Is audiobook narration still worth pursuing in 2026… or is AI about to wipe it out?

In this conversation, I sit down with audiobook narrator, actor, entrepreneur, and founder of The Global Actor, Elise Arsenault, to talk about the REAL state of the audiobook industry right now.

We dig into:

* Why audiobook narration is still growing
* The truth about AI and virtual voices
* Why long-form narration is different from short-form VO

Elise also shares how she built a thriving audiobook career with more than 160 audiobooks, why strategy and systems matter so much for creatives, and what newer voice actors should focus on if they want sustainable work in today’s industry.

If you’re a voice actor wondering whether audiobook narration is still viable in 2026, this conversation is packed with practical insight and honest perspective.

Learn more about Elise and her free audiobook training here:
Narrate Your Way to Abundance Free Class: https://audiobookadventure.com/class

Check out The Global Actor Podcast: https://theglobalactor.com/podcast/

#VoiceOver #AudiobookNarration #VoiceActing #Audiobooks #VoiceActor #AI #Freelancing #VoiceOverBusiness #Narration #VoiceTalent

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Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifyin

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Is your voice over website secretly losing you clients? Fix these mistakes before it’s too late!

In this video, discover the 10 most embarrassing VO website gaffs that could be sabotaging your career, costing you clients, and keeping you stuck in the audition hamster wheel.

Learn exactly what turns prospects away and how to fix it with simple, actionable tips.

Whether you’re dreaming of full-time bookings or just want to stand out from the crowd, these website fixes will turn your site into a conversion machine.

Top 10 Voice Actor Website Strategies: https://welcome.vopro.pro/website-strategies

Social Proof for Newbies: https://youtu.be/xqZ36QWNGng?si=dEZMt9OXj7_CGwfS

#VoiceOver #VOTips #VoiceActing #WebsiteTips #FreelanceSuccess #BookMoreWork #VOPro #VoiceActor #WebsiteAudit #FullTimeVO

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to

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Think AI is stealing VO jobs? You’re missing the real threat and a huge career opportunity most overlook.

In this video, I reveal why your competition isn’t synthetic voices, it’s other voice actors who use AI to market, pitch, and book faster.

Discover the truth about AI ethics, learn what really gives you an edge, and get a practical playbook to work smarter, not harder.

Ready to future-proof your voice over career?

Freesource of the Week: THE VOICE ACTOR'S GUIDE TO POSITIONING AGAINST AI: https://welcome.vopro.pro/ai-positioning-guide

#VoiceOver #AICareers #VoiceActing #VOTips #EthicalAI #AIForCreatives #FutureProofVO

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level.

Paul has been a voice actor for over 25 years and full-time for the last several. He lives in beautiful Richmond, VA.

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A brand new VO conference is coming and it’s NOT your typical hotel ballroom event.

In this interview, I sit down with Jessica Mathison to break down the Pacific Northwest VO Summit… a brand new, intentionally small, highly interactive voiceover conference happening in June, 2026.

If you’re tired of choosing between breakout sessions, sitting through lectures, and leaving overwhelmed with notes you’ll never use… this might be the event that changes how you approach VO conferences entirely.

Event Details:
📍 Location: Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA (near Portland, OR)
📅 Dates: June 24–27, 2026

🌲 Expect:
* A stunning Pacific Northwest setting (mountains, waterfalls, Columbia Gorge)
* A capped attendance of ~150 people
* One shared session experience (no FOMO between tracks)
* Hands-on, interactive learning you can actually apply

Resources & Links Mentioned:
👉 Pacific Northwest VO Summit: https://vosummitpnw.com
👉 Jessica Matheson Books: https://jessicamathison.com

#VoiceOver #VoiceActing #VOMarketing #VoiceOverConference #VOAtlanta #VoiceOverBusiness #FindVoiceoverClients #FreelanceVoiceActor #VOCommunity #VoiceActorLife

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Send us Fan Mail

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Don’t let another dream client slip away. Your VO website is the key to getting hired fast.

Discover why relying on casting sites is costing you career opportunities and how your own voice actor website becomes a client magnet.

In this video, learn exactly what your website MUST have: demos above the fold, frictionless contact, easy scheduling, strong branding, clear copy, SEO essentials, and actionable steps to launch ASAP, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Get our FREE Top 10 Voice Actor Website Strategies guidebook: https://welcome.vopro.pro/website-strategies

#VoiceActor #VoiceOver #VOwebsite #VOPro #ActorMarketing #HomeStudio #CastingSites #FreelanceBiz

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level.

Paul has been a voice actor for over 25 years and full-time for the last several. He lives in beaut

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Tired of endless P2P auditions and no results? Discover why local clients are your secret VO goldmine.

Are you stuck on online casting sites, wondering why the bookings just aren’t coming?

This video busts the hustle trap myth that keeps voice actors chasing low-paying gigs and shows you step-by-step how to land higher-paying, repeat clients right in your own backyard.

Learn the hidden drawbacks of P2P platforms and grab actionable outreach tips to build a resilient, thriving career on your terms.

🎁 Grab the free 21 Local Client Niches Cheat Sheet™:
https://welcome.vopro.pro/local-niches-cheat-sheet

VO Local™: https://vopro.pro/volocal

VO Client Connect Plus™: https://vopro.pro/clientconnectplus

Learn more & level up at VO Pro: https://vopro.pro/vopro

#VoiceOverTips #VOPro #VoiceActorSuccess #LocalClients #VoiceOverMarketing #P2PMyth #FreelanceVoice #VOgoldmine #FindClients #BookMoreVO

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Mast

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Is your email address secretly sabotaging your voiceover career? Find out before it's too late!

Learn how a generic Gmail or free website could be costing you gigs and discover the quick, affordable fix that turns your brand from amateur to pro in a single weekend.

We’ll walk you through real casting perspectives, credibility upgrades, and the exact steps every serious VO needs to get more clients.

Grab the free guide, The $50 Fix That Stops Clients From Ignoring You: https://welcome.vopro.pro/50-dollar-fix

Explore VO Pro: https://vopro.pro/vopro

#VoiceOverTips #VOPro #VoiceActor #Branding #CareerGrowth #FreelanceLife

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
💲 Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)
💻 Device and fraud protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level.

Paul has been a voice actor for over 25 years and full-time for the last several. He lives in

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Unlock the #1 secret to surviving and thriving as a voice actor in the AI age.

Discover how beginner and part-time voice actors, and even established vets, are leveraging AI to win clients, streamline marketing, and build profitable VO businesses without tech overwhelm!

This video breaks down day-to-day tactics, must-have tools, and real-world workflows that put you ahead of the game.

🎁 Download The Voice Actor's AI Toolkit™: https://welcome.vopro.pro/ai-toolkit

Explore VO Pro tools & community: https://VOPro.pro

AI assisted lead generation and outreach: https://vopro.pro/apollo

AI social media scheduling: https://vopro.pro/publer

Solopreneur and small business accounting: https://vopro.pro/quickbooks (Get 50% off)

AI device protection: Norton Small Business: https://vopro.pro/norton

#voiceovertips #AIFuture #VoiceActorTips #WorkSmarter #CreativeCareers

Links: (When possible, I use affiliate links and may earn a commission. See disclosure below.)

▶️ Subscribe: https://vopro.pro/youtube

🆓 Free Voice Actor Resources: https://vopro.pro/freesources

📈 Work with Me: https://vopro.pro/workwithme

🎧 The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

🪜 7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://vopro.pro/7steps

📭 Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors and Creative Pros: https://vopro.pro/mti

🖥️ Facebook: https://vopro.pro/facebook

🛒 The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

🎙️ My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and Tech:
📑 Create beautiful resources, e-books, and presentations like mine in minutes: https://vopro.pro/typeset
📘 Recommended Book List with Links: https://vopro.pro/booklist
⚙️ Tools I Use with Links: https://vopro.pro/gearlist
🎯 Lead generation and targeting: Apollo.io: https://vopro.pro/apollo
🛒 The world's best checkout cart: SamCart: https://vopro.pro/samcart
🌳 Way Better than Linktree: https://vopro.pro/pillar
🖊️ The best social media publisher I've found: https://vopro.pro/publer

Disclosure: Affiliate marketing is an great way to generate revenue as a content creator. Some links in my video descriptions are affiliate links and I may earn a commission should you make a purchase after clicking them. I only link to items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

About (Paul) Schmidt:
Paul Schmidt is a successful voice actor, community builder, and voiceover business coach.

He's also the creator of the VO Freedom Master Plan, a voiceover marketing program designed to generate consistent opportunities for voice actors to book work, and the VO Pro Community, a private, professional, global community created to meet the needs of voice actors and audiobook narrators who want to take their careers to the next level.

Paul has

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show