Many who enter the field of voiceover do so because they believe it to be a
snap! Get the script, sit down... and read it.
Not so fast! Even the most talented, experienced and professional voiceover
talent goes through a process with each script, albeit, that process varies
depending upon one's approach, style and (yes) indiosyncracies.
Regardless, and I'm sure you've heard this before, voiceover sure beats
"digging ditches". No question. But, trust me... it's not as easy as the
pros make it seem.
What separates the men from the boys (or, in the interest of P.C. - the
women from the girls), isn't so much the talent, the experience, etc. It's
the daily routine of operating a real business. You may love doing
voiceovers, but absolutely abhor the process of making a business out of it.
You need to develop a contact list, THEN keep up with it. You need to build
and maintain a studio (or something resembling a place in which to work).
You need a website to display your abilities and experience. You need a
plan! Let me repeat that one... you need a PLAN! How will you make yourself
stand head and shoulders above your competition?
Once you've deciphered the answers to those critical elements of beginning a
business, you need to market, market, market, then - market some more. This
is the only creative outlet in your arsenal. If you're going to spend the
time - and you'll have to in order to succeed - make it fun! Nobody knows
you better than you do. Take some liberty - expose yourself. Now, pull your
pants back up, smartass!
Marketing is what separates the wannabes from the true pros. Maybe you have
tons of dough to drop on expert outside marketers, SEO gurus, webmasters,
producers and the like. More power to you (if you want someone else handling
your business affairs).
If you can't get excited about telling people who you are and what you can
do for them (and the internet opens you up to the entire world), then you
may as well hang up your headset now. On the other hand, if the mere idea of
touting your benefits to a potential client coupled with the understanding
that rejection is a major part of our world gets your juices flowing,
welcome to the ranks!
Competition is stiff! But, there's room for us all. Now, back to work.
"Testing... testing, 1, 2, 3..."
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Doc Phillips has been providing voice work in one way or another for 30
years. He is also an internet entrepreneur who hosts and manages several
sites. He built, maintains and "markets" his website,
http://www.docphillips.com.
