I have finally started to make money doing Voice Overs and am now building my studio. Getting new Equipment converting a nice closet into a acoustically sound recording booth, good mic's and all the trimmings. I'm still keeping my day job but I am finally moving forward and the return work makes me hopeful for the future.
For the experience and demo creation, I have performed for free. 2009 is my year to take my experiences and move forward with coaching assistance and these groups. I will make my non-union status work for me during this economy since I have a full time job. So, I am looking forward to sharing information and receiving it.
Patrick these are some good questions. I can give you my opinion only and it may differ from what others say. So as I have found with different things in life, take a little from here and a little from there and when you are done, you have your own.
Would it be advantageous to seek additional representation in more productive areas like Chicago, ny, or la?? YES!!
In my upcoming new podcast, I interview a vo talent who has cards printed with his branding and he buys mailing lists of agencies from all over the country. He methodically sends out cards on a regular basis. Has he become successful, listen to my upcoming podcast and judge for yourself. I'll inform you when the first episode is ready. Within the next week.
I usually get work via my local agent, but with the advent of the internet, I’ve noticed the v.o. market is evolving a lot and there are many different v.o. web sites that allow clients to choose voice talent online…. is this something that I should consider? Go easy here my friend. You can pour alot of money into these sites. I say this from experience. I was on several sites last year. One I paid $225.00 for a year and recieved to auditions, not jobs, just 2 auditions! Other more prominent ones like Voice 123 or Voices, be careful there as well. Sometimes I think you could hit the lottery faster than get a job on these sites. Voices.com many times has upwards of 100 to 200 on a regular basis all competing for the same job. Voice 123 has a more limiting factor on the number of competitors for each job. Good jobs can and have been gotten by individuals. Look at it from an overall perspective though. Someone will tell you that they have had very good success with sites like these and God bless them. The vast majority are doing good to get their subscription price back. I have had more success from the 4 talent agencies I work with and without having to pay $295.00 per year. These talent agencies usually provide me with better quality auditions and I have had good success with them. Do your homework, read forums and do not take any one persons opinion as the total testimony as to fact. Not even what I am writing to you now. It is only my personal experience.
Would I need an isdn setup? Easy on this one my friend. Get yourself established first. ISDN is a very expensive venture that usually will not pay for itself unless you are already established or you just have the money to blow and the expense does not matter.
Have you had Voice Coaching from a reputable coach? If not, consider putting your money there first. I continue to invest in myself and I am uping the ante on that one. I mean Tiger Woods has a coach even though he is at the top of his game. I'm not at the top of my game, so I definitly need continued coaching. There are some reputable coachs hanging around on this site. Again though, do your homework. The most expensive may not be the most practicle for you. The most publicized may not be the one. Ask around, and you will get many opinions, some good and some not so good. Some want to give you a few lessons over the phone and whamo, we can produce your demo. Again, easy does it. I'm not going to recommend anyone on the open forum, because what I feel is good for me may not be what you need.
I hope this helps some and certainly ponder over what others say as well.
Hey Kipp, I agree! I love telling people what I do and then wait for that dumb-founded look to come. What? I always say, "if this is work, give me all you throw at me." Encouragement and motivation? Give me that too. As Zig Zigler said: “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” Keep spoon feeding the vitiman "e" (encouragement) my friend. We appreciate it.
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Wish me luck!
I see you already have been doing some investigative work.:)
Craig
Would it be advantageous to seek additional representation in more productive areas like Chicago, ny, or la?? YES!!
In my upcoming new podcast, I interview a vo talent who has cards printed with his branding and he buys mailing lists of agencies from all over the country. He methodically sends out cards on a regular basis. Has he become successful, listen to my upcoming podcast and judge for yourself. I'll inform you when the first episode is ready. Within the next week.
I usually get work via my local agent, but with the advent of the internet, I’ve noticed the v.o. market is evolving a lot and there are many different v.o. web sites that allow clients to choose voice talent online…. is this something that I should consider? Go easy here my friend. You can pour alot of money into these sites. I say this from experience. I was on several sites last year. One I paid $225.00 for a year and recieved to auditions, not jobs, just 2 auditions! Other more prominent ones like Voice 123 or Voices, be careful there as well. Sometimes I think you could hit the lottery faster than get a job on these sites. Voices.com many times has upwards of 100 to 200 on a regular basis all competing for the same job. Voice 123 has a more limiting factor on the number of competitors for each job. Good jobs can and have been gotten by individuals. Look at it from an overall perspective though. Someone will tell you that they have had very good success with sites like these and God bless them. The vast majority are doing good to get their subscription price back. I have had more success from the 4 talent agencies I work with and without having to pay $295.00 per year. These talent agencies usually provide me with better quality auditions and I have had good success with them. Do your homework, read forums and do not take any one persons opinion as the total testimony as to fact. Not even what I am writing to you now. It is only my personal experience.
Would I need an isdn setup? Easy on this one my friend. Get yourself established first. ISDN is a very expensive venture that usually will not pay for itself unless you are already established or you just have the money to blow and the expense does not matter.
Have you had Voice Coaching from a reputable coach? If not, consider putting your money there first. I continue to invest in myself and I am uping the ante on that one. I mean Tiger Woods has a coach even though he is at the top of his game. I'm not at the top of my game, so I definitly need continued coaching. There are some reputable coachs hanging around on this site. Again though, do your homework. The most expensive may not be the most practicle for you. The most publicized may not be the one. Ask around, and you will get many opinions, some good and some not so good. Some want to give you a few lessons over the phone and whamo, we can produce your demo. Again, easy does it. I'm not going to recommend anyone on the open forum, because what I feel is good for me may not be what you need.
I hope this helps some and certainly ponder over what others say as well.
Best regards,
Craig
Craig Koepke
Mike
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