How to Get Noticed in the Voiceover Industry - Part Two

Although there are more opportunities than ever for voiceover actors thanks to the technology boom, the competition is stiffer than ever. Sometimes it can feel like you’re lost in the crowd, despite your enormous talent - and you know that if you could only be noticed, your career would instantly take off.

One very important thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much you feel like you’re trying and trying with no results - there remain far more people who don’t know you than who do.

Contact Prospective Clients Directly

When questioned, many producers surprisingly say that they don’t often receive direct communications from voiceover talents who want to introduce themselves and get known - producers go on to say that they are completely open to these sorts of prompts from voice actors, and are shocked that it doesn’t happen more frequently.

We exist in a modern era where people expect immediate results. To stay relevant as a voice actor, it’s key to respond as quickly as possible to emails or phone calls. If you’re unavailable when a potential client wants or needs something from you, they are liable to simply move on to the next person on their list.

Utilize the Internet to Get Noticed

The internet is one of the top ways for people to do business these days, and as such maintaining an appealing, up-to-date website and intelligent sounding blog are imperative. Starting a YouTube channel and posting videos that showcase your talent are another excellent way to establish a strong voiceover presence on the web.

If you don’t have a demo - create one; if you already have a demo, share it online in as many avenues as possible, using popular sites like SoundCloud, Twitter, VoiceBunny, VoiceRealm, Bodalgo, and FaceBook. Don’t forget to mention your contact information when sharing, and also include your name in the file name of your demo.

Sending newsletters via email can be helpful, but tend to be cumbersome and too long for a potential client to read thoroughly. An effective alternative is writing emails once every few weeks that highlight your most recent works - this will assist in keeping you at the forefront of the minds of potential voiceover employers and clients.

Don’t Disregard Snail Mail

Sending out personalized postcards with your photo alongside a hand-written note can be an easy and personal way to grab a potential client’s attention. Producers will enjoy connecting your name and voice with a face - giving you a huge edge over those who contact them exclusively through text and email.

This old-school method of communication is underrated in the current digital age - but it gives you an excellent shot at standing out from the pack.

Work With a Voiceover Agent

Working with a voice over agent to represent you is a great idea if you’ve already had some training and experience, and also have high-quality demos you to promote. Even if you have little to no actual experience doing voiceover if you have a solid demo an agent may be willing to take a gamble and represent you.

Agents find opportunities (such as auditions) and have excellent negotiation skills. They have a lengthy list of connections with studios and casting agencies, and usually know about upcoming auditions and projects.

To thrive in the cutthroat voiceover industry, agents must stay current with the hottest trends - meaning they're always looking for raw, undiscovered voices and talent. Finding the right agent can create a mutually beneficial relationship that gets you noticed and lands you your first big break.