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Thomas MDV
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 Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:28 am Post subject: Where to start... |
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As you all know I'm new to the forum. I would like to ask all of you:
Where does one start his career in voiceovers ?
Where to look for jobs in my area of the country ?
I've been told that I needed an agent, don't send your demos unless you have permission, etc.
I also write commercials for products that I would like to submit to the product companies and wonder if this is a good idea?
Any information you can share with me to help get me on the right path will be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.
Thomas MDV  |
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Moe Egan
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Joined: 11 Sep 2006
Posts: 4339
Location: Live Free or Die
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:54 am Post subject: |
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Hi Thomas.
As you can imagine - folks starting out in VO usually have the same questions. Do a search of the archives and I know you'll find many answers and insights from folks here regarding your questions. In addition to the VO-BB there are TONS of books and blogs and web sites with oodles of information.
One thing I can tell you is that everyone's journey is different and a big part of being a successful VO is finding what works for you.
Do a little digging and I know you'll have more info than you know what to do with.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
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ConnieTerwilliger
Triple G
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 3381
Location: San Diego - serving the world
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Where to start... |
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| Thomas MDV wrote: | I also write commercials for products that I would like to submit to the product companies and wonder if this is a good idea?
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Your first questions are researchable, as Moe suggested. Get a bit more information about the business and then ask specific questions. Everyone's path is different, so the broad question isn't easily answered.
This last question may not be as easy to research...but in general a company that manufactures a product has a department that supervises the creation of the campaigns to market the product. They will hire an advertising agency to create a whole campaign and will not be open to someone suggesting a commercial. When I was about 8, I sent a letter to the Gerber people suggesting an idea for a commercial based on the song with the lyrics "peas peas peas peas, eating "gerber" peas." They sent me a nice letter explaining that they couldn't use my idea. I think I have that letter somewhere still.
If you are thinking of a small local company that sells furniture, then direct contact with the idea of working together with them to create spots is probably acceptable, but that kind of approach needs finesse. If you are truly confident in your writing skills, then join the Chamber of Commerce and get to know the business owners - and remember that networking isn't selling.
But if you are talking about selling them a specific spot that you have already written - that would be a rare thing indeed.
That being said, a lot of voice talent provide script writing along with their voice work. You could use the spots you have written as samples to help market your writing abilities - and voicing abilities. But to do so, you need all your ducks in a row. Good writing skills, good voicing skills, good producing skills, a website that showcases all of these skills - then network with the people who want to buy what you have to sell. That is a simple formula - that isn't so simple to achieve.
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger |
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todd ellis
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Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10531
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: |
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i could not agree with connie more, re: networking is not selling. while tailgating yesterday before southern illinois university's exciting victory over northern iowa, i was talking about what i do with an old friend when a friend of HIS asked me to help market his company ... we talked for a VERY short time about it - then resumed tailgating with the promise of a call this week. a relationship formed - but not much business done in the social setting.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?
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Thomas MDV
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| Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you all. I'm sure I understand all the answers given and here's my "But".
Do you mostly find jobs by selling yourselves to smaller businesses in your areas?
Do you get all your works from Talent Agencies / Advertising Agencies in your areas?
I know I'm at the starting line but everybody else is "Off and running"
LOL!!!!!  |
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voiceofmichael
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Thomas,
I think you have your head on straight, you obviously have a desire to do voice over, that's a good start there.
I work part time at a local retail store selling electronics. My managers are totally cool with me passing out cards for my voice over services. They've had me put my voice to our phone systems and a couple of other stores in the district as well.
My website also draws a lot of attention to my work. It ranks highly in Google for a couple of key terms.
I don't have an agent (although I am searching for one) but I've landed over 100 different voice projects in the past year. So, it can be done without an agent, I'm living proof, but it hasn't been an easy road. I'm not a union person (yet) either and going up against some of the big dogs just won't be an option for a while.
But, like I said at the beginning, you've got the desire and that's what it takes to get started. I'd definitely reccomend getting some demos recorded somehow and posting them on the critique section of these boards, it can really be helpful.
Best of luck! |
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