Written By: Dimmachukwu Ndubuisi
Veteran voice-actor, coach, and engineer, Terry Daniel, has publicly declared he would no longer use or subscribe to the Pay-To-Play (P2P) site, Voices.com. The US-based voice actor made his stance known in a resolute LinkedIn post, he shared recently.
Daniel, adopting a fiery but straightforward tone in response to a post by another top voice actor, Gina Scarpa, who advocated for why voices.com should be given a second chance despite growing concerns and controversies surrounding it, maintained his decision to quit the platform on several grounds.
“No, I’m not still mad at voices.com, but would I never give it another shot? The short answer is hell no. Here’s the long answer on why,” he stated.
“Some might say I am being negative about the post I’m sharing, but facts are facts, and it would be a disservice to newer talent, who may not know any better, if they didn’t hear both sides of what’s being promoted here. Perspective matters. And just to clarify, I’m not against P2P. Platforms like this can be useful in the right situation, and I genuinely value the success Gina has achieved here. However, there are important points that deserve closer examination,” he added.
Daniel doubled down on his long-held concerns about the popular pay-to-play (P2P) site, voices.com, highlighting several issues, including high fees, restricted client access, and the company’s growing AI ambitions, a mix he believes undersells long-term careers for voice actors.
Addressing the cost structure of voices.com, Daniel questioned whether the platform’s current model, where it earns more from the talent than the client, is the most sustainable, highlighting the need for a critical review.
“First, the cost structure is difficult to ignore. Talent pays a yearly membership fee simply to audition, and then loses an additional percentage to escrow fees and Managed Services. When a platform earns more from the talent side than the client side, it’s reasonable to question whether that’s the most sustainable model for voice actors trying to build long-term careers.”
He criticized the platform’s policy of restricting direct communication between talent and client outside their portal, limiting long-term relationships, referrals, and repeat business, which were referred to as the lifeblood of a healthy VO career.
“…Voices.com prevents talent from contacting or working with clients outside their portal. For many of us, long-term relationships, referrals, and repeat business are the lifeblood of a healthy VO career, and that becomes challenging when direct communication is restricted.”
In his third submission, the company’s AI direction raises serious concerns, citing its recently launched AI voice dataset (including hundreds of character types, emotions, and tones recorded by professional actors).
That alone, he said, “indicates a shift toward technology that could eventually compete with the very talent who pay to be on the platform. Additionally, the company is owned by a private equity firm that also owns an AI voice training company, making it understandable for voice actors to question where the long-term priorities truly lie.”
Finally, according to Daniel, individual success stories don’t always reflect the broader experience.
“While some talent definitely find success on the platform, many others report shrinking budgets, lower-quality jobs, and higher-paying work being taken by Managed Services before freelancers ever see it. One person’s success is valid – but it shouldn’t be seen as the norm. At the end of the day, voice actors deserve platforms that foster transparency, support long-term growth, and encourage direct client relationships. This isn’t about being negative — it’s about being realistic, informed, and protective of people entering this industry with enthusiasm but limited information.” He concluded.
Despite his critical standpoint, Terry Daniel insisted that his post was not to discourage anyone, but to provide newer talent with a balanced view so they can make the most informed decision possible.
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