Ever since I signed up for Spotify- the on line music service- I’ve been a dancin’ fool.
New music, old music -the funkier the better.
So I took a trip down O’Jay’s lane with their hit “For The Love Of Money.”
That song was the famous theme song for Trump’s The Apprentice and it became seared into our collective psyche , but musically speaking it’s worth digging out for another listen.
Speaking of money, the #1 search term in the voice over universe is voice over jobs. So you might be wondering how you get them and how long it takes before you see your first pay day, right?
Listen, you don’t need me to tell you that money doesn’t come on schedule when you call. Magic, luck and even talent have nothing to do with it.
The subject of this week’s blog is money. Show me the money. How much money can I make in this business and how quickly? Now, I know that’s a question that’s on a lot of people’s minds, but I got to reel you back because this is a freelance endeavor in voice over. There are no guarantees. So it might take a while until you build up a steady client base where you can say, “You know, I can more or less count on receiving this amount of money. I can go full time in this.” And that day can come, but first you need to understand some things.
So the first thing is, aside from the fact that there’s no weekly paycheck because you’re a freelancer, is that, believe it or not, your skill and your auditioning has very little to do with how much money you make. Now, let me explain that. Just because you’re the best voice talent, just because you have the best voice or even the most incredible skills or you do incredible auditions doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll make a lot of money in voice over. It’s crazy that way. It’s not a meritocracy. So what does make a difference is how much you hustle. I know, I know, but it all comes down at the end to having leads which are qualified prospects, people who hire voice talent on a regular basis, and then working those leads just like you would for any other sales job. So you need to find people who are qualified and who hire voice talent regularly, make relationships with them, stay in touch with them, do all those things that anybody selling anything would do, but those are your target customers. In fact, I call it a dream 100 list.
One thing I do with my students, especially those students I work with in my marketing mastermind program, is we sit down and we figure out, “Well, who are those hundred companies that I really want to work for, who are ideal for what I have to offer?” And then we take it from there. We create systematized marketing programs and plans to reach those people and it really works because, one day what happens is you go, “Wow, my customers are starting to come back for more. I can quit my day job.” I was just talking to a voice talent the other day and she was proud she was able to go full time in voiceover because she had enough jobs, people hiring her again and again and again, that she could count on with reliability. So that doesn’t happen overnight, but if you stick with it and you do it the right way, it just might.
But there are proven ways to make money in voice over and that’s the subject of this week’s Inside Voice Over video training blog.
Watch this week’s short training video Here Now
After you watch the video be sure to leave a comment. I always love to hear from you so I can support you as you grow your voice over career.
To your voice over success,
Susan Berkley,
Founder, The Great Voice Company
PS
Would you like a steo by step plan to market and grow your voice over business? Get it at my next Voice Over Accelerator Bootcamp June 16-18 at The Great Voice Studios in Englewood Cliffs, NJ Click www.voaccelerator.com or call 800-333-8108 talent@greatvoice.com
Thanks Susan – excellent reminder that marketing your talent is the only way to make this happen. A great voice means nothing if it isn’t heard. I’m in charge of getting my voice heard.
Great post, Susan! I always look forward to reading and seeing your videos.
Our musical tastes are similar. I have over 320 videos on Youtube of me singing everything from Al Green to Journey (including backing harmonies). I invite you to check any of them out (Search “Jim Harrison Vocals”).
Have taken a past suggestion and am recording a short sci-fi story for Librivox. It’s not an audition or a gig, but I realize that it’s a way to get my voice “out there.”
I narrated on educational CD-ROMs several years ago and have an outdated demo. I built a small studio in my home and have basic computer software, mics, Focusrite, etc. I went through Masters of Voiceover (Santa Monica) a few years ago with Dan Balestrero, but am keeping so busy as a political researcher. Guess I need to “bite the bullet” and make time!
Anyway – thank you for your regular posts!
Jim Harrison
Thank you Susan for your straight forwardness regarding voice over work. You truly are the best for coaching in this business. Continued success to you!
Kind Regards,
Karen