Marketing Yourself
August 26, 2008
In the world of voice over, just like in the world of acting, it is so crucial to market yourself all the time. I was recently asked in an elevator in the building I work in, where I was from and where did I get such a raspy voice? When I explained to my new elevator friend that I was originally from LA, but raised near Seattle in Washington and grew up around Boston and Australian accents, but had just always had a raspy voice, with no accent, he asked if I could record a company voicemail greeting for his company. I was thrilled to be getting a job offer from someone I didn't even know, and just happened to be on an elevator with at the end of a long day at the day job.
I quickly smiled and said, I am ready to record anytime, I have a home studio and I can have a demo done for you tonight. He looked at me like, "What is this girl doing here running an office, if she so clearly is into voice over?" I told him my day job is what I have to do now just to pay for the demos and coaching, and the workshop seminars, but my real dream is to make voice over my soul career. I proved it to him when I said, "I even have a dozen demos in my trunk, with my portfolio ready to hand out to anyone I meet."
He was impressed, and said he wanted a copy of my demo and wanted to know if I could record a demo for him later that day. Needless to say, I got a booking and I would have lost out on this opportunity if I hadn't been so ready and prepared. You must be ready anytime, anywhere for a job opportunity. This was a pure example of where opportunity and timing came together in perfect harmony. I will never forget this and it gives me the mindset that you can get your own work, if you just believe and are always ready to demonstrate your skills.