Voiceover Resolutions for the New Year and Beyond

Setting expectations and goals ahead of a new year is an amazing way of ensuring your dreams come true. For many of us, this is the time for reflection of past mistakes and future prospects. But in reality, making resolutions can be done at any time of the year. It can be on your wedding anniversary, on your birthday or when starting your career as a voice actor like I did in Nashville, TN. Here are some suggestions to start off your voice acting career on a path to success in the new year.

Book More Voiceover Jobs

If your goal is to increase the number of voiceover bookings in coming years, you are not alone. There are thousands of voiceover actors hoping to do the same thing. To increase these bookings, you must be hands-on during the entire process. For instance, ensure that you audition as frequently as possible. However, audition only for the jobs that are suitable for your voice and not every offer that lands in your inbox. By auditioning only for jobs that are relevant to your voiceover style the probability of landing those jobs goes up.

Diversify Your Voiceover Language Skills

Even with professional voiceover actors with careers spanning several years in voice acting, there is always a new skill to add to your portfolio. Doing more auditions can greatly improve some of the skills already have and help you develop a new language or accent. If picking up a new language or accent are part of your wish-list this year, there is a way you can add them to your skills list. One way is engaging the services of a voiceover coach. Learning an accent or language in voice acting is a great way to expand your career opportunities.

Venture into a New Area in Voice Acting

If you've always had the desire to venture into a new specialization within voice acting, maybe this is the time to get started. Being open to new challenges is one of the successful strategies for voiceover actors everywhere. It appears that many voice actors are looking to test the waters of a new VO field. So when you're ready, get your new demos together to promote your expanded skills.

Knowing What to Look for in a Voiceover Job Posting

As a voice actor, you need to constantly be on the lookout for possible gigs and auditions. When you first come across a voiceover job posting, should first check the specifications just to make sure that you are a perfect fit for the job. Taking due diligence beforehand can also increase your chances of nailing the audition. In addition to other factors, always remember that integrity is far more important than simply making a quick buck. Doing otherwise will likely come back later to haunt you. Below are some of the things to look out for in a voiceover job:

Language, accent and dialect-be honest and forthright about the languages, accents and dialects that you can handle. As most client can easily spot authentic language from one that is not polished. If you are looking to succeed as a voice always make sure that you indicate your level of fluency when submitting your auditions and proposals.

Gender-The fact of the matter is, there are some voice actors with the ability to convincingly change their voice’s gender. However, this is a very rare skill and with very limited opportunities. If you can’t convincingly change the gender of your voice, don’t stress about it. Stick to the voices that suit you the best.

Work type- There are many different types of voiceover work that you can apply for. For instance... in TV voiceover, radio voiceover and web documentary voiceover. All of these require a unique voice suitable to the specific industry. But don't limit your abilities when it comes to voiceovers. Experiment with different voices, styles and approaches and establish where your voice is strong as well as areas that need improvement.

Consider the Clients’ Specifications- Most clients will always set a deadline for receiving auditions. If you are fully booked and cannot audition for a certain gig on time, be willing to pass the opportunity. There will be plenty more opportunities. Accepting auditions and later not delivering on them paints a bad picture of the kind of voiceover actor you are. Never set yourself up for looking unreliable.

Pay rate-This is the deal breaker for most voice actors. Most actors are confronted with the challenge of establishing their true worth and at the same time appealing to the client by being affordable. Before you come up with your voice over price range, take into consideration the going rate in the industry, your work experience, what you can bring to an individual project, as well as the client’s budget. Note that you are at liberty to set your own charges and you are under no obligation to accept a job that you feel is not worth your effort. Constantly value your worth throughout your career and use it as a gold standard for setting you apart from all others. 

Why Local Voiceover Businesses Need a Google My Business Listing

Today, more and more people rely on Google as a source of information for their most crucial questions. This implies that Google has become a leading information resource for new products and services. However, you might be unaware of just how easy it is to use Google My Business as a tool of online presence management for business. As a business owner, it is of extreme importance to manage your online presence and there is no better tool at the moment that can do this well than Google My Business. So why is it necessary for local voiceover businesses in Nashville, TN to have a Google My Business Listing?

Cost Effectiveness When Searching for a Voiceover Job

Having your voiceover business as a Google My Business listing is free. In addition, a business has increased exposure to millions of potential customers given that Google is the largest search engine. There are several other business directories that are similar to Google My Business. However, subscribing to these directories come at a cost either placed monthly or annually. After your business is listed on Google My Business, it becomes easier for your customers to see your hours of operation, contact details and your website. The number of opportunities related to your career as a voiceover actor will largely depend on where you live. If you live in a large city such as Nashville, TN, the term local can mean businesses and people within a 1 mile radius. 

Leverage Your Business with Technological Changes

As a beginner in the voice acting industry, you need to turn your attention to getting work as soon as possible. Technological advancements have since changed the industry and many voice actor jobs can now be found online. Just like any other job market, the voice over industry is competitive even for well-known actors. In order to cut a substantive market niche, you must focus on your career goals and develop a strategy for promoting yourself.  Most potential clients are looking for that which makes you stand out from the crowd... what makes you different?

Visibility on Google Maps

Another advantage of having your local service business listed on Google My Business is the increased visibility of search results. Google My Business profiles appear on Google Maps and what is known as Local “3-pack” area on search results. This is how a Google search actually works. When you make a Google Search, the first three results are exclusively reserved for Google Adwords advertisements. These advertisements are also known as “paid search”. The next three listings to appear will be on a map that contains local results and In order to optimize your voiceover talent, you are more likely to attract more potential clients if your business is among the top on the listings.