As 2021 is winding down and we're gearing up for 2022, here is some voiceover advice to chew on...
There is a massive amount of voiceover advice on the internet. Some from reputable coaches & wise voice actors, others from predatory demo mills and sophomoric newbs.
While many are happy to offer voiceover advice (some for exorbitant rates), most don't tell you the truth: the vast majority of people who try to do voiceovers for a living will fail.
Hard.
Most have limited talent, limited skill sets, limited resources, limited discipline, and a limited understanding of self.
Most have massive egos, Imposter Syndrome, inferiority complexes, and a warped perception of how the voiceover industry actually works.
And you know what? It doesn't matter.
TIP OF THE YEAR
This is probably the best voiceover advice I can give you...
If doing voiceovers for a living is truly important to you, if it brings you unadulterated joy, then do everything you can to make it happen. Maximize your talent. Develop as many skills as you can as best as you can.
But be smart about it. Be passionate but patient. Don't do it on the cheap. Do your research. Work with professional coaches and produce professional demos. There are a lot of aspiring voice actors out there with more talent, time, and money than you so if you're going to do this, do it right.
And most importantly; ignore the critics and the doubters. Surround yourself with people who can help you be the best version of yourself.
Do everything you can to be an effective voice actor. And if you fail, fail with no excuses.
RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS
Here is where I occasionally suggest stuff that may help your voiceover business. Some of these suggestions may include an Amazon Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you click on the link and purchase the item in question, I get a few cents at no extra cost to you.
Today's recommendation: microphone stands! I heartily recommend the Proline MS235 floor mic stand.
This is the first and only floor mic stand I've ever bought and probably the only one I'll ever need. It's sturdy, well-balanced, and very reasonably priced.
You can see more recommendations at my Studio Gear & Recommendations page.
NEWS AND NOTES
Here is an almost complete list of the classes I'm teaching in the first quarter of 2022. Registration is open for pretty much all of them so sign up right now. More classes will be added soon so stay tuned...!
Sat, Jan 08: Set Your Goals for 2022! (The Voice Actors Studio)
Thu, Jan 13: VO How-To: Build Your Marketing Campaign
Thu, Jan 20: Working Your Workflow (MAVO)
Mon, Jan 24: Building a Winning Website (Edge Studio)
Thu, Jan 27: VO How-To: Smaller VO Market Mastery
Thu, Feb 17: VO How-To: Get Your Act Together for 2022
Thu, Feb 24: VO How-To: Mastering Project Management
Thu, Mar 03: VO How-To: Explainers Explained
Thu, Mar 24: VO How-To: Filing Your Taxes
No blog next week! Enjoy the the holidays, be safe, and happy voicing!
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Games Day and Ribbon Candy Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Tom Dheere is the VO Strategist, a voice over business & marketing coach and demo producer since 2011. He is also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voiceover you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.