When you’re starting out in VO, it can take time to book jobs. If you want to start building your VO portfolio, creating some momentum and voicing projects to share, here are 6 creative ways to start building your portfolio.
SIX CREATIVE WAYS TO BUILD YOUR VO PORTFOLIO
1| YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION
Mike and I started in radio and they were always in need of a convenient voice, even in a market like Atlanta. (Convenient meaning: someone in the “sales pit” wrote copy for a client and needed to find a VO quickly.)
Some radio commercials are sent by agencies but some spots are done in-house. For those, there are only so many times Tony from sales or on-air can voice them. Our sales department would constantly pull in whomever they could find to voice a spot (not mattering if they sounded good or not!).
When you reach out, remember these things:
- Contact the Production Director (or ask who is in charge of production)
- Send them your demo so they can hear a sample of what you do
- Let them know you’re just beginning in VO and would love to voice any spots they have for free (for the next 6 months to a year OR just say the first spot is free…put a boundary on it). Most likely, if you’ve already done even the tiniest bit of training, you’ll be light years ahead of whoever they have on staff!
- Let them know you have a broadcast quality home studio (if you actually do)
- Share your turnaround time – meaning if they have a spot for you to voice at 10am on a Tuesday, can you get it to them by end of business day? Or by the next day? Sooner? (Sometimes that’s better!) Just communicate what you CANdo.
If they send you work, make sure to ask them if you could get a copy of the finished spot. This way, in the event that you don’t have a demo yet, you at least have an example of work you’ve done!
2| IVR
Most local, small businesses don’t have a budget to pay someone to do their phone system. If there’s a business you frequent, ask if they need their phone messaging system updated. It can be a way you can add IVR to your resume, get experience and begin a business relationship with that small business.
If you provide that service to them for free, it’s ok to ask them for other businesses that may need that service. Or ask for a testimony. Think longterm in building a relationship! This leads to #3.
3| LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
I remember September Carter (she and her husband Bob run The Neighborhood, another Atlanta based VO studio) saying that when they go on vacation, she contacts the small businesses they frequent and ask if they have any voice over needs.
Small businesses don’t have huge budgets. Don’t let that deter you. Why? Because it also means that you could be a huge life-saver to them if they’re wanting to create a video for their website or social media.
You don’t have to do this, but if I were doing this, I’d consider offering a “SMALL BUSINESS DISCOUNT.” Maybe it’s even 25-30% if you’re just getting started. Pitch the small business that you’re a voice actor with a home studio where you can record a VO for any project they have. Then mention that you adhere to the industry standard rates (GVAA Rate Guide), but that you offer a __% discount for small businesses. This way they’re aware of the industry standard but you can offer a huge value with the discount.
4| CHURCHES
Nowadays, churches often create pre-sermon videos, have YouTube channels, podcasts, etc. There are so many opportunities to lend your skill as a voice actor.
(If you go to that church, you can also see how you can get involved in reading scripture – often it’s in front of the congregation before a sermon. There’s nothing like reading in front of an audience to hone your skills!)
If it’s a large church, they may have a production director but if not, ask for who is in charge of creating the media for services.
5| LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS and CLUBS
If “voice of God” or live event announcing is an area you’d like to venture into, I’d start with local community groups and clubs. They may need a live announcer for a gathering. They may not pay someone…but if you’re just starting out, offering it pro bono could be a way to get experience and create relationships.
A suggestion: if you offer it for free, ask if they wouldn’t mind you sharing your website and the fact you do voice overs at the end. This would be a way you could get additional value from it.
6| ART COLLEGES (like SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design)
Art colleges often teach animation. These future great animators always need voice actors for their projects! If animation is a path you’re interested in, this is a great way to help a student, get experience, AND have a cool finished project to share.
