Remember the Basics
During a booking slump or plateau, assess your hireability on online casting platforms to identify areas for improvement:
- Follow directions precisely, including artistic directions and style requests
- Maintain good audio quality with high-quality recording equipment and an acoustically treated space.
- Target suitable roles that align with your strengths, accent(s), and voice age.
- Deliver exceptional acting performances, capturing emotions and intentions effectively.
- Don’t let the frustration you are experiencing bring negativity into the read or take away necessary performance energy. Almost all brands want to be associated with a positive sound.
- Optimize your profile, showcasing your experience, training, and achievements.
- Respond promptly to audition invitations and submit auditions within deadlines.
- Provide auditions at appropriate volume levels, ensuring clarity without distortion.
- Keep your profile and profile picture updated with recent information that is cohesive with your sound and voice over brand.
Peer Feedback Group
By creating a community of trusted peers, you can receive constructive feedback on your auditions and performances, collaborate with fellow voice actors, exchange ideas, share insights, and collectively help each other grow and improve.
Start by reaching out to fellow voice over artists who you trust and respect. These can be individuals you have worked with in the past, met through industry events, or connected with through online platforms or forums.
Look for individuals who are dedicated to their craft, have a diverse range of experiences, and are willing to provide honest and constructive feedback.
Establish a system for sharing and reviewing each other’s work. This can be done through online platforms, email exchanges, or virtual/in-person meetings if possible.
At Voices, we regularly host webinars that involve peer feedback.
Participating in a peer feedback group offers multiple benefits.
It provides an additional set of ears and perspectives on your work, helping you identify blind spots and areas for growth. It also fosters a sense of community and support, where you can share successes, challenges, and resources with like-minded individuals who understand the industry.
Remaining Adaptable
Navigating your voice acting career requires adaptability and a keen awareness of changing trends as you grow older.
It’s important to recognize that the industry evolves, and what may have worked for you in the past may not necessarily yield the same results in the future.
Here’s how to effectively navigate your acting career and the dangers of remaining stagnant.
- Embrace Change: Stay informed about emerging trends, industry shifts, and evolving audience preferences. This allows you to identify new opportunities and adjust your approach accordingly. Be open to exploring different genres, mediums, and character types to expand your range and appeal to a broader audience.
- Self-Assessment: Continuously evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of growth. Understand what has worked for you in the past and how you can leverage those successes to propel your career forward. Take stock of your unique qualities and attributes that set you apart from others, and get feedback from clients on how your voice is perceived commercially.
- Continuous Learning: Never stop learning and honing your craft. Hire a voice over coach at least for a yearly check-up, take acting classes, attend workshops, and seek guidance from professional peers to refine your skills.
- Networking and Relationships: Cultivate relationships within the industry by networking with casting directors, agents, fellow actors, and industry influencers. Maintain a strong online presence, engage in industry events, and participate in professional organizations to expand your connections and stay relevant.
It is important to note that some voice actors may find it challenging to move past a career slump because they haven’t thoroughly analyzed what was working for them during their previous successes. Understanding the factors that contributed to your past achievements can provide valuable insights into your strengths, unique qualities, and effective strategies. Take the time to reflect on your successful projects, the characters you portrayed exceptionally well, and the feedback you received.
Beating The Shortlist
Getting shortlisted for many voice over jobs but still experiencing a booking slump can be attributed to several factors.
One possible reason is the specific requirements of the clients. Each project has its own criteria and preferences, such as vocal qualities, delivery style, or accent. Even if you consistently make it to the shortlist, certain projects may simply require a different voice or style that aligns more closely with the client’s vision.
Your reads might be great, however someone else just has to be a little bit better to beat you, so every little bit helps, as voice over artists with similar skills and experience may be auditioning for the same roles, making it more challenging to secure the job.
The decision-making process is subjective, and factors such as personal preferences or chemistry with the client may come into play, making the selection process even more nuanced.
To increase your chances of winning jobs, it’s essential to continually enhance your skills, stay updated with industry trends, and adapt to the evolving needs of clients.
Seek feedback from industry professionals, engage in professional development opportunities, and invest in building strong relationships within the industry.
Networking, marketing yourself effectively, and maintaining a strong online presence can also contribute to winning more voice over jobs.
Remember, the voice over industry requires a combination of talent, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing demands. While shortlisting is a positive sign of your potential, securing bookings may require additional factors to align perfectly.
Stay determined, continuously improve your craft, and seize opportunities to showcase your unique abilities.