“As a voice actor, half your job title is actor.”

George Nowik continues to share and today he describes his fascinating journey in the voiceover industry. The conversation reveals how a chance opportunity recording phone system prompts in a tech support company’s closet launched a career spanning over two decades in voice acting.

George’s story begins with early recognition of his distinctive voice, including drive-thru customers suggesting he pursue radio work. However, the path to professional voice acting took an unexpected turn when his tech support colleagues unanimously volunteered him for recording phone system prompts for a cellular company. This initial experience sparked a passion that led him to create his own home recording setup, complete with makeshift solutions like running cables through ventilation systems.

The episode provides valuable insights into the evolution of the voiceover industry. George describes his progression through various types of work, from corporate narration and video games to medical narration and e-learning content. He discusses how the industry landscape changed dramatically with the advent of text-to-speech technology and the impact of the pandemic, which led to an unprecedented surge in aspiring voice actors.

“Everything from the moment you send that audition off up the chain is subjective.”

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the transformation required to succeed in modern commercial voiceover work. George explains how he had to unlearn his natural “announcer voice” style, which had served him well since age 14, to adapt to contemporary preferences for more conversational, authentic delivery. He shares the challenges of working with voice coaches to develop both technical skills and the ability to embody characters authentically.

The discussion illuminates the highly competitive nature of the industry, with George revealing that in California alone, a quarter of a million people identify as voice actors. He explains the complex selection process for commercial work, emphasizing how success depends on numerous subjective factors beyond talent and technique.

George draws fascinating parallels between voice acting and sales, highlighting how both fields require authentic communication, storytelling ability, and resilience in the face of rejection. He emphasizes the importance of viewing outcomes as “selection, not rejection” and maintaining authenticity in performance despite the competitive pressure.

Throughout the episode, George shares practical insights about the business side of voice acting, explaining how actors must approach their careers as small business owners, actively building their client base rather than relying solely on agent-sourced opportunities. His current success with a national pharmaceutical campaign serves as a testament to the importance of persistence, adaptability, and continuous learning in the field.

“You have to be as authentic as you can possibly be. And any of that baggage weighing you down completely obliterates your authenticity.”

The conversation also explores the psychological aspects of voice work, including the importance of leaving personal baggage outside the recording booth and maintaining authentic communication regardless of the role. George’s journey from tech support to national commercial voice actor illustrates the evolution required to succeed in an increasingly competitive and changing industry.

About George Nowik

After stumbling from a variety of different jobs over the course of the years, George finally made his way back home permanently to the family business of durable medical equipment at Pacific Medical Systems, Inc. now celebrating its 50th year in business.  

In addition to this, he has been running – we use the term loosely because really, nobody likes cardio – his passion business in the field of audio work that covers voiceover, album mixing, session recording, and a variety of other audio odds and ends.  

When not trying to figure out how to squeeze a few extra hours out of the day, he loves driving his family bonkers in public and in private. 

George’s Links

• Website: https://georgenowik.com
• Website: http://www.pacificmsi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalrogftw/

About Tracy Crowley

Tracy Crowley has always been an entrepreneur. Whether it was making gowns for fellow Army wives, taking portraits in black and white, or working on her other businesses, she is always learning something new.

That passion for learning something new and giving something back collide nicely in this podcast.

Join Tracy for Good Life Stories, where simple curiosity brings out great stories, every single time.

Check out Tracy’s new book! https://tracycrowley.life/