I am currently mentoring a group of voice over beginners. They’re great folks– positive, enthusiastic and I love them to pieces.
But most of them are making a big (and potentially expensive) mistake.
What is it?
They are doing the wrong things first. Like loading up on studio gear and building elaborate home studios before they’ve even learned how to properly interpret a piece of copy.
Heck, most of them don’t even have a demo yet!
Look, I know how easy and fun it can be to whip out a credit card and buy a shiny new piece of gear.
And I recommend that all beginners purchase a basic USB mic to practice and build their skills.
But keep it simple. Don’t put the cart before the horse and build a super studio before you’ve got the performance basics down pat.
Here’s what I think is going on.
I think many voice over beginners load up on (and hide behind) their professional equipment to avoid dealing with a much deeper issue…
An insecurity about their talent.
In this week’s Inside Voice Over video training blog, join me as I do a deep dive into a question that might be nagging at you.
How do I know if I have the talent to do this? How do I know I’m not just wasting my time?
I think you’ll be surprised, and hopefully relieved, by what I have to say.
Watch It Here Now
After you watch the video, I want to know your thoughts. Was this helpful? Write to me in the comments box. I want to learn what’s on your mind so I can support you and share your best practices.
To your voice over success,
Susan Berkley,
Founder, The Great Voice Company
PS
Don’t miss out! Our next Voice Over Accelerator Bootcamp is March 25-27 at our studios in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. This exclusive Bootcamp for voice over newcomers and emerging talent is strictly limited to 10 people but only 5 seats remain. We will definitely sell out. It’s the best place to start and grow your career in 2017.
Interested? Call us at 800-333-8108 or email talent@greatvoice.com
Go here now: www.voaccelerator.com or call 800-333-8108.
Thank you for your insight and your willingness to share it.
My pleasure, Randy! 🙂
It helps to keep in mind that there *are*, as you have identified, many (~14) voiceover niches. A given VO talent may not have the proverbial “voice of God;” that’s fine. In most niches, that’s not desirable.
Find your niche, and go with that! I’m satisfied for myself that just as there’s a mate for everyone who wants one, there’s a VO niche that fits just right, too.
You said it! There’s a career in voice over for everyone who truly wants one.
Thanks Susan! Exactly what I needed today!
Great, Christine! 🙂
Thank you Susan,really like what you said concerning,confidence is this world of voiceovers happens through action.It can be daunting at times,so thanks for the boost.Best wishes
Yes, we have potential but its nothing until its shared. Thanks David!
Instead of boot camp do you have a reasonable priced monthly online training that can take a beginner from A- Z. Then after make a decision for boot camp. Just like upteen years ago after the training at the Annex you took us to a studio
Dear Susan,
I appreciated this blog as I believe I’m in that place. When I trained to be an educator I had to learn how to present lesson plans before I could actually put myself in from of a class of 30 kids! Do I need to learn how to identify voice over material and how to put my “acting” skills to work before I actually attempt to put myself out there? I’m not afraid, but I also don’t want to place myself in an awkward situation. Any insight would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Patrice Smith
Hi Patrice,
You definitely need some training before you put yourself out there. Just as in teaching, there are things to learn. Call us if you need help. 800-333-8108- talent@greatvoice.com
Love this advice, Susan…and how it’s not just limited to new talent — how seasoned pro’s still get beat up every now and then. It’s a great reminder that all of us just need to keep on truckin’. 🙂
Thanks for writing, Benjamin. Yes, many times we take things too personally and don’t try to see things from the client’s perspective. When we do, everything turns out well in the end.
True principle! We learn by “doing”. I like to compare it to learning to drive…no matter how well one knows the rules of the road or understands the mechanics of a car, you simply have to get behind the wheel and “drive” in order to really learn how to drive.
As always…thanks for the tip, Susan!
Yes, its the same with dancing too and so many other things in life. Thanks for writing, John!