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REX ANDERSON

VOICE OVER ACTOR

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VO AS A BUSINESS

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.]

Filed Under: VOICE OVER ADVICE Tagged With: VO AS A BUSINESS, VO CAREER, VO PRACTICE

Every Job Feeds Into the Next

VOICE OVER ADVICE, VOICE OVER MARKETING

I was recently interviewed for a college survey project about my career as a voice actor. This is the first time I’ve given an interview because of my VO work. Throughout the interview, I noticed most of my answers had a bent toward marketing and advertising. I hope I didn’t bore my interviewer too much by making the magical world of VO sound like a business 101 lecture. But there was one point I happened to make to that I wanted to explore.

Before Voice Over

I haven’t been a voice actor for very long (I went “full-time” back in October). Before, I was a wedding DJ, maintenance, audio engineer, server, bartender, HUD appraisal manager, IT tech, and graphic artist. As you may imagine, none of these industries have a ton of crossover. But, I’ve taken the skills and tricks I’ve learned from each of these jobs and applied them to my current endeavors.

This is what constructs my unique business approach: You may have sat down to a Pro Tools session in a studio, but have you ever replaced the carpet and tiles in that room? Have you been the delivery guy who brought you lunch? You’ve been a wedding guest, but have you been the valet, server, maitre’d, bartender, and/or DJ? While this may not seem relevant to voiceover, these experiences have shaped my outlook  and informed how I approach challenges. I’ve sold myself as a DJ to brides for years, which taught me all the ropes as far as selling yourself goes. Improv skills help in that realm just as much as behind the mic, by the way.

Your Experiences Make You Who You Are

I couldn’t have built my own home studio without having learned construction on-the-job. I wouldn’t have appreciated the freedom and empowerment running my own business is without having sat in many offices on many boring days. Those memories are the catalyst for building a successful business. And let me tell you, it’s a hell of a good one.

Just Get Up Every Day and Do It

As I progress in my business, now every job feeds into the next by way of word of mouth or repeat business. Even my side hustles align: I’m performing a school assembly, acting in a short film, and producing Meanwhile, at the Skullbase. In five years, who knows? Maybe I’ll be discerning between audiobook work and IVR. A guy can dream.

<3

Rex

Filed Under: VOICE OVER ADVICE, VOICE OVER MARKETING Tagged With: VO AS A BUSINESS, VO CAREER, VO STRATEGY

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