Exploring the Voiceover Business
For you if: You've never done this stuff before, or it's been a looong time.)
Voiceover Exploration — $175
This is a big part of what we do over here at Voiceover Studio Chicago. Dozens of people, older, younger, children, actors, non-actors, mimes (not really) have all made the journey to my home studio, and have gone away happy with what they've learned during this personalized, one-on-one workshop. Here's what happens:
If you're planning on proceeding to the recording of a voiceover demo with me, there's another reason I ask people to take the Voiceover Exploration session. It's so I can get an idea of what your vocal character is, gauge your experience level, and get an idea of what you're trying to sell. Working with you in an actual recording session is the best way to learn what copy to choose/adapt/write for you. I'll learn whether you have a young or a more mature sound. I'll find out if you're good at "sell" copy and retail, whether you're a monster truck announcer, or whether you should perhaps stay on the narration side of the business. (I had a client like that not long ago. We learned together that he enjoyed and was much more suited to narration, plus he had experience with audio recording. I told him that with his skill set, he could probably record his narration demo without my help. He went away happy -- and didn't pay me another dime.)
You see, there are plenty of people who advertise "Come in for a Voiceover Evaluation!" "Come in for an Orientation!" And then do everything they can to sell you a demo. Other people invite new folks to a casting session -- or to a "casting session." Not surprisingly, you'll hear, "Heyyyy, you have a good voice... You should make a demo!" Right. Just like that. Listen, I charge $175 for the Voiceover Exploration, and not just because I think my time is valuable and I provide a good service. I charge that amount because I know that with my very complete, honest, straight-forward approach, I'll never see most of you again. :-)
One outfit charges $175 for their two-hour 'Orientation.' Someone came to me for a Voiceover Exploration after one of those. I was shocked to hear this person was never allowed to read into a microphone! I'm sure they received some useful information. I'm also sure they received strong encouragement to continue from there, toward this company's many MUCH more expensive offerings -- including ongoing coaching for a high hourly rate, in one case $150 an hour. (For how long? Who knows?)
Even if you never make a demo with me, by going through the Voiceover Exploration session, you'll receive:
Ready to get going? Shoot me an email by clicking here. Or if you like cool, free things, read on to learn about this cool free thing...
Special Benefit for taking the Voiceover Exploration -- free coaching on three sets of audio files.
There is no "Voiceover Exploration II." I'm also not interested in setting you up for an endless string of expensive coaching sessions. You don't want to pay for them and I don't want to do them. (I'd rather be working behind the microphone, and these days, I'm busy.) So what do you do? You practice and prepare, like I tell you in the Voiceover Exploration. And then you do what I and other professionals do to get work. You record audio and attach it to emails.
To say that again: You record three to five commercial spots (I'll tell you where to find copy) and attach them to an email. Then you do that again. Then you do that a third time. After each email, I give you my opinion and coaching. And I don't charge you a dime -- this is free for taking the Voiceover Exploration.
When I get your first email, I listen to the attached files and say things like, "You're too far from the microphone" or "you're reading too fast" or "you sound like you hate hamburgers!" or "do you have a cold?" or "you need to sound more conversational" or whatever I hear that needs correcting. You read my notes and record another batch of three to five files, attach them to an email and ship 'em over. I coach on those. We do this one more time, and then you're aaaaall done. You're a perfected being or have achieved nirvana or Clear or some such thing. Okay, maybe not. More likely you just know one helluva lot more about what you're doing. If you're still having issues, we can arrange for more coaching. But if you've made it this far, and are still motivated to keep going, it's probably time to record a voiceover demo with me or someone else.
I've not heard about other voiceover training that is geared toward this, and I don't understand why not. Recording at home and sending mp3s by email is how we audition for work in the 21st century. You need to know how to do this so you can try to make some money. That's why you're here!
My thorough and detailed explanation of the voiceover business and how to participate in it, plus the free coaching follow-up, is why the Voiceover Exploration is the most valuable, cost-effective method for learning about the voiceover business available anywhere.
Click here to send me an email and get started.
Voiceover Exploration — $175
This is a big part of what we do over here at Voiceover Studio Chicago. Dozens of people, older, younger, children, actors, non-actors, mimes (not really) have all made the journey to my home studio, and have gone away happy with what they've learned during this personalized, one-on-one workshop. Here's what happens:
- We'll go over your background, experience and why you're interested in the voiceover business
- I'll tell you the three ways people make money with their voice -- and which one is the most important for your situation
- We'll discuss all areas of the voiceover business, including commercial, narration, videogame, web audio, audiobooks, IVR (phone response), podcasting and more
- In my coaching area, you'll learn where to stand, how to speak into the microphone, how to use the pop filter and more
- As I run your session in ProTools, you'll work on the microphone through each piece of copy, while I give detailed, in-depth, personalized coaching (If someone else offers an "Orientation" for $175, ask if you'll do this)
- We'll do repeated takes until you're ready -- okay until I say you're ready -- to move on to the next piece
- You’ll get an idea of what it’s like to do this job while receiving direction from a currently working professional who knows what it takes to get a good read of a commercial or narration
- You’ll have a seat and we'll listen back to what you recorded. You may be delighted or you may be dismayed. You'll probably realize it's tougher than you thought it would be. You may be impressed at how good you actually are. You may realize that this is work you're really not cut out for. You'll have absolute confidence that your skilled, experienced coach is giving you honest information and not just trying to sell you more coaching.
- In person and then in a long follow-up email, I give you detailed, personalized information based on what I heard, which includes how to build your skills after this workshop, where to find material to use for practicing and what you specifically should focus on
- I tell you what equipment you need to build a home recording studio (it's not as difficult or expensive as you think)
- You pay me for my time
- You now "know a guy." After you leave, you are free to email me anytime with anything you forgot to ask while you were here
- You'll walk out, knowing that you'll never hear a voice on radio or television the same way again
If you're planning on proceeding to the recording of a voiceover demo with me, there's another reason I ask people to take the Voiceover Exploration session. It's so I can get an idea of what your vocal character is, gauge your experience level, and get an idea of what you're trying to sell. Working with you in an actual recording session is the best way to learn what copy to choose/adapt/write for you. I'll learn whether you have a young or a more mature sound. I'll find out if you're good at "sell" copy and retail, whether you're a monster truck announcer, or whether you should perhaps stay on the narration side of the business. (I had a client like that not long ago. We learned together that he enjoyed and was much more suited to narration, plus he had experience with audio recording. I told him that with his skill set, he could probably record his narration demo without my help. He went away happy -- and didn't pay me another dime.)
You see, there are plenty of people who advertise "Come in for a Voiceover Evaluation!" "Come in for an Orientation!" And then do everything they can to sell you a demo. Other people invite new folks to a casting session -- or to a "casting session." Not surprisingly, you'll hear, "Heyyyy, you have a good voice... You should make a demo!" Right. Just like that. Listen, I charge $175 for the Voiceover Exploration, and not just because I think my time is valuable and I provide a good service. I charge that amount because I know that with my very complete, honest, straight-forward approach, I'll never see most of you again. :-)
One outfit charges $175 for their two-hour 'Orientation.' Someone came to me for a Voiceover Exploration after one of those. I was shocked to hear this person was never allowed to read into a microphone! I'm sure they received some useful information. I'm also sure they received strong encouragement to continue from there, toward this company's many MUCH more expensive offerings -- including ongoing coaching for a high hourly rate, in one case $150 an hour. (For how long? Who knows?)
Even if you never make a demo with me, by going through the Voiceover Exploration session, you'll receive:
- A seasoned pro's valuable assessment of your talent, including notes you'll watch me write down during our time working together
- A workshop in mic technique
- Tips and tricks on how to prepare, interpret and voice copy
- All the recorded audio from our time together, often marked to emphasize what went right or wrong
- Information on how to practice on your own -- without expensive, ongoing coaching
- Links to important web sites
- How to set up an affordable home studio good enough to use for practicing, auditions and paying jobs
- An assessment of where you stand in relation to the overall voiceover business
- What your 'voice personality is' -- what YOU are selling with your voice
- Ideas for using your unique skills and life experience for success with voiceover -- you may be surprised by how you can turn your areas of expertise into ways to generate $$$
- Your money's worth
Ready to get going? Shoot me an email by clicking here. Or if you like cool, free things, read on to learn about this cool free thing...
Special Benefit for taking the Voiceover Exploration -- free coaching on three sets of audio files.
There is no "Voiceover Exploration II." I'm also not interested in setting you up for an endless string of expensive coaching sessions. You don't want to pay for them and I don't want to do them. (I'd rather be working behind the microphone, and these days, I'm busy.) So what do you do? You practice and prepare, like I tell you in the Voiceover Exploration. And then you do what I and other professionals do to get work. You record audio and attach it to emails.
To say that again: You record three to five commercial spots (I'll tell you where to find copy) and attach them to an email. Then you do that again. Then you do that a third time. After each email, I give you my opinion and coaching. And I don't charge you a dime -- this is free for taking the Voiceover Exploration.
When I get your first email, I listen to the attached files and say things like, "You're too far from the microphone" or "you're reading too fast" or "you sound like you hate hamburgers!" or "do you have a cold?" or "you need to sound more conversational" or whatever I hear that needs correcting. You read my notes and record another batch of three to five files, attach them to an email and ship 'em over. I coach on those. We do this one more time, and then you're aaaaall done. You're a perfected being or have achieved nirvana or Clear or some such thing. Okay, maybe not. More likely you just know one helluva lot more about what you're doing. If you're still having issues, we can arrange for more coaching. But if you've made it this far, and are still motivated to keep going, it's probably time to record a voiceover demo with me or someone else.
I've not heard about other voiceover training that is geared toward this, and I don't understand why not. Recording at home and sending mp3s by email is how we audition for work in the 21st century. You need to know how to do this so you can try to make some money. That's why you're here!
My thorough and detailed explanation of the voiceover business and how to participate in it, plus the free coaching follow-up, is why the Voiceover Exploration is the most valuable, cost-effective method for learning about the voiceover business available anywhere.
Click here to send me an email and get started.
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Is there someone you know who's always wondered about using their voice to make money? Have they expressed interest in the voiceover business? Are you tired of hearing them talk about it, and want them to just go ahead and get the information they need? Give them a Voiceover Exploration gift certificate!
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Choose to receive a paper certificate or a pdf version sent by email. Pay for the session. The recipient and I arrange over email or by telephone for the day and time of their session.
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