Voice acting and voiceover have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks in part to the growth of the entertainment industry and the rise of digital media. Nearly every brand and business has to maintain some sort of digital media presence to stay relevant nowadays. As a result, there are many areas of voiceover that are currently in high demand. While there are more voice actors competing for jobs, there are also more jobs than ever! Here are some of the most in-demand areas of voice acting in 2023:
Animation
Animation continues to be one of the most popular areas of voiceover. Animated films and TV shows require a wide range of voices, from goofy to serious, and talented voice actors are needed to bring these characters to life. This is a highly skilled and nuanced area of the voiceover industry, that not everyone can do well. In particular, there is a growing demand for diverse voice actors who can represent a range of cultures and backgrounds.
Video Games
As the gaming industry continues to grow, so does the demand for voice actors. Video games require voice actors to bring characters to life, as well as to narrate and provide commentary during gameplay. This area of voiceover requires actors with a range of voices and the ability to perform in a variety of styles, from serious to comedic. Gaming is a $200+ billion industry, with no signs of slowing down!
Audiobooks
Audiobooks have soared in popularity in recent years, and demand for voice actors to narrate them has risen accordingly. Audiobooks require actors with excellent storytelling skills, who can bring characters to life and keep listeners engaged for hours on end. As a result, voice actors with a natural ability to perform different accents and dialects are highly sought after in this area.
Commercials
Voiceover work for commercials remains a steady and reliable area of work for voice actors. Companies continue to produce advertisements that require voiceovers to help sell their products, from TV and radio spots to online ads. In 2023, there is an increasing demand for voice actors who can perform conversational, natural reads that sound like a friend talking to the listener. This is only expected to continue due to the rise in social media marketing.
Corporate Narration
Corporate narration work involves providing voiceovers for training videos and other internal communications. This area of voiceover requires actors who can deliver information clearly and concisely, while also keeping the audience engaged. With the rise of remote work, demand for corporate narration work is expected to continue to grow.
E-Learning
The e-learning industry has been steadily growing in recent years, and the pandemic only accelerated this trend as more people turned to online learning platforms. As a result, the demand for high-quality e-learning voiceovers has also increased significantly. E-learning voiceovers serve as a crucial element in providing a seamless and engaging learning experience for students of all ages. From instructional videos to interactive modules, e-learning voiceovers help to bring educational content to life. It is expected that the e-learning voiceover industry will continue to thrive, making it a highly in-demand niche for voice actors and professionals in the voiceover industry.
Podcasting
Podcasting has become a huge industry in recent years, and many podcasts require voice actors to provide introductions, voiceovers, and character voices. Voice actors with the ability to perform in a conversational style and create distinct character voices are highly sought after in this area.
While it feels sometimes that the voiceover industry is oversaturated, there are still many areas of voice acting and voiceover that are in high demand in 2023. Animation, video games, audiobooks, commercials, corporate narration, and podcasting are all areas where talented voice actors are needed. If you are interested in pursuing a career in voice acting, consider specializing in one or more of these areas to increase your chances of success.