How to Set up Your Own Voice Over Business

So you’re thinking about starting your own voice over business - that’s wonderful! It’s a lot of hard work, and there will probably be times when you’ll ask yourself what the heck you were thinking, but overall, it’s pretty great running your own voice over business. If you’ve decided to take the plunge, here are some pointers to help you get started. Simplified here...

●     Spend money to make money.  Be aware that you’ll need a bit of capital to get your business off the ground and running. There will be expenses in setting up a home studio (a MUST these days), creating and managing a website, recording and submitting demos, marketing yourself, and so on. And you’ll be coughing up the cash long before you get your first paycheck, so make sure you are prepared for that.

●     Draft a business plan. Very few businesses succeed without a well thought out business plan that lays the groundwork for a new company. Be sure to include all the basic info about your business, along with details about your services and talents and who you’ll market them to, your projected revenue and operating expenses, your short- and long-term goals, and the capital that will be necessary to get your business up and running.

●     Get your business registered.  It’s not a bad idea to register your company as a legal entity. This offers some protections for you, and it also legitimizes what you’re doing. Clients are more likely to work with an established business rather than “some random guy recording out of his basement.”

●     Set up your home office. Once you’ve got all the necessities above squared away, you need to get your workspace in order. If you plan on recording at home, you’ll need a space where you can work undisturbed. Purchase and set up your equipment, and remember that recording and sound editing isn’t all you’ll be doing - you’ll also need space for the office side of things, where you’ll handle client communications, invoicing, etc.

●     Brand yourself and start marketing. With all the pieces in place, now the fun can begin. Record your demos, start a website, develop a presence on social media, start networking - all of these activities will (hopefully) lead to growth - which is exactly what you need for success!