A Voice over Career for you
It is very hard to get into voice work today without the tools to market yourself to work in the voice over industry. It used to be that a good voice over agent, a car and having the pipes (your distinctive and winning voice) to do them was all a talent would need. But the game has all changed. The voice over industry has always seemed to be one governed by a clique or niche. When you are hot, you are hot and work a lot. A small group of players doing a large pool of work available. But there are steps to succeed in the voice over industry during this revolutionary digital media age.
The Check list:
1. Your agent (if you have one) will market you as a voice talent. (Note: Some agents are wary of listing strictly voice talent due to the explosion of home studios and talent stealing clients!)
2. You have a demo (Demos can be created by renting a studio for an hour and reading copy... these studios can charge $100 - $300+ for making a GREAT demo!)
3. You have a link to your demo on your own web page or resume page. Great way for clients to sample your work while checking out your list of credits.
4. You can receive audition notices and scripts via fax/email. (Check out a service like Voice123.com - It costs $300/year but will send loads of audition notices for you to record and send to prospective clients, if you get a job...you can be paid immediately!)
5. You have a suitable home studio to record demos and auditions (which include a professional microphone and digital audio software to edit your work, transfer files via MP3 and a fast modem - cable, DSL or ISDN line). Home studios can be constructed for a few hundred dollars or a few thousand (or more) depending on available space and budget.
6. You should have a good working relationship with most of the recording studios and producers in your area. The more work you get usually comes from return work you do for your clients.
7. Your demo should represent your best work. If your demo is NOT selling your talents, invest in a new one.
8. Join AFTRA, the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. This union governs most recorded voice work and puts you in line for residuals and benefits.
A voice over career is a rewarding career. But it can be hard to get your proverbial foot in the door. Take voice over classes from a reputable school or radio/TV/film department at a college, it helps. Talk to others in the industry and see how they are faring and what steps they are using to market their talents. You can do it. because voice over work for TV, radio, films will be around for a long time to come.
