Red Flag 1. The information they give is not specific:
There are many coaching platforms where companies bring in guest speakers to teach voice-over classes. It's not the platform itself that matters, but the instructors and their experience. If the website does not tell you WHO is teaching each class, that is a RED FLAG... Another piece of information that's important is what GENRE of voice-over the class is about; (animation, video games, anime dubbing, commercial, promo, narration, audiobooks, etc...). It's imperative that you know what the instructor's actual experience is in that specific genre of voice-over that they are teaching. You don't want to take an animation voice acting class with someone who's only expertise is in commercials. Having just a few animation credits does not mean they are qualified to teach on the subject.

Red Flag 2. False Advertising:
If the coach offers coaching on a genre they barely have experience in. For example, if they advertise that they teach dubbing anime classes but they only have a few credits in that genre (possibly only with one studio), then their experience in the field is limited! While there are arguably varying levels of qualifications, you'll want to make sure that you are learning from someone who has a decent amount of experience in the specific genre you are pursuing. (That's not to say that they will "never" be qualified, but I personally find it difficult to put my trust in someone who partakes in this type of false marketing of their skills and services. At that point it can be assumed that they are coaching primarily with the intention of making money rather than actually helping people). Sometimes people give advice with good intentions, but there's always the possibility that their information is only relevant to one market and not another, so take their advice with caution.

 

Red Flag 3. If the studio or teacher includes a demo reel:
This usually tends to be offered in group classes. Typically everyone in a group class is at different stages in their training, and not everyone is going to be ready to record a demo reel after just a few weeks of training. The demo reel "package deal" is sometimes just a way to bait people into thinking that it will save you money. But recording a demo before you're ready will only set you back and be a WASTE of money.

Red Flag 4. If they make false promises:
If a teacher promises you a "lucrative career", it is most definitely a scam. Nobody can promise you work in this field. This is not a "get-rich-quick" business... Another subject that I feel ties in with this is "class completion certificates". Those certificates do NOTHING for your career. It's just a piece of paper with no power to propel you further in your career whatsoever.

Red Flag 5. If they don't have current work:
If the instructor has not done work in the professional industry in the last 5 years, this could be a possible red flag. It's important to learn from someone who continues to work and knows the current industry (whether as a professional voice actor, casting director, or voice director). This industry is constantly changing, and you don't want to learn outdated information from someone who is out-of-the-loop. If you're learning from a voice actor who is barely booking for themselves lately, what makes you think they're going to help YOU book??

Red Flag 6. If the coach has only ever worked with a limited number of studios:
It's important to learn from a teacher who has the career that you want. It's better to learn from someone who has worked with VARIOUS major companies, rather than just one or two studios in one state. If you want to know how to book voice-over work in Los Angeles and beyond, then you probably won't get that information from someone who has only ever booked with studios based in Texas. There are some vast differences in each market and that person's knowledge of the industry may be limited in their experience. Always research to see what various companies an instructor has done work for. If you want to learn how to get voice work with Nintendo, Disney, or Crunchyroll, you need to choose a coach with a vast amount of experience with those companies. If a coach has no in-studio experience, then it's possible they have a limited idea of how this industry works in-person. You don't want to learn from someone who has little to no knowledge of the professional industry or little experience working with major companies over the course of their career. (Although remote recording is an amazing opportunity for talent from all locations to book work, that does not make everyone qualified to be teaching on certain genres of voice-over if their experience is limited. Keep in mind that most professional character based voice-over work is recorded in-studio. We're all hoping that remote recording can eventually become the norm so that opportunities can be more accessible, but until then, this is where things stand in the character voice-over industry)

Red Flag 7. If a coach gives you conflicting advice/direction:
There are some coaches that will legitimately see you as competition and a threat to their own voice-over opportunities, enough to sabotage you and give bad advice on purpose.
Example One: If you want to pursue animation voice acting in Los Angeles, are genuinely ready to take that step forward in your career AND have the funds to make it happen, then your coach should NOT be discouraging you from making that decision to further your career! They should not be holding you back and claiming you "don't need to do that." This is something I can only imagine a bitter and jealous actor would say, especially one that maybe isn't able to make that move for themselves...
Example Two: If you are getting audition coaching from them and you feel that the advice and feedback they're giving you is extremely off from what the sides are suggesting. Trust your gut. It is possible that this coach received that same audition as you and are purposefully giving you wrong advice in order to sabotage your chances of booking the role, seeing you as competition rather than actually trying to help you.
(and YES, these two examples are based on real stories about a person who is still currently teaching...)
Being in this industry does NOT mean that the person can be fully trusted! Be careful and stay wary!

 

Make sure to research:
1. What VO market are they working in? (The US, Canada, the UK, etc...)
2. What genre of voice-over do they work in primarily? (Animation, video games, anime dubbing, commercial, promo, etc...)
3. How often do they work each year in the genre you want to pursue?
4. When was the last time they worked in the industry?
5. What kind of studios have they worked for and how long have they been in this industry? (Disney, Nintendo, Square Enix, etc..)

6. Does the coach genuinely seem invested in their students? (There is always the possibility that the teacher is just looking for side income to supplement a slow acting career. Their motivation matters)

And here's an article addressing VO coaching ads that you might encounter online: Click HERE to read through.