The question always comes up.

“How difficult is it to start a career in voiceovers?”

I listen to their stories when they call my office asking for voiceover guidance. A pleasant-sounding man is anxious to get out of the corporate rat race and thinks being a voiceover talent would be a nice way to earn a living. Another person has been told a thousand times what a great she has and now believes she's heard enough compliments that it’s time to cash in on the golden vocal chords. I also heard from a sweet-sounding grandma who said her granddaughter read a poem at her church and everyone commented on her excellent reading skills. Surely, the nice ad agency folks will want to use her in their next radio campaign.

Which, brings up the question again: “How hard is it to start a career in voiceovers?”

Even after 20-plus years in the voiceover business I still don’t have a simple answer to that question. I want to be encouraging, yet I don’t want to mislead anyone, either.

The truth is that a career in voiceovers can be difficult road to travel if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons: 1. you think it will be “fun” and 2. you believe it will be an easy way to earn a living.

This is when it dawned on me that doing voiceovers is very similar to being a contestant on American Idol, but without the glamour. Check it out dawg: Here’s a group of 20 young people who love to sing, been told by friends and family that they have great singing voices and so they go out on a limb, take a risk and go through an arduous audition process to prove they are have the talent to become a superstar. If they jump through all the hoops of the audition process without being eliminated they will “make it to Hollywood!” Which means they will be featured on the hit TV show American Idol and have a chance of being crowned the next American Idol.

Now it gets tricky because every week they must stand in front of a firing squad, I mean the judges, and get their singing talent ripped apart. On national TV, nonetheless. And then if that isn't bad enough, the entire nation gets to put in their two-cents and one of these singers is voted OUT of the show.

Goodbye and don't let the door hit you in the you-know-what on the way out.

That sounds cruel, doesn't it? One girl actually cried on national TV when she got the ax. Ryan Seacrest wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder to ease her angst. I must admit I felt sad for her, too.

Simon Cowell didn't cry, of course. Love him or hate him, he does call it like he sees it and I must admit, I secretly agree with him more times than not.

We've all learned that winning American Idol doesn't guarantee you success. Taylor Hicks has faded into oblivion. But, his American Idol classmate, Chris Daughtry, has built an impressive career with multiple number one hits. So while Taylor won the Idol crown it's Chris who is laughing all the way to the bank.

Another person who is probably laughing all the way to the bank is Sanjaya. He is so well known that he can get away without using his last name. Like he is Madonna or Cher. And he can't even sing. Heck, he had groupies who would cry when he sang (painfully out of tune) on the weekly show. That is is something I haven't seen since the Beatles came to America 40 years ago. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that Sanjaya is NO Paul McCartney.

So you're saying "This isn't right! This isn't fair! The best talent should win! Sanjaya shouldn't of even made it on the show! None of this makes sense!"

Now you're getting what I'm getting at..... Like American Idol, there is no rhyme or reason or formula to success in building a career in voiceovers.

Having talent and a good voice is helpful, but it doesn't guarantee success. Heck, there aren't any guarantees at all.

But, if this is something you not only enjoy but have a passion for plus you are a risk-taker, can take rejection (without crying), are a self-promoter and have an entrepreneurial spirit, well then, a career in voiceovers may very well be the right career for you.

Personally, I LOVE it! The freedom, the having- no-boss aspect, and the opportunity to make very good money have kept me in this field for over two decades now.

Is voiceovers the right career move for you?

I'll answer that question and a lot more in our March voiceover workshops, held in my downtown Sacramento studios. It's a fun and informative class and you even will get a behind-the-mic recording session. Seats fill fast as we limit the size of the class to six. Reserve you space today by calling the office.

In my next Blog: .....What is a Great Voice, anyway?........coming soon!