CourvoBlogArchive

[10.19.07] A nOOb's Advice to Proto-nOObs

At least once a week I get an e-mail or phone call from a total stranger...but someone who is no stranger to a similar feeling I had almost two years ago...the feeling that making oodles of money in Voice-Over work was gonna be a cinch...practically effortless.

I'm not exactly sure where or how they find me (I guess it's a good thing that my VO persona is getting out there somewhere), but their query is getting predictable:

"Hi, I'm Bill, and all my life people have told me I have an incredible voice.  Right now I'm a __________ (mechanic, accountant, DJ), but I want to do voice-over work.  I ran across your name, and was wondering if you could help me?"

'Been there, done that.  But I have SOME experience, now,  and many have mentored me along the way, so I believe it's my responsibility to offer that helping hand, too.

Hence, the following is Courvo's straight talk for VO proto-nOObs hoping to get into this business:

1)  A good voice is not good enough.  It's not even a basic criteria anymore.

2) Can you read out loud, and make it sound like you're just talking to someone -- and say it in 20 different ways?...10 different dialects?...and PERFORM at the drop of a hat?

3)  This is a business.  You need a business plan, investment capital, passion, and stick-to-itiveness.

4)  Voice-acting is 9 parts marketing, 1 part voice-talent (well maybe 80/20...but not a percentage point more!)

5)  You need better-than-passable computer hardware/software/networking skills, and a fast internet connection.

6)  Are you willing to accept criticism, swallow reality, and keep coming back?

7)  How well do you handle rejection?...even when you know you're better than your competition?

8)  Eventually, you may have to invest $3,000 - $5,000 just for passable start-up equipment and marketing materials.

9)  You'll need to be your own accountant, PR person, web-author, and self-promotions guru.

10)  Get ready to go back to school. Voice-Over 101.  Coaching and education is an on-going necessity.

11)  Accept that growing opportunities are counter-balanced by declining compensations, and increasing competition.

12)  How enterprising are you?  Work well alone?....for weeks on end?...with no one but yourself for encouragement?

13)  Is your spouse/significant other/POSSLQ* on board with this?....we're in for a long haul!

14)  This is a huge, varied industry, what segment do you want to target?  AudioBooks? TV Imaging? E-Learning?

15)  You have to like more than the sound of your own voice...you have to like the feel of headphones on your noggin....A LOT!

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OK, that's about it for now.  Admittedly, it's an overview, but I think it strikes to the heart of the main issues.  Other professional Voice-Actors may have differing opinions, and I respect that.  Check out some of the other VO Blog sites listed on the left column of this Blog for more opinions.

This is not meant to be discouragement, only a dose of reality. Others have been generous in helping me, and this is offered in that spirit. 

Wanna dig deeper?  My contact info in on this Blog.

Courvo

*(Person of the Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters)

[1.25.08] Amazon/Sunspots?

Hmmm.... Anyone else seen this announcement?
Byline says 1-23-08.

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Asheville, NC, January 23, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Do you want to know how to become a professional voice talent? Looking for equipment for your voiceover booth? Are you a pro who needs the latest Protools gear and a computer system? SunSpots Productions now offers all this from their site. From voiceover training books and CDs, to script stands and headphones to the latest laptops SunSpots, has partnered with Amazon.com to their extensive selection of materials on the SunSpots site.

"This is something voice talent have been asking about for years" explains SunSpots President Thomas Rohe, "We're really excited to offer so many books, CDs and even equipment. People are always asking 'How can I become a voice talent' and now we offer a depth of discounted resources they can choose from and all from our site." Through Amazon's affiliate program SunSpots is able to offer all these items at below retail prices, saving voiceover talent money.

You can shop 24/7 at www.sunspotsproductions.com/voiceover_resources.cfm SunSpots Voiceover Resource Center. If you're curious about the voices behind commercials, how to do voiceovers, where to buy affordable voice editing equipment and more visit SunSpots Productions site now.

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'Guess they're getting a lot of questions from people who've been told they have a "good voice" too...

courVO

[1.24.08] Dislocated Attachment Communications

In a conversation with a friend the other day, I heard one of the most intriguing scenarios for converging the many and different means of verbal and printed communications yet.

Here's how he describes it:

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I will possibly have a (XXX) area code and phone number that will be manned by a "virtual pbx" - which means it will have a high level auto attendant that will guide callers through a professional menu of extensions - including a "company directory." When a caller punches in an extension, it will automatically forward that call to any phone I designate for myself - including my cell phone - or if I don't answer, it will go to voice mail - and it will then convert the voice mail to a low res wav file and e-mail me the message - so when I check my e-mail, I'm also checking my voice mail. It also passes through all Caller ID info, so I can decide whether to take the call at that time or call back later (or not at all if it's just a solicitation of some kind). I can also (and will) assign other extensions to some of my colleagues - so their calls will be forwarded to them. And, it will accept faxes on the same number, convert them to pdf's and forward them to the appropriate individual by e-mail, as well. I have a friend/prospective client who has been using this service for the past five years or more - and no one knows he doesn't have a corporate office (or any office for that matter). He's always on the move working with clients all over the country - so his office is his car, airplanes, hotel rooms and his corporate extension is always his cell phone.

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My friend didn't discuss price, brand names, software, installation, cell phone companies, or any other details... just this overview.

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?  For the often-busy, one-proprietorship entrepenurial business that so many voice-over professionals have, it would be a handy adjunct, no?

If someone really wants to know more, I can possibly put you in touch with this individual...but I'll have to have a deposit, your SS#, and the keys to your car. 

;-}

courVO

[1.24.08] We call it a tease....

....in our business.... (by "our", I mean TV news)...

I'm heading to bed to get some much-needed ZZZZ's, but please check back later... I have two great entries to post today. 

One on the ins and outs of whether voice-actors should incorporate as an LLC or an S-corp.

And another on an absolutely techy, gimmicky, and exciting way of staying in touch by FAX, phone, e-mail, cell-phone, voice-mail and you-name-it...all through a seamless integration of services -- no matter where you are.  Absolutely cool!

courVO

[1.23.08] Casting services

'Ran across a well-written blog on the question of whether those online voice-casting services like Voices and Voice123 are right for everybody...and how to best use them.

It's written by a voice-actor I'm not familiar with:  Karen Commins.  Even though she mentions the VO-BB in her entry, I don't find her as a subscriber of that online forum for voice-over artists.

She also doesn't much touch on StarSearchCasting, or many of the other fringe-VO casting sites that sometimes can be glorified "Model" or "Hollywood Starlet" black holes.  But I found her post very knowledgeable.

Her blog is HERE.

Her website is HERE.

blessings,

courVO