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REX ANDERSON

VOICE OVER ACTOR

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Your Efforts Add Up…But Only If You Make Them

VOICE OVER MARKETING

My best friend and his wife visited this weekend to see my band Random Battles play and see our beautiful new house and of course Aria, and we had an in-depth conversation about reconnecting with our past selves as a way of moving forward in our lives. Highlighting the people we’ve met, the friends we’ve lost touch with along the way, and how everything seems to come down to willpower and our own efforts, be it in work or relationships or eating and brushing your teeth. As daunting and maybe unfair as it is, the truth is that after a certain age, everything really is completely up to you and your ability to put energy forth into the world.

A Voice Over Actor and Stay at Home Dad

I’m a stay at home dad now. A client referred to me as such recently during a nice, casual session over Source-Connect (which is very nice and I love every chance I get to use it since it means I don’t have to edit), another reminder of why my job is great and that I should appreciate that more. Nobody had really put it that way to me yet, and it sounded odd to me at first. In my head I was like, well, no, I’m a voice actor. So that means inherently that I mostly work from home… so, yeah, I AM a stay-at-home dad by definition, too. Huh.

Also, that home is owned by my wife and me, so, that’s another job. Beyond cooking and cleaning, there are structural and mechanical repairs that need to be made, improvements needed to increase value and survive this ludicrous amount of rain we’ve been getting, renovations to the loft I’ve started but not finished, stuff we knew about from the home reports and stupidly postponed. A lot of stuff we didn’t and needed to address immediately.

Doing Your Vo Work Daily Takes Discipline

It’s an incredible amount of work and mental energy to maintain a home. With a fresh, new baby in it which, turns out, needs like 60% of your life force on a daily basis (in a…good…way?). While also needing to force yourself to do every single job required to make your VO career work. I really took that time I had not fathering for granted, because I’m feeling the effects of the reduction of effort I’ve been applying to my career. I’m learning about feast and famine on a much longer term scale than I’ve ever had to deal with before. I’m seeing my competition -ahem- I mean other voiceover talent pulling up beside me, appearing in my immediate surroundings, becoming more numerous and skilled and well-marketed, and I don’t know how to feel about that. And most scarily of all, I know what I don’t know about my abilities as a one man business owner, performer, and engineer. Basically, I’m realizing that I cut corners early on and I need to rebuild again.

But there is always hope.

Marketing Efforts Work If You Put the Work In

I recently booked a job, coming through my site (10,000% the best way to hire me, if there’s any question about that, regardless of how you found me, btw) that had retained my information from an introductory marketing email. From 2014. Probably four months after I started, probably touting demos that were not…good, considering I never put much money into coaching and made them myself in a studio I built…myself. Look, I’m bad at asking for help and have always gotten by doing everything myself, and I’m trying to change that.

Anyway.

The email had VO in the subject head, she kept it, did a search and saw my newer, God-I-hope improved site, and booked me. Which felt really nice, knowing even my paltry, unanswered opening cold email was eventually read and did a lot more than I could expect it to without me doing anything but be the professional I am today.

So even though marketing can be a droll slog and auditioning is literally screaming into the void on a daily basis, you gotta do it. Consistently too. And keep learning. Keep figuring out tiny nuggets of information like how to incorporate and do your taxes properly and navigate the worlds of insurance, health care, industry banking, investments, home ownership, fatherhood, and the like. And when you realize you need help, ask for it. Hard work does pay off, and so does easy work. So do. It’s not…THAT hard, I guess. You do have a lifetime to figure it out, so there’s that.

<3

Rex

Leaving Midgar

VOICE OVER ADVICE

One of my fondest video game memories is the 90 hours or so I plunked into Final Fantasy VII as a kid. The whole first act of the game takes place in Midgar, an oppressive, gloomy city, carved out in claustrophobic corridors. It’s dank, trashed out, and the sun literally never shines there. There’s a scrappy underdog quality to everything you do there; it’s not great, but it’s home, and you’ve got your little niche (it’s basically terrorism, but you know, good guy terrorism). About eight hours in, however, you up and leave the city, suddenly thrusting your party into the whole wide world, which up until then I wasn’t even sure existed in this game. This blew my mind when I was a kid. Now we were no longer scavengers scraping by in a totalitarian hellhole, barely escaping with our lives. Now, we had to…to..

..wait, what do we do next?

The Business of Doing Business

The anxiety of suddenly having an entire world to play in was exhilarating and more than a little overwhelming. I think I’m at that point with my voiceover career right now. I wake up, try to do normal human things like eat breakfast, brush my teeth, have my coffee, take my daughter for our morning walk, then…stare at the mountain of possibilities.

Do I straighten one of those corners I cut getting here? That would mean finding a coach, booking a demo session, or sessions, with a professional, and likely undergoing weeks of training. OR! I could scrounge on VDC (I know, I’m not proud of it) and Upwork and the other places I recently added myself to in the hopes of sussing out some bucks.

OR! I could revamp my website and have a good long think about my basically non-existent branding and get that all fixed and in place so I can market properly… as soon as I get these new demos that I think I need with the training I should do and also I need a lawyer and to talk through my new business structure with my CPA and hell! I haven’t even thought about, you know, auditioning for jobs or warming up and practicing.

Need agents and contacts with production houses for more opportunities, better get on stalking websites and emailing and cold calling people. But is my gear good enough? Could I have more options for delivery? Would that help? Is the studio space I’m building out right now going to cut it? Better start planning phase two.

Getting Started in Voice Over is The Easy Part

I guess you could say I’m getting a little bogged down with all the realities of maintaining a voiceover business. Let this be a warning to you newcomers: be careful what you wish for. Maintaining your career is, in my opinion, much more difficult than breaking in. That’s the part that will determine whether or not you’re wasting your time. After that, the clock starts ticking. There’s constant pressure to fix and do and reach out and expand. Should I make a political demo/is my commercial demo not enough? That’s a whole other field of marketing I also know little about. I’m realizing how behind the 8-ball I was with the business-y, boring side of things, that I now need to balance those scales to remain viable, instead of getting increasingly bogged down with weird, one-off gigs from jobs boards and other low ROI activities that have been all too prevalent this year.

Solopreneur, Give Thyself a Break

I’m probably being too hard on myself. This is a never-ending learning experience, after all, and I can’t expect myself to perfect every aspect of running a business with no prior business education, or really, much interest behind being a freelancer who doesn’t get screwed at tax time. There’s also that ‘being a new homeowner and father’ thing I need to deal with on a constant basis. Mostly, I just need to get back to a point where I’m doing good work I’m proud of again and making enough money walk through the door doing it.

It’s a refinement rather than a do-over, and that’s something to remember. This career, once you’ve started, is yours forever to do with what you will. Just remember to breathe (from your diaphragm), appreciate what you do have without lamenting what you don’t, and be gentle with yourself. The world, especially in the entertainment business, will do a perfectly good job of beating you up all on its own. Be your own advocate, and be your own biggest fan. And just get through the work, at least that which needs to be done.

If you feel like you’re going in circles, then find a new path. A new podcast, a new book. Spend a ton of money going to one of those VO conventions. There’s eventually going to be an internal struggle to stay interested (if you’re anything like me). Persevere. From what I hear, having a real job still really sucks.

<3

Circlin’ The Wagons Back to Those Old Freelance Sites

VOICE OVER MARKETING

Fiverr. Upwork. Mandy. Guru. I’ve been revisiting my entire structure lately, figuring out how to make something more sustainable and consistent, and less reliant on commercial work. Which is fantastic, of course, but not the most…well, consistent. Or reliable.

And reliable is what I need now that I have a baby and I’m kinda freaking out all the time.

It’s wise to have a ‘diversified portfolio’ of sources for your VO work, as a wise person once told me. Commercial work is great in the places you can find it, but there’s direct marketing, P2P’s, building your own website/web presence…

…And those freelance sites you (I) may have frequented in the past, but have lately all but ignored (like me). Are they worth revisiting?

Let’s find out!

Using Fiverr For Voice Over: Is It Really Only Five Dollars?

Evidently you can charge whatever you want on Fiverr nowadays, debunked a common criticism of selling yourself for five dollars. I’ve heard enough hullabaloo around the internet about people making most of their VO income from tons of short ‘n’ sweet, low-paying gigs from Fiverr, and from looking at some of the profiles on there, it definitely looks to be working for some folk.

Back when the default rate was $5, I and most of my ilk and creed turned our collective nose up at Fiverr, but you know what? I have a daughter to feed now. I have a mortgage.

Plus you can charge whatever you want, effectively making it Whateverr (which I think is a better name anyway). So, it’s all fixed now?

Well not entirely. The possible reputation hit taken by being associated with Fiverr can still bite you in the butt in some situations. Plus, the ridiculous number of hoops needing to be jumped through just to make an honest product available is too much for me. There’s a weird science to making cheap looking VO rates, but padding them with tons of little add-ons in order to build it back up to a standard rate. It feels disingenuous.

Ultimately, I’ve decided to keep away for now.

Upwork Increases Its Support for Voice Over Actors

Upwork now has the ability to save much more specific service profiles than in the past, giving you the ability to make a Voice Over profile complete with samples, spaces for testimonials, a client list, certifications, and more, much like a LinkedIn or VDC profile.

It also displays an hourly rate, which is where Upwork hasn’t changed.

Quoting clients on Upwork feels a bit like cramming a round peg in a square hole. As my projects tend to be charged per finished minute, per word, or per project, only one of Upwork’s two rate models is really usable for VO actors, unless you make an agreement ahead of time what ‘hours’ really means. Currently I have a project where the finished minute, how I usually charge for e-Learning voice over work, is represented by an hour, for example. It’d be nice to see this aspect of Upwork expanded upon, but it’s still workable if you get a bit creative with it.

Mandy and Guru Profiles for Voice Over

I’ve honestly never seen any real leads come through either of these sources. I’ve had profiles up for as long as I’ve been in business, and for whatever reason, they’re both ghost towns in my experience. It’s very possible someone else’s experience has been different, but I did not find the activity available on other platforms here.

There’s a lot of potential out there, and it feels like the competition has really stepped up, so it’s time to recheck the ole game plan and fortify those marketing efforts.

That, and maybe I’m feeling a little ‘conscious incompetent’ and realizing the transition from that to competence is scary and hard. Hoo boy.

Did I mention I had a baby recently?

Hoo boy.

<3

Rex

[update: this blog was updated on April 27, 2021.]

Five Random VO Tips and Tricks

VOICE OVER ADVICE

In no particular order, here’s some random voice over related stuff that might be good to know:

Source-Connect Standard has a map feature

The map can show you everyone in the world who has or has had an account. These people are mostly all studios, production houses, and fellow VO actors. This could be an excellent place to research potential leads.

SearchTempest.com aggregates all of Craig’s List

This makes every Craig’s List in every city searchable, in its entirety, at once. People occasionally post things other than LOOKING TO BE THE NEXT BEYONCE READY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD?! Not often, but sometime, and maybe you can find them before Bill Dewees does! It also includes eBay, but I find this less useful more…interesting?

Don’t close your mouth while performing VO

It makes this little noise every time you open it back up that must be edited out afterwards. You’d think after five and half years I’d break this habit, but..

Look Into Incorporating Your Business

If you’re making a decent amount of money as a sole proprietor, look at incorporating to potentially reduce your tax burden. It can be complicated if you don’t have a business background, (like, ahem…well, that’s not important…) but CPA’s are inexpensive, so don’t be timid about reaching out to one for help. Having things like an official payroll system can give you credibility and accountability when seeking loans or lines of credit. Plus, look: this is America. We clearly value corporations above freelancers, and it shows in our tax code.

Your VO Microphone Logo

Profile picture of a microphone instead of you or your logo? Please stop. I know what a microphone looks like, and it doesn’t look like you. You are not your Sennheiser MKH416, you are a person, and you are beautiful.

Now if your logo was a DRAWING of a mic…

<3

Rex

I Bet You Thought This Would Be All Fun and Games

VOICE OVER ADVICE

It’s just talking, you said. It’s the easiest job in the world, you assured yourself. You love talking in goofy voices, and look, you even own a microphone! Easy peasy.

Not so fast there, buddy. There’s a lot more to consider.

Voice Over is a Business First and an Art Second

Do you know how to make an invoice? How about creating an invoicing system that can track client names, pull up anything from any year you’ve been in business in a couple clicks? Do you like tracking all of your expenses and keeping reports on them? How about marketing and advertising, writing your own blogs, building your own web site (with samples, client list, rate sheet, a call to action, effective layout…), or developing the engineering skills to make demo after demo after demo as needed? Do you have enough liquid cash on hand to be an exhibitor at a convention, or to build a soundproof booth in your house, or to buy the equipment and software you need to be competitive? Does dealing with delinquent clients, renegotiating/auditioning/arguing with longtime clients every time they have a new project, or creating an LLC or corporation complete with accounts, books, payroll, and quarterly taxes sound fun?

Time Behind the Mic is Precious, and Transient

This doesn’t scratch the surface of what your actual job is as a voice actor. That bit behind the mic is icing on the cake. Hell, I barely mentioned auditioning, which you’ll be doing a ton. If you’re lucky enough to suss out all the various sources of auditions, convincing them to put you on their rolls, so you can START trying to get actual ‘work’.

If you’ve ever been unemployed, looking on jobs boards, filling out online resumes and writing cover letters ad nauseum, know that looking for voiceover work is basically a cooler version of that, but forever. You get all the freedom and anxiety and night terrors that come with unemployment, but you’re actually working the whole time. There are peaks and valleys, and it can really screw with you mentally and emotionally.

Plus, you know, you’re going to be isolated. Often. Not super fun.

40,000 Hours or Ten Years, Whatever Comes First

That said, I’m over five years in, and I keep hearing that I have to starve for ten years before this thing really busts wide open. I guess I’ll report back in five years and see if there’s validity to that statement. And it’s not to say I’m starving, exactly. I wouldn’t call this the most stable job I’ve ever had, but I’ve never been as invested in anything I’ve ever done before in my life. And it’s the most rewarding job I could ever do. And so far, somehow, my house is still standing and my daughter is still well-fed and happy, so I guess I’m doing my job. My wife pointed out that I am a voice actor. Not someone trying to break into voiceover, not a guy looking to do something…I am a voice actor. That feels really good.

So no, it’s not all fun and games, but is it worth it? Only you can answer that for yourself. I say it every few posts, but I’ll say it again – this isn’t a part time gig you flit in and out of. This is a lifestyle. It’s got to be part of who you are, not just one of the things you do. You have to put up with a mountain of BS, then shove it all aside to perform. Otherwise, what good are you to your client?

<3

Rex

[update: this blog was updated April 27, 2021.]

Five Voice-Over Books You Need to Read

SOLOPRENEUR, VOICE OVER RESOURCES

Got eyes, a few bucks, and a way to read e-books? Good! Educate yourself!

1. There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is by Elaine A Clarke

The Bible according to Elaine. This book is one I come back to every year or so because it’s just that damn good. It’s your trusty all-in-one handbook on the world of voiceover. It’s great coming back to see what information I’ve actually digested and what behaviors I’ve developed as a result. How to breathe, how to interpret copy, how to identify and fix everything wrong about your delivery and how you use a mic; the differences between stage and studio acting; breakdowns of every type and style of VO and how to do them. If you’re just getting into VO, or need a guiding light once in a while, get this book immediately. I cannot recommend it enough.

2. How to Build a Six-Figure Voice Over Business by BIll DeWees

Bill is a fantastic wellspring of information. Look him up on YouTube and you’ll see a treasure trove of tidbits that lead to real breakthroughs. He’s a very down-to-earth teacher with a lot of great stuff to impart. His book helped me build a daily routine of finding work in unlikely places. He also has a starkly different mindset when it comes to voiceover rates and work in general. I appreciate his grittier, survive at all costs approach, which helps to put the obsession with rates and fairness into perspective.

3. Sound Advice: Voiceover From an Audio Engineer’s Perspective by Dan Friedman

A man after my own heart. I love me some gear, and so does Dan. This book’s all about the gear you’ll use to bring your voice to the masses. If you don’t know your condensers from your dynamic mics, or have any clue about compression/limiting, EQ, or other technical aspects of the job, YOU NEED TO LEARN. There is no way you’re getting away with not having at least some technical know-how anymore, and this is a great resource that keeps the focus squarely on the needs and wants of the voice actor.

4. VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor by Harlan Hogan

This book is enjoyable to re-read largely due to its narrative emphasis. Every other chapter is an anecdote about an average (or not-so-average) day on the job, with an interstitial chapter hammering home the points. It’s a unique perspective told in an entertaining way. It’s even got a wealth of old and new school marketing techniques, some of which I’ve still been too chicken to implement (sending your clients a humorous daily calendar takes the cake).

5. Making Money in Your PJs by Paul Strikwerda

Mr. Strikwerda doesn’t mince words. I like his work, as he’s very realistic about VO as a business, and he doesn’t mind being gruff about it. If you dislike Bill DeWees’ survival at any price point model of soaking up work, consider the steadfast resolution of Paul Strikwerda’s ironclad rate sheet. He is one of the most vocal proponents of the dignity of the job – a fair rate for good work. It’s simple, elegant, and he cuts a lot of the bullshit to the quick. Definitely a must-have in any solopreneur’s collection.

There are a ton of other great resources out there. Get ye down the rabbit hole!

<3

Rex