Recently, one website compiled a list of over 250 sites on the internet where voiceover talents can register as people who want jobs sent to them online from people who need a paid voiceover. Most of these sites charge a voice talent for being on the site. The voice performer is sent auditions or jobs in various ways by these sites, daily, weekly, monthly, all jobs that come in for their voice type or some type of delimiter. Some sites do a better job than others of this situation. Some sites have more satisfied users overall, while other sites seem to have users who are often unhappy with results of the monies they have shelled out to be on these sites. It's a "crap shoot" as a gambler friend would say...This site is http://www.voiceoveremporium.com and we suggest a visit to see all of the many sites who are trying to be "voiceover booking sites."

So how do you know which site to join? If you can only budget the money for, say, two of these sites, which two should these be? How do you know if a site is legitimate or a rip off? Well, the biggest names in this field are:

Voice123

Voices.com

Bodalgo

VO Planet

These are proven sites. This is not to say these are the ONLY proven sites. But all sites should be investigated for their look, their talent roster (click on and listen to some demos), their fee structure compared to other sites, other features of the site such as a blog or a newsletter or informative articles section. Perhaps the site publishes some of the jobs members have recently won.That is not to say that ONLY these four sites are to be considered. Many smaller, newer sites may do well for you as a voice talent and person wanting more paying work and connections.

When investigating pay to play sites, what do the jobs seem to be...mostly commercials, a few video games, no cartoon work, some narrative jobs, some audio books? Does the site and its jobs seem to fit you? What do these jobs pay? Check out a site on more than one visit. Make a list of these sites and your opinions of them. Now, you're beginning to get an idea of what it takes to spend your money on these sites wisely. What do the site's demos sound like? Are there newcomers galore and only so-so demos or do you hear some demos and see some names that are really experienced in look and sound?

Keep in mind: Some websites with booking capabilities have to choose YOU. Others will list only talents signed to a booking agent. All the sites have requirements for submissions. Follow these guidelines. If you apply to be a member of a site that does not answer, go on to other sites that are managed better. Run, don't walk.

Most sites allow "general" memberships which means you can build your page and post a demo or a few demos but until you pay to join (at various levels) you will not receive job or audition offers. That's ok. Join at the unpaid level and scope out the site for a time before deciding to pay them or not.

Remember: Pay to Play Websites do not take the place of having booking agents, nor do they replace scoping out clients on your own and selling your own voiceover accounts. Pay to Play is only once aspect of a voiceover career. There are many ways to get voice jobs. You need to be trying all income streams in order to make a living.