Do You Have Vision?

Many people aspire to become voice talents.  Few take the time to understand their vision, what they aspire to become as a voice talent.  No, this isn’t the part where I tell you sit down and write out an elaborate mission statement and plan of attack.  This is where I tell you to take a moment, maybe close your eyes, and just think.  Think of your ultimate goal as a voice talent.  What is it you aspire to be?  What is your niche?  Who is in your network?  What does your cash flow look like?  How about your studio?

Why is this important?  I’m glad you asked!  Your vision is the big picture.  Suppose I give you a puzzle with no picture to reference.  Would you be able to put it together?  Perhaps.  Would you be able to do so as efficiently as if I were to give you a puzzle with a picture?  Probably not.  Your vision is the picture and your day to day activities are the puzzle pieces.  The great news is that you get to decide what the picture looks like.  The sooner you decide and write it down, the sooner you can prioritize your daily actions, your puzzle pieces, and make your vision your reality.

This is a competitive industry and to succeed you must keep your edge.  You must continue to grow, to challenge yourself and to strive.  Your vision is your edge and it has the power to propel you forward.  You choose whether you will move forward or in circles!

Popularity: 20%

Voiceover Demo Session

Here’s some footage of an actual voiceover demo session that took place on 1/12/09.

Popularity: 34%

Find Your Why and Find Your Will

What is your “why”?  You need to know or your resolve will be weak at best.  Your “why” is your reason, your motivation for making one more phone call, doing one more audition, doing one more take… even when you don’t feel like it, especially when you don’t feel like it.  Your “why” will likely be a mix of rational and emotional reasons and, digging deeper, the emotional reasons are behind the rational ones anyway.   Either way, your “why” must be strong enough to move you to action!

It’s really no different from what we do in our voice over work.   We play to the “why” of the client’s target audience, using our voice to invoke the emotions of the audience to take action on the message we deliver.  We color the emotional words in the script, the words that emphasize the “why”.   Speak to their “why” and they will buy.  So will you, but you need to know your “why”.

So what’s your why?  Why are you a voice talent?  Is it the freedom to own your own business and call the shots?  Is it the flexibility of working from your own home?  Is it the perceived image or celebrity status of hearing your voice and knowing you were paid well to use it?  Maybe it’s the thrill of the challenge. Perhaps it’s the ability to finally do something you love!  Whatever your “why” is, find it and write it down.  Post it so you can see it each day as a reminder to keep doing what you need to do, whether its paperwork, auditions, takes, edits, you name it!  Find your “why” and you’ll find your will.

Popularity: 11%