You’ve been working really hard all year on building your voice-over career: auditioning hot and heavy, marketing, attending conferences, workshops, invoicing and bookkeeping, staying organized… You name it! Whether this is your first year as a working VO professional or if it’s your twentieth, one thing that is crucial to your business is maintaining relationships. 

You might think, “But I’m already doing that through my regular marketing.” Well, there’s more to it than just that. Every other pro voice-over talent is also marketing regularly. You’re not the only one, but there are a number of ways to build, cultivate, and maintain business relationships. I find that the best way is to be genuine – people can sense a phony, or a suck-up, a mile away. Don’t be that person. 

Ask yourself, “When was the last time that I reached out to a client, but not to ask for work?”

During your last live-directed session, your client mentioned that their dog had to have surgery soon. Did you check in on your client to see how things went and if their dog is feeling better post-surgery? 

People tend to remember kind sentiments like that. You didn’t contact them to ask about any upcoming projects that they think you might be a good fit for, but you sincerely asked about something personal that they shared with you.

Keep it short and to the point; don’t drag it out. Simply mentioning the event is usually meaningful enough. Another way might be to send a short email just to say hello, or to ask how their recent holiday was. Maybe you go above and beyond on a project and deliver a little more than they expected. Offering discounts from time to time is another way to help maintain business relationships. 

Another scenario might be that your client, whom you’ve worked with on multiple occasions,  just doesn’t have it in their budget this time to meet your usual rate. Offering to adjust your rate in this instance to help meet their budget may be a good idea. Who knows, they may remember your generosity and recommend or push to have you on a project in the future.

People tend to prefer working with those they like and get along with easily, and by developing a closer professional relationship, even better. 

Now, I’m not saying that by doing these things it will guarantee you more job opportunities, but it’s a good way to do business in general. People appreciate personal connections. Let’s take Starbucks, for example. Most people, whether they admit it or not, like the fact that they write your name on your cup of coffee or drink, along with a smiley face. It’s a gesture and statement that says, “We appreciate YOU, specifically”. Like Starbucks, we should also have a way of showing our clients that they are appreciated. 

It’s pretty normal for businesses to show gratitude to their valued customers during the holiday season by sending them small gifts.  Now, how are you going to convey this to your clients? 

If you’re just getting started, you might not have built a budget to be able to purchase small gifts to send to your clients. Don’t sweat it! There are ways to show them that you care that are completely free. One way is to create a nice holiday card with kind sentiments. Don’t be afraid to be unique. Customize it to reflect who you are. If you’re humorous by nature, perhaps come up with a funny holiday card. Most people will appreciate the humor. 

Once you’re able to set a budget for end-of-the-year client gifts, you may want to send out some personalized merch with your company name and/or logo. Try to think of something they may actually put to good use. Perhaps a nice pen, a calendar, or a screen cleaner. There are many options out there, but remember not to break the bank by spending a tremendous amount on client gifts. A small token of appreciation will suffice. It’s the thought that counts. You’re thinking of them, and hopefully they’ll also think of you in the near future. 

As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and evaluate your progress, check in with clients, review finances, and set new goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this end-of-year reflection can provide valuable insights to help you elevate your voice-over career in the coming months. Here’s how to wrap up the year on a productive note.

P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry,  sign up here!

P.P.S If you want to learn more from VO experts and grow the knowledge you already have, join our VO Pro group!

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At some point in every voice actor’s career, they need to start thinking about making a demo, a reel, or some samples. Oftentimes, people can get confused about the differences between these things and what they’ll need for different genres and niches. So let’s break down what the difference is between a demo, a reel, and a sample.

Let’s start with the granddaddy of all of them all: the demo. A voice-over demo is a collection of short spots that showcase your acting ability and range within a certain genre. A demo should also be focused on one category. For example, you don’t want to have video game/interactive spots on the same demo that you have commercial spots. Each demo should be specialized for the specific genre you want to showcase. 

The average voice-over demo is about a minute to a minute and a half long (sometimes longer in certain cases). A demo usually consists of short scripts within a given genre to demonstrate your range and abilities within that genre. Scripts are usually written for the specific demo, and do not have to be real gigs you have actually worked. 

The demo is meant to showcase the culmination of your experience and abilities in a condensed format that you can then use to pitch yourself to agents, studios, and casting directors. It needs to be short enough not to take up a lot of their time, but also attention-grabbing so that they stay interested. Also, it’s a good opportunity to show off a bit! A demo is going to be one of your biggest marketing tools, so it needs to be professional, captivating, and a selling point for you as a voice-over artist.

Next, let’s talk about the reel. Sometimes people will use this term interchangeably with “demo.” It is also a showcase of your abilities; however, a lot of people will refer to a reel as a short collection of credits or things you have done. Unlike the demo, where the spots are all made up, the reel is usually comprised of snippets of things you have booked and worked on in the past. A good example of this is the visual reels we see people post on social media: someone might take short snippets of different characters they have done for various video games or anime, and create a showcase of them together.

Finally, let’s talk about samples. These are a little more abstract and can vary a bit from genre to genre. They are usually singularly focused on one specific thing and not a wide variety of range and characters like the demo and the reel are. Let’s visit audiobooks for a moment as an example. 

Samples work well in the audiobook world because of the long-form format; an audiobook sample would be one specific thing, such as an excerpt from a sci-fi novel. If I were to record 2-6 minutes of a sci-fi novel, this would be a sci-fi audiobook sample. When we look at characters, someone might ask for a sample of a “loving dad type character.” This would be me recording only a small spot of that specific character archetype to submit, not dissimilar to an audition. A sample is a focused, singular thing, meant to fill a specific need.

Overall, the demo is your genre-specific showcase meant to show off your abilities in a given genre and market yourself. The reel, sometimes used interchangeably with the demo, is also a showcase of your range and abilities in a given genre, but usually made up of past credits you have. The sample is a focused, singular spot or example.

Just like selecting the right tool from the toolbox, this will help you know specifically what you need for different applications. If a casting director wants to hear your video game demo, you don’t want to send over a reel of past commercials you’ve done. If a publisher wants to hear an audiobook sample for specifically romance novels, sending over your character demo might not be the move. Hopefully, this helps clear up some of the confusion surrounding these three tools, and you can go forth and use them effectively! 

P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry,  sign up here!

P.P.S If you want to learn more from VO experts and grow the knowledge you already have, join our VO Pro group!

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Marcus is a biracial (Black/Jewish), non-binary voice-over artist.

They got their start in audiobooks and have since branched out to other areas such as commercials, animation, video games, ADR, and more. Marcus can be heard in a wide variety of projects, such as multiple video games, including Star-Lord in Marvel Snap, multiple voices in various anime, including Gintama, DanDaDan, Windbreaker, and That Time I Was Reincarnated As A Slime, commercials, multiple audiobooks for Penguin Random House and other publishers, and multiple live-action dubs!

Marcus has always had a passion for storytelling and entertaining those around them. They have used this passion to fuel their drive in voiceover, and also launch and helm “Queer Quest,” organizing and running tabletop role-playing games for the Queer Vox Community. Marcus also serves on the board of directors for Queer Vox where they serve as a PR director, and also help with organizing community events and classes.

Outside of the booth, Marcus enjoys D&D, anime, painting, kayaking, hiking, making their own dice, and hanging out with their 3 dogs.

Check them out at https://queervox.org/ and their personal website https://marcusrvoice.com/.

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There’s a time in your voice-over career to say YES to a lot of projects in the commercial sector. For a lot of us, this happens in the first few years.

“YES, I’ll do that local car dealership ad because it feels awesome to hear myself say Chevrolet.” 

“YES, I’ll do a million credit union spots to pay the bills.” 

“YES, I’ll agree to three years’ usage on that pharmaceutical spot because I need the experience.”

And then, at some point, things shift.

You start getting auditions for bigger, better-paying gigs that demand exclusivity in a category. Sometimes you get put on hold for those gigs. And sometimes… you have to pass up some very big, very lucrative audition opportunities because of those local automotive, credit union, and pharma spots you agreed to back when you were saying YES to everything. 

This is the inflection point: the time when you transition from a “Season of Yes” to a “Season of Selectivity”. This transition requires a calculated risk: saying no to some things in the short term in order to make yourself available to better things in the long term.

How do you know you’re at this point? When do you know it’s worth it to say no to some things in order to make room for others? If you’re not there yet, how can you prepare yourself for when that day comes? 

First of all, what is exclusivity?

In the commercial realm, sometimes you’ll see that an audition requires “exclusivity.” This means that, for the duration of the intended media buy, the voice-over artist for this job cannot have other paid ads running for a competing client. So, you might see an audition for Best Buy that says, “Exclusivity: Big Box Stores” – this means if you want this job, you can’t also be working for Target, one of their competitors.

Exclusivity comes in all shapes and sizes. Some contracts demand exclusivity over your voice for advertisements that have visuals, but do not limit you from having a competitor’s radio ads running at the same time. Alternatively, some commercial jobs ask for exclusivity in a region or market. They may be fine with you having a competing ad running in Ohio, but not in California, where they plan to air their ad. It just depends.

Another way of asking for exclusivity is listing “conflicts.” So you may see an audition that lists Fast Casual Food/Quick Service Restaurants as a conflict. This means that in order to audition for this job, you cannot have any other ads running in the Fast Casual Food category.

Commercial jobs that demand exclusivity are often (but not always) union, and often (but not always) higher paying than jobs that do not require exclusivity. Sometimes you will have the opportunity to disclose your conflicts to the advertiser, and they will determine whether or not this is a dealbreaker for them (i.e. if your conflict would be a distraction to their competing campaign).

The dreaded “In Perpetuity” clause

With advertisers very motivated to be the sole licensor of your voice (in their category) for the duration of their media buy, you can see why authorizing perpetual usage of any commercial is a very poor idea on the voice actor’s part. You are not legally able to give exclusivity to a buyer if you already have a competing ad running in perpetuity. That’s a conflict that will never, ever expire. We won’t dive too much into this here, but it’s important to mention.

Choose your conflicts wisely

It’s important to remember that any commercial you have running may be considered a conflict to somebody. Another way of putting that is, if you’re going to work commercials, you’re going to have conflicts. That’s why it becomes more important to think strategically about whether a conflict is worth holding over time.

When I was new, I would authorize five years of paid media on advertisements because I thought, “At least it’s not in perpetuity!” 

Now, ten years into this career, there are very few categories in which I would authorize five years’ usage. It would have to be something extremely niche that I don’t see a lot of auditions for, so I could ensure I wasn’t going to box myself out of other work that wanted me exclusively for their brand.

Some sectors that commonly request exclusivity are:

• Automotive
• Pharmaceutical
• Fast Food
• Financial Services (Credit cards, credit unions, banks, etc.)
• Airlines
• Energy/Oil & Gas
• Supermarkets
• Delivery services
• Alcohol

Navigating your “Season of Yes”

In your “Season of Yes”, the goal is to build up credits and client relationships. You’re building your resume and looking to get work samples back that you can use to market yourself. You need that proof of concept to be attractive to bigger clients and agents.

Your focus during this chapter should be to diversify as much as possible. Try your hand at lots of different commercial categories and look for patterns – where are you getting shortlisted and booking the most? These might be categories to consider passing on non-union and low-paying auditions for later on.

In this season, you can prepare by diligently tracking your conflicts, where they are airing, and when they expire. Keeping tabs on this will allow you to quickly know if you are available to audition for an exclusive gig or not when given the opportunity. 

Finally, have honest conversations with your reps and coaches. If you’re not seeing union auditions at all, what do you need to adjust in order to gain access to them? If you are getting the auditions, how often are you making it past your agents’ gate to the casting director? Then, coach with the casting directors you commonly audition for. Ask them how often you are making it past their gate to the client.

When to start being selective

The first clue that you’re migrating into your “Season of Selectivity” is that you’ve secured a big ticket agent who is frequently sending you auditions that list conflicts or ask for exclusivity. The second clue is that you’re starting to get callbacks or avail checks as a result of these auditions. And thirdly, if you check in with your agent about the direction of your career, and they ask you to withhold auditioning for non-union jobs in certain categories, that’s a pretty big green flag that you are about to majorly level-up. Consider passing on non-union auditions in the commonly listed categories above (i.e. on pay-to-play sites or from direct rosters), unless they are paying an amount that makes it worth it for you to hold that conflict. It’s up to you (and your reps) to decide what a worthwhile amount is for you, as you weigh the costs and benefits of turning down work to shoot your shot for bigger work.

How it happened for me

In the summer of 2024, my first-call rep gently nudged me to hold off on non-union auditions in a few key categories, because he’s been doing this a long time and he said he recognized the signs of someone who was about to book something huge. I laughed it off at the time. But three months after that conversation, I booked my first huge airline commercial. Three months after THAT, I booked my first huge automotive commercial.

This was my inflection point.

I was REALLY glad that I’d been turning down local competing spots in the meantime so I could be free for the opportunities that awaited me. 

Everyone’s journey is different. Every “yes” to one job means “no” to something else. Make your choices wisely, and don’t be afraid to change your strategy as you approach your own inflection point.

P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry,  sign up here!

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If you’re anything like me (which, as a fellow voice actor I’m guessing maybe you are), you love all things creative and expressive, and you want your website to be just that! But… hang on… there’s JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL…I just wanted to pick my colors and fonts and let someone else handle all that! 

Let me introduce you to “someone else”: VoiceActor.com, a custom DIY site builder created by Voice Actor Websites. They are the bee’s knees in streamlined web design specifically for voice actors and some of the top talent in our industry use their services for good reason.

No panic necessary – you don’t have to drop big bucks for it either. Sign up for free, play around and design to your heart’s content with features specifically designed to highlight you, your demos, and work, and capture potential clients’ attention. When you’re ready to level up, it’s a sweet and simple $200 (with your SAV student discount!) and you’ll get service that will rock your socks off. Of course if you’re feeling it, they have leveling-up options later on, with designers, coders, and personal project managers assigned to you.

Fancy pants aside, if you’re on an entry-level membership (like myself), using their new cloud-based DIY website builder, you will have your own customized website in literal minutes. The whole process couldn’t have been easier, and again – if you fall into the ‘someone like me’ category – they will hold your hand the entire way if need be. The customer service from the communications manager is like having your best friend along for the ride. Supportive, knowledgeable, and excited for this part of your journey with you! 

You’ll start with a discovery Zoom call showing you all the features and what other voice actors have created with them. Signing up was a matter of minutes and then you’re on the way! There are so many templates to choose from, and they’ve thought of every section: downloadable audio demos, bio, videos of your work, contact info, social media handles, testimonials, client reels… if you don’t have some of these things from the get-go, no worries. You can always re-visit and add sections later on. If you’re coming in with the big guns, they are ready and waiting to build a gorgeous site around your brand. 

One of my favorite things was seeing what other voice actors had done with the templates – when Voice Actor Websites say they are truly customizable, they’re not lying! A full range color palette (with recommended schemes but the freedom to choose your own if you prefer!), along with different fonts, font sizing, and backgrounds – you can even upload your own background images.

For a surprisingly technologically-dense-at-times-millennial like myself, there hasn’t been a single hiccup along the way. Any changes or additions I’ve thought of have been handled by the team the same day, and my website never skips a beat. If you come ready with a custom domain name, there are oodles of videos on how to link it, no matter what provider you’re with, and if the thought of doing anything yourself sends you screaming for the hills, the VAW team is on it for you, professional, efficient and fun to work with to the very end. 

If you have a question or concern about building your website, trust me, they’ve thought of it and made it simple. 

The process essentially looks like this:

1. Pick a template
2. Choose your styling
3. Upload your content 
4. Yup. That’s it. 

Following the “if you’re anything like me” theme… you might want to try out a few different templates, or change your mind over time. Every detail is easy to edit by yourself, and you can change templates, styling, fonts, colors, and more at any time. You don’t need to know any coding or fancy acronyms to get what you want.

Being a professional voice actor, my big ‘thing’ for my website was to have my audio demos playable, downloadable, and be able to integrate a third-party demo player if necessary – not only can you do that, but they have audio demo analytics built into your site so you can see who’s listening. 

Getting a little more technical (cause if you’re still here I know you really want to know about the nitty gritty), an entry-level site brings with it Google Analytics Integration, a free SSL Certificate, website hosting, SEO Meta options, and a QR code generator. Business lingo aside, this service has been designed by voice actors for voice actors. So you get access to industry-specific tools like a text case converter (to improve the readability of your scripts), a script timer, a PayPal and Stripe Fee Calculator (goodbye having-to-do-my-own-math!), and a time-zone converter – all tools designed to elevate your professional presence.  

As voice actors, we’re faced with a lot of unique challenges. We have to be our own everything in every department. This is one place you can take the pressure off and let the pros do it for you, at an incredibly reasonable price. This is a game changer, whether you’re entry-level or in the big leagues, there’s something for everyone. Do yourself and your business a favor and go check ‘em out. 

Check out our free PDF with pro tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Sign up for our introductory VO webinar.

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 *Note: The content in this blog was collected with publicly available material and is unclassified in its entirety.

Marketing. It’s something we all need as entrepreneurs. A good marketing plan requires creativity, adaptability, and strategic thinking. As a voice-over business owner, standing out in this competitive market can be challenging. However, employing techniques derived from the world of espionage can give you a unique edge. I spent over 20 years in the Intelligence Community (IC) and was trained in observation, information gathering, social engineering, psychological operations, and strategic communication – all skills that can be utilized for social media marketing. Here are a few tips on how you can leverage these techniques to boost your voice-over business.

1. Surveillance: Monitor Your Market. 

Surveillance is about gathering information on your target. In social media marketing, your target is your audience and competitors. Start by identifying who your ideal clients are and where they spend their time online. Use tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or any platform analytics to monitor conversations and trends relevant to our industry.

Keep an eye on your competitors as well. Analyze their social media profiles as examples to see what types of content they’re posting, how they engage with their audience, and what strategies seem to be working for them. Tools like BuzzSumo can help you identify top-performing voice-over content in your niche. Remember to stay authentic: nobody likes a copycat!

Action Steps:
– Create a list of keywords related to voice-over services.
– Set up Google Alerts and use social listening tools to track mentions of these keywords.
– Regularly review competitors’ social media profiles and content (for analytics only).

2. Human Intelligence: Engage with Your Audience.

Spies often rely on human intelligence, which involves interacting directly with people to gather information. Engaging directly with your audience is crucial. Respond to comments, participate in relevant groups and forums, and use direct messages to build relationships.

Personal interaction not only helps you better understand your audience but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty. Share behind-the-scenes content, ask for feedback, and show appreciation for your followers. This personal touch will set you apart from other voice actors who rely on impersonal automated responses.

 Action Steps:
– Dedicate time each day to respond to comments and messages.
– Join voice-over and related industry groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit.
– Host Q&A sessions or live streams to interact with your audience in real-time.

3. The Art of Disguise: Craft a Strong Personal Brand.

Secret Agents use disguises to blend with their environment. Creating a strong personal brand is akin to adopting a professional “disguise” that aligns with your business goals. Your brand should reflect your unique voice, style, and the value you bring to clients.

Develop a consistent visual and verbal identity across all your social media platforms. Use a professional logo, a coherent color scheme, and a consistent tone in your posts. Share success stories, client testimonials, and samples of your work to establish credibility and showcase your expertise.

 Action Steps:
– Define your brand’s voice, style, and key messages.
– Design a cohesive visual identity for your social media profiles.
– Regularly update your portfolio and share client testimonials.

4. Code Breaking: Analyze Data and Adjust Strategies.

Intelligence Analysts often need to break codes to understand hidden messages. In marketing, your codes are the analytics data that reveal the effectiveness of your campaigns. Regularly analyze your social media metrics to understand what type of content resonates with your audience, the best times to post, and which platforms yield the highest engagement.

Use these insights to adjust your strategies. If video content gets more engagement, create more videos. If posts at a specific time of day get more interactions, adjust your posting schedule accordingly. Flexibility and responsiveness to data are vital in maintaining an effective social media presence.

 Action Steps:
– Use social media analytics tools to track key metrics like engagement, reach, and conversion rates.
– Regularly review your analytics to identify trends and patterns.
– Adjust your content and posting strategy based on data insights.

5. Covert Operations: Run Targeted Ad Campaigns.

In espionage, covert operations are secret missions to achieve a specific goal. Running targeted ad campaigns can be your covert operations. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer sophisticated targeting options that allow you to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Invest in paid advertising to promote your services, showcase your work, and drive traffic to your website. Use retargeting ads to reach people who have previously interacted with your content but haven’t yet converted.

Action Steps:
– Define clear goals for your ad campaigns (e.g., lead generation, website traffic).
– Use platform-specific targeting options to reach your ideal audience.
– Monitor the performance of your ads and optimize them for better results.

Adopting these espionage-inspired techniques can enhance your social media marketing strategy and give your voice-over business a competitive edge. The key to successful marketing lies in understanding your audience, meaningful engagement, and continuously refining your approach based on data insights. So, get ready to channel your inner spy and watch your social media presence soar. We’re rooting for you!

Check out our free PDF with pro tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Sign up for our introductory VO webinar.

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Welcome to the world of entrepreneurship! Yes, voice-over and being an entrepreneur are one in the same, and one of the great adventures in this industry is finding your clients through marketing. 

How will you attract business opportunities if no one knows you exist? Any entrepreneur will testify that having a solid marketing plan is the key to a successful business. “Know your customer, have a strategy, be consistent, automate your processes, improve your SEO, have a presence on social media, availability is essential, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera,” said every marketing guru out there.

Some would say marketing is the least exciting part of the VO business, but having a shift in perspective could make it the most fun aspect of the job. Look at marketing through the eyes of a child: play, have fun, and think outside of the box. It’s about having a creative mindset.

“Creativity is not a talent. Creativity has little to do with IQ. People who are described as creative have developed a particular facility of getting themselves into a particular mood or state of mind that allows their natural creativity to emerge.” – John Cleese

When I first started my production company, I had no idea how to market myself. I utilized all of the free marketing guides Forbes had to offer and signed up with a social media management platform. Marketing took up 60 percent of my time and it was difficult to keep up with, even with the assistance of an automated social media tool. It became a chore and I started to procrastinate reaching out to prospective clients and creating content. Then I hired an incredible marketing coach, who taught me how to tap into my creativity and actually made marketing fun. So, I’m sharing my own personal creative process with you.

“Summon up that courage and put yourself out there. Be your authentic, beautiful self!” 

1. Get in the zone!

Sometimes we take life a little too seriously. I’ve found that when I’m stressed or overworked there is zero inspiration. I tune out the world and draw, play an instrument, sing, dance, or decorate. These activities make me happy, keep me present, and put me in a magical inspiration-receiving mindset. Now I’m in the creative zone. What creative activities make you happy and inspired?

2. Shift your focus.

Now that I’m in my zone of creativity, the focus shifts to whatever goal needs to be achieved. For example, reaching out to toy companies to represent the voice of their brand. 

3. Play = Work.

Continuing with the toy company example; don’t just send an email, actually make something using their product. I recently had a baby and have been looking for new ways in which to stimulate his imagination. Having that childlike mindset matched with an entrepreneurial spirit, I created a show, Hudson’s House of Shadow Puppets, and tagged the business that made the product. The CEO loved the content so much that they offered me a contract to do all of their narration.

4. Play More!

Remember being a kid and running through the store and testing out all of the toys/games? This is another way to unconventionally market yourself.

Here are a few examples: 

• (if possible) change the display laptops and computer screens in any electronics section to your voice-over/business website
• leave your business cards under the napkins of your favorite restaurants
• make funny (but informative) mock promos for your favorite local businesses and tag them

Reminder: there is absolutely everything right about shameless self-promotion.

5. Make like-minded friends…and play with them.

• • When minds are focused on the same goal, people tend to manifest much quicker and more powerfully together. After moving to LA, I attended many VO community events and made a lot of creative friends. During our time outside the booth, we would collaborate and make fun content together (animated shorts, cosplay, cooking, comedy bits, etc.). I felt like I was seven years old again, playing with my friends. It helped me unconsciously expand my skills and imagination. In addition to the uptick in content creation, collaboration helps expand the reach with social media audiences to include potential clients.

And there you have it! Hopefully, this will be the catalyst to get you started on a path of creative marketing. Remember that you are unique and your clients will see and appreciate your authenticity. Use these techniques to develop your own fun processes and remember to share your successes with the VO Community. We are all in this together and I’m rooting for you!

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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Having a website dedicated to your voice-over business is imperative for any actor looking to book more work and become more professional in the industry. Getting your own personal domain set up is a right of passage – and there are plenty of mistakes to be made along the way! I’ve had a few versions of a website using several different host platforms, and honestly my website is still evolving each year with me. 

Although everyone’s sites will vary, especially in terms of the way we brand ourselves, there are a few sections you definitely should have no matter what! 

1. Your demos: This might be a no-brainer, but your website should be capable of hosting your demos! Make sure that you’re able to play them without issue. If you only have one demo at the moment, that’s ok, as long as it’s up there! In general, I recommend having at least two, if not three or four. Most importantly, make sure the demos are at the top of your webpage! We want these to be the first thing web visitors see and hear!
2. Your studio setup: Let potential clients know what sort of tech you’re using in your home booth! Your microphone, audio interface, booth set up, and which platforms you use to record and edit your voice are extremely helpful for clients to know. Are you able to use SourceConnect? ipDTL? Zoom, Google Hangouts, Phone Patch, etc.? All of that would be important to put in this section of your site as well!

   

3. Contact information: Again, seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve seen plenty of sites missing information like your phone and email address. I recommend putting this information at the top of your page, such as in your header – and then again at the very bottom. Most platforms where you go to build a website for yourself will allow you to create a contact form. This makes it even easier for people to contact you!
4. Previous clients: Most actors have a collection of client logos or a running list of clients they’ve previously worked for showing dominantly on the page. It’s the Jones Effect – people will likely do what everyone else is doing. If they see you’ve already worked for ten cool brands, more cool brands are likely to follow suit! If you’re at the stage in your career where you’ve booked little to no work, that’s ok – instead, make a section about what you’re capable of. Talk about your training at Such A Voice, for example! If you’ve been professionally trained in narration, commercial work, and character work, no need to broadcast that it’s just the beginning of your career. Talk about what you can do with confidence!
5. Testimonials: As you start to book more and more work, you may have the opportunity to receive reviews or hear feedback from your customers. When you get positive reviews, you can add those to your site! Make sure if the client is giving you that feedback directly rather than posting a review on a public forum that you ask their permission to quote them on your site. People love to read about what you’re like to work with, how fast your turnaround time is, and the energy you bring to a recording session. 

There are plenty of website hosts where you can go to start building your own personal website, if you haven’t done this already! Some that I recommend are voiceactor.com, Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, or WordPress. If you’re a bit more advanced, or have a little extra cash laying around, you could also look into hiring a freelance web designer! 

If there’s anything else you’ve seen on an actor’s website that you’ve loved, let us know! And don’t forget to have fun when designing your site – let your personality shine through!

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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In voice-over, creating a solid client list is important for establishing a successful and sustainable career. A well-curated client list can set you up for an ongoing stream of work and keep you connected to your clients who are hiring your voice. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your client base, here’s a guide on how to build and maintain a prosperous client list in the voice-over industry. 

1. Showcase Your Voice and What You Bring to the Table:

Your voice is your most valuable asset in the voice-over industry. To stand out from the crowd and attract potential clients, it’s crucial to identify your signature vocal qualities and styles. Start to hone in on your voice qualities and personality to discover the areas of the business that you fit best: maybe it’s authoritative tones, soothing narrations, or quirky character voices. Determine your strengths and focus on perfecting them to create a unique signature style.

2. Create a Compelling Portfolio of Your Talents:

Before you can attract clients, you need a portfolio that showcases your abilities. It’s important to present your unique voice qualities properly and professionally. You want to compile a diverse range of voice-over samples that highlight your versatility and demonstrate your skills across various genres, such as commercials, narrations, audiobooks, video games, animations, and more. In voice-over, we call this collection of voice samples a voice-over demo. It’s important that these demos sound professional and are up to industry standards, so working with a professional coach and producer on your voice-over training and demos is important. A well-produced voice-over demo will give potential clients a clear idea of your capabilities and suitability for their projects.

3. Create a Professional Website:

   

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is a must. Design a professional website that serves as a central hub for your voice-over demos, contact information, client testimonials, and any examples of previous work. A clean, user-friendly website not only makes you look more credible but also makes it easier for potential clients to learn about your offerings and get in touch.

4. Networking and Industry Events:

Networking is a cornerstone of success in the voice-over industry. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and events to connect with fellow voice actors, producers, directors, and other industry professionals. Building relationships within the industry can open doors to opportunities, referrals, and collaborations that can greatly contribute to your client list.

5. Utilize Online Resources for Finding Potential Clients:

Do some online research to locate potential clients. Hone in on the areas of the business that you’re interested in and find clients who are looking for voices in that area. This could be for commercials, e-learning, audiobooks, video games, corporate videos, radio commercials, etc. You can find clients who book for a range of voice-over projects like advertising agencies, media companies, or production companies. For example, indie game developers often require voice acting for characters in their games – you can offer your services to bring these characters to life. Many e-learning platforms require voice narration for their courses. Reach out to platforms that align with your expertise and offer your voice-over services. You can also join online voice-over marketplaces where clients post projects like Voices.com and Voice123.com that can connect you with potential clients from around the world. Find the clients that fit with the areas where your voice fits best.

6. Engage on Social Media:

Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and even TikTok can be powerful tools for expanding your reach and attracting clients. Share snippets of your work, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your recording process, or industry insights to showcase your expertise and personality. Engaging with your audience through these platforms can help you build a loyal following and attract potential clients who resonate with your brand.

7. Offer Exceptional Customer Service:

Providing excellent customer service and delivering high-quality work will lead to satisfied clients who are more likely to use your for future projects. Make sure that your home studio is up to industry standards and you’re sending out quality audio. Meeting deadlines, taking direction well, and maintaining clear and prompt communication are great ways to make things easy for your clients and keep them coming back.

8. Seek Repeat Business:

Securing one-time clients is great, but establishing long-term relationships can be even more rewarding. Keep a list of the clients that you work with, what projects you worked with them on, who your point of contact was and their contact information. Reach out to past clients from time to time with follow-up emails expressing your interest in working with them again. 

9. Ask for Testimonials and Referrals:

Satisfied clients are often willing to provide testimonials that attest to your skills and professionalism. These testimonials can be featured on your website and online profiles, lending credibility to your voice-over services. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask satisfied clients for referrals – personal recommendations can go a long way in expanding your client list.

10. Stay Persistent and Adaptable:

Building a client list takes time and persistence. Rejection is a part of the journey, but it’s essential to remain resilient and continue improving your craft. Keep refining your skills and staying open to new opportunities and trends in the industry.

In the competitive realm of voice-over, a solid client list is the foundation of a successful career. Remember that building a client list is an ongoing process, so stay committed and adapt to the evolving demands of the industry. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll be on your way to a flourishing voice-over career.

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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When it comes to finding voice-over work, I always suggest casting a wide net, through agents, pay-to-play sites, and your own marketing efforts. So much of the work is determined by your own hustle, but nobody likes to spin their wheels and not see progress. 

So how do you make the most of your networking efforts?

One of my top tips for a long lasting voice-over career is consistent, relatable, and quality marketing.

Consistency is key – it’s hard to make much of an impact on a potential lead if they only hear from you once a year. I create a database of all my contacts using an email marketing platform like SendInBlue or MailChimp; every month or two, I send out a mass email to all my contacts, showcasing my most recent work, giving availability notice, sharing a new demo or links to my social media accounts, or offering new services, like voice-over coaching or copy editing. This keeps me top of mind, which is so critical in marketing. 

Make sure you use consistent branding as well! Have the same photo/logo for all your social media pages, website, email etc. This makes it easy for your clients and fans to instantly recognize you.

In the age of 1001 filters, being real and relatable is fantastically refreshing. After all, I would bet that whether you are a novice voice-over actor just getting your feet wet, someone who is finally able to make the jump to pursue voice-over full time, or a seasoned professional with several national spots under your belt – we all suffer from moments of imposter syndrome. Those vulnerable feelings connect us, so use them to your advantage. Make your social media posts relatable, whether it’s bloopers from an audition or a job (just be careful posting anything with the client’s name unless you have asked), or behind the scenes reels like “A Day In The Life of a Voice-Over Actor.” For those of you just starting on your voice-over journey, document the adventure of the coaching, demo making, classes, etc.; people love to peek behind the curtain because voice-over is such a unique craft!

”Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” – Aristotle

If you’re a Such A Voice student or alumni, you have put in the time and effort wo work through our training curriculum – this is a big commitment and you should be proud of yourself for working toward your goals. Continue marketing with the same quality standards and intensity. Continue to collaborate with quality brands and companies for services like your email marketing platform, website designers for a custom website, photographers for new headshots, coaches for voice-over niches and continuous education, and more. 

Potential clients will notice quality demos over homemade demos, selfies versus pro shots, and iPhone microphones over professional microphones. Quality as a habit also goes for your marketing content, whether that’s through email marketing or social media channels. Clients want to hire someone who shows professionalism throughout all marketing avenues.

Being a freelancer means doing so much of the work yourself and that can be exhausting. Use your time wisely by making sure you offer consistent, relatable, and quality marketing.

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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No matter where you’re at in voice-over, it’s important to spend time connecting with new potential clients. When I first started out in voice-over, I put in a lot of elbow grease to build a base of clients who would regularly need my voice – thus providing me with a more consistent work (and income) flow. But, this industry is always fluctuating and evolving, so we shouldn’t get too comfortable! Setting aside time to reach out to prospective clients is an essential part of a successful voice-over career.

If you don’t know where to start or are out of ideas, you’ve come to the right blog! There are tons of ways to pick up new gigs that you might not be familiar with. I like to classify this part of my job as a voice actor as either passive or active outreach.

Passive outreach is any new client that reaches out to you on their own. Maybe they found you online somewhere, heard about you from a friend, or stumbled upon some of your own work. It’s nice to gain new clients this way, but there is still a little work involved in order to set yourself up for success! In order to attract new clients passively, make sure you’ve done the following:1. Created a VO website for yourself that showcases your skills and clearly details how to contact you. Two of my personal favorite examples are www.kpmvo.com and www.miabankston.com. There are lots of online resources to help you build your own – Wix, Weebly, Strikingly, and GoDaddy, to name a few. Do a little research and find a website builder that works for you. 

2. Have active social media accounts on sites like LinkedIn, Instagram, and especially Twitter. Connect with people, participate online, and keep your information up to date! You never know who will see you there and reach out. I often have friends from high school, old coworkers, etc. find my social media profiles, learn that I’m a voice actor, and then reach out to me because their company needs a new phone voicemail system or e-learning narration. Twitter also is host to hundreds of casting calls. You will quickly find new auditions by staying in the loop with the voice-over community on Twitter!

3. Hype yourself up! When you’re meeting new people in person, tell them what you do! There is so much work out there for voice actors, and you never know who needs your help. Word of mouth can make a huge difference in picking up new clients, so don’t forget to let people know about your skills!

Active outreach can look a bit different here, but still involves things like social media. It’s good to have set yourself up first to receive new clients passively before you start proactively contacting people. Once you do, here are some tips:

Cold emailing/cold calling: think about your local community. Are there businesses, animation studios, colleges with film students, restaurants, etc. that you can think of that might be in need of a voice actor? Plenty of these places might need things like a phone tree voice, an e-learning narration, a character for a film project, an announcement speaker, and many other voice-over jobs that you may not have even thought of. It’s relatively easy to find business inquiry emails or general phone numbers online. Craft a brief respectful email or call script for yourself to let local organizations know about the services you can provide, and reach out!

LinkedIn messaging: this is a similar idea to cold emailing people, but you can make a lot of progress with this concept on LinkedIn! Connect with peers who work in creative or marketing roles at businesses you think your voice would be a good fit for, and send them a LinkedIn message. I’ve done this plenty, and it’s highly effective! You can even use the same sort of template you created for cold emailing.

Pay-to-play voice-over sites: This is the big one nowadays for auditioning. There are dozens of great websites out there with quality voice-over work waiting for you. Audition, audition, audition! Auditioning is still a form of active outreach to potential employers, and an essential part of our jobs! Voices.com, CastingCallClub, Backstage, VoiceBunny, Voices123, and Bodalgo are just a few of many examples. Get involved on those sites, and start getting booked!

Applying to agencies:AIf you feel it’s right for you, you can also consider applying to voice-over agencies. Agencies who take you on as new talent will send you tons of high caliber auditions with big name brands. Research agencies in your local area or in the closest city to you and start by applying there. This process takes a lot of time, and it may be many months before you hear back. Stay determined and regularly apply to new places – the rewards will be worth it!

Although some of this work isn’t quite as fun as acting and auditioning, it’s important to make time for. Searching for new clients in these ways has been a critical part of my growth as a voice actor, and it’s the only reason I’ve been able to make this a full-time career. If you have other creative ideas for finding new work, I’d love to hear it! Feel free to share with the community in the comments of this blog! 

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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