Ep. 303 - Why Your ACX Auditions Aren't Getting Picked

Send us Fan Mail

Your ACX auditions aren't getting picked, and it usually isn't the sound of your voice. In this episode I go through what actually decides it, from the first 30 seconds to the quality of your audio, the books you choose, how many auditions you send out, and the performance habits that get you skipped.

(01:03) The first 30 seconds decide it, and often the first one to three seconds. Authors will give you the benefit of the doubt for a little while, but they stop listening long before your two or three minute audition is over. Whether they like the sound of your voice is out of your control, so stop worrying about that part.

(02:46) Sound problems. An author isn't going to write you a technical note about your noise floor. They'll just think it doesn't sound good and move on. Treat the space, and don't forget the floor and the ceiling. Then learn your software, whether that's Audacity or Audition. Your space sets the tone for everything.

(05:39) The books you pick. There's usually a familiarity in your voice that fits certain material, so pay attention to what you keep getting hired for. But when you're starting, the equalizer is raw numbers. Audition for everything across Academy Voices and ACX, knock out the ones that fit you first, then go after the rest.

(10:49) Performance. Characters aren't about pitch. They're about personality and cadence and the mannerisms behind the voice, and kids don't speak slow. Pacing gets blamed when the real problem is diction. And a read that's too flat or too big both come from not shaping the words.

(15:18) What to do about it. Get your reads heard. I post a script every Monday in the free Facebook group and give notes on what people post. Feedback is how you find out what's actually wrong.

Post your read in the free Facebook group and I'll give you a note. https://www.facebook.com/groups/avosjourney

There are over 750 free voice over scripts to practise with at https://www.avosjourney.com/scripts/?src=podcast and you can audition for audiobooks at https://academyvoices.com

Our live classes are open to anyone during Free Class Week, 12 to 15 October. https://www.avosjourney.com/free-class-week-october-2026?src=podcast

When you're ready to train with us, here's VO Journey Academy. https://www.avosjourney.com/join?src=podcast

Support the show

Social Links:   

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anthony_pica_vo/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AVOsJOURNEY

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/avosjourney/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypicavo/