VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[ryansbeal]

Hey everyone. As you know by now I'm a newbie both to the list and to VO. I have read many topics about voice123 and IV and none to good. I belong to both and now am starting to wonder myself. My questions follow below.

1. How to you start in this industry?

2. Who do you contact, what type of businesses?

3. Where and how do you network?

4. How do you follow-up with a client contact?

5. Anyone know a coach in my neck of the woods? (W


Thanks
Ryan

Sorry If I've asked questions already answered. If so please direct me to the right spot.

[Deirdre]

Get James Alburger's book The Art of Voice Acting.

That will give you a big push in the right direction.

You are asking questions most of us had to figure out for ourselves over time. LONG time.

How do you start?
Practice reading aloud every day. Into a tape recorder. Listen to it.
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[billelder]

I'm no expert and all of us have different ways of presenting ourselves and methods of getting work.

From your Voice123 info I see that you've done "Local Radio broadcasts, Phone menus systems," and "a lot of public speaking experiance."

How about contacting some of the clients who enjoy your work in broadcasting? Since you've done public speaking perhaps an agent is familiar with your work?

I will add this. If there were one standard answer to getting work we'd all be in trouble. <g> I called a few local VO folks when I was considering this full time. As we say in the south, "Ain't nobody givin' up any secrets." LOL The best information I got was from a business friend who reminded me to treat VO's like any other business. You have to make more than you spend and you have to build a client base one at a time through satisfied customers. We are, after all, in a customer service business.

Best of luck to you!

[Philip Banks]

By trawling through the pages in this section you will pick up some gems or pieces to the jigsaw; all you have to do is put them together.

If ever there was a time for thinking outside of the box it's now. You have to make a creative link with your market. Anything we suggest we've already done, by all means do that but also do something different ....Dare to be different.

[Bailey]

[Drew]

Beg, borrow, scrap, fight, market, and build a client base one at a time. There is no one size fits all.
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www.voiceoverdrew.com
Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

[kgenus]

If you're going to break into VO, first, make sure nobody is home otherwise you might be heard.
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Genus

[mcm]

If you don't find a coach in your area, you can always try Edge Studios in NYC/CT who do telephone coaching. They are excellent.

When you have your training and demo, start looking for work in your own backyard. Shop the demo at the independent production houses and ad agencies in your town or region. Be persistent and polite. Once you start looking, you will find your own way. It takes time to build up a business but if you keep at it, you'll succeed.

[anthonyVO]

I recommend Alburger's book as well. Good balance of the business and techniques.

You're probably better off with over-the-phone training... unfortunately if there IS a coach in your area, they're probably not going to be top notch.

Be prepared for 5 years of trial and error... and be flexible - the business and what it demands changes, so you have to adapt as well.

Finally - the sound of your voice has very little (if anything) to do with being successful in this business... that may not have been true 10 years ago, but it is now.

-Anthony

[kgenus]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned ear training. This is fundamental to the success you may or may not have as a new or age old voice artist. Listen to everything you can, pay friends to record television commercials, they're great training aids.
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Genus

[ryansbeal]

Great suggestion.. Thanks