How’s your pipes? Do you have a great voice. Do you often get compliments on how nice your voice is. Then why not sell it. Sound crazy? Maybe not. I think you would be very surprised to find out just how much a great voice can be utilized. A great voice is just as important to the world of advertising as a great face and body is to the modeling world.
Who wants your voice?
Anyone who wants to brand a product. Here’s a short list of possible customers:
- Podcasters - I have been shopping for a good voice over for my podcast, that’s how I got the idea to research this business.
- Authors and publishers - They may be great at writing a book, but they need someone to read it for the audio copy. Almost every author who writes a book, pays a voice talent to read for the audio book.
- Radio Spots - Every business that advertises on the radio pays a voice talent to read their scripts for them.
- Animators /Cartoonists – Don’t forget there is actually someone in the studio that makes Spongebob who he is!
- TV Spots – Voices are used in T.V. all of the time ( i.e. Documentaries, Narrations, Commercials, Game Shows).
- Video Games – Most video games need a voice talent. They can animate the characters, but they need a voice to actually give them life.
This is just a few of many options available for voice talents. Just think about how many voices you hear during your average day on radio and TV, they are all getting paid for their art. Imagine turning on your radio, and hearing someone that’s sounds like the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz promoting beauty products, I bet you wouldn’t even consider buying their product just because you automatically associate it with something ugly. The point is, every good product needs a good voice to promote it.
How to get started: If you have a computer and a Internet connection, then your half of the way there. You will need to purchase some recording software, and a good microphone. The best thing to do is start small. You can always upgrade your equipment at a later point. If you start with just recording for small radio spots and pod casters, a $100 digital microphone, and a free download of Audacity (free recording and editing software) should do, but once your ready to start pursuing bigger and better things you will want to upgrade your studio.
Before you start spending money building a studio and purchasing equipment, you better make sure your voice is actually good. You don’t want to be the Wicked Witch. Record some audio of your voice, and send it to a professional. Let them critique you first. Believe it or not, there are many voice coaches out there, and even professional voice talents who work with new talents in the industry (I’ll add some links in the resource section at the bottom of this article).
A great filtered mic will cost you between $800 and $1500. Check into Pro Tools editing software. It’s about $200, and it is used in most professional studios. You will also want to get a mixer, and a pre-amp for your microphone. Find the quietest room in your house, and make it more quiet. Put carpet on the walls and floors, or acoustical tiles to eliminate any noises. They make quiet rooms that you can buy, but you can turn any closet or corner of a room in your house into recording room with minimal effort. For $5000 or less you can build a complete studio, and start recording and editing professional sound from the comfort of your own four walls.
Marketing: Like I always say, marketing is the most important part of building a business. If you don’t market, then your just another pretty voice.
Start by building a portfolio. Record yourself saying totally random things like, reading a book out loud, or reenacting a commercial. At the beginning this will be all you have to promote your voice, but as you do small peices for customers, you will be able to add that to your professional portfolio.
Start a small website with audio of your voice pasted everywhere. You don’t need to add any pictures, just a description of your voice. It is your voice you are selling, not your eyes or your smile. Describe what kind of voices you offer. Do you have a rough manly voice, or a sensual feminine voice. Customers don’t want to have to get a hold of you to hear what you can offer. Be as descriptive as possible, and give as many samples as possible. That way you know when a client calls you for work, it’s serious. They already know they like your voice, that’s why they are calling you.
Twitter, Twitter, Twitter!!! Get on Twitter. Follow every blogger or podcaster you can find. There are tens of thousands of bloggers/podcasters on Twitter. Tell them what you can do for their podcasts. This is a great start. Build your brand by going after your future customers, don’t wait for them to come to you
Join a talent website. There are several voice talent websites out there (check resources at the bottom). You just add your contact information and a demo along with a description of your talents, and wait for orders. When someone finds you through their website, they send you a script they want you to read, then you record it for them and send it back. The talent website will send you your money minus a small fee.
It is hard for a newbie to break the ice in this industry, but once you land your first big job, the hard work is over. Businesses will start seeking you instead of you seeking them.
Summary: If you got it….flaunt it, and charge for it. This is a business you can actually be proud to charge for your services by the minute!
Success Stories:
- Julie Williams: You may have heard Julie in one of your favorite audio books, or on commercials for HGTV, Orbitz.com, Coca-Cola, and Pizza Hut just to name a few. Not only is Julie a very successful voice talent, she also has a free magazine for people interested in joining the industry (Voice Over Insider) with many links for the beginner, and has a free forum for other talents to share information. If you are serious about breaking into the industry, you should really check out her site.
- Lisa Rice: You might recognize her voice from Kroger Commercials to narration on PBS Kids.
- Rick Lance: Has done work for Harley Davidson, Toyota, United Way, and many more. I’m sure you’ve heard him. You just don’t realize it yet.
Resources:
- SaVoa: Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists. You can submit your voice, and pending everyone deems it “Professional” you can become accredited from this organization, and use that for your marketing.
- Voices.com: The number one talent pool. Just send them your demos, make a description of your voice, and wait for orders. They advertise that they are used by; Discovery Channel, ABC, NBC, Nickelodeon, and many more.
- VoPlanet: Similar to Voices.com. Great site organization.
- Pro Tools: Software for recording and editing. The most popular stuff out there.
- Musicians Friend: A great online site to find all of the studio equipment you could ever need.
- Audacity: Free recording and editing software. Great tools, and for FREE!
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Thank you for the information.I think that i have a marketable voice.
Thanks for the comment Kevin. I have a podcast with Julie Williams next week, you should hook up with her, and see how to market it. I’ll have more links up next week.