You love to sing? Do you have you ever thought ‘What if’? …?’ Kat Lambrix helps you master the necessary skills to transform your dreams of narration into a reality for professionals with professional tips and advice

You’re looking to know how to become an audiobook narrator but aren’t sure how to begin? We’ve created a comprehensive guide to all you should be aware of about this kind of voice art. To give you even more in-depth and real-world knowledge We’ve enlisted the assistance of Audible Studios’ individual Kat Lambrix, who dives into all you need to be aware of as an audiobook Narrator. Beginning with the basics of the process of narration for audiobooks as well as methods and skills to improve upon, along with practical guidance on how to break into the industry and securing audiobook narration jobs. Additionally, you’ll get advice on long-term career planning and suggestions for resources that are all provided by one of the top experts in the field.

So You Want to Be an Audiobook Narrator?

Many people are interested in becoming audiobook narrators since they enjoy audiobooks and books, and they love reading in front of others. Some people are enticed to pursue this route because they are told that they have an unmatched talent and a excellent sound for narration. Although both are great beginning points, it takes much more than an attractive voice and passion for audiobooks to be an effective audiobook narrator.

An audiobook’s listening experience isn’t only about reading words printed on the page. the audiobook’s narrator should have the ability and understanding to bring a book’s story to life for listeners.

From a business perspective Most audiobook narrators operate as freelancers. You need to be professional, organized and able to work at your own pace as well as meet deadlines. You must also keep the track of contracts and invoices. Although it’s not the most secure career option initially, if you’re enthusiastic about narration for audiobooks it could be your ideal job.

What Skills Do You Need to Become an Audiobook Narrator?

It’s no surprise that narration of audiotechnica isn’t something to do as a pastime, but an actual profession. As with any profession it requires certain abilities needed to get started. Before you plunge into the realm of narration ensure that you can be confident in saying that you have the followingskills:

Background in Acting

It might seem obvious, however having a fundamental knowledge of acting can make an enormous difference in making the switch to narration. “Narration is an acting gig. You’re embodying different characters, you’re telling stories. So, it’s really important to be able to do that,” Lambrix emphasizes. “Lots of people have gone to theater school. Some people have come to us from other parts of the acting world. But no matter what, being able to act is a foundational skill…you’re telling a story, and it’s not your story.”

Ability to Differentiate Voices, Accents, and Dialects

It may sound like another fact, but the ability to masterfully portray characters from different backgrounds is a vital talent that can set you apart from other Narrators. “Inevitably you’ll run into a scene with seven sisters or four women who are in their 30s, and you have to find a way to make their voices all sound distinct for your listener,” says Lambrix.

Stamina

The process of narrating might seem easy as you sit down for a while listening to a book you enjoy (hopefully) in front of your friends. However, in reality the hours you spend narrating can drag through and wear you out It’s crucial to stay up the best possible pace. “We typically record around six hours per day. Therefore, you must physically be able to perform it. It’s not easy; it’s more than just sitting and speaking,” Lambrix acknowledges. “It’s breathing control. It’s knowing when it’s time to be loud. It’s being aware of when to ease back. These quiet moments are equally exhausting as most raucous ones, since you’re dealing with lots of emotion and lots of subtleties.”

Research Skills

Finally, do some do some research! How does this all fit into the picture? It’s just narrating a story you know? What happens when you’re in the studio and find the word “country name or any other thing you’re not sure what to say? Conducting some research prior to the event will go a long way in making your narration skills even better. “So rather than pretending to know it all, the ability to know what you don’t know, and to go out there and do that research is important,” Lambrix says. Lambrix.

Additionally, this information could keep you from uncomfortable situations when you are inside the recording booth. “We recorded an unpublished book and the narrator viewed an interview with the person in question and then utilized the pronunciation of their name to refer to the book. The interviewer said the name of the person incorrectly. Thus, the narrator uttered the wrong name throughout the book.” Naturally that research can go far!

Refining Your Skills as an Audiobook Narrator

Practice

You’ve realized that you have the required skills to start, but how can you improve your capabilities? “Practice!” Lambrix emphasizes. “It’s an excellent idea to visit your bookcase close your eyes and choose a book to read. It could be a book you’re not fond of, that’s better. Take a look and see if it’s possible to achieve it. Since, you can’t always read the books you want for reading.”

Learn from the best

As with everything in life, there is a chance to become better and learn from the experts in your area, so make sure you listen to your favorite voice actor-a number of times! “Listen to those who are the best in their field. Consider how you can use the things they do and incorporate them into your life,” says Lambrix. “The more you practice it, the more easy it becomes. The more you plan your booth, the more comfortable you will be able to get into the booth and simply relax.”

Getting Started as an Audiobook Narrator

Everyone in the field suggests you start by doing some practice at home. You should read aloud in a calm and enclosed area in a place where you’re not distracted. You should also get the feel of slow, clear reading and clearly. If you make a mistake you can start at the very top. Don’t be afraid of marking the page of the “script” and practice reading aloud, while also looking ahead to be aware of what’s in store. Increase your endurance. After that, record your own reading, playback the recording and review your performance. Find areas that you can improve upon. It can help you identify and work on various vocal patterns, dialects and accents. Voice-over classes are also available that you can attend to learn various narration styles.

If you are confident in your skills, think about recording a demonstration. This is the ideal moment to buy an excellent microphone, noise cancelling headphones, as well as pop filters (a screen that sits directly in front of the microphone to block out the breath sounds and the sounds that your mouth makes when you speak). Set up a quiet studio area. There’s no need to alter the room in your home to make it soundproof however you’d like the best environment possible to record. It’s also necessary to have an audio recording device on your computer like GarageBand or Audacity as well as it wouldn’t hurt to learn the basics of editing sound to make the best recordings. The majority of audiobook narrators read from the tablet screen, which is why it’s a good idea to buy a device that allows readers to scroll and read move ahead without squeezing pages. After you’ve completed your demo you can display it on your site or on your profile for one of the websites listed below.