I posted on my Facebook yesterday about how I read an article that didn’t sit well with me. So much so, that I actually wrote an email to the publisher, which isn’t really like me to do. Opinions come a dime a dozen from many different perspectives and I’m usually content to let others believe and preach whatever they like when I comes to voiceover. But this one just rubbed me the wrong way.
The author was talking about how to build a career and without going into specifics, it was a wee bit unrealistic. I love hope and the promise of good things to come, but presenting a false, unrealistic hope is as much cruel as it is unfair. And when it comes from someone who teaches a class, it makes them seem more like a shady salesperson than an expert.
So, here’s a reality check to those who haven’t really ever heard the bitter truth: VO is not an easy path to take.
Building a client base takes time and a lot of energy. You can’t just expect that when you secure a website and announce to everyone that you have a mic and will voice for cheap, people will come running. It just doesn’t work that way. It takes years for most people to replace their income at a day job with VO money, and you’ll actually need to make a good percentage more than you did at your day job because about 30% of your income will be taxed. You’ll also pay an arm and a leg for health insurance for you and your family. And if you want to put something toward retirement, nobody is going to offer to match your contributions.
There’ll be sweat, tears, training and a few triumphs along the way. You’ll be spending much more time networking and reaching out to potential buyers than you will behind the mic. You’ll go through slumps when you’re not booking and want to quit. There’ll be months when you’re not sure how you’re going to pay the mortgage, either because you’re not voicing as much as you need to be or because you’ll have a dozen outstanding invoices that clients are late in paying and a couple that won’t get paid at all. If you’re in radio imaging, you’ll notice the industry isn’t what it once was and slashed budgets means stations aren’t buying at fair rates if they’re buying at all. And speaking from personal experience, I never get my hopes up for anything until I see a signature on a contract or I actually go in the booth and voice the project. The whole industry is much too fickle. You’ll do three auditions for someone and think you’re on the fast track to a great gig and then they’ll choose someone different at the last minute.
There are tons of reasons why this business is harder than people think. But indeed, it’s ever so rewarding for those truly called to do it.
I realize this seems like a negative blog… I really don’t mean it to be. But it’s really really important that you don’t invest too much into a VO endeavor until you’re sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Because when the tough times come, it’s honest to goodness fire-in-the-belly passion that will carry you on. If passion isn’t at the root of what you do, you won’t get very far in a new career and still be happy. It’s really that simple.
My feeling is, if you approach with some realistic reservations instead of grand delusions to fully support your family within a year, you’ll have better chances at being pleasantly surprised than hopelessly discouraged. And I’m all about the pleasant surprises. That’s part of what makes it all worthwhile.
That and being able to do it in PJ’s. 
