Some voice artistes reign for more than 36 years and never have to think of cutting prices to counter competitive pressure. Then there are those too who buckle soon after the first flush of success because they think ‘lending’ voices did not mean working hard. But generally, if you are a consistent hard-worker, you can be as well off as a corporate executive, but with no guarantee of sustenance beyond a couple of months! If you are complacent and suddenly find yourself out of favour, the impending abyss can be unbearable, sometimes leading to depression. And you have no one but you to blame. It’s a well-paying profession, with the attendant fun and some recognition that goes with it.

• 8am: Start the day
• 9am: Check emails of overseas clients
• 10am: Audio recording
• 11am: Discussion with client, ad agency, producers, director and writer
• 1pm: Project discussion
• 1.30pm: Break for lunch
• 2pm: Time for power nap
• 3pm: Recording of an audio book
• 5pm: Meeting over an upcoming tour abroad
• 6pm: Call from a TV channel for a short promo recording
• 7.30pm: Hit the gym
• 9pm: Call it a day

• An arresting baritone might be the last thing you need
• Voice clarity is must
• Understanding what you are projecting or selling
• Be good at the language you choose
• Having fun while you work is extremely important
• A style that conquers

• You will be considered a nobody, almost an outcast, if you’re not successful
• Income wise you’ll be fine because there are a lot of work opportunities
• Keep reinventing yourself with the changing times

There are no training courses for this career. Unless the participant puts in the adequate input, all the guidelines given to him/her are of no avail. A phonetics course can be of little help. For the rest, you are pretty much on your own.