FOR NEWCOMERS

10 Things To Ask Yourself Before

Pursuing A Career In Voice Overs

January 5, 2015



By Anthony Gettig By Anthony Gettig

Voice Actor



This is the time of year when many folks have made New Year resolutions. Whether it's self-improvement, career related, or something else, the new year brings with it a clean slate of sorts.



For some, starting a voice over business is on that list. Is that you?



I thoroughly love this business and am always happy to help hopefuls get going. However, it's important to consider the cost of any new venture. To that end, I've drafted a list of 10 questions that I think are important for a person to ask him or herself before pursuing the business of voice over.



Note:In order for these to be helpful, you need to be 100% honest with yourself. Here goes ...



1. Are you comfortable with the idea of owning and operating a business?



It's been said that "show business" is 98% business and 2% show. This is 100% true. In addition to performing, you need to keep track of expenses, income, taxes, and more.



2. Are you willing to take on all the minutia that goes into running a business?



Are you entrepreneurial? For the working voice talent, jobs don't just magically show up in your email. Well, sometimes they do, but it takes a lot of prospecting and relationship building to get to that point. Prospecting for work and building relationships is a big part of the voice over business.



3. Are you OK waiting up to 30 days (or longer) to be paid?



I always put "DUE ON RECEIPT" on my invoices. Many clients honor that and pay immediately, but a lot don't.



It's just a reality of being in business. A lot of times, it's as simple as your VO client can't pay you until THEY get paid. It's nothing personal, it's just business. If you voice for larger corporations, sometimes this gets pushed out to 45 days. Government contracts? Even longer.



4. Are you teachable?



The best thing anyone can do to get their voice over endeavors off to a good start is to get coaching. This is a big one for former radio people.



A good coach will help you break bad habits, establish good ones, and equip you with tools to approach your work. They will also let you know when you are ready to record your first demo.



5. Are you disciplined?



When you work for yourself, it takes discipline to get the work done! I think it's a huge mistake when people go online and brag about doing VO in their pajamas or underwear.



Seriously? That's what a professional does?



No, a professional is disciplined and gets up at a decent time, showers, gets dressed, eats a little breakfast, and gets to work. A professional has systems in place to make sure they are doing the right things.



If you want to be a consistently working voice actor, you need discipline.



6. Are you looking to make a lot of money real quick?



Can you make a good living in voice overs? Yes. Will this happen immediately? Probably not.



Remember, this is a business. It takes time to build relationships, your systems, find your strengths, and really find your niche.



As my friend and colleague Bob Souer has said, "Voice over is a wonderful way to make a living, but a terrible way to make a living quickly."



Wise words indeed!



7. Are you willing to spend money on your business?



A microphone, computer, headphones, and other studio equipment are obvious expenses.



But I see too many people willing to spend money on gear and not on:

professional services like a CPA and/or attorney to get a solid business structure in place,

voice over coaching, so they have a chance at competing for work, or

acoustically treating the space they intend to record in so it's dead. I recommend coaching, business structure, and studio refinement before you get a demo done or buy any equipment. Those things really are that important.



8. Do you have basic people skills?



This too, may seem obvious, but as a business owner, you will be interacting with prospects and clients. I'm not saying you need to be a "people person," but it doesn't hurt.



Don't worry if you're not; you can learn people skills.



9. Do you handle rejection well?



It's been said that the "work" of voice over is auditioning. Doing the actual job is the fun part. There is certainly some truth to that.



The working voice over talent will audition a lot, especially in the beginning. You will not be selected for a gig way more often than you will be selected. Even folks who have been in business a long time still audition and are not selected.



10. Are you running AWAY from your current job/career - or are you running TO a new career in voice over?



Running away from something is almost never the right approach. It can set up a mindset of despair and scarcity, leading one to take ANY voice over job even one that takes advantage of them.



When you run TO something, it's easier to set goals, have patience, and pursue the dream.



This subtle shift of thinking can be a powerful force in either direction.

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ABOUT ANTHONY

Anthony Gettig is full-time working voice talent in Kalamazoo, MI specializing in business narration and commercials. He blogs about the voice over business at WorkingVO.com . Outside of VO, he enjoys roasting coffee and spending time with his family.



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Blog: Email: anthony@hireanthony.com Web: www.hireanthony.com Blog: www.WorkingVO.com



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