| Why does writing an email to an agent or potential client feel as overwhelming as writing your bio??? Ugh. It can lead you down the procrastinating rabbit hole. Maybe that’s just me? Before we even get to the body of the email, let’s start with the SUBJECT. Many times this will determine if your email gets read. I came across an article (linked below) with some great tips and I adapted some of the tips that most relate to VO. Here are 7 tips to get your email read… |
| 1| KEEP IT SHORT A typical inbox allows for 60 characters while a mobile device shows only 25 to 30 characters. That means keep it to about 6-8 words. Start by writing out exactly what you’d like to say with no word limit. That way you can get it out. Then start trimming words that aren’t necessary or find shorter ways to say the same thing. Let me give you an example using our administrator Hunter. Long form subject: Hey! I’m a beginner male voice talent that is looking for representation. This has 61 characters and 12 words. 2| NO FILLER WORDS Since we only have 6-8 words, stick to the most important words. Nothing like “Hello” “Thanks” “Please” etc. Let’s use Hunter’s example: Hey! I’m a beginner male voice talent that is looking for representation. So we took out all the filler words, let’s keep making it better. 3| BE CLEAR & SPECIFIC State exactly what you’re wanting. Personally, I think this would depend on if you were submitting to an agent or soliciting a client. For an agent, most have specific emails for talent submissions and/or they know why an unknown talent would email. I don’t think you’d need to state that you’re looking for representation. Takes too much space. BUT if you’re soliciting a client, I would be clear and specific on what you’re wanting. For example: AGENT SUBJECT Beginner male voice talent looking for representation. CLIENT SUBJECT Male Voice Talent for your E-Learning Project Let’s keep getting deeper into this! 4| HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE YOU BRING Indicate your value and what they’re going to get. For agents, what specifically do you bring to the table that is a unique value? Are you multilingual? Have an ethnicity that’s not white? Have a certain vocal quality that may be unique – gravel, rasp, quirky? What’s your vocal age range? Most agents have a ton of 35-45 year olds but if you’re in your 20s or 60s, that may be helpful to them. Listening to the agent’s roster will help you determine if there are any holes that you could fill. If there is…lead with that! AGENT SUBJECT Beginner male voice talent Gen Z Male Voice with Source Connect Pro Having a quality home studio is a must these days and agents want to know if you have that. There are fewer young voices that have a fully equipped studio, so that’s why I added that to the subject. CLIENT SUBJECT Male Voice Talent for your E-Learning Project Gen Z Male Voice, Quick Turnaround for E-Learning Project We’re pushing it on the number of words for the client subject but if “project” gets cut off, that’s not too big of a deal. 5| USE KEYWORDS FOR QUICK SEARCH The other reason for adding a clear and specific subject is because the agent may say, “Oh…I don’t really get too many auditions for a younger sounding male voice.” BUT 2 weeks later if a breakdown comes across their desk asking for a Gen Z voice, you want them to be able to quickly search to find that email. 6| ADD REFERRAL We’re running out of space for Hunter but if you don’t have a super unique value to add but another talent or someone they know referred you, put that in the subject. For instance: Mike Stoudt Referred Me If you’re sending it to someone that has a good relationship with the person, they will immediately open it. 7| DON’T USE ALL CAPS I love me some caps to separate points (obviously) but don’t use them in the subject or the body of the email. It still can make someone think you’re yelling or really desperate for their attention. |
| Hope that helps give you some guidance! *Adapted from this article: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-an-excellent-email-subject-line-2014-3 |
-Mike and Heidi |