Do You Have Vision?
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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!
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Voiceover Demo Session
Filed under Free Videos
Here’s some footage of an actual voiceover demo session that took place on 1/12/09.
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January 13,2010
Greg Downey @ 4:09 pm
Thanks for sharing this Terry. Is this the actual evnironment where Kim’s demo was recorded? It would be really great to hear what the final produced demo sounds like. Will you share that as well when it’s completed? How long does it take you to finish a demo once you have the VO sound file finished?
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February 19,2010
Ben Bastyr @ 11:36 am
Hi Terry,
I want to thank you for this web site and the excellent pointers you furnish. I am definitely a ‘newbe’ in the profession and have a sincere interest in getting started. I have been self employed as a landscape contractor for the past 25 years (I’m 56) in the Minneapolis area and feel that I am ready for a new direction in my life. I have, for years, felt a need to use the voice I’ve been given and stretch my comfort zone to explore this possibility. I’ve been reviewing several voice demos and keep thinking, ‘I can do that!’. However, I have also been a bit frustrated not knowing how to proceed in getting started. I’m using Pro Tools Vocal Studio software yet am feeling the need to get professional help. I’ve learned over the years how important presentation is to clients and don’t want to blow it here with a poor demo. Can you help me?Ben
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July 9,2010
Lawrence E. O'Neal @ 11:42 am
Hi Terry,
Good Demo session with Kim. Terry, could you give me a ballpark figure, as far as investments into getting started in the voice over business? I am really interested but Im not sure what the real costs are for establising ones self in the business. A range starting from the basic to the point where you are ready to send Demos would be very helpful. Break it down Big Guy and Thanks in advance.
Lawrence E. O’Neal
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.
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Thanks for the insight Terry. Once again another great tip. Some things to definitely need to think through.
Good stuff. Thanks Terry. This is where I have struggled. I’d like to think that I have finally taken that step to focus on my strengths and move forward in the direction which most suits my abilities. Kudos.
Wayne
As a newbie, I really appreciate the tip. Thank you.
Great advice Terry! This is the perfect time of year to evaluate or re-evaluate where you are in this industry and what it is going to take to go to the next level. The top notch professionals never stop learning and growing, and as you said, we must all strive to keep our edge. Thanks again.
[...] From The Voice Over Club, Terry Daniel writes today asking “Do You Have Vision”. He always has good tips etc. as they relate to the voiceover industry – click for the article HERE. [...]
Greetings Mr. Terry, really enjoyed your comments about vision. It’s been said without the vision, and looking over the obstacles we will perish, the ambition dies off. Very thankful for these reminders. Continued best wishes in your endeavors, and look forward to having you work with me in the near future. Dave
Brilliant stuff, incisive and inspired. To move forward you need a direction and that direction is determined but what really sets your heart and soul on fire. With a real focus, a true centred desire the way ahead for anyone is assured. What you want and what you think you want are two different things.
Great analogy, Terry! Great advice, as well. Thanks for the thought provoking words of wisdom!
Thanks!!!
it is always good to be reminded.
the word of God says : My people perish for lack of vision and it also says to write vision down.
I like what you said about the niche’, and for me when I started training it was like this big open field that as I have walked thru it and cut some paths things are coming into focus. Thanks again
Good words Terry and with your help I think we are finding our goals and niche(s). Victoria is right, it is just a big open field and without vision and focus we can wander aimlessly.
Thanks for the tip. It makes sense. The most important part of any journey is the first step and your vision of where you are going is that first step.
YES!!!!!
That’s funny that you write this article, because for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a Voice on some Animated Motion Picture.
Now that I’m Older that vision hasn’t changed, but now I really would like to do Motion Picture Promo voice Overs as well. It’s acting behind the scenes!! I love it!
This coming from a guy with a scratched cornea??? The better question is do YOU have vision back at 100%? Great topic as usual~
Vision..goals…all very important. Write down your goals/vision in a journal no matter how grandiose they may be.. Make lists of things/people (puzzle pieces) that need to happen to attain these goals and check this list every day. I have found that no goal, vision or dream is to great too imagine having. Building a firm foundation will enable your goal/vision “tower” to be built without falling. This is the “edge” Terry is talking about. A foundation built on sand is destined for failure.