But what did I learn?
➡️ The audiobook industry is even more about building genuine relationships than any other genre of voice acting.
I get repeat clients in my corporate, commercial and gaming work - but nothing to the extent I do with audiobooks. Once you've proven your sound, your acting chops and your scheduling, you're far better placed to work consistently with a producer. And meeting people in person (I went to AHAB in New York in March) and coaching with Julie Wilson had a transformational effect on my career.
➡️ Vocal health and stamina. These things haven't been much of an issue in my 8 years fulltime voice acting, but when you're recording 20-30k a day and the slightest change in your voice can have an impact, you need to know how to deal with it.
➡️ While AI voices are very much a threat, their limitations and lack of COGNITION are shown up in long form. They don't do suspense, tension or emotional transitions - because all those things require understanding of the story you're telling. Not how 'nice' the voice sounds.
➡️ The marketing is easier because it's not so scattergun. Rather than trying to contact hundreds of leads, I'm focusing on those people handling the titles and materials that readily excite me, which therefore makes a personalised approach more... personal.
➡️ The task of creating dozens, if not hundreds of characters for a book has reconnected me with my stage craft and drama school training - especially accent work and Laban. While I've used these consistently in all voice work, these have become a central focus of my working day.
➡️ There's a difference between how much you CAN narrate and how much you SHOULD. I'm still battling with this, and there'sstill terror in saying no to work - but I've worked a lot of evenings and weekends as a result, and that needs adjusting!
➡️ I'm a bigger fish in this pond. Gaming (where, ironically, I've had my best year of bookings too) is dominated by people in my demographic. Yet in most audiobook meet-ups, I've been one of only a few men my age and accent in the room. It makes business sense not to ignore this.
➡️ A social media profile helps. Authors have approached me directly from social media. Publishers have found my work there and are interested in finding ways to leverage my following. That simply never happens in corporate or commercial VO.
➡️ Audiobook narrators are the warmest, most supportive 'sub group' of voice actors I've ever found. Hands down.
I still work consistently with corporate, commercial and gaming clients every week too, but I thought now was a good time to acknowledge this milestone. The hugest of thanks to everyone whose been part of this journey so far!
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By Christopher Tester, British Male Voice Actor
