Guest article written by Cody McBride

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To Be, or Not To Be

Navigating the complex maze of the modern music industry can be a challenge for both aspiring and established musicians. Even if you are a Voice Actor and dabble in producing music, here are a few tips that can assist you in following the right road.

Financial stability often eludes many artists, making it essential to seek alternative income sources. Today, Johnny George takes an in-depth look at some inventive methods musicians can employ to augment their income. The objective is to offer musicians ways to diversify their earnings while also enriching their artistic portfolios. Whether you’re a solo artist or part of a band, there’s something in this list for everyone.

Stream Your Talent Live

In an increasingly digital age, live streaming platforms offer a lucrative way to connect with fans globally. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live are excellent mediums for hosting live gigs. You can monetize these digital performances through viewer donations, merchandise sales, and even advertisement revenue. The key is to offer exclusive experiences, like Q&A sessions or tutorial segments, to keep your audience engaged.

Send Out a Newsletter

While social media marketing can go a long way, it’s also a good idea to supplement this with a more traditional approach – perhaps by putting out a newsletter. Make sure you include plenty of high quality photos. Later, if you want to convert a portion of your newsletter – say, a page – into an image so that you can add it to your social media accounts, you can try this tool for free to make the conversion much easier.

Make YouTube Your Stage

YouTube has evolved from being merely a platform for casual videos to a serious content distribution network. Musicians can upload original songs, cover tracks, and even offer musical tutorials. The revenue streams are diverse, ranging from ad revenue to sponsorship deals.

Set Up a Mini Studio at Home

Dedicating a space in your home for recording music can be a smart financial move. With a minimal initial investment, you can produce high-quality recordings that can be sold on various digital platforms. Upgrading the room’s soundproofing and acoustics can also contribute to increasing your property’s market value. Creating a home studio offers the flexibility to record at any time, reducing the need for expensive studio bookings.

Dive into Special Events

While concerts and club gigs are standard, don’t ignore the potential of performing at special events like weddings or corporate functions. These occasions often pay well and offer a great platform for broader exposure. From classical quartets to DJ sets, the opportunities are boundless. You can even create different performance packages, offering clients a variety of options tailored to their needs.

Form a Business for Security and Credibility

Taking your music career seriously involves more than just artistic commitment; it requires formal business structuring. You have a number of business structures to choose from – like a limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship, and corporation – so weigh your options carefully. Also, you’ll want to spend some time on your business plan.

Share Knowledge Through Lessons

If you possess expertise in a specific instrument or a particular style, teaching can be a rewarding venture. Providing lessons can bring in consistent income while allowing you to engage with your community. You can offer online courses, one-on-one sessions, or even group workshops. Lessons can be priced according to your expertise level and the intricacy of the course material.

Create Custom Arrangements

Many artists and bands often seek bespoke musical arrangements for their performances or recordings. If you have a knack for composition, this could be a lucrative avenue to explore. Offering this service could expand your network while providing another income stream. The demand for unique and quality arrangements is high, making this a viable option for musicians with the required skill set.

Musicians today need not rely solely on traditional means of income like album sales or touring. From live streaming to putting out a newsletter to setting up your own music business, there are numerous avenues to explore. These eight inventive methods are geared towards diversifying your revenue streams while enhancing your musical portfolio. The world of music is vast and full of opportunities. Stepping outside the conventional box might be the key to not just surviving, but thriving, in this exciting industry.

Johnny George is an experienced voice actor, producer, and consultant who’d love to hear from you.

My thanks to Cody for his contribution to Voice Print.

Starting a voiceover career can vary significantly in cost based on the resources you choose to invest in and your current skill level. Here are some potential costs involved:

1. Training and Coaching: You may need to take classes or hire a coach to improve your voiceover skills. Costs can range from free online tutorials to several hundred or thousand dollars for comprehensive courses.
2. Recording Equipment: You’ll need a decent microphone, a computer, a microphone interface and recording software. (DAW) Entry-level microphones can start from around $100, but professional-grade equipment can cost several hundred to thousands of dollars. Expect to spend at least 250.00 – 350.00 for a quality lower-end mic.
3. Soundproofing and Acoustics: Creating a suitable recording environment might involve setting up a home studio or modifying a space for better sound quality. This could range from simple DIY solutions to professional studio construction, which could cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Getting professional help in acoustics will save you money in the long run in order to properly insulate you room for quality sound.
4. Demo Production: Creating a professional demo reel is crucial to showcasing your skills. Costs for professional demo production can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. So many talents try the do-it-yourself method. But remember one very important thing: You only get one opportunity to present a first impression. Your 1st Demo will define you and show what you can do…AND what you CAN’T.
5. Marketing and Promotion: Building a portfolio website, marketing materials, and potentially joining casting websites may involve additional costs, including website hosting fees and subscription costs for casting platforms. Prices will vary. Do your homework and find out which ones are creating the best opportunities.
6. Membership and Networking: Joining industry associations, attending workshops, or networking events might also be part of the investment.
7. Research: As stated previously, Do Your Homework. Read every voiceover blog, Google the key words: voice acting, voiceover, voice-over, voice over, male/female voice talent and more. So many have failed due to not being prepared and trying to move ahead before they are ready. Don’t be too eager. Positive energy and practical application of common sense are necessary. “Measure twice – cut once.”

Remember, these costs can be spread out over time, and there are ways to start on a budget by gradually upgrading equipment or utilizing free resources online. It’s also essential to invest in ongoing learning and practice to refine your skills continually.

Ultimately, the initial investment can vary widely based on personal choices, but it’s possible to start small and expand your setup as your career progresses.

Voice Acting is an art and requires lots of training/coaching, education, money, dedication, determination and not be thin-skinned. As an example, out of all the auditions I do, perhaps in 100 auditions, I may get 1 job. Just think, I can dribble and shoot a basketball, but I’m not in the NBA. Catching my drift? Here’s a VO friend of mine who wrote a great article you should read. After you do, Google “VOICE ACTING”, “VOICE TALENT”, etc and read, read, read. You have a long road ahead of you if you are set in going forward with Voice Acting.

https://www.audioconnell.com/clientuploads/pdf/The_Voice_Over_Entrance_Exam_by_Peter_K_OConnell_Copyright_2009.pdf

Think it through thoroughly before you jump into our pool. You need to be ready to invest a lot of time and money into yourself. And have thick skin to take the rejection that we receive when we audition job after job – give it our all and still not get a call-back. It’s tough, but you need to use auditions as a tool to learn and strengthen yourself.

Wanted to toss a few things out there before we speak together so you can be thinking about what you are asking for. Honestly, I try my best to discourage people in trying to get into our biz right now. It’s a vicious circle. You must have a dynamite voice demo in order to get decent work. In order to have a demo, you should take training from a qualified coach. In order to get those ongoing auditions, you will need a quality studio. So if you do get a job, you can deliver a high quality audio file and the client may wish to direct you, so you need a phone patch too just to start. Obviously, this takes a lot of time, money, perseverance and a thick skin to endure the countless auditions it will take to get the job and the many, many rejections you’ll get every day. You must be ready to be available at a moments notice to be able to cut audio. I know many voice actors that are doing this full time and are still struggling. I am full time as a voice actor since 2006 after 35 years in radio where I started by biz on the side. It only took me 40+ years to be an overnight success.

Do you have what it takes to compete with these other hungry voice talents? There are over 300-400,000 out there now. That’s a small piece of pie to split even though there is a lot of work out there. Ask yourself these questions: • Are you planning on investing in yourself to be a full time voice actor or is this to be a side job? • Do you have access to a studio to work out of at a moments notice? • Do you currently have a Commercial demo? E-learning demo? Narrative Demo? • What are your strengths? Are you planning on specializing in any particular area of voiceovers? • What are your long range goals?

Let me know where you’re headed, I’d be happy to answer any of the questions above. Please respond via email. JG@johnnygeorge.com

I Thank you…. 

Just how close are you to desiring to retire or semi-retire? Yes, there is life after being a voice actor, just as there is life after most other careers. Voice acting can be a fulfilling and enjoyable profession for those who have a passion for it, but like any career, it may not be a lifelong endeavor for everyone. Here are some things to consider:

• Career Transition: Voice actors, like other professionals, may choose to transition to a different career or pursue other interests at some point in their lives. This could be for personal or financial reasons, or simply because they want a change.
• Focus: If you do semi-retire, this is the perfect opportunity to super-serve your foundational clients that have been with you for consistent work to keep them pleased. You can scale back your marketing if your base clients can satisfy your budget.
• Skill Transferability: Many skills acquired in voice acting can be transferable to other fields. For example, strong vocal and communication skills can be valuable in public speaking, teaching, sales, and other professions that require effective communication. what a great reason to join ToastMasters, Chamber of Commerce or other public speaking engagements to “stay in tune”.
• Personal Interests: People often have a variety of interests and talents. After a career in voice acting, they may explore other creative pursuits, start a business, engage in community service, or delve into a completely different field based on their passions.
• Retirement: Like any profession, voice actors may eventually retire from their career when they feel it’s the right time to do so. They can enjoy their retirement years and pursue leisure activities, travel, or spend more time with family and friends. The time to save for your retirement is NOW. Hopefully, you planned for this day to come. Check your budget and get that savings in gear for your later years. Check into your Social Security benefits if you haven’t already reached the age entitlement. (This Blog is dated in Winter 2023)
• Side Projects and Entrepreneurship: Many voice talents may use their experience and skills to start their own businesses, such as voiceover agencies, recording studios, or training and coaching services for aspiring voice actors. But check around with other talents you trust to observe from their perspective and test the waters for this next endeavour before you make any major moves.
• Teaching and Coaching: Voice actors with experience and expertise can transition into teaching or coaching aspiring voice actors, helping to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation. Again, are you qualified to coach or produce demos? Know your audience before hanging out your shingle. If qualified, you may consider becoming a Mentor. More on that on World-Voices.org.
• Writing and Content Creation: Voice talents may explore writing, content creation, and other creative endeavors that align with their interests and talents.
• Diversification: Many voice actors already have diverse careers, such as acting on screen, working as broadcasters, or engaging in various entertainment and media-related activities. They can continue to pursue these other avenues alongside or after their voice acting career.