If you had $2500....

Kim White · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007, 02:23 (GMT) Post subject: If you had $2500....

Would you put that money into training or equiment or a demo (please read my profile before you answer)? I'm looking to start doing voice work. I have many years of broadcast experience, but it's been 4 years since I stepped behind a mic. Hopefully, there's room in this business for someone like me!

Thank you for any help or suggestions!

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Welcome, Kim.
Your resume is impressive, but your question is still largely unanswerable without knowing a bit more about your marketing plans.

I would think that with your contacts, a killer debut demo - properly distributed and followed up - might just get you through doors that are barred shut to the great unwashed masses.
Contacts and ins are probably 80% of this business. If you already have some, you're way ahead already.

Buying equipment to toss hundreds of auditions into the meat-grinder here and elsewhere is interesting...educational...and ultimately very frustrating.
It's the snail-crawl to success. Nobody but nobody but nobody makes a cattle-call killing right out of the chute. Or even later.

I'd suggest training, coaching, demo (if you have the contacts).
In that order.

All the best.
Voice On!

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

You have lived the dream of most people who post here. Having read your profile the honest answer is that if with all your experience you don't know what to do you do not stand a chance making a living as a voice over.

Based on what you have done so far in your career it should be possible to get work merely by telling people you are available. Apart from time and the cost of calls you should need only spend a day picking up the telephone and one of those calls should be to an agent. There are commercials both TV and radio, corporates, narrations, elearning projects out there today just waiting for you to claim them. People just need to know that you are around and available.

None of the rules which apply to the majority here apply to you.

"I was a Dr until four years ago how do I become a Dr?" Easy. Change the sign on the office door from closed to open.

Based on where you are geograpically, your reputation and experience you should make money as a voice over without even having to buy any equipment.

Hope that helps.

Kim White · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007, 11:52 (GMT) Post subject: Thank you....

"the honest answer is that if with all your experience you don't know what to do you do not stand a chance making a living as a voice over. "

Thank you for your candor. To a great extent, I agree. I know how to market myself, and can beat the pavement (contacts, etc.) as hard as anyone. However, most of my voiceover work was performed in-house where I held a full-time broadcasting job. The demo requirements are different for news vs. voiceover, and I'm hoping to tune-in to exactly the best way to market and improve my skills. Meanwhile, you bet... I'm dialing and emailing.

It sounds like many agree that equipment is not my wisest purchase. So, I think I'll invest it on some lessons with the best I can find (I hear lots of kudos for Peter Rolfe here?) and get the demo together.

Perhaps all I needed was a shot of confidence -- since my last anchor job, I've been a stay-at-home mom of triplets. Smile

Thank you all for your input.... "iron sharpens iron!"

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

Your one stop shop for coaching should be Nancy Wolfson http://www.braintracksaudio.com/

Caryn Clark · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1000

Hi there,

Peter was my coach, and I learned lots!

That being said, there are many really wonderful coaches out there.

I recommend you research coaches and find the one that's right for you. Check them all out, what their background in vo is, years of experience, and talk to them about what you want to accomplish... you have to click with your coach.

Best of luck to you!!!! Caryn

Caryn Clark · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1000

Banksey,

I see that after I posted about researching vo coaches, you brought up the Nancy Wolfson thread.

I hope you didn't take my post to mean that I was "anti" Nancy Wolfson. I'm not AT ALL. I was just saying that one should research and interview prospective coaches and find the one that's the best fit for HER at the time. Peter may not be the coach for her either... that's not for me to say. But I wanted to let this woman know that Peter had actually coached me, in case she had any questions. I figured she would PM me.

I don't want this to get into a huge debate over nothing again.

C.

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

I thought you made very valid points.

Caryn Clark · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1000

Thank you Banksey!!!! Very Happy

Kim White · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007, 17:20 (GMT) Post subject: Philip...

Thank you! If I use her, I'll give your name (I see you get credit for referrals).

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

Yes I get a free can of Cullen Skink, a bottle of Black Isle blonde and a "I luv Nancy Wolfson" kilt pin. Impressive huh!

Tommy Simpson · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Kim,

I see you refrenced Voices For All in June. Did you take their Master Class, or was it the pre-qualifying, pre-sell?

TommySimpson