can someone make a career out of this?

Randall Bigham

i was just wondering if people can get enough jobs in this line of work for it to be your primary source of income or would this be considered an "on the side" thing?

thank you for your time

Scott Nilsen · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006, 23:36 (GMT) Post subject:

It is a worthwhile pursuit, but don't quit your day job in the mean time. It can take a while, but it can be done. Don't give up.

Randall Bigham · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 00:00 (GMT) Post subject:

thank you for your quick reply. i am going to get a demo going but i want it to sound professional so i have a friend that has much higher grade equipment then my own.

i think that my range can help me achieve my goal. and the fact that i can sing may help me get a "jingle" job or 2 Very Happy

once again thank you and you should be hearing from me soon. Cool

Dustin Ebaugh · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 06:54 (GMT) Post subject: It can be done!

You can absolutely make a living in this business! I'm doing it and hundreds or maybe thousands of folks across the U.S. are doing it too. It won't happen over night, but if you start building a client base, you can do it. I spent 20 years in radio and quit when I was making twice as much with my "side job" of voice over work. You can do it, just take time and build your business and find good mentors to work with you on delivery, etc. and help you finding clients. Voice123 is a good place to start finding some clients too.

Bobbin Beam

The answer is absolutely, yes. I am always asked how someone can break into the voice-over business, because they think it would be fun, and because somebody told him or her he/she has a good voice. There are already dozens of excellent articles and books on this topic, many can be found online, written by working voice talents and producers. The first thing I respond with is “Yes it’s fun, but it’s hard work. ” And no, it’s not drudgery, or the way to get rich fast. One must be absolutely dedicated to the craft and must have the gut for rejection. It also helps to have an acting background. There are many who have come from a broadcasting background, like myself. But they can't seem to let go of the "high-octane" radio announcer in them. Sure there are many great pipes out there, in about 50% of the population. There are some who really make it. But the reality is that most don't earn 6 figure incomes. What does success really mean to you? Is it all about the money or about being an artist? Sometimes one can acheive both. It is ALL about how you learn to use your voice. Find your voice,and the money will come. Good Luck! Bobbin Beam

Randall Bigham · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 23:23 (GMT) Post subject:

thank you everyone for your replies. basically the reason i want to try to get into this business is because it is something that i do for fun to make my friends laugh, so why not attempt to get paid for it strichauge

it is something that i seem to be a natural at and if i can do it and be able to support myself, then i believe i shall find true happiness.

just need to get my demos up.

i just updated my profile with more info so anyone who wants to see, just click on my name and have fun! Very Happy

Russ McLamb · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 00:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Randall,

I'll chime in with the others about making a living doing VO's fulltime. It's one of the best careers you could have but it doesn't come over night and it's definitely not as easy as alot of people make it out to be. I support a family of five very nicely doing this but it didn't just happen. You've got to practice, listen, practice and listen some more. Get training, practice and listen some more. Once you've done that, do it all again. It's more than just talking, it's a craft that's a constant learning process. Get as much training as you can, it will definitely pay off. Would I do anything else? Hell no! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go practice. Smile

Russ McLamb
www.russmclamb.com

Nikki Saco · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 22:45 (GMT) Post subject: VO Full Time - Marketing

It's reassuring some of you are able to support your families doing this -- something to look forward to if I can get close to where you are now. I can only hope. But clearly, you must market yourselves. I can't imagine you can support a family waiting around for leads?

I did VO work for a while in college but they came to me; someone saw me in a play and liked my voice. Back then, I was more interested in sound engineering and set design, but the VO money was really good for a college kid. Now, I'm building an okay client base (very nice people too); but what do you do to expand your client base and get yourselves more jobs in today's market? I also design and develop web sites so I've got a web presence for sure -- three voice over sites and many sites that link to them. But I wondered about query letters to places that produce presentations and other businesses that use voices, etc. Or is this too much of a trade secret to share with newbies?

Russ McLamb · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 22:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Nikki,

There's really no big secret to it. The best way is to pick up the phone and call production houses, ad agencies, anybody that does commercials, narrations or anything having to do with voice. Introduce yourself and ask to speak to the person that hires VO talent. Just simply introduce yourself, ask if you could send a demo and tell them you'll touch base again in a couple of weeks to make sure they recieved your demo. They may want you to just email it or send them a link to it. I block out at least an hour a day to do this. It really pays off.

Russ

Randall Bigham · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 23:23 (GMT) Post subject:

thank you all for your responses and comments. Very Happy

my dream is to eventually be able to support myself through this like you seem to be able to do. and since i am a family of 1 then i won't need as much! Laughing

i'm gonna make a "test demo" to post up hear so i can fine tune myself so when i get my equipment i'll be more ready.

Nikki Saco · Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006, 01:09 (GMT) Post subject: VO Marketing

Russ, thanks for that information. I think I'm too computer oriented and tend to make email my first choice of communication. It feels less obtrusive since people read them when they have a chance; but I'll consider picking up the phone from time to time.

Julie Williams

Hi Randall,

Yes, people can make a living at VO! I've been doing it forever... well, actually, I also have a "day job" now... because it's full time Christian ministry--and that's important to me.

BUT I do very well...working about two hours a day in VO. I do several jobs a week... (maybe averaging 5-20 jobs a week? it varies) In fact, I make more in VO now than I used to make full time in radio...

It's not always consistent, though. My VO income can vary by up to $2000/mo--so if you're living on it... adjustments have to be made for the slow times.

But if you're a beginner, consider this... in any other business, you have to invest to start your company. In VO it's the same. You need a professional demo... not just one produced by a fancy studio... but one with someone coaching YOU as you read! There's an extensive FAQ section at my web site, www.voice-overs.com/resources/ just click the link and then click FAQ on the left panel.
These days, a home studio is cheap, but kind of a necessity in VO. I'd offer you help there, but I don' t know enough about it! I lean on my very knowledgable friends for that info!

So many people want to get into this biz cos they think it's easy work...and they have a good voice that'll carry them. I think 90% of the population has a "good voice." That's not a commodity like knowing how to USE that voice to communicate a message. And if that were easy, we wouldn't be paid so well.

So find some great coaches.. (I have a list of coaches by state at voice-overs.com as well) Depending on where you live, I may be able to recommend someone. Get together a killer demo, and go for it!

By the way... I don't know exactly how many jobs I get from voice123 as opposed to some of the other sites and sources... but I can tell you, it's a LOT... But if you're not a premium member, you won't get all the benefite. It's soooooo worth it. One job pays for it. Just dont' sign up until you have good demos to post.

Good Luck!
Julie Williams "voice-over Chocolate"
www.voice-overs.com
julie@voice-overs.com

Julie Williams · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 07:22 (GMT) Post subject: Generating leads

Hi Nikki,

It's scary to call prospects at first. But once you gain more confidence in your abilities as a talent... you'll realize that you're doing them a favor. See, they need voices. You're telling them you're available. Be friendly. Short and to the point. If a client really doesn't want you to call, his/her phone number won't be listed. (Mine isn't)

Also... mail a lot of CD demos to these places. And follow up when you say you will to make sure they heard your demo. I cover a lot of this stuff in my book and CDs. "How To Make Money in voice-overs Even If you Don't Live in NY or LA." You can get it at voice-overs.com/vostore.
Sorry for the "shameless promotion," I just really think you'll benefit from it in the VO marketing area!

One other thing... Don't EVER EVER EVER send an unsolicited demo via email. The files are large and a lot of folks still have smalller limits on their email space. If someone sends me an email asking to send a demo, I usually say OK. II hire talent as well as being one) But if I get one unsolicited in email... it gets deleted and never heard.

Good Luck, Nikki!

God Bless
Julie Williams "voice-over Chocolate"
www.voice-overs.com
julie@voice-overs.com

Randall Bigham · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 13:45 (GMT) Post subject:

thank you julie for your response, hopefully i shall one day have as much work in this business as you.

i shall have to start saving for my equipment & get my recording booth made. i shall be able to become a premium member after all that has been completed. Very Happy

Nikki Saco · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 18:18 (GMT) Post subject: Email vs. Phone

Julie, I totally agree. I never send unsolicited demos by email; I meant only that I tend to think of emails as first contact. Even with established clients, I let them know about a chunky file attachment before I send it since some people have transfer limits on their mail servers; and I set up a password protected client download site as another alternative for project files.

The thing with phones isn't shyness, I just tend to think of it as obtrusive, but you're absolutely right that people who don't want calls or have an email preference, will restrict making their phone numbers available.

I had a few design jobs that came in and slowed me down a bit, but I've been beefing up my demos where I can and feel somewhat ready to do some test marketing with what I have.