So - You're Considering a Career in Voiceover?
Many who enter the field of voiceover do so because they believe
it to be a snap! Get the script, sit down... and read it. Not so
fast! Even the most talented, experienced and professional
voiceover talent goes through a process with each script,
albeit, that process varies depending upon one's approach, style
and (yes) indiosyncracies.
Regardless, and I'm sure you've heard this before, voiceover
sure beats "digging ditches". No question. But, trust me... it's
not as easy as the pros make it seem.
What separates the men from the boys (or, in the interest of
P.C. - the women from the girls), isn't so much the talent, the
experience, etc. It's the daily routine of operating a real
business. You may love doing voiceovers, but absolutely abhor
the process of making a business out of it. You need to develop
a contact list, THEN keep up with it. You need to build and
maintain a studio (or something resembling a place in which to
work). You need a website to display your abilities and
experience. You need a plan! Let me repeat that one... you need
a PLAN! How will you make yourself stand head and shoulders
above your competition?
Once you've deciphered the answers to those critical elements of
beginning a business, you need to market, market, market, then -
market some more. This is the only creative outlet in your
arsenal. If you're going to spend the time - and you'll have to
in order to succeed - make it fun! Nobody knows you better than
you do. Take some liberty - expose yourself. Now, pull your
pants back up, smartass!
Marketing is what separates the wannabes from the true pros.
Maybe you have tons of dough to drop on expert outside
marketers, SEO gurus, webmasters, producers and the like. More
power to you (if you want someone else handling your business
affairs).
If you can't get excited about telling people who you are and
what you can do for them (and the internet opens you up to the
entire world), then you may as well hang up your headset now. On
the other hand, if the mere idea of touting your benefits to a
potential client coupled with the understanding that rejection
is a major part of our world gets your juices flowing, welcome
to the ranks!
Competition is stiff! But, there's room for us all. Now, back to
work.
"Testing... testing, 1, 2, 3..."