In today’s email:
Dear Bobbin,
Dear Bobbin,
Just recently I have begun to research the voiceover industry. Over the years, many people have complemented me of my soothing voice.
Your website link from the voiceover directory is making quite an impression on me. Can you offer a “how to get started” website that is reputable and welcoming to potential newcomers to the industry, like myself?
Your help is greatly appreciated,
Angela Penny
South Carolina
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Dear Angela,
Thanks so much for your email and your kind words. The first thing you need to know – there is so much more required to be a successful professional voiceover actor than having a “nice voice”. These days, you need you take classes in voiceover and acting, train, listen, be a marketing specialist and website wiz, an audio engineer, and the list goes on. Of course you’ll need a demo. But first, read and listen to others, without getting involved with some individuals whose intentions are to mainly separate you from your money. And don’t make a demo until you’ve had adequate training. You’ll be making a sizeable investment anyway in your business, so be smart about it! You’ll need to put in a lot of time to get up to speed. Read up, take voiceover classes from reputable coaches, preferably those who are already working voice actors, practice profusely, listen to your recorded voice. Read James Alburger’s book, “The Art of Voice Acting” and Susan Blu’s “Word of Mouth”. Elaine Clarke also has a fabulous book, “There’s Money Where your Mouth Is”. The least expensive way to find out more is to read books and travel to blogs and websites on the topic.
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Dear Angela,
Thanks so much for your email and your kind words. The first thing you need to know – there is so much more required to be a successful professional voiceover actor than having a “nice voice”. These days, you need you take classes in voiceover and acting, train, listen, be a marketing specialist and website wiz, an audio engineer, and the list goes on. Of course you’ll need a demo. But first, read and listen to others, without getting involved with some individuals whose intentions are to mainly separate you from your money. And don’t make a demo until you’ve had adequate training. You’ll be making a sizeable investment anyway in your business, so be smart about it! You’ll need to put in a lot of time to get up to speed. Read up, take voiceover classes from reputable coaches, preferably those who are already working voice actors, practice profusely, listen to your recorded voice. Read James Alburger’s book, “The Art of Voice Acting” and Susan Blu’s “Word of Mouth”. Elaine Clarke also has a fabulous book, “There’s Money Where your Mouth Is”. The least expensive way to find out more is to read books and travel to blogs and websites on the topic.
Then…..find a credible coach. There may be one near you. You’ll need to do your research. These days there are even teleseminars and classes on the web. Learn to act. Join local theater groups. An excellent resource is Voiceacting.com
which is also where you’ll find two of my favorite voice coaches, James Alburger and Penny Abshire.
Live the craft. It’s an art. When you’re ready, your coach can refer you to a credible source to create a demo. A great demo is key to attracting new prospects, but make sure the demo showcases you, and not the music and/or sound effects. Also be sure you can easily, and perfectly replicate whatever qualities the client heard in your demo when in the studio. In the “old days”, talent used to be booked directly off their demo. Now, custom demos (raw voice) are pretty much the norm. It may be possible to use some of your best custom demos recorded for all these jobs floating around at the online sites, mix ’em up and produce them later. There’s so much more, but at least you have some “homework”, to begin.
Live the craft. It’s an art. When you’re ready, your coach can refer you to a credible source to create a demo. A great demo is key to attracting new prospects, but make sure the demo showcases you, and not the music and/or sound effects. Also be sure you can easily, and perfectly replicate whatever qualities the client heard in your demo when in the studio. In the “old days”, talent used to be booked directly off their demo. Now, custom demos (raw voice) are pretty much the norm. It may be possible to use some of your best custom demos recorded for all these jobs floating around at the online sites, mix ’em up and produce them later. There’s so much more, but at least you have some “homework”, to begin.
Thanks so much