10 Tips For getting into the Voice Over Business.

Who exactly is a voice over artist? A voice over artist is simply a person who reads a script. These scripts may be for Television or Radio commercials, audio books, narrations for instructional or promotional videos or acting in animation e.t.c.

In whatever form the script may come it is expected that they be professionally read.

If you are a voice talent and you are interested in voiceovers as a business, here are ten tips for beginners that can help you get started.

1. KNOW YOUR NICHE/GENRE

Voiceover artist are naturally creative people, many of them are dynamic and can take up several roles or genre but that comes with experience.

As a beginner in this industry, it is advisable to know what genre of voice overs your voice is most suitable for, (eg narration, Animation, commercial, trailers e.t.c ) and start off with that.

Every client will like to know how you best fit in their project before they can hire you but you most have made a memorable impression on them. Don’t forget, the competition is real.

As the saying goes, a wise man puts his best foot forward, so put yours forward.

2. Create a professional demo

As said earlier, Every producer will like to know how you best fit in their project before they can hire you but you most have made a memorable impression on them. That memorable impression is made through your voice demo.

since your are new to this industry and may not have had any gig. The very first thing to do is to create a professional voice demo and send to everyone that should have it.

In this industry, no one is really interested in your certificate, they are most interested in what you can do with the mic. Your demo should speak for you.

3. Be Disciplined

Be Discipline to do the things you have to do even when you don’t feel like. Have a regular practice schedule and be faithful to it.

Be disciplined, you won’t go far without it.

Ralph Hass once said and I quote, “My daughter challenged me with an American Eagle shirt for Christmas to “soar like an eagle.” I encourage you to do the same. Eliminate the other E word in your vocabulary: excuses”.

Set your mind on results.

4. Talent is not enough (Remember it’s a Business )

Nancy Wolfson once said that “A talented actor without an entrepreneurial mindset is a hungry athlete stumbling through fields of food without pockets or hands.

Always remember that this is a business and must be treated as one.

Every voice artist should learn a bit of management, marketing and entrepreneur ship. Talent is not enough, the bottomline here is in your financial statement.

Remember, it is possible to have a great voice with perfect sense of delivery and not be heard.

5. Marketing strategy

Gone are the days of random marketing, marketing have become more strategic. Spend time to identify your target market and how best to reach them.

There are more marketing options for a voice over artist today which may include Internet marketing, radio, print media, social network, e mail marketing and even sms marketing. Find which combination will bring the required result and implement.

One of the most effective ways to market yourself is to join an online voice Bank like the Www.nigerianvoicebank.com . This way your voice can be heard by the millions of people on the Internet.

6. Pricing

“The moment you make a mistake in pricing, you’re eating into your reputation or your profits.” Katharine Paine.

Pricing is an important way of quantifying the value you can deliver or your worth as a voice over artist, but note that a high price, keeps low pricing clients (who are usually thought to be hard nuts ) away and attracts high paying clients.

Whatever price structure you choose, you must be willing to provide value and expertise that reflects your fee. In other words you must be realistic. If you want to earn much, provide higher value.

Your price says this is what I am worth, your delivering should say, same.

Pricing according to Ron Johnson is actually a pretty simple and straight forward thing. Customers will not pay literally a penny more than the true value of the product.

7. Be More

Your personality, character and knowledge counts. A producer is not just interested in your voice especially if he has to keep you on a long project. He will be interested in you and everything you bring.

So read, learn and express your knowledge when necessary. Know a bit about politics, current affairs, medicine and more.

EXPAND your horizon, be an interesting person and it will add positively to your value and self worth.

8. Train.

Train. Train and Train.

In all I have said today, this is arguably the most important, because training adds value to your product and your client pays for the value you produce or deliver with your voice.

So Train, Train And Train, if you desire to remain relevant in this industry.

9. Volunteer

As a beginner in this industry, the jobs may not come fast. Some of the easiest ways to announce your self is by volunteering, this way your voice is heard especially if it was a nationalities project, you would have started building networks.

When there is a budget, the producer may consider using you especially if you were dedicated and provided great value when you volunteered.

So do not be bothered to work for free, many great voice artist once did that including me.

10. Network

Network and share knowledge with other voice talents, join a community or a support group, online or offline. Attend conventions, meetings and social gatherings. You can also attempt to create a Mastermind group if you can’t find any. This will have a significant impact on your career.

Finally, no matter what happens, always be grateful for this gift, we are so blessed to do this for a living.

written by Chukwuemeka Onunkwo