If you like to speak and talk, there are many ways to use your voice to make money from home.
People consume audio content more than ever these days. On the way to work, while working out, during household chores, sometimes it’s just easier to listen than it is to read.
I know several introverts that are very well-spoken and have great success with YouTube and Podcasting.
Personally, I freeze up every time I have to speak publicly. However, I think that’s because I’m such a nervous person, not because I’m an introvert.
It’s anxiety, overthinking, self-doubt, and all sorts of other things that probably require therapy.
My point is, if you are an introvert, don’t automatically discount the income ideas listed below.
Some things you have to try yourself in order to tell if you’ll like it or not.
Ideas to Explore to Earn Money with Your Voice
Start a YouTube Channel
Start a YouTube channel about a topic you love. I suggest you pick a niche that you can talk about frequently.
Figure out what you can provide to an audience. Whether you’re teaching a skill or entertaining, if it’s something you’re passionate about, that will show.
YouTubers make money with ads, sponsors, and affiliate marketing.
It’s important to know that there are minimum requirements to monetize on YouTube now.
Your channel needs a certain amount of views and subscribers before you can apply to the ad network.
Once you get to that point, you can also link your TeeSpring store to promote your merchandise on your channel as well.
You don’t have to show your face in YouTube videos if that scares you off. If you’re doing tutorials or sharing your screen, your appearance is optional.
I am not a YouTube expert by any means, but I’ve learned a few things about how to grow a channel quickly.
- Pick a niche – Most people are more likely to subscribe if they know what kind of content to expect.
- Post consistently – YouTube wants you to have an active channel.
- Keyword research – You want your videos to show up for the correct search terms.
- Engagement matters – Yes, we have to be social on social media. The struggle is real for me. Comments, likes, time on your channel, and your responses to comments all matter.
- Get to the point – You have seconds to grab a viewer’s attention. Make the topic of the video clear right away.
I’d also suggest researching other channels about your niche.
Of course, never copy, but learn. You can read their comments to see if viewers are complaining about background music or other suggestions that might help you improve your own technique.
- Investment: Time, Money if you need equipment.
- Equipment: Good camera or even a phone to start, computer, video editing software, decent microphone and space for sound quality.
- Skills: Speaking, editing.
- Income: Active income. If you have an evergreen topic, there could be passive income potential.
Create a Podcast
Similar to a YouTube channel, but no need to show your face. Since it’s only voice, you want to focus on sound quality a lot more than with a YouTube channel.
Many new podcasters choose to release a season of episodes rather than one at a time. This allows users access to more content.
Podcasters make money through ads, sponsors, affiliate marketing, products, and more.
If you choose to release a whole season at once, realize you won’t have enough subscribers to attract sponsors at first.
- Investment: Time, Money for equipment.
- Equipment: Good microphone, editing software, pop filter, headphones, sound-proof area in your home, and podcast hosting.
- Skills: Speaking, editing.
- Income: Active income. If you have evergreen content, possibly passive income down the road.
Offer Voiceover Gigs
Do you have a soothing voice? An adorable accent? Maybe you can do silly, cartoonish voices?
Even if you’re simply able to speak clearly and well, you can list your services for voiceover work.
I don’t know a ton about voiceover work, just that it exists and you can do it from home.
People hire out for voices on video, podcasts, and any type of audio that they don’t want to voice themselves.
- Investment: Time, Money for equipment.
- Equipment: Good microphone and a studio-type area of your home to provide excellent quality audio to your clients.
- Skills: Speaking, consistency (remember your character voices and measure space away from the mic.)
- Income: Active income.
Voice Audiobooks
Ever wonder who does the voices for audiobooks? People like us from home! Become a narrator and get paid to read books. I just made that seem way easier than it is.
There’s a lot more to voicing audiobooks than grabbing a microphone and reading.
You’ll have to audition quite a bit before landing your first job.
You also have to upload samples of your work to your profile.
ACX offers courses on how to create the best audiobooks. I’d definitely suggest exploring that area first.
What excites me most about narrating audiobooks is the passive income potential.
Some authors offer a choice of payment in a flat rate or royalties. Of course, no one knows how successful a book will be, but imagine receiving royalties on a book that takes off!
For fun, try to read a book out loud right now and see how it goes. It certainly wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
I also didn’t remember what the heck I read. So, this will definitely be interesting to explore further!
- Investment: Time, Money for equipment.
- Equipment: Good microphone and a studio-type area of your home to provide excellent quality audio, editing software.
- Skills: Speaking, keeping your voice(s) consistent, word pronunciation, editing skills.
- Income: Active income. Passive income potential if you choose to receive royalties as payment.
Customer Service Jobs
Customer service, I believe, is one of the most common work from home jobs. Answer calls from home on behalf of a company.
Running a call center from home can be freelance work or an employment position.
- Investment: Time, Money for equipment.
- Equipment: Phone (landline is best, I believe), headset, noise-free room in your home.
- Skills: Patience, problem-solving, and other knowledge depending on the company you work for.
- Income: Active income. Typically an hourly wage.
Have you tried any of the income ideas above?
What other ways can you earn money using your voice?