#Cover Letter

24 May 2010
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Voice Talent Finding Jobs on Twitter

Voice Talent Finding Jobs on Twitter

by The Lowry Agency voice over talent Trish Basanyi

The social networking giant, Twitter, continues to mystify some and make money for others.

Heck, even the money-makers are mystified. (Try saying THAT three times fast.)

Yet the ones who have tackled the site head-on continue to bring in revenue in their desired fields – and voice-over talent is no exception.

Are you on Twitter? Have you signed up and then abandoned the account after two “tweets” citing an excuse of something like, “I just don’t get it” or “it’s a waste of time”?

STOP.

The Internet is an amazing thing, and some still don’t grasp the plethora of knowledge just waiting to be found …when you ask the right questions.

All of the social networking sites are connected. We’re only going to talk about Twitter in this article, but by using one you will learn how to use the others!

For instance, there are thousands of two- to three-minute videos on YouTube, which show you how to use Twitter. All you need to do is search for them. The same goes for Facebook.

These videos explain how to use these sites and make the most of them. And they’re yours for the viewing, absolutely free.

There are hundreds of applications for Twitter, which maximize Twitter’s search potential for you, and streamline the process of finding voice-over work.

Trust me, the work is out there.

I could make recommendations about the applications, but everyone I know uses something different – kind of like the path of every voice talent on their way to success. Different things work for different people.

One of the more popular desktop applications is Hootsuite, but if you’ll search online you’ll find dozens more.

Spend just one hour on Twitter and you’ll begin to see the enormous potential.

Don’t know what to talk about? Just be yourself!

Make jokes, ask questions, and talk about your everyday life – both personal and business.

As voice talent, we’re not always selling our voices – we’re selling ourselves, as people. When we’re real and interactive, people will respond, and will want to “follow” you in the Twitter world.

Even if you don’t have a lot of followers, you can still find jobs – again, just use the search engine for the site!

If you’re searching for VO jobs anywhere else, you already know how to use a search engine.

Step outside your comfort zone for one hour and see what happens.

Maybe you’re on Facebook but only using it for personal connections. That’s great! But if you use Facebook already, you’re 10 steps ahead of the learning curve when it comes to using Twitter.

Twitter is an easier site to navigate than Facebook – in fact, the confusion most people express for Twitter seems to be the concept rather than the actual functionality of the site.

Once you understand the concept, using the site is a breeze.

Twitter is responsible for about 20% of my income in the past year. I have:

  • Landed several high-dollar jobs through clients I’ve connected with there originally,
  • Acquired roughly 20 new clients that now hire me on a regular basis, and we continue to have a great relationship both online and in the VO booth.

It didn’t happen overnight, but the process has been fun and a huge learning experience.

22 May 2010
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Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?

Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?

A couple weeks back I called a voice over artist that was approaching our agency as representation for them.  I called the number provided and got a cell phone with a plain as day message saying “You have reached {insert first name here}, I am not around, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you!” It was a very casual message with very bad audio left on the business phone of a voice over artist.  This is a perfect example of not taking an inventory of all the opportunities to showcase yourself and your abilities.  It is always amazing to me to see the opportunities we miss and sometimes the most obvious things that get by us!  Who would think a voice over artist didn’t think of doing a voice over for their own business phone, which in many cases is the first thing a prospective client hears.  This happens all the time in some way shape or form. I know I have certainly been guilty of missing something.

Everything, and I mean everything is a billboard for your professionalism and competence in your craft.  Every business/entertainer needs to take an inventory of everything they have put out to represent themselves and every possible opportunity to show their professionalism and capabilities.  Make sure you take the time and really evaluate where you are at and where you need to go and set the marketing/branding plan to get there. Leave no stone unturned.

Once you have done this, take the time to go through and enhance, correct or plan what needs to be done in the future. Make sure that you are showcasing yourself in the best light possible.  Does your branding campaign hurt your or help you?  Success takes time and a lot of effort. If you want to be successful, be diligent, detailed and surround yourself with a team of experts that can help you build your brand and help you make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Good Luck!

12 May 2010
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When Do You Need a Voice Over?

When Do You Need a Voice Over?

Guest blog by The Lowry Agency voice talent Dave Courvoisier

My barber gets it.

My barber… a small businessman…an entrepreneur, a guy who runs a tight ship when it comes to comes to finances.  He understands running a quality operation, and putting forth a successful brand at all levels, means professionalism at all levels.  That’s why, with scissors and comb in hand, me sitting in his chair, he asks, “would you be willing to voice my phone answering system?”

I was willing to do that and we even worked out a barter for the transaction.

I’m regularly shocked at some of the presentations I see explaining the virtues of almost anything — new software and hardware, videos on sales proposals, presentations on the advantages of social networking, informational YouTube videos — and how they can appear so bush league because they chose to use the voice of someone — anyone — rather than spending a few dollars more to hire a professional voice talent.

Much like you would spend a lot of money to do a professional-looking graphics representation of your product or to set up an elaborate website for your services, you should also think about hiring a professional voice talent to complete the package.

I challenge you to think of any business or industry… any marketing or branding campaign… any website, that wouldn’t benefit from the services of a professional voice actor to polish up the presentation.

The following is a list of genres that regularly fall into the realm of voice acting jobs almost any voice actor would love to get.  No specific order of importance:

Radio and TV spots (yes, many of us do on-cam too!)
website welcome messages
instructional videos

How-To videos
product demonstrations
phone menu-on-hold messages
client/customer role-playing
Power Point presentations
employee manual narrations
website sales pitches
white-paper narrations
informational documentaries
online catalog descriptions
movie theatre listings
restaurant menus (online or on the phone)
iPhone apps
Camtasia screen captures
software explainers
automated help menu systems
political phone messages
appliance installation DVD’s
self-help videos
videogames
inspirational readings
exercise videos
audio-books
store overhead announcements
radio promotional campaigns
public service announcements for charitable organizations
assembly instructions for military hardware
Homeland security training lessons
slide shows
employee safety videos
human resources explainers
Christmas party spoof tapes
animated-graphics productions
convention exhibit-booth looping displays
Video memoirs for funerals
Gala fund-raiser videos honoring the awardee
Entryway messages at conventions and conferences
website animations
Do I need to say more?

The applications of a trained human voice are only limited by your imagination.  I’ve even seen voice actors lend their services to party audio that plays in a limousine while it carts a birthday-girl around town with friends.

Voice-actors love the challenge.  They like to be treated as serious professionals as much as you do.  But that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to get into the spirit of whatever project you have in mind.  I once narrated a 5-minute eulogy for a friend at his father’s funeral, ‘cause he knew he couldn’t get through it himself.

The next time you want to demonstrate the latest fishing lure guaranteed to catch large-mouth bass at Lake Wappapello, consider how much more effective it would be with the capabilities of a professional explainer: a voice-actor.

Too embarrassed to deliver the litany of accomplishments your sales team made during a recession?  The trained human voice is a powerful, compelling instrument…use it.

19 Apr 2010
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Writing a Cover Letter and Submitting a Press Kit

Writing a Cover Letter and Submitting a Press Kit

Before you write a cover letter to someone in the entertainment industry, please make sure you research the company to learn all you can.  This will give you a solid understanding of what they do.  The information will help you decide whether or not you actually need the services they offer. Your letter should explain why you would be a good fit for their company.  In previous blogs I have written, I have given details in which an artist can determine if they would need management at the particular point they are at in their career.  An artist should try to figure out through research and phone calls if they are truly ready, or in need of the types of services they are inquiring about.

When writing a cover letter to someone in the entertainment industry, you must first understand a few things about what you bring to the table for them to consider you.  The idea behind the cover letter and press kit you are submitting is to make it as easy as possible for them to review the information about you or your band and to give them the “WOW” factor.  If they have to dig around to find information and if your press kit isn’t attention grabbing and compelling, then they are more likely to pass on it and throw it away.

Your cover letter should be professional and list your strengths. Ask yourself a few questions:  Why do you think you are ready for their services? What is it about you that is unique?  What do YOU have to offer that would make you be worth the investment of time, energy and hard work? Be truthful and positive about what you bring to the table.   The artists represented by the company are a direct reflection on that company, so they want to make sure the artists they work with are professional and understand the business part of the entertainment industry.  Make your letter short, to the point and friendly.  Talk about your experience, fan base, reviews, touring experience and number of upcoming shows.  Go through your material with a fine-tooth comb and be as accurate and professional as possible.

Image is everything and that goes for your press kit!  So make sure it’s professional, complete with a professional CD, photos, one-page bio and other materials listed in my blog titled “The Promotional Kit” http://wp.me/pu8Se-v

Good luck on achieving your dream!

21 Jan 2010
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The Promotional Kit

THE PROMOTIONAL KIT

 

Biography  – Form

  1. Performance Description
  2. Performer Background.
  3. Special Performances
  4. Recordings
  5. Quotes
  6. Notable Venues

General Information Sheet

A list of information that isn’t necessary to include but can be helpful.   Contains things like places the artist has played by category (festivals, concert halls, clubs, radio and television shows) special workshops or projects and discography or videography.  Keep current at least on a yearly basis.

Quote Sheets

This should include quotes or excerpts taken from articles, reviews interviews.  Pick out the best and most illuminating.

Review, Interviews and Preview Articles

  1. Reviews track your history and development.
  2. Preview articles are often written by snatching whole paragraphs from your own bio or press release.
  3. Interviews – self explanatory

Press Release

A sample press release is always a good thing to include.  It makes the kit very useable and professional.

Photographs

8 ½ by 11 flyer slick is a master sheet that includes a photo and name of the act.  It provides a blank space for the promoter to add information about an upcoming performance date.

Logo – not a necessity but strongly recommended

Business Cards

A Cover Letter

The One Sheet

  1. Short  Bio Paragraph
  2. Photo/CD Cover/Project Poster
  3. Logo/Name/CD Title/Show Title
  4. Related Critical Acclaim Quotes
  5. Specific Theme Information
  6. Contact Information

The Electronic Press Kit

All the previous mentioned items that can be emailed or downloaded.  Can also be burned on to CD and provides additional advantages to present video and audio in professional package.