In the past few weeks I have spoken to a few talent who decided to venture into the voiceover world. Many have either mentioned specific companies or actually made demos with people who claim they are making a top notch demo.
Unfortunately, not one of these has been the competitive demo that a voice over artist needs.
If you are interested in getting into voiceover, here’s the steps you need to take:
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- Coaching, this should take at least several months of one on one coaching with a professional. I can recommended many, their rates are about $150.00 – $300.00 per hour per each coaching session. Once your coach decides you are ready for a demo, they will tell you.
- Get the demo. Most demos are at least $2000.00 if not more.
- Set up editing training. Ideally you would take a full course in Audacity or Adobe Audition. These classes typically take about 6 weeks or so.
- Set up your home studio. You will need to purchase equipment for your studio. It’s always best to speak to the pros – ideally those who taught you editing to guide you for your beginner purchase. Additionally it’s good to get your studio tested by pros in the industry before you start recording.
- Either get on a pay to play or start submitting to agents. Make sure to include your training in both voiceover and editing coaching, your studio equipment and your professionalism. Many agents require a vo test to see if you are a good fit. Be prepared for this.
- Just because you get a new demo does not mean you are automatically now a voice over artist at Impressive Talent.
A professional demo is always a hand written customized script. The script is entertaining and full of current big brands. Because these scripts are hand written and on a demo you are protected from copyright issues. Each second of these demos is professionally engineered to make each spot exciting, unique and one of a kind.
What I have heard is either spots that just have music in the background, or some with no music at all! Adding music to the background of a demo is not competitive. Having demos professionally engineered by top demo producers is.
So if you see a great deal, getting a demo for anywhere between $200.00 – $2000.00 and it’s a PACKAGE deal, run from it and know you will not end up with a competitive demo, especially if it’s a super deal done in one or two months.
I am putting a list of some top demo makers below for you to check out if you’d like:
jmcvoiceover.com
https://www.demosthatrock.com/
https://www.anneganguzza.com/voiceover-demo-production
Then we’ve got Larry who is the editing king in my mind: larryhudsonvo.com. You cannot be a voice over artist without full training in editing your audio files with each audition recording.
If you are currently coaching to get a quick demo, please reconsider. You do not suddenly become a voice over artist. You train, work at it and get constructive advice. If you pay for a cheap demo, you get a cheap demo. That is not beneficial to anyone.
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