Voice Acting For Dummies

Part I

Exploring Voice Acting Basics

In this part . . .

Welcome to Voice Acting For Dummies. Here you get an introduction to the basics of voice acting. You find out about your voice, how to use and care for your voice, and what it takes to be a voice actor. You also discover all kinds of interesting and wonderful ways you can fit your voice into voice acting, including training and education opportunities. This part also includes tips for meeting the voices in your head and taking on the different types of roles.

No matter whether you’re a new voice actor or quite experienced, this part can help solidify your foundation of voice acting.

Chapter 1

An Overview of Voice Acting: Just the Basics

In This Chapter

arrow Understanding who a voice actor is

arrow Creating a demo

arrow Figuring your way through the maze of auditions

arrow Making a go in your home studio

Voice acting is an amazing way to put to use something you already have — your voice. Voice acting well is about knowing how to best use your voice and interpretive skills to deliver a well-crafted message. More than just mere talk, voice acting is the art of taking the written word and skillfully translating it into a persuasive spoken word message that encourages a listening audience to not only hear what you’re saying, but also to act on it in some way. Voice acting is designed to educate, inform, or entertain.

This chapter serves as your catapult into this book and the world of voice acting. No matter if you’re brand new and don’t know anything about voice acting, you’ve dabbled a little bit in it and decided you want to pursue it more as a career, or you’ve worked in the voice acting field for several years and you want to take your abilities to the next level, this chapter can help you start your journey.

Being a Voice Actor: More Than You May Expect

Some people think that voice acting is simply getting paid to talk. In a way, that’s true, although there is so much more to it! When you start as a voice actor, you need to remember that your voice is the instrument that helps achieve the script writer’s goal, whether you’re voicing a character in an animated film, reading for a company telephony script, or narrating an audiobook. You also need to take good care of your voice, which is your instrument that you literally take with you wherever you go. In the following sections, we explain your role in the creative process of voice acting and how this knowledge can help you to do your best as a voice actor.

Knowing what it really means

Being a voice actor isn’t just about sounding pretty. Being a voice actor isn’t just about the sound of your voice. Your voice is merely an instrument used to communicate effectively and breathe life into a story. Chapter 2 explains more about what voice acting is, shows what it takes to be a voice actor, and gives you a good idea of where your voice fits in.

Getting your voice ready

Preparing and taking care of your voice are essential keys to voice acting because you rely heavily on your voice to work. Anyone who comes from a background that includes public speaking, whether in public settings or professional settings, has an appreciation for the voice and how greatly it contributes to their ability to communicate successfully.

Preparing your voice includes everything from warming up to ensuring you don’t abuse it by yelling, screaming, or smoking. Chapter 3 gives you the essentials for how you can take care of your voice, use your voice properly, and train it so you’re ready for voice acting.

Figuring out your role as voice actor

As a voice actor, you play a unique role in a production. Those roles include the following:

check.png Real person

check.png Narrator

check.png Announcer

check.png Spokesperson

check.png Instructor

These different roles help get the message to the listener, and each has its own characteristics. In Chapter 4, we discuss these roles in greater depth and explain how you can engage your intended audience with each one.

Digging into the script

The script reveals the author’s intent and contains a wealth of details that can help you to create interesting and unique characters. By reading the script, you can discover a lot about the characters you’ll be voicing or portraying. When you read, you need to think like a detective and look for clues that will aid you in developing characters and creating unique voices for them.

Being able to differentiate characters as well as being able to create a solid character that you know like the back of your hand is essential. As a voice actor, your job is to bring characters and scripts to life. The more information you have, the more believable your reads and the greater your performance. In Chapter 5, you can figure out how to examine a script and find the clues to create characters based upon your findings.

Starting your own business

If you’re going to take voice acting seriously, you need to approach it as a business. We mean that you need to invest properly in your business to make quality recordings, which means that you get some training as a voice actor and you also can produce quality work with a home recording studio. When you’re working with clients, quoting the appropriate rates is also something you need to do to remain competitive. Even if you’re just looking to do voice acting as a hobby, remember that you’re entering into an arena of professional voice actors who have been working for years and make their living recording voice-overs.

We give you ideas for how to set up your business, manage your customers, and build a team of advisors, such as an agent if you want one, in Chapter 16. We discuss how you can market your business in Chapter 9. The other chapters in Part IV serve as a primer for running your own business — information you’ll be grateful for when the time comes.

Making a Demo

A demo is to a voice actor as a portfolio is to an artist. Your demo shows people what you can do with your voice and is a tool used for marketing yourself. Most people start with a commercial demo to showcase their ability to read for commercials you would hear on television or radio. You can use demos as promotion vehicles on your website or to accompany your profile on a voice acting marketplace website. You can also send them to talent agents or clients you want to introduce yourself to.

Tapping into some helpful (and free) resources

Voice Acting For Dummies provides you plenty of great information about voice acting. However if you’re itching for even more, you may want to check out one of the following resources. You may be amazed to find out that many more are available if you’re willing to explore. Many of these are online communities where you can connect with and share knowledge with other voice actors.

check.png Voice Over Universe: This social network for voice actors is more affectionately referred to as VU. You can find it at www.voiceoveruniverse.com.

check.png Voice Acting Hub: The Voice Acting Hub is probably the fastest way to connect with other voice actors on Facebook. Close to 2,000 other people are in the group. The group has no topics or categories, but it has a stream of information that relates to voice acting. You can see updates for upcoming workshops, links to blog posts, polls, and general discussion at www.facebook.com/groups/2364217548.

check.png Voice Acting Alliance: The Voice Acting Alliance (http://voiceactingalliance.com) is an online forum with thousands of message boards on topics such as auditions and casting, completed works, and tutorials. Although the forum seemingly has a focus on animation and video games, it’s still a great place to strike up a conversation on any topic. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions, which can give you a feel for the expected behaviors and other etiquette guidelines.

check.png Yahoo! Voiceover Group: Probably one of the oldest groups of its kind, the Yahoo! Voiceover Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/voiceovers) is where people with a shared interest meet, get to know each other, and stay informed. This group gives you instant access to shared message archives, photos and photo albums, group event calendars, member polls, and shared links.

check.png VOX Daily: VOX Daily (http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily) is the official Voices.com blog. VOX Daily keeps you in the loop with informative voice-over articles that encourage community involvement, conversation, and intelligent debate.

check.png Voice Over Times: Voice Over Times (www.voiceovertimes.com) is an industry news site and blog, providing feature stories, product reviews, tutorials, and opinion articles. Covering voice acting in all aspects, this website can help you find the news and stories that you need to hear now and connect you with media contacts who make your story happen.

check.png Voice-OverXtra: Voice-OverXtra (www.voiceoverxtra.com) is a news, education, and resource center. Both voice-over newcomers and seasoned pros can learn and share how to succeed in this vibrant industry, 24/7. The site gives you valuable tools, including an industry resource directory, and a comprehensive calendar of training opportunities.

check.png Voice Over Experts: The Voice Over Experts podcast (www.podcastdirectory.com/podcasts) allows you to hear from some of the top voice-over instructors, authors, and voice acting celebrities from around the world as they share some of their knowledge, available to you free of charge. Each podcast is about 10 to 15 minutes and features a special guest. The special guests are industry experts, often acting instructors, casting directors, agents, or vocal coaches who share a nugget of wisdom from their experience. You can also directly listen to more than 130 podcast episodes from the website or download them from iTunes.

check.png Voices.com webinars: Every week, Voices.com offers free webinars that walk you through how to use the website in detail. Sit back, watch, and learn as the presenter navigates through each section of the website. You can watch dozens of previously recorded webinars on www.youtube.com, where you can fast forward, rewind, or pause.

check.png EdgeStudio teleseminars: EdgeStudio is an education and training facility in New York City that offers in-person voice-over classes but also opportunities by telephone. Similar to webinars, a teleseminar occurs on a specific date and time where dozens if not hundreds of people call in to a conference line to learn about a new technology, service, or the basics of acting and performance. In some cases, you may find a teleseminar easier to join because it’s literally just calling a phone number and then punching in an access code when prompted. The downside is that you miss the visuals, but often this is a moot point because you can just focus on the information offered by the expert.

In these sections, we explain what it means to decipher a script, how to know if a role is right for you, and the kinds of demos that you can make. We also discuss musical considerations. Something else you need to look at when recording a demo is whether you should record your own demo at home or you should work with a professional recording studio. We discuss the pros and cons at length in Part II.

Uncovering a script

Sometimes when reading through a script, you really need to be reading between the lines. Reading between the lines means that you can see beyond what’s on the page. Your interpretation comprises more than just the text but also feelings and motivations behind what you’re recording. Being able to do so is important to give a better read with more substance.

remember.eps When making a demo, the scripts you choose are very important. You need to reflect both your vocal abilities and the roles you’re willing to take on as a voice actor. You’ll know if a script is right for you based upon whether or not you personally agree with its content. A coach or demo producer can help you if you want a second opinion. These professionals tend to have their ears on the pulse of what’s trending in demos and will have a good grasp of the sort of material you should have on your demo to be competitive and stand out. Chapter 7 addresses finding scripts for your voice-over demo suitable to your voice and the work you want to do.

Hitting record

Stepping up to the microphone with the knowledge that a recording is in progress can be exciting! There’s nothing quite like hearing your own voice played back to you.

remember.eps Before you record your demo, you need to make sure you’re ready before you hit the record button. During the recording process, you also need to consider these points to ensure your demo sounds professional and can get you work:

check.png You use the right music or sound effects.

check.png Your voice is warmed up and hydrated.

check.png You’re well-rehearsed.

Chapter 8 gives you perspective about recording your own demo (DIY style) or going into a professional recording studio.

Finding Your Way through Audition Land

The audition process can be nerve-racking because you’re showcasing prospective customers what your abilities and skills are. You want to stand out so you inevitably get hired. In today’s voice acting world, auditions happen more and more in the virtual world, although sometimes you still do need to audition in person. The following sections give an overview to why the audition process is important and what you need to know to audition.

Touting yourself

The way you present yourself for opportunities is very important. Whether the audition is in person or online, putting your best voice forward is something you should aspire to for each and every audition.

tip.eps To make a good first impression when voice acting, consider our suggestions:

check.png Only audition for roles you are able to do.

check.png Follow instructions.

check.png Greet the director or client warmly.

check.png Send in your best read.

Check out Chapter 11 for how you can stand out in your auditions.

Knowing how to audition

No matter whether you’re auditioning online or in person, clients expect proper etiquette, which means you know how to do the following before your audition:

check.png Warm up your voice.

check.png Prepare your read.

check.png Follow directions.

check.png Be able to interpret copy.

Being able to navigate the audition waters, both online and in person, can serve you well. Chapter 12 explains how to audition online, which often requires you to record a custom sample of the client’s script, prepare a quote, and submit a proposal. Chapter 13 walks you through some auditioning basics for real-person auditions.

Working in Your Home Studio

As the Internet becomes more and more a part of the business world, being a professional voice actor means that you can work with clients from your own home recording studio. Building a studio doesn’t mean you have to take out a building permit and add on an extra room to your house. An in-home studio can be an affordable endeavor depending on what equipment you buy. If you’re treating voice acting as a business, you’ll be able to justify the cost of investing in some quality equipment to get you on your way.

These sections run you through the basics of what to include in your home recording studio, and how to record, edit, and mix your audio. Knowing how to record on your own is critical to being a successful voice actor in today’s virtual age.

Identifying what you need

Your home recording studio needs to have the basic equipment to record a professional-sounding demo. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to build a respectable home recording studio. It doesn’t need to resemble a first-class audio production environment in New York or Los Angeles.

remember.eps Your home studio does need the following equipment so your recordings don’t sound amateur:

check.png Computer

check.png An external microphone

check.png Good quality microphone cable

check.png Pop filter

Chapter 17 runs you through everything you need to know about building a home recording studio, how much money you should budget, and the equipment you need, both hardware and software, to start.

Recording, editing, and mixing

When you record your voice, you may find that you make some mistakes here and there, leave too much space between words, or need to cough and clear your throat. The wonderful thing about digital audio is that you don’t have to rerecord the entire read. You can edit rather painlessly by placing your cursor to select the area you want to remove and voilá! You can polish your recording in a matter of seconds.

remember.eps Knowing how to record your voice, edit, and mix a recording is standard so far as professional voice actors go. Skills such as editing and mixing can turn a slightly marred take into a keeper, so you’ll want to master how to edit because it can save you time having to rerecord every time you make a mistake or need to pause. You can find what you need about the basics of audio recording in Chapter 18. We cover more advanced topics, such as editing and mixing, in Chapter 19.

Getting your product to clients

After you record your voice, edit, and mix it, you want to make sure your prospective clients get their hands on it. You want to make sure you format the files and deliver them the way your client wants. Chapter 21 explains how to prepare and deliver the finished audio files.

Chapter 2

Finding Your Voice: How You Fit into Voice Acting

In This Chapter

arrow Uncovering what makes a good voice

arrow Seeing what is involved in voice acting

arrow Recognizing whether voice acting is a good match for you

arrow Discovering your signature voice

People have told you that you have a great voice, right? Someone has probably suggested that you should be on radio, be the voice on a movie trailer, or use your storytelling skills to narrate audiobooks. Even if you don’t have an acting or broadcasting background, you’re fairly confident that your voice has what it takes to do voice-overs.

What exactly though makes a voice right for voice acting? Everyone has a voice, but only some people have the necessary skills and traits needed for voice-over work. The good news: We’re here to help explain what qualities make a good voice and how you can determine whether you possess the skills and traits to be a successful voice actor.

In order to do voice-overs, you need to be able to speak clearly, listen with objectivity, and know how to get the most out of your voice. Your voice is an instrument, and in order to play it well, you need to know what it’s capable of doing. Something you can discover quickly is your vocal range. How high can your voice inflect? What’s the lowest pitch you’re able to make without feeling like you’re hurting your voice? Discovering your vocal range is the first step to getting to know your voice.

In this chapter, we help you figure out how to assess your voice and whether you and your voice are right for voice acting. We also take a closer look at your skills and traits to gauge whether they match with what’s needed from voice actors. We explain what a signature voice is and help you determine yours.

Eyeing the Characteristics of a Voice-Over Voice

Being successful in voice acting requires a lot more than just having a good voice. However, having a good voice can only help you. So how do you know whether your voice has what it takes? Although different voices are needed for different projects, the basic characteristics to a good voice are as follows:

check.png Clarity: Being able to speak clearly

check.png Literacy: Reading without stumbling

check.png Fluctuation: Using the range of your voice

check.png Phrasing: Shaping a phrase without running low on breath

Anyone who puts their mind to it can achieve these four characteristics. Speaking well enough to be understood while at the same time demonstrating understanding of what you’re reading may take some work, but you can master these basics if you take the time to study the script, interpret its meaning, and practice. We go into greater detail with regard to interpreting scripts in Chapter 5.

Meanwhile, using the full range of your voice and phrasing with purpose can demonstrate your ability to use your voice as an instrument, not just as a vehicle for delivering the written word. You can read more about phrasing in Chapter 11.

Identifying What Goes into Being a Voice Actor

Just because you have been talking all your life doesn’t mean that voice acting will come naturally to you. Voice acting is an art, and truly, it is acting. Although most voice work is recorded in the privacy of a studio away from the glare of the cameras, a voice-over can serve as a performance for the hundreds if not thousands of people who will receive the message you are giving voice to.

Before you can decide if being a voice actor is the right fit for you, you need a firm understanding of the important skills a successful voice actor has. In this section, we identify those important skills and also explain some of the cooler aspects of being a voice actor. Needless to say, although having a great voice is important, it by far isn’t the only factor that builds a solid career in voice acting. You also need to have endless ambition, polished talent, and good business sense.

Naming the basic skills you need

Voice acting actually requires a well-rounded set of skills, skills that you may already have. In a nutshell, a successful voice actor needs three important skills:

check.png Artistic performance: These skills include fun stuff, like exploring your voice and creating characters. If your mother ever told you to stop being so dramatic, if you ever got into trouble at school for being the class clown, if you ever mimicked others around you with amusing success, or you’ve been told that your voice sounds like it should be on the radio, you’re likely a good fit for voice acting. You can also tell if you have these skills by doing a few simple tests like recording yourself as you read aloud and hearing the playback or consulting a coach. Refer to the Going over the important traits section later in this chapter to help you.

check.png Technical skills: These skills include easy stuff, like knowing how to use the computer. If you know how to navigate on a computer, plug in a USB cable, and talk into a microphone, you’re well on your way to producing your own audio recordings. Even if you don’t have experience with recording software, no doubt a close friend or family member does. Technology is easier to use and acquire. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to record your voice, although rocket scientists certainly can try. Check out the chapters in Part V that deal more with the technical aspects of voice acting for more specific information.

check.png Business know-how: These skills include cool stuff, like using your voice to make money. If you’ve ever had to sell something, such as your home, you know a bit about what it takes to run a business. Showmanship is very important because it’s about delivering an awesome recording at a reasonable price. Flip to Chapter 16 for more details about the business aspect of voice acting, including managing your clients, keeping records, marketing your services, and getting an agent.

Examining some benefits of being a voice actor

Being a voice actor has its perks. In fact, voice acting affords voice actors many advantages that traditional stage or on-camera acting don’t have. If you don’t have a burning desire to be on stage or to act on camera, or you prefer to take a back seat as the unsung hero of a production, working behind the scenes as a voice actor may suit you well.

Take a look at these facts about the voice acting industry in these sections. Can you thrive in this kind of environment? Knowing this information about yourself can help you determine whether you can see yourself doing voice acting.

Nobody sees you

Being off camera has many advantages, one of which being that no one sees you while you’re recording a voice-over. The audience likewise never sees you. You can flail your arms about, and not a single person would know.

tip.eps If you’re sensitive to how you may appear when doing a character voice, you can feel free to make the ugly face as voice-over coach Deb Munro puts it without fear of scrutiny. Some of the greatest voices in the world use their hands to get their voices in gear. In fact, some voice actors have said that if they couldn’t make use of their hands, they couldn’t voice.

Comfort often dictates your attire

As much fun as dressing up can be, sometimes just knowing that what you wear doesn’t matter to how the audience will receive the finished product is comforting. Wearing something comfy can also work in your favor where controlling noise is concerned. Certain fabrics tend to ruffle and make noise when you move. Furthermore, you can have a bad hair day and no one knows. Likewise, you can have no hair and no one knows.

Editing is your friend

One of the things most people love about voice acting is that you’re able to make edits in the file in order to engineer the perfect take. You can edit out breaths, coughs, and the like, and you can even shave off sibilance. (Sibilance sounds like hissing. It’s the S sound at the beginning or end of a word.) When editing your voice, you can use part of one word and put on another word that needs some touching up if a word didn’t clearly come across. If need be, you can even speed up your voice a notch. Refer to Chapter 19 for more specifics about what tricks you can do with editing.

Assessing Your Talents to See Whether Voice Acting Is Right for You

If you have decided that you have the voice for voice-over work and would make a great voice actor, you need to think about some important considerations. Before you print business cards and start your voice-over business, you want to assess the following about yourself.

remember.eps Whether you’re a freelancer (and serve as your own agent) or work with an agent, a number of complementary skills and attributes can help ensure you’re headed in the right direction. You can develop any of the skills you don’t already possess by seeking out training in the industry.

Although voice acting is a popular career field to consider, remember that it’s still a business; successful voice actors know that their career has everything to do with those specific factors. This section covers some important traits you need to have to make it as a voice actor and some questions to ask yourself to see whether voice acting is a good fit.

Going over the important traits

Your skills, abilities, interests, personality, and temperament all play a vital role in your success as a voice actor, but exactly what are the traits that you need? If you want to make it as a voice actor, you need to have the following traits.

remember.eps If you have these traits, you can get started and begin your own line of work as a voice actor. To do this, make use of all the resources available to you that we provide you throughout this book.

Being vocal and reading aloud: Skills

In order to be successful as a voice actor, you need certain skills, such as the ability to speak and read clearly, interpret copy (the script), and use your voice effectively to communicate a message. Although these skills may sound easy, many people have difficulty doing so.

Reading well out loud is one of the most essential traits. Even some of the most enthusiastic bookworms have trouble articulating a well-phrased passage when asked to do so out loud. A skilled voice actor can read aloud with ease. If you stumble over your words and need to start over again, then you need more practice. Try reading books and newspaper and magazine articles aloud. Doing so is a great way to practice reading a variety of writing styles, which is something you’ll encounter in the voice-over industry.

tip.eps Read everything you can find and interpret it in various ways. Finding material or scripts doesn’t have to be difficult. You can read the back of a cereal box or leaf through your favorite book and focus on a particular passage. You can record yourself and then listen to hear your performance. What did you like? What could you do better? How would you have phrased or said something differently given the chance? You can experiment in many different ways; take the opportunity to read aloud everyday to keep your skills sharp.

Other skills, such as interpreting text and using your voice to communicate a message, are equally important.

check.png Interpreting text is akin to being a detective. You have to analyze the who, what, when, where, why, and how of a script to gain a better understanding of what the copywriter expects of you performance-wise. You can uncover more about interpreting scripts in Chapter 5.

check.png Communicating a message means that you not only understand what you’re reading, but you can also relate on some level with what you’re talking about to give greater authenticity to your read. Chapter 7 gives you more about how to bring life to a message.

Adding notches to your belt: Experience

Another important trait you need in order to be a voice actor is to have experience. The question is how do you gain experience when you don’t have any experience? You don’t have to be a professional to gain experience.

Experience can range from reading aloud all the way through to creating characters in your spare time. Volunteering your voice to read for a charity, public service announcements (PSAs), or a spot for a local organization can go a long way in building your client list.

Feeling it in your soul: Ambition and passion

Having a drive to succeed and a desire to use your voice are essential. If you don’t like doing voice-overs, what’s the point? Make sure that you truly want to do this kind of work. As with any professional pursuit, being ambitious and passionate plays an important role in voice acting. For some people, voice acting is merely a hobby. For others, it’s a passion that develops with each syllable and exploration of their voice. Many voice actors don’t do it for the money. It’s passion that drives them.

remember.eps If you’re passionate about voice acting, it won’t ever seem like work. Voice acting can be a career that you’re enthusiastic about, proud of, and are happy knowing that you’ve used your gifts to the best of your abilities.

Dedicating yourself to the craft: Persistence and commitment

In order to be successful with voice acting, you also need to possess some persistence and commitment to the craft, even when things aren’t going well. You won’t book every job that you audition for; you need to remember that the casting process is about selection, not rejection. Be committed to your art and the money will follow.

Always looking to improve: Study

Before you drive a car you need to learn how to drive. Voice acting is the same. Before you can start voice acting, you need to know how to use your voice. Although doing so may be obvious, starting out as a voice actor presents its own stipulations, such as studying the craft, discovering how to use the instrument (your voice), and maximizing the talents you were born with.

tip.eps The best way to study the craft is to listen to professional voice-overs and read industry publications. Don’t be afraid to seek out a teacher or resources online. Even the best actors have a coach, just as athletes train with someone each day. You can always continue to figure out new things about your voice and how to use it. (Refer to Chapter 3 for more help.)

Looking inward to see whether voice acting fits you

Before you make a decision to go into voice acting, you have to take a close look at yourself and determine whether the business is right for you. Decades ago, if you were to get into the business of voice acting, you either had to be born in a studio, raised behind a microphone, or have a relative in the business (that, or be very, very persistent, not unlike today). Times have changed. Now voice acting is all about the acting.

Your Mom may think you have a beautiful voice, but unless your Mom is the casting director or producer, she can’t land you the job.

Ask yourself these questions to see whether this business is right for you:

check.png Do you know how to use your voice for voice acting? Although most people think that voice acting is all about the voice, the truth of the matter is that it’s not about the voice but rather how it’s used. For instance, you may be born with a booming, announcer voice, but if you don’t know how to use it effectively or know how to act, your naturally sonorous voice won’t get you anywhere.

remember.eps There’s a voice for every job and a job for every voice. No two clients are the same and every business needs something different. The world of voice acting provides opportunities for all voice types, ages, and vocal characteristics — even if you think your voice is too creaky, childlike, or gravelly. Refer to the earlier section, Eyeing the Characteristics of a Voice-Over Voice for what makes a good voice.

check.png Do you embrace technology? This question is important, especially if you freelance. Being a freelance voice actor means that you need to have the skills to operate all the studio equipment as well as provide a convincing performance. Some people in the industry can help you get familiar with your equipment and show you how to put it to good use. The chapters in Part V delve deeper into the technical aspects of voice acting.

check.png Do you have marketing know-how? The voice acting industry, like all entertainment and media fields, is teeming with talented people. So how do you get noticed? Successful voice actors are savvy marketers. Marketing the services you provide as a voice actor is critical. People won’t know what you do or why they should hire you unless you tell them. You can spread the word about your voice-over in hundreds of ways. Chapter 9 discusses some creative ways you can promote your talents and get noticed.

check.png Do you think running your own business is risky? Most entrepreneurs enjoy the thrill of risk. Whether you have an agent or you’re freelancing, you are running your own business — you’re an entrepreneur. Part of running your own business is accepting and being prepared to take some risks. Chapters 15 and 16 go into the basics of running a business.

So after asking yourself these questions, do you have what it takes? Your skills, abilities, interests, personality, and temperament all play a vital role in the career path you choose. The good news is that many career self-assessment tools are available in case you need some extra help. These tools test your compatibility with a variety of industries and potential career paths.

tip.eps We suggest you check out our website, www.voices.com. It offers a free self-assessment tool in the help section. Other resources available include www.elance.com, www.guru.com, and www.odesk.com. If you’re new to the industry, you may enjoy giving one of these sites a try. Remember that there are no wrong answers. By answering honestly, you can determine what areas you may need extra training in to establish a fulfilling career in voice acting.

You can also take this short self-assessment tool quiz at www.voices.com/tools/self_assessment to find out more about your talents as a voice actor.

Tuning Into Your Signature Voice

A signature voice is, at the very heart of it all, your money voice. It’s the sound and kind of readings that people consistently ask and/or hire you to