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Voiceover
This module is about recording spoken voice work for clients, not Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph3e2e415f/ios" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Support</a>. You can start by practising, making samples and approaching agencies or creative networks; rates, fees and age limits are not stated.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- Voiceover means recording your spoken voice for clients.
- Practise short scripts and listen to your recordings.
- Make clear samples in a quiet place.
- Ask for feedback and improve one thing at a time.
- Agree the fee, use, deadline and changes before recording.
- Income can vary, and paid work is not guaranteed.
Who it suits
People who enjoy reading aloud, interpreting scripts and practising vocal delivery. It may suit beginners willing to learn recording basics and seek feedback; anyone under 18 should involve a parent or guardian when exploring work or agreements.
Clients may need spoken scripts for adverts, films, animation, training or narration. They pay for a voice and delivery that suit the project, with clear sound and agreed usage; rates vary by project and usage rights <a href="https://easytigervoices.com/irish-voiceover-artists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Easy Tiger Voices</a>.
Step by step
- Choose a few types of voice work to practise. Pick a small number of styles, such as narration, commercial reads, animation or corporate scripts. You do not need to present yourself as suited to every kind of work. About 15-30 minutes.
- Read a short piece in different ways. Choose a short text and try a few deliveries. Listen back for clear words, natural pacing and whether the voice suits the message. About 20-30 minutes.
- Mark the script and record different choices. Mark pauses, emphasis and unfamiliar words. Try different tones or character choices, recording each attempt so you can compare them. About 30-45 minutes.
- Test a quiet recording space with your current equipment. Try your microphone at different distances and listen for background noise, room echo and distracting mouth sounds. Adjust one thing at a time before buying anything. About 30-60 minutes.
- Record and label a few short sample clips. Make a small set of samples in contrasting styles. Label each file clearly and listen on headphones before sharing it. About 1-2 hours.
- Ask someone you trust for specific feedback. Ask about clarity, pace and tone rather than whether they simply like the recording. For structured support, PBL Voiceover Coach lists coaching in performance, microphone technique, audition preparation and recording workflows Paul Butler Lennox. About 30 minutes to arrange; allow a few days for a reply.
- Put your best samples and contact details together. Create one simple portfolio with your strongest samples, a short introduction and a reliable contact method. Make it easy to hear your voice without searching through unrelated files. About 1-2 hours.
- Prepare a clear brief before contacting an agency. Include script length, audience, tone, accent, intended media, usage term and deadline. Easy Tiger Voices asks for these details when requesting a quote or shortlist Easy Tiger Voices. About 30-60 minutes.
- Ask about a custom audition before committing. Check whether the agency can offer a custom audition and what it involves. Easy Tiger Voices says custom auditions are usually three voices recorded against the actual script, usually provided within 24 hours, with no commitment Easy Tiger Voices. About 15 minutes to ask; audition timing varies.
- Confirm the job terms in writing before recording. Agree the fee, usage, delivery format, deadline and any revisions. Easy Tiger Voices states a standard turnaround of 3–5 working days from final script approval; rush work may be possible depending on availability and script length Easy Tiger Voices. About 15-30 minutes to confirm; recording time depends on the job.
Your first 15 minutes
Record three short reads in different styles, listen back, choose your clearest sample and ask one trusted person for specific feedback.
The money
There is no reliable published rate. Set a quote based on script length, intended use and usage term, the project type, your experience, recording and editing time, and any revisions; confirm the terms before you start <a href="https://easytigervoices.com/irish-voiceover-artists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Easy Tiger Voices</a>.
Example only: If you agree one job for £80 and spend £10 on costs, £80 − £10 = £70 before tax. In euros, if you agree one job for €90 and spend €10 on costs, €90 − €10 = €80 before tax. These are made-up figures to show the maths, not typical rates or an income promise.
The rules
There is no voiceover-specific licence identified for the UK or Ireland. Check the tax, data-protection, client-term and age rules that apply to you.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Trading income and tax. The trading allowance covers the first £1,000 a year of trading income. If your income is over £1,000, tell HMRC. The allowance is based on gross income before expenses GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles. If you need to register for Self Assessment, register by 5 October after the end of the tax year GOV.UK.
- Northern Ireland young workers. In Northern Ireland, workers aged 16–17 usually cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. They cannot work from 10pm to 6am nidirect. Check which rules apply to your age and circumstances.
- Licence and age. There is no voiceover-specific licence or general minimum age identified here. Check any age and agreement requirements directly with your client or agency.
- Insurance. Think about whether insurance suits your work and equipment. Ask an insurer what cover suits your setup. There is no stated rule that voiceover workers must have insurance.
- Promotional posts. Clearly label advertising or affiliate posts, for example, “Ad” Advertising Standards Authority.
- Client data. The ICO's wholesale and retail guidance tells organisations to use its self-assessment tool to check whether they need to pay a data protection fee. If you hold customer details only for your own accounts and transaction records, you are likely to be exempt. Advertising or marketing another person's business, goods or services is an example where a fee is required. Check how you use data. This guidance is not specific to voiceover work ICO.
- Client terms. Agree fees, usage, deadlines and revisions before you record. If you sell services directly to consumers and are unsure about consumer rights, check with Trading Standards in your area.
Ireland
- Income tax. If you work under PAYE, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those amounts, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount Revenue. If you're self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC under self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October Citizens Information.
- VAT on services. The VAT registration threshold for services is €42,500 Revenue. Check with Revenue how the threshold applies to your work.
- Licence and age. There is no voiceover-specific licence or general minimum age identified here. Check any age and agreement requirements directly with your client or agency.
- Insurance. Think about whether insurance suits your work and equipment. Ask an insurer what cover suits your setup. There is no stated rule that voiceover workers must have insurance.
- Promotional posts. If you publish commercial content as an influencer, label it clearly, for example, “#Ad”. The guidance says, “if in doubt, label it” CCPC.
- Client data. Handle personal data in line with the rules that apply to you. There is no voiceover-specific registration requirement established here, and no Irish Data Protection Commission source is included.
- Client terms. Agree fees, usage, deadlines and revisions before you record. If you sell services directly to consumers and are unsure about consumer rights, check with the CCPC.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Trying to offer every voice style before finding what suits you.
- Buying equipment before testing the microphone and quiet space you already have.
- Sending samples without checking clarity, file names and sound quality.
- Accepting a job before agreeing usage, fee, deadline and revisions in writing.
- Treating a polished sample as a guarantee of paid work or a particular income.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.