I am a fan of the TV show Dragons' Den; I love the spectacle of the gladiatorial arena as those entrepreneurs seek financial sustenance for their startups under intense scrutiny from wealthy business people.

A pitch can be going brilliantly well and then suddenly....wham, Deborah Meaden shoots one of those dreaded accountancy-type questions: "what's your gross margin?"

[bumbling response] "er, oh just a minute it's £200k I think"

"I want a percentage" snaps Deborah. "Do you actually know what gross margin is?"

And so begins the squirming (both from us the viewers and the poor entrepreneur) as the other dragons pile into the inquisition. You may be thinking phew, thank goodness I'm a creative performer doing voice overs. None of that grubby begging for money for me.

But wait, you ARE a business.

You sell your voice to clients don't you? You purchase recording equipment and invest in marketing surely? You collate your annual accounts and inform the tax authorities of your earnings (you do that don't you?) just like any business would.

If you are a newcomer to voice overs, you are effectively a startup and may want (or need) a grant or loan to kickstart your venture. That means you require a business plan, so here is a quick guide to writing one.

Describe Your Business Explain the role of a voice actor and how you provide a solution to companies or organisations seeking a VO on their commercials, explainer videos, websites, training films or even on an author's audiobook.

Explain the role of a voice actor and how you provide a solution to companies or organisations seeking a VO on their commercials, explainer videos, websites, training films or even on an author's audiobook. Experience & Attributes List your vocal skills and show how these can be applied to voice overs e.g. presentations at work, eulogies in church, singing etc

What You Hope To Give & Get From The Business Say how you want to be your own boss, achieve financial independence and enjoy an exciting personal challenge.

The Market & Competition Point out the international nature of voice overs and how there are many different markets. You are only really competing with others in your voice niche i.e if you are a British middle age female then you are competing directly with other British middle age females, not with male voice actors, or Americans etc.

Point out the international nature of voice overs and how there are many different markets. You are only really competing with others in your voice niche i.e if you are a British middle age female then you are competing directly with other British middle age females, not with male voice actors, or Americans etc. SWOT Analysis identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business. For example you can point out that whilst there is a large international market for voice overs, it is a human pursuit and as such subjective. You could also lose your voice or suffer equipment failure.

Assets List the equipment you already have such as a computer and microphone and what you need to purchase e.g. acoustic foam.

Turnover Forecast Now it gets tough. What are you likely to earn? Some research about rates is needed here, or you can number crunch with your voiceover coach. I have developed a useful guide here.

Now it gets tough. What are you likely to earn? Some research about rates is needed here, or you can number crunch with your voiceover coach. I have developed a useful guide here. Business Expenses Include advertising costs, equipment purchases, training expenditure, studio hire and any other outlay incurred.

Include advertising costs, equipment purchases, training expenditure, studio hire and any other outlay incurred. Personal Outgoings include mortgage/rent, credit card and loans, utility payments.

include mortgage/rent, credit card and loans, utility payments. Additional Income not related to your business, such as earnings from another job.

Developing a business plan is an essential part of being a professional voice over artist; make sure you create one to help focus your career.

Gary Terzza is a British voice over coach based in London