You're Definitely Trying Too Hard
Endless takes, second-guessing, and chasing a “perfect” sound—it’s exhausting, right? The truth is, perfection isn’t what books the job. Authenticity does. Clients aren’t looking for a polished, generic voice; they want a real person who can connect with their audience and bring a story to life. When you stop trying to sound “right” and start focusing on delivering an honest, engaging read, that’s when your true potential shines.
Voice over is an industry full of creative expression, but too many voice actors fall into the trap of trying to sound “perfect.” You know the feeling—you spend hours in the booth, overanalyzing every take, tweaking your delivery until you’re not even sure what the original direction was anymore. Should you smile more? Should you sound more confident? Are you hitting the right level of quirkiness? Before you know it, your audition sounds polished, but not personal—technically great, but emotionally flat.
The truth? You don’t need to have the “perfect” voice to be successful. In fact, trying too hard to sound perfect can actually hold you back. What clients really want is a voice that feels real—natural, engaging, and authentic. When you focus less on how you sound and more on telling the story, that’s when your reads will start to stand out.
Ditch the “Pretty” Read
The most successful brands don’t aim for perfection—they embrace their flaws, their humanity, and their unique voice. That’s what connects people to them. Your voice over business should follow the same principle. Instead of molding your delivery into what you think clients want to hear, bring yourself to the read.
When I first started in voice over, I spent too much time trying to mimic the voices I heard in commercials, believing I had to match a certain “sound” to be considered a professional. But as I gained experience, I realized that my greatest asset was my own voice—my personality, my inflection, my authenticity. Once I stopped chasing a polished, predictable sound and started embracing my own style, I booked more work.
If you spend your time trying to fit into a mold, you’ll end up blending in with every other voice actor out there. But when you bring your unique perspective and emotion to the read, you create something compelling and memorable.
Let the Story Lead, Not Your Sound
One of the biggest mistakes voice actors make is listening to themselves too much in the booth. You should be focusing on your listener, not your sound. When you self-direct, don’t ask, “Do I sound good?” Instead, ask, “Am I telling the story in a way that feels real?”
A key technique is to revisit your scene after every sentence. What just happened in the script? How would a real person react? Instead of mechanically moving to the next line, take a breath and respond as if you’re in a real conversation. This will help you stay engaged and connected, rather than slipping into a robotic, rehearsed read.
"It's about letting others see you, the real you, and helping them connect with that person." - Laura Ries
Give Yourself Time to Hear the Truth
Self-direction is one of the hardest parts of voice over. After you finish recording an audition, don’t submit it right away. Step away for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours if possible, and then come back with fresh ears. When you listen later, you’ll hear whether you were genuinely telling the story or if you fell into the trap of sounding “pretty.”
It’s also a good idea to check in with a coach or mentor regularly. A great coach won’t just tell you what you want to hear—they’ll pinpoint when you’re focusing too much on your voice and not enough on the message. Even the most experienced voice actors can develop bad habits without realizing it, so having an outside perspective can help you stay on track.
Authenticity is What Books Voice Over Work
The most compelling voice over performances aren’t about perfect pronunciation or the smoothest tone. They’re about connection. When you stop trying to sound a certain way and start being present in the read, you create something special.
If you’re struggling to book work, don’t assume it’s because your voice isn’t good enough. Chances are, you’re just overthinking it. Let go of the pressure to perform and focus on simply being in the moment. Trust that your voice, just as it is, is enough.
Let Go and Be Yourself!
We’ve been conditioned to believe that perfection is the goal, but in reality, it’s the imperfections that make us human. They’re what make us relatable. They’re what make us memorable.
So the next time you step into the booth, resist the urge to tweak and polish yourself into something you’re not. Just tell the story. Be real. Be you. Because that’s exactly what your audience—and your clients—are looking for.
Thanks for reading - Anne
Work with Anne
Anne Ganguzza is a Voice Actor, Coach, Influencer, and award-winning Podcaster & Demo Producer. based in Southern California.
