As you try and find your way in the voice over world, don’t lose sight of what all you have done to get to this point. Although you may think marketing your voice talent is all about your acting chops, great voice, or ability to lift the words off the page and bring meaning to the copy, there is much more you should include.
Types of Experiences
Many of us have had other careers, avocations, interests, and hobbies that make us “experts” in certain areas. Perhaps you know a lot about the automotive industry. This could make you extra valuable in corporate narration for that type of VO work. Maybe you are an expert with medical terminology, thus giving you the edge in any type of voice over for the medical industry. Or maybe you have experience as a teacher, thereby giving you some extra ability for eLearning presentations. Whatever your background and training, use that as part of your marketing and expertise for your voice over career.
No matter what I have been involved in through my life and career, I’ve found that it all relates and somehow it benefits me in opportunities I have before me now. I used to be an electrician. Those skills benefited me as I needed to wire up studios for radio production rooms, and now studios for voice over work. My degree in Fire Technology has benefited me too. That knowledge and training has been invaluable as I have helped organizations with emergency planning and fire safety procedures. I have experience as a video producer. From that background I know how to communicate visually and tell a story. Many years of experience as a Professor of Communications has given me a lot of classroom teaching experience. This helps with all of my communications skills and gives me an understanding of how to present material for eLearning projects.
Other Items that may be Unique to You
There are many things outside of our past jobs and schooling that provide expertise that are good for certain types of voice over work too. I am now the proud owner of an all-electric vehicle. I have had a Chevy Bolt for about 1 and a half years now. I’m a strong advocate for electric vehicles with all the benefits they offer towards clean air and healthy environments. I am familiar with, what is called, “range anxiety” and all the challenges of driving an electric car.
Everything we do, have training in, have experience with – makes us better at any voice projects dealing with those subjects. These should all be areas we include in our marketing to find voice over jobs. Things that we have in our backgrounds, in our repertoire, that makes us who we are!
That’s why I love what I do as a voice over artist. That’s why I value having lots of experience in many areas. I am proud of being a Chief Cook and Bottle Washer – because everything benefits me as a voice over talent!