Your other questions:
1) Is it a difficult gig to get into part-time?
There's a lot of v.o. work out there. Difficulty in getting into doing the work varies, based on your market and your own grit and determination.
2) Are there specific hours you need to be available?
In my experience, no ... but clients have frequently booked me because I'm able to be very flexible and turn v.o. material around very quickly.
3) Is the money worth the work?
If you're not careful, booking studio time (for recording) will eat all your profits. A home studio setup (excellent mic, good software, a quiet amp, and sound insulation) can pay off in the long run.
That said: be aware many internet v.o. services are now offering same-day delivery of v.o. products for a rate of five dollars per finished minute of v.o. If you're a one-take wonder with his own studio, producing that one-minute reading may take you five minutes. If you're a beginner renting studio time ... well, you can see that the numbers work against you. ;)
Hope that helps!
There's more to doing voice-overs than having a great voice. Good voice-over artists are actors; every inflection represents a deliberate choice.
Some ways to get started:
1) Get scripts for 30 second spots -- write them, or copy down words from public service announcements and other radio ads. Read these aloud until you're comfortable with them.
2) Book an hour at a professional recording studio or radio station in your area. Record the spots as a way of producing your "instant portfolio."
3) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to radio stations and recording studios in your area. Ask contacts there to recommend you to clients seeking good voices.
4) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to non-profits in your area who do PSAs and radio ads. Offer your services for free. Often, doing so will get you sent to a recording studio or radio station to record a spot or two ... which also expands your list of contacts.
This is a step-by-step formula for a good start. Don't quit the day-job, though: unless you're in a major market, voice-over work is strictly "butter and egg money," as grandma used to say.
Once you have a portfolio and a budding client list, consider a placement at guru.com.
Good luck!
Lots of chat here about Blogger; I'd like to suggest an alternative.
1) Create a standard HTML site with static information: your "brochure," etc.
2) Have one of the major links on the site lead to a blog site posted via TypePad.com.
TypePad is from the folks who created MovableType, the engine that drives a number of my own sites, both personal and self-promotional. If I weren't so heavily invested in MovableType (one you learn how to do it, you hate to give it up!), I'd jump to TypePad for simplicity's sake.
My own Google rankings are quite high ... but that's because I'm committed to relatively frequent updates focused on specific subject matter areas. Real content -- not keyword farms -- gets you good rankings ... and good traffic.
I'd recommend you blog specifically and regularly about what you learn as you work, your process of creation, your challenges, and your successes ... and post links to .mp3s of your work as they become available.
Just an idea! Good luck.
Actually, I'm a bit skeptical of the Skeptic's Dictionary -- or, at least, of its author's motives.
All too often, the entries wander from true Skepticism and venture into simply making light of certain beliefs. In some cases, the author goes so far as to speculate about the psychology behind certain beliefs ... without a shred of concrete evidence to back up what he has to say.
An example: the entry on "Tarot cards" used to be one of the worst of the lot:
"Tarot cards are used mainly in fortune telling ... [and] Tarot cards are usually read by fortune tellers ... [People using Tarot cards suffer from] the need to be guided, to have assistance in making decisions, to be reassured, [and this] may have their roots in unfulfilled childhoods ... Perhaps the many adults seeking occult guidance represent generations of children not guided and directed but tyrannically commanded, not reassured but demeaned, not taught to be masters of their own destiny but taught to be insecure and dependent."
I know a bit about historical and contemporary Tarot, so I dropped the author a note, challenging his two unsupported assertions (Could he prove Tarot cards are used *mainly* in fortune telling and *usually* by fortune tellers?) and asking him to justify the extended pop-psychology analysis of people he'd never met.
I never received a reply, and my detailed comments never made the comments page ... but the entry was edited, quickly and quietly, to remove the assertions and bizarre psychological speculations.
So it goes.
Like others, I've lurked at MetaFilter for ages. I'm intrigued by the idea of a community where people delight in saying, "Hey, look at this! It's neat!" and others chime in with their commentary and opinions.
I came to MonkeyFilter, though, because I belive that sort of experience, in order to be truly satisfying, must be *interactive.*
I want the option and opportunity to participate. Without that dimension, reading a site like this one becomes just another exercise in isolated passivity. At this point, MetaFilter, for example, might just as well be a television show where hosts refer to web pages (or, lately, anti-Bush news stories) and panel members shout "Seen it before!", "Atta boy!", or "Worse FFP ... [audience joins in] *evah!*"
I'm not bashing the site, which I still occasionally enjoy; instead, I'm hoping to remind them of what they've lost.
Meanwhile: how refreshing to find MonkeyFilter, where the simian metaphor tends to keep conversation light-hearted and free-swinging -- and where anyone, anyone at all, can still join in the discussion.
It says something about MonkeyFilter that most of the suggestions for improvement offered so far are purely cosmetic.
Keep up the great work; meanwhile, I'll work harder to be a better contributor.
Next week, I'll ship my publisher the manuscript of my fifth book. Frankly? Stacey's story -- at least, as presented in the article -- strikes me as more than a little whiny.
Admittedly, there are big differences in what we're doing and how we're doing it.
I took several topics I felt passionate about (corporate training, brainstorming consulting, and, of all things, Tarot cards), blended them (brainstorming with Tarot cards, anyone?), and created a unique approach.
I made contact with the communities where my readers would be, both on-line and in the real world. (Not hard to do, since I have a genuine interest in the things I write about and a genuine passion for creativity consulting and Tarot.)
As a result, I was around when a brilliant acquisitions editor from Llewellyn Worldwide popped onto one of my Internet groups and asked, "Anyone here writing a book?"
So: now I've completed six projects (all limited-appeal books for a niche market) for a small, independent publisher. And you know what? I'm delighted.
- I'm touring the country, running workshops, making appearances, and enjoying signings at independent and chain stores.
- I'm blessed with two incredible Llewellyn publicists who have engineered an amazing eleventh-hour boost in my first book's sales by landing me some great media appearances and by getting the material into the hands of creative folks who need it most.
- I'm blessed to be working with an established but innovative small publisher who lets me try all kinds of cock-eyed promotional schemes, including posting the entire text of the first book to the web in order to generate interest in it and the following books in the series.
- I'm having the time of my life. I'm meeting amazing people through the website I created for readers, traveling up a storm, and seeing my ideas help people generate insights and get work done faster.
I'm by no means on anyone's best seller list, but I'm having a ball, I'm living my dream, and I'm making a living as a writer. (Well, I also do some voice acting and consulting on the side.)
With all due respect to Stacey Sullivan, this tiny fish is just too busy working and writing to worry about his books vanishing into the sea of forgotten books.
Your other questions: 1) Is it a difficult gig to get into part-time? There's a lot of v.o. work out there. Difficulty in getting into doing the work varies, based on your market and your own grit and determination. 2) Are there specific hours you need to be available? In my experience, no ... but clients have frequently booked me because I'm able to be very flexible and turn v.o. material around very quickly. 3) Is the money worth the work? If you're not careful, booking studio time (for recording) will eat all your profits. A home studio setup (excellent mic, good software, a quiet amp, and sound insulation) can pay off in the long run. That said: be aware many internet v.o. services are now offering same-day delivery of v.o. products for a rate of five dollars per finished minute of v.o. If you're a one-take wonder with his own studio, producing that one-minute reading may take you five minutes. If you're a beginner renting studio time ... well, you can see that the numbers work against you. ;) Hope that helps!
posted by MadeByMark 18 years ago
There's more to doing voice-overs than having a great voice. Good voice-over artists are actors; every inflection represents a deliberate choice. Some ways to get started: 1) Get scripts for 30 second spots -- write them, or copy down words from public service announcements and other radio ads. Read these aloud until you're comfortable with them. 2) Book an hour at a professional recording studio or radio station in your area. Record the spots as a way of producing your "instant portfolio." 3) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to radio stations and recording studios in your area. Ask contacts there to recommend you to clients seeking good voices. 4) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to non-profits in your area who do PSAs and radio ads. Offer your services for free. Often, doing so will get you sent to a recording studio or radio station to record a spot or two ... which also expands your list of contacts. This is a step-by-step formula for a good start. Don't quit the day-job, though: unless you're in a major market, voice-over work is strictly "butter and egg money," as grandma used to say. Once you have a portfolio and a budding client list, consider a placement at guru.com. Good luck!
posted by MadeByMark 18 years ago
In "Curious George: I'd like to start a blog."
Lots of chat here about Blogger; I'd like to suggest an alternative. 1) Create a standard HTML site with static information: your "brochure," etc. 2) Have one of the major links on the site lead to a blog site posted via TypePad.com. TypePad is from the folks who created MovableType, the engine that drives a number of my own sites, both personal and self-promotional. If I weren't so heavily invested in MovableType (one you learn how to do it, you hate to give it up!), I'd jump to TypePad for simplicity's sake. My own Google rankings are quite high ... but that's because I'm committed to relatively frequent updates focused on specific subject matter areas. Real content -- not keyword farms -- gets you good rankings ... and good traffic. I'd recommend you blog specifically and regularly about what you learn as you work, your process of creation, your challenges, and your successes ... and post links to .mp3s of your work as they become available. Just an idea! Good luck.
posted by MadeByMark 19 years ago
In "The Skeptic's Dictionary"
Actually, I'm a bit skeptical of the Skeptic's Dictionary -- or, at least, of its author's motives. All too often, the entries wander from true Skepticism and venture into simply making light of certain beliefs. In some cases, the author goes so far as to speculate about the psychology behind certain beliefs ... without a shred of concrete evidence to back up what he has to say. An example: the entry on "Tarot cards" used to be one of the worst of the lot: "Tarot cards are used mainly in fortune telling ... [and] Tarot cards are usually read by fortune tellers ... [People using Tarot cards suffer from] the need to be guided, to have assistance in making decisions, to be reassured, [and this] may have their roots in unfulfilled childhoods ... Perhaps the many adults seeking occult guidance represent generations of children not guided and directed but tyrannically commanded, not reassured but demeaned, not taught to be masters of their own destiny but taught to be insecure and dependent." I know a bit about historical and contemporary Tarot, so I dropped the author a note, challenging his two unsupported assertions (Could he prove Tarot cards are used *mainly* in fortune telling and *usually* by fortune tellers?) and asking him to justify the extended pop-psychology analysis of people he'd never met. I never received a reply, and my detailed comments never made the comments page ... but the entry was edited, quickly and quietly, to remove the assertions and bizarre psychological speculations. So it goes.
posted by MadeByMark 19 years ago
In "Worry us, flurry us, new monkeys:"
Like others, I've lurked at MetaFilter for ages. I'm intrigued by the idea of a community where people delight in saying, "Hey, look at this! It's neat!" and others chime in with their commentary and opinions. I came to MonkeyFilter, though, because I belive that sort of experience, in order to be truly satisfying, must be *interactive.* I want the option and opportunity to participate. Without that dimension, reading a site like this one becomes just another exercise in isolated passivity. At this point, MetaFilter, for example, might just as well be a television show where hosts refer to web pages (or, lately, anti-Bush news stories) and panel members shout "Seen it before!", "Atta boy!", or "Worse FFP ... [audience joins in] *evah!*" I'm not bashing the site, which I still occasionally enjoy; instead, I'm hoping to remind them of what they've lost. Meanwhile: how refreshing to find MonkeyFilter, where the simian metaphor tends to keep conversation light-hearted and free-swinging -- and where anyone, anyone at all, can still join in the discussion. It says something about MonkeyFilter that most of the suggestions for improvement offered so far are purely cosmetic. Keep up the great work; meanwhile, I'll work harder to be a better contributor.
posted by MadeByMark 19 years ago
In "A tiny fish in the vast ocean of books"
Next week, I'll ship my publisher the manuscript of my fifth book. Frankly? Stacey's story -- at least, as presented in the article -- strikes me as more than a little whiny. Admittedly, there are big differences in what we're doing and how we're doing it. I took several topics I felt passionate about (corporate training, brainstorming consulting, and, of all things, Tarot cards), blended them (brainstorming with Tarot cards, anyone?), and created a unique approach. I made contact with the communities where my readers would be, both on-line and in the real world. (Not hard to do, since I have a genuine interest in the things I write about and a genuine passion for creativity consulting and Tarot.) As a result, I was around when a brilliant acquisitions editor from Llewellyn Worldwide popped onto one of my Internet groups and asked, "Anyone here writing a book?" So: now I've completed six projects (all limited-appeal books for a niche market) for a small, independent publisher. And you know what? I'm delighted. - I'm touring the country, running workshops, making appearances, and enjoying signings at independent and chain stores. - I'm blessed with two incredible Llewellyn publicists who have engineered an amazing eleventh-hour boost in my first book's sales by landing me some great media appearances and by getting the material into the hands of creative folks who need it most. - I'm blessed to be working with an established but innovative small publisher who lets me try all kinds of cock-eyed promotional schemes, including posting the entire text of the first book to the web in order to generate interest in it and the following books in the series. - I'm having the time of my life. I'm meeting amazing people through the website I created for readers, traveling up a storm, and seeing my ideas help people generate insights and get work done faster. I'm by no means on anyone's best seller list, but I'm having a ball, I'm living my dream, and I'm making a living as a writer. (Well, I also do some voice acting and consulting on the side.) With all due respect to Stacey Sullivan, this tiny fish is just too busy working and writing to worry about his books vanishing into the sea of forgotten books.
posted by MadeByMark 19 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)