So
by now you either have some experience of being an actor or a broadcaster. You
have done your voice training and made your voiceover showreel. So what next?
Get
yourself a good professional photograph as agents and some "pay to
play" voiceover directories allow you to upload one. There are a number of
voiceover directories which allow you to list your audio for free.
However
many of the free sites may not generate much work for you (or they may restrict
how their site functions until you pay a fee.) Some also require you to record
an audition for every job that you bid for, thereby encouraging voiceover
artists to constantly lower their fees to get the work.
We
have dealt with the technical aspects of setting up your own home studio in
other blogs on this site, but should you invest in your own home studio? Do you
even have the space and peace and quiet for one?
Alternatively
try to find a local studio (or another voiceover artist who lives close to you)
who may let you use their studio for a reasonable price. Then at least you can
find out if you are employable. If you find that you are getting lots of work
it's time to invest in your own voiceover booth
So
what next? Contact local radio stations and video production companies. It is a
time-consuming marketing exercise, but by the time you have a dozen jobs under
your belt you will know what your strengths are. Maybe it is obvious to someone
else in the industry if not you.
If
you get booked for lots of local radio adverts but no e-learning then maybe
this is what you are best at and should focus your energies on pursuing radio
and TV commercial work.
Unless
you are exceptionally talented - and very lucky - you will probably have to get
2 or 3 years experience of the voiceover industry under your belt before a
voiceover agent will consider taking you on.
In
the meantime keep at it and update your voiceover showreel - as you should
improve with practise. You should also not bother to approach advertising
agencies as they only deal with the best voiceover talent via voiceover
agencies.
And
remember, there are very few full-time voiceovers - most combine
being a voiceover artist with production, writing, acting or radio or TV
work.
