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What can I do now and in the future with Marketing /Commercial/ Voiceover ?
I’m finishing an associates in Marketing Managment with hopes of a getting a bachelors degree in Psychology. I’m also working in voiceover and I at times write commercial scripts for pretend brands.
I’m often wondering what can I do NOW to work with what I know in Marketing?
What jobs/opportunities could i make or take without the degree?
Could I somehow parallel my marketing AND voiceoiover career?
I enjoy the two and in reality commercials is a from of marketing. I just haven’t exactly figured out how to work them both and make it make sense and a valued career .
This may seem like a confusing question and maybe I’m missing something but I would appreciate the feedback if this is understood.
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6 answers
Updated
Mateo’s Answer
You’re actually in a really good spot because marketing and voiceover naturally complement each other. A few practical things you can do right now without waiting for the degree:
Freelance projects: Offer your voiceover + scriptwriting services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Voices. Many small businesses need ads, explainer videos, and social media promos. Pairing your marketing knowledge with VO makes you stand out.
Portfolio building: Keep creating commercial scripts and record voiceovers for them. Package them as a portfolio that shows not just your voice but also how you can market a product.
Social media content: Start a TikTok or YouTube channel breaking down ads, recreating them with your own voiceovers, or explaining what makes them effective. It builds authority in both marketing and VO.
Local businesses: Reach out to small companies in your area—many don’t have polished ads or social media spots. You can offer them a “mini marketing package” (basic ad strategy + script + voiceover).
Internships/entry roles: Look at roles in social media, advertising, or brand strategy. Your VO skills will give you an edge, since not many entry-level marketers can produce creative assets themselves.
In the long run, the psychology degree could help with consumer behavior, ad persuasion, and branding—making you even stronger in both fields. So yes, you can definitely parallel them; think of yourself as a marketing creative who also produces the voice and messaging.
Freelance projects: Offer your voiceover + scriptwriting services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Voices. Many small businesses need ads, explainer videos, and social media promos. Pairing your marketing knowledge with VO makes you stand out.
Portfolio building: Keep creating commercial scripts and record voiceovers for them. Package them as a portfolio that shows not just your voice but also how you can market a product.
Social media content: Start a TikTok or YouTube channel breaking down ads, recreating them with your own voiceovers, or explaining what makes them effective. It builds authority in both marketing and VO.
Local businesses: Reach out to small companies in your area—many don’t have polished ads or social media spots. You can offer them a “mini marketing package” (basic ad strategy + script + voiceover).
Internships/entry roles: Look at roles in social media, advertising, or brand strategy. Your VO skills will give you an edge, since not many entry-level marketers can produce creative assets themselves.
In the long run, the psychology degree could help with consumer behavior, ad persuasion, and branding—making you even stronger in both fields. So yes, you can definitely parallel them; think of yourself as a marketing creative who also produces the voice and messaging.
Updated
William’s Answer
Marketing Management is good for E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Advertising, Marketing Research, Creative Contents Authoring, Social Media Authoring, Website Authoring and Blogging.
You can as well be a Marketing Educator, Brand Consulting (Analyst, Developer and Promoter), Product Manager or Product Analyst, Marketing Representative, Marketing Book Author, Marketing Researcher and Marketing Coach or Trainer.
You can as well be a Marketing Educator, Brand Consulting (Analyst, Developer and Promoter), Product Manager or Product Analyst, Marketing Representative, Marketing Book Author, Marketing Researcher and Marketing Coach or Trainer.
Gustavo Asman
I work as Creative Director at a strategy and communications firm that works with nonprofits
11
Answers
Updated
Gustavo’s Answer
Hi Jodecie,
Hard to say from a distance and without knowing you more beyond what you share.
Here you have a few random thoughts from someone who in a way, transition from working as copywriter, creative director in advertising, to doing communications for mission-driven organizations:
-I think the degree in Pshicology can only help. Understanding of that can become super valuable imo as you work or plan to work even more in marketing
-I believe this changes from company to company, but while some require a certain level of education or degree, some list it as "preference" not a must. Who knows how true that is or what weight that has when they choose or shortlist their candidates, of course.
-If you are already working and writing stuff (commercials) maybe you can expand to write or think and create other marketing ways of connecting with audiences (mainly to broaden what you can share and show around the work you can do.) Not a must, and if you heart is in just commercials, disregard this... but think that sometimes folks who may be hiring creative roles may want to see more, get a better, more complete sense of all you can do
-Voice over sounds fun and something that I hope it is working for you. A very personal decision, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket so to speak, mainly out of concern with the incredible amount of AI tools and options out there. While some will still prefer an actual person and relying on their talent and expertise by hiring a professional human being for it, many others will choose the speed and cost of doing so with AI, so that is mainly a watch out of what may come in the future and be alert to shift or add to your repertoire :)
-That said, of course for some AI may take also creative roles or affect them in certain ways. Familiarizing with how AI works, tools and how to work with them might be valuable as well, cause if you are just starting, I cannot imagine your career not being at the very least affected or touched by the use of AI in the future
-I have worked with a colleague who was a proofreader for our work in an ad firm working for the US market and some markets in Latin America, so she had to adapt to different ways of talking or writing, etc. Besides that specific work she did, she was (is) an actress, so she would have gigs and roles here and there, and as a result she also did voice overs and sometimes would do one for one of the commercials we were producing. I know it is just one example, but I have seen someone play two different roles before. I just think –personally and subjectively if you will–that it needs to be clear and defined what your main role is.
-Some smaller firms or even nonprofit orgs maybe need a lot of help, don't have enough resources and may hire someone to wear multiple hats and do a bit of everything. In my experience in the U.S. that is not always the case, and identifying a clear direction and showing that you can do that work in particular may be an easier entry point (again, at least for some companies. I wouldn't take this or any other advice as definitive, since all these comes from "our limited experiences" and there are always exceptions, different ways of approaching things, more or less luck, etc.
I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best!
Hard to say from a distance and without knowing you more beyond what you share.
Here you have a few random thoughts from someone who in a way, transition from working as copywriter, creative director in advertising, to doing communications for mission-driven organizations:
-I think the degree in Pshicology can only help. Understanding of that can become super valuable imo as you work or plan to work even more in marketing
-I believe this changes from company to company, but while some require a certain level of education or degree, some list it as "preference" not a must. Who knows how true that is or what weight that has when they choose or shortlist their candidates, of course.
-If you are already working and writing stuff (commercials) maybe you can expand to write or think and create other marketing ways of connecting with audiences (mainly to broaden what you can share and show around the work you can do.) Not a must, and if you heart is in just commercials, disregard this... but think that sometimes folks who may be hiring creative roles may want to see more, get a better, more complete sense of all you can do
-Voice over sounds fun and something that I hope it is working for you. A very personal decision, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket so to speak, mainly out of concern with the incredible amount of AI tools and options out there. While some will still prefer an actual person and relying on their talent and expertise by hiring a professional human being for it, many others will choose the speed and cost of doing so with AI, so that is mainly a watch out of what may come in the future and be alert to shift or add to your repertoire :)
-That said, of course for some AI may take also creative roles or affect them in certain ways. Familiarizing with how AI works, tools and how to work with them might be valuable as well, cause if you are just starting, I cannot imagine your career not being at the very least affected or touched by the use of AI in the future
-I have worked with a colleague who was a proofreader for our work in an ad firm working for the US market and some markets in Latin America, so she had to adapt to different ways of talking or writing, etc. Besides that specific work she did, she was (is) an actress, so she would have gigs and roles here and there, and as a result she also did voice overs and sometimes would do one for one of the commercials we were producing. I know it is just one example, but I have seen someone play two different roles before. I just think –personally and subjectively if you will–that it needs to be clear and defined what your main role is.
-Some smaller firms or even nonprofit orgs maybe need a lot of help, don't have enough resources and may hire someone to wear multiple hats and do a bit of everything. In my experience in the U.S. that is not always the case, and identifying a clear direction and showing that you can do that work in particular may be an easier entry point (again, at least for some companies. I wouldn't take this or any other advice as definitive, since all these comes from "our limited experiences" and there are always exceptions, different ways of approaching things, more or less luck, etc.
I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best!
@Gustavo - I just have to ask. Am I to understand that corporations, Ad Agencies, Studios and Public Relations firms seek or require a Degree in Psychology from applicants ? That degree is for clinical practice and before a Masters in Psychology. Maybe I'm off, but this student needs to know that he can take single courses in Consumer Behavior and Business Psychology from a business perspective within a college Business Department.
Michelle M.
I hate to see someone miss out on work because other applicants have the degree in Communications/Media/Public Relations or Marketing and he would have a Psych. degree which I don't think matches up with an Associates in Marketing. I explained it in my post here. Just wondering why everyone thinks a Marketing person can get a Bachelors in Psych after an Associate in Marketing and why he would be hired over other business oriented applicants.
Michelle M.
@Michelle I never said he should pursue a degree in marketing or advertising or PR, etc... I only expressed that understanding psychology could be super valuable for a career in communications... Jodecie is expressing their hope of getting that degree so not sure I am anyone to deviate a person from that... @Jodecie if any questions or comments more than welcome to expand or double click on anything, like I just did. I hope that was helpful @Michelle and for any others reading, thanks for making me clarify that if it wasn't super clear.
Gustavo Asman
Beyond that @Michelle I cannot claim I know what "everyone thinks", all I can do is share my experience, which might be different (most probably) from any other human being, working in communications or not. Not claiming this is it, no magic formula and not trying to limit, agree or disagree with anyone, just share my time and experience in case that helps.
Gustavo Asman
From my perspective, I have seen folks working in different roles in communications without any degrees, with backgrounds in design, communications, writing, journalism, sociology, anthropology and a long etc. Full disclosure, not all of these in the U.S. as I have worked in Latin America and Southeast Asia as well. In my view the degree is helpful, not a must. And the outcome does not depend on it, but on your talents, attitude, contacts, luck... many other factors. They all contribute of course, degree being part of them
Gustavo Asman
I think you stated that a Degree in Psychology would help, that's what I was referring to. As for what everyone thinks - they've already encouraged the student to get the degree in Psychology when the student first asked this same thing prior, that's the "everybody" I was referring to. Please do not deem my advice "deviating" rather it's Advice. If a student is already in college and doesn't know the path they are majoring in, they need advice.
Michelle M.
To also make this clear, many times when students do not know what to do or have questions about their career choice, it is evident in what they ask that they MAY need re-direction or reorientation and that is what I do when I recognize that. I know that sometimes what the students ask is not the information that they really need to know to put them on the right path, and yes, for some careers, there is a right path. This student will have superb opportunities but this student needs to get the experience, degree and skills in the subject connected to his career goal.
Michelle M.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello again, Jodecie !
I remember you from the last time you've asked this question and it's not a confusing question for me but it indicates that you may not be making strong enough connections at your Marketing Department to understand the difference between duties and careers. That's okay, there's always time to interact with your professors, staff and fellow students and pick up on information you may need to know.
To clarify, commercials are NOT a form of Marketing, they are rather part of or an element of Marketing/Selling. As I have previously stated in your other post, you'd have to get a position at a public relations company, marketing firm, corporation, company or a studio to once in a while write and do commercials in addition to other duties. It's not like you could do commercials your whole work shift. It's just part of a position, a skill.
Since you're asking this again, I take it that you haven't tried anyone's advice yet. That's okay. I think if you want to just do commercials, #1 realize that it is competitive and you may not be chosen for all that you audition for. #2 The one way that you can ONLY DO commercials, write and perform them or produce them would be to do freelance UGC - User Generated Content. To find out who is casting for UGC type work, you can register at acting websites such as Backstage, Direct Submit, Project Casting, Collabstr, Billo, Vidovo, Cohley, JoinBrands, Clip, and you can register at The UGC Club Jobs Directory to keep informed and Influme.io on which you can upload your video presentations of commercials you make.
As far as other employment, you re in the middle of college study and then onto a Bachelors Degree as well. As I previously advised, Psychology is not the degree you'll want for the work you'd want to do. Also, you would have missed the lower division psychology courses that prepare you for the upper division psychology courses because your Associates Degree is in Marketing, so please clarify this with an on campus academic advisor or a marketing professor so you'll obtain a degree that aligns with your career goals. Talk it over with an Academic Counselor at your college and consider continuing your Bachelors for Marketing, Business or Public Relations or Communications - something that aligns with your Associates Degree in Marketing. Employers are going to want people with a Marketing/Communications Studies or Public Relations Degree.
Psychology is great as a subject, however, you're going to need courses like Business Psychology, Consumer Behavior, etc. more geared to selling and marketing. The Psychology path is heavy on technique and theory and clinical practice for mental health careers. So my advice is stick with Marketing, Communication Studies or Public Relations for a Bachelors.
The next time that you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid, check the Work Study option and get a Work Study job on campus in their TV or Film Studios or Marketing Department. That would be the best job while you are attending school. Speak with a Financial Aid Officer at your college about Work Study.
I would also suggest that you start reading books about Marketing and Public Relations to become more informed of the career if it's not being made understandable at your Marketing Department. You can even watch videos about the careers (not the individual job duties). It's great that you're reaching out here and you should apply the various advice when you are ready.
I hope this helps again and I wish you all the best !
I remember you from the last time you've asked this question and it's not a confusing question for me but it indicates that you may not be making strong enough connections at your Marketing Department to understand the difference between duties and careers. That's okay, there's always time to interact with your professors, staff and fellow students and pick up on information you may need to know.
To clarify, commercials are NOT a form of Marketing, they are rather part of or an element of Marketing/Selling. As I have previously stated in your other post, you'd have to get a position at a public relations company, marketing firm, corporation, company or a studio to once in a while write and do commercials in addition to other duties. It's not like you could do commercials your whole work shift. It's just part of a position, a skill.
Since you're asking this again, I take it that you haven't tried anyone's advice yet. That's okay. I think if you want to just do commercials, #1 realize that it is competitive and you may not be chosen for all that you audition for. #2 The one way that you can ONLY DO commercials, write and perform them or produce them would be to do freelance UGC - User Generated Content. To find out who is casting for UGC type work, you can register at acting websites such as Backstage, Direct Submit, Project Casting, Collabstr, Billo, Vidovo, Cohley, JoinBrands, Clip, and you can register at The UGC Club Jobs Directory to keep informed and Influme.io on which you can upload your video presentations of commercials you make.
As far as other employment, you re in the middle of college study and then onto a Bachelors Degree as well. As I previously advised, Psychology is not the degree you'll want for the work you'd want to do. Also, you would have missed the lower division psychology courses that prepare you for the upper division psychology courses because your Associates Degree is in Marketing, so please clarify this with an on campus academic advisor or a marketing professor so you'll obtain a degree that aligns with your career goals. Talk it over with an Academic Counselor at your college and consider continuing your Bachelors for Marketing, Business or Public Relations or Communications - something that aligns with your Associates Degree in Marketing. Employers are going to want people with a Marketing/Communications Studies or Public Relations Degree.
Psychology is great as a subject, however, you're going to need courses like Business Psychology, Consumer Behavior, etc. more geared to selling and marketing. The Psychology path is heavy on technique and theory and clinical practice for mental health careers. So my advice is stick with Marketing, Communication Studies or Public Relations for a Bachelors.
The next time that you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid, check the Work Study option and get a Work Study job on campus in their TV or Film Studios or Marketing Department. That would be the best job while you are attending school. Speak with a Financial Aid Officer at your college about Work Study.
I would also suggest that you start reading books about Marketing and Public Relations to become more informed of the career if it's not being made understandable at your Marketing Department. You can even watch videos about the careers (not the individual job duties). It's great that you're reaching out here and you should apply the various advice when you are ready.
I hope this helps again and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Derek’s Answer
This is a very niche answer, but if you want to get A TON of experience as a voice actor and script writer of these types of commercial projects — move to Asia.
While teaching English in Korea, I got into doing this by chance. Lemme tell you, it was incredible. I worked 40+ hours a week which is unheard of in the world of voice acting. I did everything from English language materials, to cartoon voice over, to commercials for SPAM, Korean Air, Samsung, LG — even recording The Bible.
I was even a writing partner on many of the scripts, which were often written by non-native speakers.
The demand is high, and the supply is low for English voiceover. I don’t know how AI has changed this landscape though.
I made between $50-100/hr, got to make my own hours, and got to put my love of performance to work every day. Not to mention the fact that I learned how to survive and later thrive in a completely different culture.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
While teaching English in Korea, I got into doing this by chance. Lemme tell you, it was incredible. I worked 40+ hours a week which is unheard of in the world of voice acting. I did everything from English language materials, to cartoon voice over, to commercials for SPAM, Korean Air, Samsung, LG — even recording The Bible.
I was even a writing partner on many of the scripts, which were often written by non-native speakers.
The demand is high, and the supply is low for English voiceover. I don’t know how AI has changed this landscape though.
I made between $50-100/hr, got to make my own hours, and got to put my love of performance to work every day. Not to mention the fact that I learned how to survive and later thrive in a completely different culture.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Very interesting outlook! Without moving to Asia do you think I could work remotely get opportunities while in the US and how through what Asia agencies, and outlets should I look for VO work?
Jodecie
Barry Abrams
Host/producer - "In The Gate" thoroughbred podcast at ESPN
37
Answers
Updated
Barry’s Answer
Hi, Jodecie!
Thanks for reaching out. This is a superb question because it shows you have the "want-to." I could tell you so many instances of people who thought the status-quo would be good enough to make it successfully in the working world (note: I don't know any of those who have really made a successful career path).
One thing you can try is to try servicing a place of worship as an internship. Most places of worship do not have the money to pay for full-time marketing and/or social media professionals, but it seems like the perfect place for a college intern.
You could create a whole marketing campaign for the place to bring in new members. Either you could voice some of them and/or write copy that the clergy voices, and then tailor that content for the different social media platforms (ex: X, Facebook, IG, TikTok). Showing a potential employer how you created a comprehensive campaign would get you some notice with full-time employers.
You could create videos for use in the place's Sunday school teachings or start an audio and/or video podcast series that positions the place of worship as a thought leader in the community or region. Most of these places have fairly low expectations. The people in charge likely know absolutely nothing about how to market, and their knowledge of social media comprises Facebook and X, and that's it. So you would have to explain what you are doing in order to get them to do what you want, but the best way to learn how to do something is to teach it to someone else. If you can get those people (most likely, senior citizens) to buy into what you want to do, just think how easily it will go when you deal with peers.
That's one potential avenue. What do you think?
Best regards,
Barry Abrams
ESPN feature story producer/audiobook narrator
Thanks for reaching out. This is a superb question because it shows you have the "want-to." I could tell you so many instances of people who thought the status-quo would be good enough to make it successfully in the working world (note: I don't know any of those who have really made a successful career path).
One thing you can try is to try servicing a place of worship as an internship. Most places of worship do not have the money to pay for full-time marketing and/or social media professionals, but it seems like the perfect place for a college intern.
You could create a whole marketing campaign for the place to bring in new members. Either you could voice some of them and/or write copy that the clergy voices, and then tailor that content for the different social media platforms (ex: X, Facebook, IG, TikTok). Showing a potential employer how you created a comprehensive campaign would get you some notice with full-time employers.
You could create videos for use in the place's Sunday school teachings or start an audio and/or video podcast series that positions the place of worship as a thought leader in the community or region. Most of these places have fairly low expectations. The people in charge likely know absolutely nothing about how to market, and their knowledge of social media comprises Facebook and X, and that's it. So you would have to explain what you are doing in order to get them to do what you want, but the best way to learn how to do something is to teach it to someone else. If you can get those people (most likely, senior citizens) to buy into what you want to do, just think how easily it will go when you deal with peers.
That's one potential avenue. What do you think?
Best regards,
Barry Abrams
ESPN feature story producer/audiobook narrator