| A career doing voice-overs can be very rewarding, | | | | internet increases the chances of you being found and |
| because you get to use that most versatile of organs, | | | | also these sites usually provide you with your own |
| your voice. In effect it is like being paid just for talking, | | | | web address, so you can include a link in emails for |
| or more accurately reading out loud for a living. So just | | | | prospects to access. |
| how do you begin searching for companies that might | | | | One of the best ways to get clients interested is to |
| be looking to use your velvety tones? | | | | offer something for nothing. I do not mean always |
| It is best to think of the voice over jobs arena as a | | | | providing your services for free, but enticing companies |
| multi-faceted market or indeed as many different | | | | in with a promotional freebie. If there is a DJ or |
| markets. To begin with you need to make a basic | | | | presenter on a local radio station who you enjoy |
| distinction between two broad areas of interest to | | | | listening to, make them a liner or sweeper. These are |
| voice-over artists: broadcasting (for example radio and | | | | short sentences or phrases that are frequently played |
| TV adverts) and the corporate sector, which | | | | between music tracks or out of ad breaks. An |
| encompasses such diverse areas as on-hold phone | | | | example would be "Joe Smith on 102.8 fm; the perfect |
| messages (or interactive voice recording as it is | | | | mid morning coffee break". It does not need to be |
| known in the business), training videos, podcasts and | | | | Shakespeare, but the point is you have shown an |
| web site audio content. | | | | understanding of the structure of that particular radio's |
| Myth: Work in the broadcast media is more common | | | | output and added value to a specific show. You could |
| than the corporate sector. | | | | then say there will be a small charge for future |
| Fact: You are probably far more likely to gain work | | | | recordings. You will be amazed how that can |
| from a company looking for a fresh new voice for its | | | | generate interest. |
| voice messaging service, than a commercial for | | | | Then there is the tricky issue of voice-over agents. |
| hairspray on network TV. | | | | Should you get one? Yes, if you can, but it is not |
| So where do you begin the hunt? First it is important to | | | | essential. Many agencies want to know that you are |
| be as proactive as you can. Try calling a few local | | | | bankable, so try and get as much experience as you |
| companies and explain that you are a voiceover artist | | | | can through your own endeavours. Never pay an |
| living around the corner and can come along and | | | | agent upfront as most work is on a commission only |
| record a new greeting for them. Explain you will give | | | | basis. It is advisable to ask someone you trust to |
| them a more professional sound which will enhance | | | | double check the wording of any contract you may be |
| their image and could help increase sales. | | | | required to sign too. Representation is useful, and can |
| If you are a member of a social networking website, | | | | pay dividends, but should only be seen as part of your |
| use that to let people know what you do; you will be | | | | overall strategy. |
| surprised how a friend of a friend could turn out to be | | | | When you are sending out your CD demo, keep the |
| a future client. Be careful not to turn on the hard sell, | | | | covering letter crisp and clear. It is essential to headline |
| though, as people do not like being sold to on such | | | | with your gender and voice description; you may know |
| sites. | | | | that you are a husky voiced female, but the client |
| You should also upload your demo to as many | | | | does not. They need a reason to listen, so always |
| different voice-over marketing sites as possible. There | | | | keep your description positive, enticing and accurate. |
| are plenty of free ones where you can add various | | | | Above all, the industry favours those who are |
| show-reels, a photo and details about your interests | | | | tenacious, so keep plugging away and never give up. |
| and experience. Spreading your voice around the | | | | |