How do I get a voice over agent?

The Voice-Over Agent Blueprint

From Stuck to Booked

A lot of actors come to me saying:
“I just need an agent.”

But what they really need is clarity.

Because when you’re clear on your voice, your positioning, and your next step…
you stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress.

That’s what this guide is for.

Step 1: Start with Integrity (and the Right List)

Before you submit to anyone, go here:

This is the official SAG-AFTRA franchised agents list.

Why this matters:

  • SAG-AFTRA members are required to work with franchised agents in most cases

  • These agents agree to union rules that protect you (even if you’re pre-union!)

  • They can’t charge upfront fees

  • Their commission is capped (typically 10%)

In other words, this list filters out a lot of the scams and questionable reps right away.

You don’t have to be a member of the union to get a SAG-AFTRA franchised agent.

Step 2: Filter for Voice Over (Don’t Spray and Pray)

Once you’re on the list:

  • Select the market you want an agent in from the drop down menu (Chicago, LA, NY, etc.)

  • It doesn’t have to be the market you live in for voice-over!

  • Look for agencies with the “VO” (Voiceover) specialty tag

Not every agent handles voice over.
And not every VO agent handles your type of work.

You want alignment, not volume.

Why we start here in The Whole Artist approach:

  • You protect your energy and your career

  • You avoid scams and distractions

  • You focus only on legitimate opportunities

This is about working smarter, not harder.

Step 3: Choose Alignment Over Volume

You don’t need 50 agents.

You need the right 5–10.

When reviewing agencies:

  • Do I sound like talent they already represent?

  • Am I at the level they’re booking?

If the answer is no, that’s not rejection.
That’s information.

Step 4: What Do Those Specific Agents Need?

Every agency will have different needs. Go to their website. Read the submission instructions carefully and follow them exactly.

Do you have copies of spots you’ve booked? Do you have a demo? Do you have quality auditions you can share?

Some agents don’t require a demo, but some do. I’ve booked jobs straight from my demo through my agent submitting me.

A professional demo might give you an edge. Need recommendations? Just ask!

Step 5: Get Your “Booth” Together

These days, it helps to have Broadcast quality sound…but it’s not necessary when you’re just starting out.

My home studio is a Whisper Room Booth and studio quality equipment, but yours could be as simple as a closet with clothes in it and a blanket or carpet on the floor, a USB mic and your computer!

Step 6: Relationships Change Everything

This is the part most actors skip… and it’s the fastest path forward.

Referrals.

Real connections.

Community.

Start here:

  • Classes and coaching spaces

  • Union events

  • Other working actors

Because when someone says, “You should meet them,” you’re no longer a cold email.

You’re a recommendation.

Hot tip: Do not ask someone you’ve never met for a referral to their agent. If they don’t know your skill level, your work ethic, or anything about you, they will not risk their relationship with their agent (or any agent) to refer you.

Build the relationship first. Then ask.

Step 7: Trust Yourself Enough to Say No

A real agent:

  • Gets paid when you get paid

  • Takes commission only

  • Submits and negotiates for you

Anything else?

You don’t need it.

🚩 🚩 🚩Walk away if they:

  • Charge upfront fees

  • Push paid services as a requirement (one specific headshot photographer, their classes, a fee to be on their website etc.)

  • Promise guaranteed work

The Whole Artist doesn’t operate from desperation.
You operate from discernment.

Step 8: Zoom Out

An agent is not the goal.

A sustainable, fulfilling career is the goal.

An agent is just one piece of that.

So ask yourself:

If I got signed tomorrow, would I be ready to show up consistently?

If the answer is no, that’s not a problem.
That’s clarity.

And clarity is where everything starts.

The Shift

You don’t go from “stuck to booked” by doing more.

You get there by:

  • Getting clear

  • Taking aligned action

  • Building momentum

That’s how you become the actor agents want to work with.

Stay Connected

Want more support, strategy, and real talk about the industry?

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

And you don’t have to wait until you “make it” to feel like a working actor.

You get to be a whole artist now. Ready for Your Next Step?

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what actually matters right now…

That’s exactly what we solve inside The Clarity Session.

Together, we’ll:

  • Identify what’s really holding you back

  • Get clear on your next aligned move

  • Create a plan that actually works for you

Book Your Clarity Session

About Courtney Rioux

Actor. Voice-over artist. SAG-AFTRA leader.
Founder of The Whole Artist Coaching.

I help actors go from stuck to booked by combining mindset, strategy, and real industry insight… so you can build a career that actually feels good while you’re living it.

P.S. The Green Room has a Free Mini Voice-Over 101 Class HERE! Scroll down halfway down the page.

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