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Voiceover Visibility and Creative Growth: A Conversation with Carrie Farris
- Barb Lyon
- Mar 17
- 6 min read
The first time I met Carrie Farris, what struck me was her calm confidence. Relaxed, self assured, but still able to laugh at herself. She didn’t compete for the room, she just quietly owned it. When you meet people like that in this industry and you remember them. I did and I’m so glad you agreed to be interviewed, Carrie!
When I really looked at your body of work, I thought, Wait… what? You mentioned dubbing and imaging, but I had no clue you’d been so successful in dubbing, about video production and your being bilingual. You’re doing it all!
Where did that range come from? Was it intentional, or did you just keep saying yes to the next right thing?
It was honestly a mix of both. I’m from Texas, speaking English and Spanish is simply part of who I am and where I come from. I kept asking myself, “What sets me apart from other Voice Over Artists?” “What do I love about voice over work?” I paid attention to what felt aligned, what I was naturally good at, and where opportunity kept meeting curiosity. Voiceover led to production, production sharpened my storytelling instincts, and being bilingual opened another lane entirely.
I think all of us have different paths because we all come from different backgrounds, perspectives, and have different talents. For me, I used what I knew, stayed open, and let the path keep leading me toward the work that excited me the most. So, while some of it was absolutely saying yes to the next right thing, there was also real intention in building on what felt authentic and creatively fulfilling.
You’ve stepped into dubbing, which is such a specific skill set. It’s not just acting, it calls for timing, precision, and I’d bet your knowledge of video production helps. What was the biggest learning curve for you there? And did you seek out formal coaching for it, or did you learn the hard way, doing the research, figuring it out in real time?
Dubbing has its own rhythm and demands. I didn’t have formal coaching in the beginning; there was a lot of trial and error. The biggest learning curve for me was learning how to stay emotionally connected while also being very technical and precise. My video production background helped a lot because I already understood pacing, sync, and how important the tiniest adjustments can be.
A lot of my learning came through continued study, research, and hands-on practice. I found helpful resources, watched videos, studied what other people in the space were doing, and practiced as much as I could. Then I started auditioning and learning even more through real experience. I’m a big believer that sometimes you build skill by doing the work, staying open, and continuing to refine as you go.
I’m also curious about your production side. When clients come to you, do they realize you can handle voice and video, or is that something you introduce and some take you up on it? And if you do end up touching both performance and production on a project, does that shift how you approach it creatively? Are you then able to provide more input and influence?
Most of the time, clients initially come to me for voice first, and then I let them know I can also support on the production side. Once that door opens, it often changes the conversation in a really good way because now I’m not just approaching the project as a performer — I’m looking at the whole picture. Seeing the copy from a producer’s point of view has made me a better Voice Actor– knowing who I’m talking to, when to pause, highlight words, etc. I naturally become more invested in the flow, offering more thoughtful input and emotion – which is key to a good delivery!
And then (as if you weren’t already doing enough and making the rest of us look like slackers) you’re offering a 90-minute working session on social media visibility for voice actors. Tell us about it, what people can expect to accomplish, and what made you decide to step into that space?
Honestly, my own fears and limitations are what led me there. For years, I struggled to post anything — personal or business. I know what it feels like to want to be seen but not know how to do it in a way that feels natural, strategic, and true to who you are. What I realized is that I didn’t need more pressure — I needed structure.
That’s a big part of what this class is about. It’s designed to help voice actors approach visibility in a way that feels clear, practical, and doable. I’ve developed an App called Brave Takes that helps with structure, flow and accountability. We will use the app between sessions to keep the ideas and momentum flowing. My goal is for people to walk away with more direction, more confidence, and a better understanding of how to market themselves without feeling forced, repetitive, or overly “in your face.” There are so many ways to build visibility that don’t feel pushy, and I really want people to experience that.
Be honest with us: what’s one thing nearly every voice artist is consistently getting wrong about visibility?
Authenticity. I can only speak from my own experience and from what I’ve observed in the VO community that I’m in, but I think one thing people often fall short on is marketing in a very “look what I did” kind of way. And while there’s absolutely a place for sharing wins, visibility is an art. There are so many ways to market yourself that don’t feel redundant or overly self-promotional. Sometimes it’s about sharing something helpful, sending a DM to someone you heard speak on a podcast, commenting on other’s posts, celebrating someone else’s accomplishment, etc. Visibility works best when it feels human, not performative.
And maybe the bigger question: if someone is incredibly talented but largely invisible online, what do you believe that’s truly costing them? Is visibility more about strategy, or about courage?
For me, it’s both. It took courage to step out and really believe that I had something of value to offer. That part matters more than people realize. Sometimes the hardest part is simply deciding that you are worth being seen. There is only one YOU!
But strategy matters too. Once I started taking small, actionable steps, things began to shift. Courage got me moving, but strategy gave me direction. That combination is what really changes things — not giant leaps, but small intentional steps backed by a structure that helps you keep going. “1% better every day” – I tell myself every single morning, then I say, “in 100 days, you’ll be 100% better, keep going!”
Are hobbies important to you as a creative professional? Do they make you better at what you do? What are you into now?
Absolutely. I highly recommend reading (or listening on Audible) to “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. She is the author of “The Artist’s Way” and many others. She gave me permission to keep with my painting, drawing, yoga, running and meditation because creativity needs room to breathe. If all you do is work, perform, and produce, eventually you start draining the very thing that makes your work interesting. Those hobbies have expanded my voiceover reach by maintaining a yoga YouTube channel (@CarrieAirYoga), creating even more possibilities of discovery with brands, more practice and encouraging others in a new way.
Your brand feels intentional. Not loud. Not frantic. Distinct. “Untamed Luxury.” It feels like it fits you, and it draws a picture in the mind. How did you discover the “right” words to describe…you?
It took time, and paying attention to what felt true to me. I looked at my past projects (bookable) and what types of projects I wanted for my future. I was realistic with my actual “sound” and asked myself – What is my goal? Who does my voice resonate with? “Untamed Luxury” resonated with me because it captures that balance — something elevated and refined, but still alive, expressive, and a little bold around the edges.
I didn’t want branding that felt generic or overly polished to the point of losing personality. I wanted words that created a feeling and reflected the essence of how I want people to experience my work. Once I found language that genuinely felt like me, everything else became much clearer.
And finally… five years from now, what does your work look like? More genres? More teaching? Or something none of us see coming yet?
Hopefully a mix of all of it. I absolutely see more teaching and mentoring, especially in areas where I can help other creatives feel more confident, visible, and aligned. If anything, overcoming my fears has helped me as a human, more than I could’ve ever imagined. I hope to help others discover their ‘buried gems’, as I have, to share with the world. It is freedom and liberation to feel confident in your craft, and I want to help people discover it within themselves.
And if I’m lucky, there will also be something unexpected in the mix. Some of the best things in my career have come from staying open, continuing to evolve, and being willing to follow my heart.
Carrie Farris
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