Staying Connected
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You network. You audition. You gain clients. You create strategic relationships. All of these efforts are crucial to being successful in any field and yet are particularly important in the voice over industry. Staying connected can be a challenge, however, and the holiday season is an opportune time to reconnect.
Consider sending Happy Thanksgiving cards to your contacts in the United States with a simple message of appreciation. Contacts who reside outside of the United States may not celebrate Thanksgiving but will welcome a sentiment of appreciation too, so send them a letter of gratitude. Perhaps you prefer more of a Happy Holidays or Happy New Year approach. Go for it! Wish them the very best and abundant success in the coming year!
Everyone wants to feel important. Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. People like to be remembered. The point is to reconnect and the opportunities to do so are not limited to the holiday season or birthdays. So take a little time to show your sincere appreciation and to remember those who have brought value into your life and your voice over business. You may find this small gesture of gratitude not only lifts your spirits, but also yields unexpected benefits in return.
Popularity: 5%
Brand You!
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You are the entire package! You have the skills, the personality, the training, the equipment and home studio setup, the knowledge, dedication, and attention to detail. You’re it! But how will anyone know?
It’s all about your brand. Regardless of your voice over prowess you need to figure out your brand. Your brand is your image, your reputation, how people come to know you and what you’re about! Competition is fierce, and as a voice over talent, if you don’t know how to brand yourself, much less know your brand, you might as well step into oblivion.
The concept is simple really. Assess your strengths and what makes you unique. Think of how you want to be known and begin positioning yourself. What do you need to do to make your vision of you a reality? You definitely need to have the obvious business cards, web site, demo, and social media presence. That’s a given.
Here’s where the pros differ from the amateurs. Consistency. Frequency. Quality. Value. Exposure. The consistency and the frequency, and the quality and the value of your exposure are critical components of your brand. Look at your current exposure. Is it consistently portraying the level of quality you deliver? Is it portraying the value of what you have to offer? How often are the right people exposed to your brand? Now take a look at the opportunities to improve in each of those areas and begin!
Branding takes time and effort, but it is time and effort well invested. Your brand speaks for you when you are not present to speak for yourself. The fact remains, whether you choose to brand yourself or not, you will be branded! The pros are sought after not solely for their voice over skills, but because they branded themselves so their voice over skills would be sought after. What’s your brand?
Popularity: 6%
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Removing the Risk!
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Risk is inherent in progress and growth and is an integral component of doing business. Companies take risks, calculated risks, investing considerable time and money developing the products and services they offer and bringing them to the market. As voice talents, we are sometimes part of the product (narration, animation, video games), part of the service (telephony, p.a. announcements), or part of the promotion of the product or service (commercials, radio imaging). Regardless of our role, what we do is an instrumental element of their strategic plan. So what’s your strategic value? Are you worth the risk? Of all voice talents vying for the job, why choose you?
Fair questions, all of them.
Effectively removing the risk of doing business with you requires a new vantage point, that of the client. Simply put, if you were to hire a voice talent for a multi-million dollar investment, would you hire you or someone else?
Here are some points to ponder.
Your performance is paramount! Preparation is key! You must be able to deliver the script in such a way that the intended audience not only hears it, but takes it in and acts upon it. The client is looking for a return on investment; give it to them with your delivery.
Demos are your resume and should showcase the versatility of your range. Make sure your demos are a professionally produced, current, and accurate representation of your abilities as a voice over talent. The client wants to hire a professional and your demos should reflect your professionalism.
Image and reputation count. Spending time developing both is crucial. Post client testimonials on your website. Network to increase your exposure as a voice over talent. Contribute to charitable causes by donating your voice. Collaborate with other voice talents. Share your knowledge and experience with others by blogging about information relevant to the industry. Leverage the power of social media marketing. Be a person of your word. Become known as a person they need to know.
Listen and take direction well. Then implement it! This may require a sense of humor and some creativity, especially when the client’s direction is unclear or contradictory; however, your willingness to get it right and do the extra takes necessary, is a reflection of your commitment to the client. Having a positive attitude and being easy to work with is important. Make it easy for the client to do business with you!
You are the product. You are the service. You are the total package. Companies take a risk when choosing a voice over talent – eliminate the risk and get the job!
Popularity: 13%
Comments
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November 11,2009
Martin Scott @ 11:37 am
It all comes down to professionalism….which in this world seems to be lacking a bit. There is so much competition in the marketplace in our industry as well as others, that we all need to pay particular attention to our professionalism. Give a great product, and you will get and keep getting work.
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November 11,2009
Tim Keenan @ 12:03 pm
Well siad, Terry.
Part of the risk for the client is choosing from the VO demo. It helps to make sure your demo is truly representative of your skills and abilities – like don’t include accents unless you can sustain them for an hour long session, etc. Clients don’t want any bait & switch VO sessions because time is money!
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November 11,2009
Bobbin Beam @ 1:02 pm
Well stated, Terry. The whole “risk” concept jogged my memory. A while back, I wrote a blog piece titled “The Art Of Risk”. ..Kind of a different approach to the concept of “taking a risk” to acheive a greater result in your reads, and being OK with it all, because art (including being a vocal artist) is in an of itself, a risky business. I’m copying it here for you and your readers. Enjoy!
Best, Bobbin Beam
=================================================How many auditions does the average actor perform to nail a single job? How many times do you “put yourself out there”, and see nothing come of it?
Good question. Obviously the answer varies, depending on so many factors, which would be difficult to quantify into a solid statistic. It is the question as well as the answer that makes me wonder.
In general, it would be safe to assume that you are in the majority if you take the risk of performing on any level, you run a risk of not booking the job more often than not;
Risk of failure. Risk of rejection, Risk of “de-selection”. Think about the Oscars. So many actors auditioned for the films and just so many got the job. Only so many many films or actors were nominated, and just a few select won the “golden ticket”.
Being in this business is like the supreme roller coaster ride of your life. If you wanna ride, better strap yourself in. You may have exhilarating highs one week or one day, and have all the air let out of your balloon the next.
In voice-over acting, we are at a grander disadvantage. At least on a film or video shoot, you’re interacting with other human beings. Not so in voiceover, unless you enjoy the rare occasion where you’re booked into a studio for a double or an ensemble gig. Even so, many times you end up perhaps with just the director, and or the engineer to record the session.
So most of the time, we work in a very isolated environment, and take our daily risks. We operate in a vacuum, and in so doing, we risk it all. We spill out our best, (we think), and can still fall flat on our face.
Working through this “art” of the process is challenging at times. It can be quite painful, to risk and lose, as it can be incredibly heady in getting the recognition or landing a gig.
When we suffer losses, we must train ourselves to place them into perspective. You do this any way you can. But it helps to have practical training and experience to weather them. Where we can get into trouble is when we allow our emotions and ego to take off on a self-absorbed”pity party”. Many of us do this because we are actors, we are competitive, and have innate and trained sensitivity, combined with a healthy ego. For those who can’t get this aspect of it simply give up.
That’s when it’s time for a break from the business. Really, take a break! Keep doing things you love and surround yourself with people who love you, and get back in touch with what truly matters.
Know it’s not your fault that you’ve been rejected, ignored, dissed, overlooked, under-appreciated, low-rated, or the latest industry buzzword, “de-selected”. Don’t let this stop you.
It’s ok to take the risk, while giving permission to others not to hire you for whatever reason that is not in your control. All you can do is control your own performance and spill it out there.
And next time, take the risk and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
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November 12,2009
Paul Hernandez @ 4:09 pm
Great article Terry. I know in my continued quest to grow as a voice actor it has required risk. I have taken projects at times that required risk on my part because it was something that I hadn’t done before or worried that because I didn’t yet have the top of the line equipment that I might not fully meet the clients expectations. These stretches, while scary, have helped me to continue to grow and improve my craft. I am committed succeeding and it is helpful to learn from seasoned pros like yourself who are always willing to share.
Thanks,
Paul -
November 16,2009
Voice123 - Voice Over Jobs @ 10:50 am
Definitely agree on the importance of professionalism, both for finding jobs and to keep getting offers. Leave the person who hired you completely satisfied with your voice and also with your way of working, they will look again for you…
Also keep implementing ways to market your voice, use the internet, specially on these hard times when you can find yourself without work, make your own website and upload some demos…
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December 24,2009
Joseph Andrade www.jandradevox.com @ 10:42 am
Hi Terry,
Great read! Risk is an intregal part of of the business, and must be dealt with. It is how we deal with these risks that will define us as professional voice actors, or just someone wanting to dabble in a hobby. Thanks for the insight, it is appreciated.
Joseph
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December 24,2009
Linda Ristig @ 11:21 am
Your words really resonated with me. You have a thoughtful way of articulating your ideas. Risk is inherent with every audition, but putting yourself inside the mind of the client (as best as you can) is a valuable piece of advice, Terry. You have to believe in yourself before others will believe in you. It truly does comes out in your voice. If your professionalism helps the client sell a product or tell a story, then that is a perfect match.
All year ’round, it’s important to remember that surrounding yourself with people who love you makes the time and isolation of the sound booth tolerable. You can’t hug a microphone. Well, I guess you could, but that would just be pretty weird! A microphone can never hug you back! lol
The way I really look at VO work is, it’s all about connecting with real people, and that means taking that risk!
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December 28,2009
Stephanie Ciccarelli @ 12:35 pm
Hi Terry,
Wonderfully phrased tips! What you’ve said resonates well and is certainly applicable for all voice over professionals… for that matter, anyone who is working freelance!
There is still much for artists to learn about being attractive businesspeople in addition to having well-trained voices and acting skills. Thank you for helping to reinforce information that people should know, adhere to and put into practice!
Applauding you from Canada,
Stephanie
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August 16,2010
Jeffrey Crane @ 10:51 am
This kind of advice never gets old….it’s timeless…..I’m struck by the direct link between personal integrity and personal success. You can’t fake what is good and right. People will know at some level that you are not authentic. Thanks, Terry, for this great piece.
Bringing Your A-Game
You are your business. No you, no business. So it makes perfect sense that taking care of you must be a top priority. Yet amidst the to do lists, the daily challenges of running a business, putting out fires, auditioning, recording spots, and a sundry of life’s little curve balls thrown our way, it’s easy to get lost in the mix and slip out of the running. It’s easy to become last on our priority list.
Last place. Nobody likes last place! We dread it. It’s what we strive to avoid. Yet if we are last place on the priority list in our own lives, how can we be anything else in our professional lives? As a voice talent, last place is not an option! You either get the gig or you don’t. Getting the gig requires bringing your A-Game! You can’t bring your A-Game if you don’t have it to bring! Bringing your A-Game requires taking care of you, getting enough sleep, eating the right foods, exercising, and taking time for yourself.
A tired voice is not a hired voice! Lack of sleep will show up in your vocal delivery and will affect your performance. It will also affect your mental clarity. Aim for 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
You are what you eat! Eating clean and staying hydrated will provide your body with the proper nutrients, boost your immune system, boost your metabolism, and give you energy. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean protein sources, and healthy fats. Drink water, lots and lots of water and green tea to stay hydrated. Sodas, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages will tighten the vocal chords and dehydrate you.
Exercise. If the sight of the word makes you want to run away, go for it! Getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity 5 to 6 days a week will severely boost your attitude, mental clarity, energy, and metabolism!
All work and no play makes for a dreaded life day by day. Taking time for you is necessary, not selfish! You are only one person but you are still just that, a person! You are a person with interests, friends, and family. Take some time to enjoy these and you will be much easier to relate to and a lot less stressed!
When you make taking care of you a priority, the ironic thing is that others will too! They will treat you with more respect because you treat yourself with more respect. You will become a priority in their minds because you are a priority in your own mind. You will bring your A-Game because it’s the only game you have to bring!
Popularity: 5%
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November 10,2009
Janet @ 9:58 am
Very entertaining video- Thank you for that. I completely agree with your article, I have been taking improv and voice acting classes for over 10 years continuing to learn about the art. The care of your body is going to reflect through your voice and I think you nailed some of the major highlights of the issue.
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