A VO’s Journey with Anthony Pica — Ep. 298: How to Get Started in Voice Over in 2026

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Anthony Pica
Episode Theme: Actionable Guidance for Beginners Entering Voice Over

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Anthony Pica, a seasoned voice actor and coach, revisits the essential steps for breaking into the voice over industry—updated for 2026. With a conversational, encouraging tone, he blends his personal experience with practical advice. The episode is tailored for brand new voice talent, those returning after a hiatus, and anyone looking to update their startup process in a rapidly-evolving industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DIY Beginnings and Setting Up Your Space

Timestamp: 02:30 – 08:10

• Emphasis on the “one-person band” reality. Anthony stresses that most newcomers manage every aspect solo and that learning the technical side is crucial.
• Finding Recording Space:
  • Quiet is more important than size.
  • Closets are “very popular” due to clothes acting as natural sound treatment.
  • Anthony’s early “hobo fort” solution: DIY booth using PVC pipes and thrift-store blankets.

    “You can build a hobo fort...I took PVC pipes...[and] draped [packing blankets] over the top.” (04:00)

  • Blankets, pillows, and clothes work just as well as fancy foam.

2. Choosing Gear and Software

Timestamp: 08:10 – 15:47

• Microphones:
  • USB mics okay to start, but not recommended for professional use.
  • Prefer XLR microphones with an audio interface (“most people start with the Focusrite; I recommend the 2i2”).
  • Affordable and effective starter mic: RODE NT1.
  • Beware of spending big up front: Anthony’s early leap to a Sennheiser 416 (expensive, unnecessary for beginners).
• DAW (Digital Audio Workstation):
  • Adobe Audition favored for ease of use and industry relevance (but requires a subscription).
  • Audacity is free and fine for starters, but move on when budget allows.
  • Choose a DAW you can comfortably learn.
• Mac vs. PC:
  • Anthony prefers Macs for recording and creative work:

    “All the software, the plug, everything just seems to work better with Macs.” (14:40)

  • Recommends using what you have, but a large external monitor helps when your workflow grows.

3. Recording, Editing, and Mastery

Timestamp: 16:26 – 19:00

• Learn the basics of audio:
  • “Get good at recording, meaning that you can record a file, save it, edit it, clean it up and it is a professional sounding file.” (16:40)
  • Tons of free tutorials on YouTube; Anthony learned from Mike Russell.
• Practice Makes Perfect:
  • Aim for deliverable, client-ready quality before seeking work.

4. Finding Work: Platforms, Samples, and Demos

Timestamp: 19:00 – 30:00

• Create Samples Before Professional Demos
  • Make one-off samples tailored to genres you want to target (audiobooks, commercials, etc.).
  • For beginners, don’t spend thousands on demos—clients care more about clear evidence you can deliver.
• Start with Audiobooks for Experience:
  • Audiobook narration (especially nonfiction) teaches editing, deadlines, speaking on-mic, and client relations.
  • “I always recommend you start off with audiobooks because...it’s a good way to give you experience with a bunch of things.” (21:40)
• Join Multiple Platforms for Exposure:
  • Examples: Fiverr, Upwork, ACX, Voquent.
  • Use the same name across all accounts for consistent personal branding.
  • Even “intermediary” and pay-to-play sites (e.g., Voiceover Jungle, Academy Voices) can be valuable—if they’re free or low cost, sign up.
  • Don't be discouraged by slow starts or lack of results at first.
• Headshot Branding:
  • Professional-looking photos build trust with clients.
  • Anthony used an iPhone photo with a simple filter for years:

    “The headshot I’ve used since I started was...a headshot that I took of me on my iPhone in my car messing around with filters.” (28:40)

5. Websites and Direct Marketing

Timestamp: 30:00 – 33:00

• Website Timing:
  • Don’t prioritize a website until you can make it look professional.
  • A YouTube channel or social profile is better than a poorly-executed site.
  • Your personal site won’t be found unless you drive traffic or invest in SEO.
• Direct Outreach:
  • Cold emailing and calling are increasingly ineffective due to inbox overload.
  • “I just think with yourself, when was the last time you hired someone from an email that they sent you that you didn't know who they were?” (32:20)
  • Social media—especially TikTok—offers better networking potential. Participate in others’ content; build real relationships.

6. The Role of Agents

Timestamp: 33:00 – 34:30

• Agents provide unique opportunities but are rarely your main source of work.
  • “Agents will typically only ever bring you a very small percentage of your overall work — like maybe 5% or less.” (33:20)

7. Final Tips and Mindset

Timestamp: 34:30 – End (~38:00)

• Start Small, Grow Steadily:
  • Suggests short audiobook projects (royalty share or otherwise) on platforms like ACX or Academy Voices to build your resume.
  • Don’t expect overnight success or high earnings in your first months:

    “This is a long-term thing. Like I’m doing this for the rest of my life...So don’t beat yourself up if it’s taking time to grow and to learn, okay?” (36:30)

• Community Is Essential:
  • Join a vibrant, positive voiceover community for support, networking, and advice—not just education:

    “It is so important to have contact with people who can help you...That is invaluable. Especially since we live in our closets.” (37:30)

  • The loneliness of solo booth work makes community indispensable for motivation and sanity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On starting solo:

  “I keep saying we’re like there’s someone else over here. There really isn’t. It’s just me. I don’t have a production team...I’m the production team.” (01:00)

• On affordable booth setups:

  “Clothes, that works the best. Clothes, blankets, pillows. And most everybody have those.” (05:45)

• On entry-level gear:

  “Start with what you have, of course, but down the road you’re going to want a bigger screen than a laptop screen.” (14:00)

• On branding and authenticity:

  “Whatever platforms you get on, that you use the same name so that your name becomes…recognizable. Use the same name.” (23:40)

• On learning:

  “I learned everything I needed to learn from YouTube, but you can also join a place...But you can learn it through watching YouTube.” (17:40)

• On community:

  “Join a community somewhere, even if it’s not VO Journey Academy. Join somewhere that you feel connected with, that has positive people, vibrant participation, that is, that they have your back.” (37:15)

Episode Structure with Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------|-----------| |Welcome & Purpose|Episode overview, why revisit beginner advice|00:00–02:30| |DIY Booths and Acoustic Treatment|Space, acoustics, home hacks|02:30–08:10| |Equipment Basics|Mic types, interfaces, DAWs, computers|08:10–15:47| |(Ad break)|[Ad skipped]|15:47–16:26| |Recording & Editing Skills|Developing pro audio skills|16:26–19:00| |Workfinding: Demos, Platforms, Branding|Creating samples, setting up online|19:00–30:00| |Websites & Direct Marketing|When/if to build a website, outreach methods|30:00–33:00| |Agents|Agent’s limited role|33:00–34:30| |First Jobs & Mindset|Start small, be patient, grow community|34:30–End|

Overall Tone

Anthony is warm, candid, and highly practical in his advice. The episode balances a no-nonsense approach (“don’t buy a $4,000 demo when starting!”) with motivational encouragement, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of patience, self-education, and seeking a community for guidance and support.

Useful for New and Returning Voice Talent

This episode provides a current, step-by-step roadmap for getting started in voice over without getting bogged down by perfectionism or industry myths. It’s especially valuable for those feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, encouraging listeners to start with DIY setups, free learning, and steady, consistent action.

Resources Mentioned

• Free Learning: YouTube tutorials (Mike Russell for Adobe Audition)
• Platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, ACX, Voquent, Academy Voices
• Starter Mics/Interfaces: RODE NT1, Focusrite 2i2
• DAWs: Audacity (free), Adobe Audition (subscription)
• Communities: VO Journey Academy and others

Share this episode with anyone you know who’s just starting (or restarting) their voice acting journey—Anthony’s roadmap is timeless and packed with wisdom.