Always remember this: I can play basketball, but do not have the talent to compete in the NBA. I can throw a football but have no chance in the NFL. Do you? Just because you have a voice, so does everyone else. Can you read better than the average guy or gal? I think you can. But there is just SO MUCH MORE to learn. It’s NOT as easy as many will tell you. (They probably want your money)
I used to get anywhere from 1-18 auditions daily from Voice 123. I prefer to choose ONLY those that I think I can NAIL. You only have one chance to make a first impression, so you must be ready when you start sending in auditions. The client or agent will form an opinion of you the first time they hear you. If you’re not ready, you screw yourself for subsequent future auditions. Eventually they will forget about you and then you can send them in again with a “clean slate” – but do you really want to smudge your reputation by chance that you may be branded as “not being ready” the first time around?
I’ve been with them since 2003 and only have received about 24 jobs out of hundreds and hundreds from one Pay-To-Play site. Granted, I am very picky and may go 3 weeks before I have time to do an audition, due to my regular load. Money makers always come first. But I also know a voice talent gal that gets a job almost every other day and has done 120+ jobs in the last year. She’s a go getter and one who auditions as soon as they come through. BTW…about 60% of the client I have done work for through those specific auditions, I have retained the client as a regular with my biz.
There are many P2P sites out there. Some are ok, some are good and some are great! Besides Voice 123, there is Bodalgo, Voice Planet, Voice Realm, VOquent and many more that you may find while searching the Net. I’m purposely not listing some due to experiences I’m had and what others have shared with me. Note: Your mileage may vary.
Do not start to audition until you are ready. Do you have a studio setup? (runs 500.00 – 2000.00 minimum) I spent 25,000 on my first studio in 1993 and have kept it up to date pretty much since. Have you trained with a qualified coach to find out what you do know…if you are doing it right…and can you improve? I attended Faffcon, a voiceover “unconference” annually until they stopped in 2018. Additionally, I have attended WoVOCon – the World Voices Organization conference since 2012 and continue with the latest ones scheduled. By the way, Faffcon originator, Amy Snively, has graciously agreed with the WoVO Executive Board, to allow them to use her format she developed years ago, which has proven to be a very successful format.
Get your priorities in line. Decide how much you plan to commit to this. Yes, there are VO Talents that do this part-time and make some good money. BUT…today the winners are the ones who have both feet in and live and breath our biz.
Which one will you be? Appreciate your questions and interest.