tech:
    💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
    💻  Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
    📑  Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
    📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
    ⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
    🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
    🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
    🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
    🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

    Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Send us Fan Mail
    Support the show
  • VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

    Why Your Website Sucks: 10 Most EMBARRASSING VO Website Gaffes

    2026/05/07 | 16 mins.
    Is your voice over website secretly losing you clients? Fix these mistakes before it’s too late!

    In this video, discover the 10 most embarrassing VO website gaffs that could be sabotaging your career, costing you clients, and keeping you stuck in the audition hamster wheel.

    Learn exactly what turns prospects away and how to fix it with simple, actionable tips.

    Whether you’re dreaming of full-time bookings or just want to stand out from the crowd, these website fixes will turn your site into a conversion machine.

    Top 10 Voice Actor Website Strategies: https://welcome.vopro.pro/website-strategies

    Social Proof for Newbies: https://youtu.be/xqZ36QWNGng?si=dEZMt9OXj7_CGwfS

    #VoiceOver #VOTips #VoiceActing #WebsiteTips #FreelanceSuccess #BookMoreWork #VOPro #VoiceActor #WebsiteAudit #FullTimeVO

    Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

    ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

    🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

    📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

    🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

    🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

    📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

    🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

    🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

    🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

    Tools and Tech:
    💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
    💻  Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
    📑  Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
    📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
    ⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
    🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
    🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
    🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
    🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

    Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    About (Paul) Schmidt:
    Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach. 

    He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to
    Send us Fan Mail
    Support the show
  • VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

    Afraid of AI? You’re Missing a MUCH Bigger Threat.

    2026/04/30 | 11 mins.
    Think AI is stealing VO jobs? You’re missing the real threat and a huge career opportunity most overlook.

    In this video, I reveal why your competition isn’t synthetic voices, it’s other voice actors who use AI to market, pitch, and book faster.

    Discover the truth about AI ethics, learn what really gives you an edge, and get a practical playbook to work smarter, not harder.

    Ready to future-proof your voice over career?

    Freesource of the Week: THE VOICE ACTOR'S GUIDE TO POSITIONING AGAINST AI: https://welcome.vopro.pro/ai-positioning-guide

    #VoiceOver #AICareers #VoiceActing #VOTips #EthicalAI #AIForCreatives #FutureProofVO

    Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

    ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

    🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

    📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

    🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

    🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

    📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

    🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

    🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

    🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

    Tools and Tech:
    💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
    💻  Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
    📑  Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
    📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
    ⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
    🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
    🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
    🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
    🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

    Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    About (Paul) Schmidt:
    Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach. 

    He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level. 

    Paul has been a voice actor for over 25 years and full-time for the last several. He lives in beautiful Richmond, VA.
    Send us Fan Mail
    Support the show
  • VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

    BONUS EP: This New VO Conference Is Doing Everything DIFFERENTLY

    2026/04/27 | 14 mins.
    A brand new VO conference is coming and it’s NOT your typical hotel ballroom event.

    In this interview, I sit down with Jessica Mathison to break down the Pacific Northwest VO Summit… a brand new, intentionally small, highly interactive voiceover conference happening in June, 2026.

    If you’re tired of choosing between breakout sessions, sitting through lectures, and leaving overwhelmed with notes you’ll never use… this might be the event that changes how you approach VO conferences entirely.

    Event Details:
    📍 Location: Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA (near Portland, OR)
    📅 Dates: June 24–27, 2026

    🌲 Expect:
    * A stunning Pacific Northwest setting (mountains, waterfalls, Columbia Gorge)
    * A capped attendance of ~150 people
    * One shared session experience (no FOMO between tracks)
    * Hands-on, interactive learning you can actually apply

    Resources & Links Mentioned:
    👉 Pacific Northwest VO Summit: https://vosummitpnw.com
    👉 Jessica Matheson Books: https://jessicamathison.com
    #VoiceOver #VoiceActing #VOMarketing #VoiceOverConference #VOAtlanta #VoiceOverBusiness #FindVoiceoverClients #FreelanceVoiceActor #VOCommunity #VoiceActorLife
    Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

    ▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

    🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

    📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

    🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

    🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

    📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

    🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

    🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

    🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

    Tools and Tech:
    💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
    💻  Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
    📑  Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
    📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
    ⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
    🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
    🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
    🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
    🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

    Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Send us Fan Mail
    Support the show
More Arts podcasts
About VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting
Voiceover Business Strategies That WorkThe VO Pro Podcast is the go-to show for voice actors who want to grow their voiceover business without relying on casting sites or waiting for agents to hand them work. Hosted by voice actor and business coach Paul Schmidt, this podcast delivers no-fluff, tactical advice on how to market your voiceover services, attract high-quality clients, and build a profitable VO business in a world of AI-generated voices and shifting industry standards.You’ll learn practical voiceover marketing tips, how to master direct marketing for voice actors, build a solid client base, and use tools like email outreach, SEO, and strategic positioning to stand out. We cover how to price your work, optimize your VO website, and navigate topics like AI and voiceover with clarity and confidence.Each week, we bring you insights and strategies from Paul, and interviews with working voice actors, coaches, casting directors, and experts who understand the business of voiceover from the inside out.If you're a freelance voice actor looking to take control of your career and actually get booked, this is the podcast for you.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Audible, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, SoundCloud, Deezer, Podcast Addict, Castbox, and RSS, and wherever you get your podcasts.You’ll also find helpful information including my free Move Touch Inspire newsletter for voice actors at https://VOPro.pro/mtiSUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/vopro-pro?sub_confirmation=1The Pro Blog: https://vopro.pro/blogThe VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vofreedommasterplan.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom
Podcast website

Listen to VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting, The Book Club and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting: Podcasts in Family