Voice-over Artist
"In a world of constricting cubicles and noncasual Fridays, one man dared to work from home in his flannel PJs ... " If you have the charcoal smooth voice of a movie trailer guy, or a talent for funny accents and characters, you could earn real money recording voice-overs in your own home studio.
Sure, you could spend thousands of dollars building a high-end recording studio in your basement, but you can also get surprisingly good sound with some cheap tricks. To cut out background noise and echo, for example, record inside a closet full of clothes. The clothes absorb reverb and deaden background noise [source: Schooler].
Quality USB microphones can be found for less than $100 online and free audio programs like Audacity and Apple's Garageband make recording clean and clear voiceover audio a snap.
But how do you find work as a voice-over artist? If you're just getting started, try websites like Voice Bunny and Voices.com, where you can post samples of your work and bid on projects. It's a great way to build up professional experience before seeking out an agent.
For lots more list of unexpectedly awesome jobs, check out the related HowStuffWorks articles below.
Author's Note: 10 Jobs You Can Do in Your Jammies
An admission — I am in my pajamas right now. Yes, I am one of those lucky suckers who works from home, often in clothes unsuitable for public consumption. When I first started working as a freelance writer, the lure of working in my jammies wasn't as powerful as the urge to never commute into an office again, and have the kind of flexible schedule where I can actually see my kids during daylight hours and be somewhat helpful to my wife. The pajamas are just a perk. As comfortable as it is to remain in loungewear all day, there are some downsides, notably when the UPS guy or a neighbor unexpectedly pays a visit and I answer the door looking like a semi-homeless man with four-day stubble and a 27-year-old sweatshirt. Do you think a tie would dress things up?
Related Articles
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- DeJohn, Irving. "Meet New York City's First Professional Cuddler." New York Daily News. Jan. 30, 2014 (Jan. 8, 2015) http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/snuggle-time-meet-nyc-professional-cuddler-article-1.1595329
- First Coast News. "Fort Myers Man George Kane Finds Second Career as Playboy Hugh Hefner Look Alike." Aug. 26, 2011 (Jan. 8, 2015) http://archive.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/216447/19/Fort-Myers-Man-Finds-Second-Career-as-Hugh-Hefner-Look-Alike
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