1. Be Authentic

You've been hired to be YOU...not anyone else but YOU.

Use your genuine voice and treat it like an instrument.

Learn how to master your vocal instrument. Can you whisper or shout without harming your voice? Learn that. You'll need it.

Creatives that are hiring you want you and all the vocal qualities that are yours. So don't fake it. Don't try to sound deeper or sexier or whatever-er you think you should do. They want you!

Be You, Be Real and Win!

2. Be Prepared for Anything

How do you prepare for anything in the voiceover world? Use the mic stand to whack at zombies? Use your iPad to smash over the head of intruders? Well nothing that dramatic, but just as intense. You study online and offline. You LISTEN. Listen to all national media, film, web and tv and hear what's currently popular. Can you manipulate your instrument to honestly fit the new trends? That's a key. Listen to men and women and pick up what you like, add a little piece of his read and her interpretation and bring it to your sessions.

Take care of your health and get your sleep. You never know when your major client MUST have an 8am eastern session and...you live in San Diego. It's happened.

Watch or skim through contemporary films and top tv shows to learn the vocal qualities of the performers. Imagine being asked, "Can you give me kind of a Don Draper style?" and all the client hears are crickets and tumbleweeds as you're trying to figure out who this guy must be. Stay in touch with popular culture no matter your age.

3. The Harder you Work, The Luckier you get.

No matter the quality of your voice or the strength of your acting ability, nothing... nothing ...will make you successful in voiceovers if you do not work hard. Not 9-5 hard. Maybe it's 8a-10pm hard. Seven days. Weekends. Nights.

Whatever - It - Takes - To - Get - The - Job - Done.

...will make you successful in voiceovers if you do not work hard. Not 9-5 hard. Maybe it's 8a-10pm hard. Seven days. Weekends. Nights. Whatever - It - Takes - To - Get - The - Job - Done. Remember that no pro is truly an overnight success. Just like in the music biz, bands churn and burn year and year to find their sound. The same applies in voice acting.

Your Attitude determines your Altitude. Work hard with a smile on your face knowing that you are doing one of the most fun, best jobs on the planet. Bring gratitude to the session with you. Share your positive experiences with others. If you've learned something, share it with others.

Want to get lucky? Work your ass off.

To Summarize...

You must have ferocious voiceover acting blood pulsing through you. You must have the passion to succeed at the business regardless of setbacks. You must learn to listen, not just to yourself, but to successful voiceover artists too. Always give what you can to help others. Express your gratitude with others about getting gigs. Be genuinely humble. Let the journey to your success be your reward.

Give the Good and It will Return.

Wishing you much success in every recording session!

Cheers,

Tom

Thomas Rohe

President

SunSpots Productions

www.SunSpotsProductions.com

Twittter: @SunSpots_Tom

Twitter: @SunSpotsVO

Facebook: SunSpots Productions