Thanks Terry for the pep talk. I believe in working hard and playing hard. The older I get the more value I see in believing in yourself and working hard and praying for opportunities to achieve your goals. I have a passion to succeed in this industry and I believe a healthy understanding of my God given talent to make to make it happen. I have had some great successes already in my short career largely due to people like you who I follow who give to the VO community and share their expertise in order to help others to strive to achieve their goals. Thanks for the tips and perspective.

One of my goals for this year is to get more training, hopefully from Master Terry Daniel in the near future

Thanks amigo!

Each time I hear your voice or read one of your blogs I’m inspired to
work as hard as I can to reach my goals. I believe the training I am receiving is first class and I can’t wait to get my demo. Keep up the good work Terry!

It’s great to hear a positive attitude when so many in our business are feeling beaten up by 2009. I wish all of us a happy. healthy, creative 2010 !!!

Thanks Terry,
2010 is the year when I really get going in this biz. I have had to do some juggling with my ‘day’ job but increasingly realize that I must take more of a risk or two for what I really want. I am a late bloomer and get stuck in my ways so I am about to step out of my comfort zone and go for it! Time is of the essence. I hope to see you at Voice 2010. Yabadabbadoo!

Terry,
I agree 1000000%. It is said in a way, but I guess a midst a sea of people crying for help, at some point people see opportunity for profit.

In the past few months, we began screening people on our site. But the crazy thing is that we have been told by those screaming for quality that they find this to be unfair.

As a talent first and then employee of a casting site, I see so much info out there being taught that just does not work and is more a representation of someone’s influence, meaning voice talents tend to think its ok to start out with a combative attitude which they have paid to be taught, it does not get work, and everyone looks bad.

Education has always been more profitable than voice work and newcomers are always willing to give what people teach them the ‘power’ to either destroy or succeed in this business.

I think that has always been the case. We are just so media-saturated these days, all the examples are out there to see everyday.

Hi Terry!

I really like your articles and advise. I think you have valid points, that people who are new to the industry, will find interesting and truthful. I would like touch on one subject that seems to be debatable, no matter who you speak with, “studio equipment.” I have been told by working professionals that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on your equipment. I have also been told, use crappy equipment…get crappy jobs! I believe the latter to be true. If you cannot provide broadcast quality tracks, you won’t get the work. I only wanted to buy my equipment once, so I spent the extra money for great gear. I didn’t want to trade in my so so gear for next to nothing, just to spend money on the better stuff later. Obviously you should buy what you can afford, however piece by piece is not a bad way to accomplish this important step.
You don’t need top of the line gear, but, if you can buy it and then set it and forget it, it allows you to work more on your craft.

Cheers
Shawn

Hi Terry,

You could not have said it better…as well as the other posters. Newcomers really do need to be careful in the beginning. The amount of information out there can be very confusing. The clairity for me came when I began studying with Nancy Wolfson of Braintracks Audio. I attended Voice 2008 and went to her branding session. I then took a hear of private lessons from her and she directed my demo. What I learned from her along with the other fantastic sessions I went to that weekend was eye opening. So what you say is right on…get the best training from successful folks and then gather everything you’ve learned and chart your own course.

Thank you for sharing with us!
Dory

This is very sage advice. Having come from a strong theater background, I knew that I would need to do much studying and research as I began my voice over career. It’s been 4 yrs. I’ve learned a lot and feel that I will never stop learning. I’m getting work and loving every minute of it even the continued learning part.

Once again, thanks Terry for the great articles and advice. I think it’s key to get GOOD advice, training and stay positive.

Thanks amigo,
Paul

Yep, there’s a lot of folks offering ‘advice’ to those who would like to ‘make easy money’ in the voice-over industry.

Some of the information is rooted in common sense but unfortunately, with so many people WANTING to be the next ‘voice talent’ star, it makes the ‘coaching’ business into a growth industry.

Do you remember when there were private schools that offered classes to help you get into the glamours world of radio broadcasting? “You can become a radio personality!” Well most of those guys are out of business because broadcasting is an industry that having big troubles financially.

By all means, study, work with reputable resource providers, and become a life-long student of the craft. Just be cautious about someone who wants your money under the guise of setting you up to make big bucks.

I have been interested in voice overs forever. I read comments and continue to learn from my readings. The forums are helpful. Even though I have not had a reading I’m still interested. My voice is heavy and will take a lot of training but I want to be in the business for the passion. Voiceovers are worthwhile and I want to be successful.

I’m going to pursue the field even though “they” don’t think I will make.

Am still new in voice over industry and would like to take it has a profession what are the requirements, since at the moment am training myself with a recorder. Please help.

No way did I start with the expectation VO would make me wealthy. I just knew I had to find a place in this very singular arena of self-expression, and as soon as I tried it I absolutely loved it. And that was before I even got my first booking! I soon saw how intensely competitive it all is, but it is doable, and when the first good feedback comes in, and you see the numbers going up on YouTube… and yes some dollars come in, well you feel wired and know it can be done with persistence. It’s thanks to people of the stature of Terry Daniel, Kevin Delaney, Stephanie Ciccarelli, and innovations like Taji’s VOpedia that a serious newcomer, even one based in UK like myself, can learn, learn, learn, and build confidence… and get the gigs.

There is something else that is always miissed that the experts don’t tell you about and that there is a lot of satisfaction in doing your own voice overs and not have to go to the studio. Plus it is a lot of fun to do a good audition for someone. Thanks for the “THEY SAY article. Good info to start wiith.

Excellent article! Points well made and are very, very true! It is yourself that makes the end result, Not “THEM”.

Terry,

I read your words and hear your voice!
I entered the VO field in the 80′s and was unable to continue because of family demands. Now they are grown and I have recovered from an illness that almost claimed my voice (life) and am re-entering the profession. Your words are as true today as they would have been back then. I feel like a beginner with the environment of the industry having changed so much over the years. One thing though has not changed; them. ‘They’ are still out there, hiding in plain site to cast promises of success if we will follow their words and yet will blame us as responsible when their direction fails us: their hands remain clean.

Thanks Terry for keeping it clean and clear.

Hi Terry,

Excellent information.

I think the best way to approach this is to have fun. When you get to serious that’s when it starts to become a drag.

I appreciate what you share and it’s always great advice.

Hi Terry,

Being a baby in the industry would you mind sharing, what are the “right questions” to ask?

Thank you Terry

I’ve been strongly encouraged by friends and several V.O. professionals to get into the business. I’ve done in-house broadcasts for companies I’ve worked for but would like to get serious about a career in the industry. Please send me your newsletters.

I really appreciate your work on voiceoverclub.com. I’ve benefitted from it a lot already.
I would love to hear you discuss how you best decide what to charge as a non-union talent. What steps do you go through to find a price for your VO that won’t scare clients away, but that will not short change what you could/should earn for the work?

Jobs can vary greatly. I can get a request for a dance recital one day, and then be doing a few taglines for a website the next day.

Do you charge by words? Minutes? Frequency of use? Can clients do what they want with it once you’re paid? Do you charge more if the client wants you to record and edit it for them and maybe even marry it with music?

Thanks for your insights!

Hey Terry,

Congradulations on your success! Utilizing social networks is so important- I’m not surprised at all that you’re gaining business from it, it’s a direct way to make contact with clients and other voice over artists. The bigger presence you create for yourself on the internet the more likely you’ll be found for work-

Great post!

Im very very itrested i voice over work. Im very good at differet voiced too! please reply

I have no absolute proof…but I had auditioned for a job for Stephanie Ciccarelli from Voices.com. I had found her on twitter and had been following her and shortly after she followed me back. A week after the audition, I sent her a DM asking if the job had been filled. While I didn’t get a DM back, I did get an email saying that I was awarded the job.

It’s possible that the DM put me over the top. She even mentioned that she realized it was me from my audition because my twitter avatar is the same picture on my Voices.com profile.

She invited me to add her on Facebook and we have connected on Linked In as well. She’s an all around great person, but she also gave me a recommendation on the site.

I’ve even connected with @SuchAVoice who’s also a great voice coach and wonderful person. Social media is GREAT for contacts. Every podcaster I know I have met thru Twitter, and they are responsible for my becoming a voice talent.

[...] @tdaniel39: proof that Twitter can be effective for getting #voiceover work! http://www.voiceoverclub.com/twitter-and-voice-over-work [...]

Terry,
I can’t begin to tell you how valuable your site is to me as a Beginner on Voice over work. I started Officially doing Voice over work about 4 months ago, and have taken your advice and have searched all sorts of Voice Over sites and agencies. The agencies are a little slower to respond whereas the sites where they post your talent, respond quicker because their clients are the ones who choose you after hearing the Demos you upload.
In the past, I Have been a award winning singer/songwriter/performer for many years and Music is very hard to conquer unless you have tons of money or friends in the biz (Of which I don’t have either!)
But the Voice Over work has almost exploded in my face since I have started, I have done about 15 Voice over Jobs that have been used in TV or Personal CD distribution. I’m still getting my equipment together and I have you to thank for as far as what I need, How to go about it and getting beginner’s jobs. So Far so good my friend. Thank you so much for the Keys to the Kingdom of Voice Overs. Last week I was offered $250.00 for a spot that lasted about 15 minutes for a Stop smoking spot , and I was floored to be asked to do it and for the price they paid me. Thanks again!! Keep them Coming!! – David of “DVS” Voice Overs

I have just stuck my figurative big toe in the pool of voice overs and thank you so much for the info. I am a bit of a tweet-er but look forward to getting better at both. Thank you for the helpful info!

Hi Terry,

Appreciate as I see others also state, your willingness to share all there is about Voice Over work. As a new person getting started myself, any and all information is deeply appreciated as well as helpful so we don’t have to make the mistakes you may have made when you first started.

I do have a question regarding Twitter.

You showed that your received a job and recommnedation but how have you placed yourself on Twitter to have people contact you.

I have made so many attempts at Twitter in getting the word out for things other than Voice Over work which also were extremely important, and it to me has been like throwing a snowball, into an oven or worse a Black Hole in outer space.

I find that everyone on the social networking sites are all trying to accomplish the same thing and so it is like the Preacher, preaching a lesson to a Preacher for next Sunday’s service. If you understand what I am saying.

So, would you have a follow up to your Twitter information just exactly what one needs to do, to get that exposure for possible future Voice Over Work.

Thanks so very much.

Noël

I have read everyone’s comments regarding voice over work and I am very impressed. I am trying to break into this type of work because I speak very well and love changing my voice. However, I get so confused with the various websites in trying to break into this line of business. If any of you could direct me to a good source or website, I would really appreciate it. I am very anxious to get started with this asap.

Thanks!