That’s the million dollar question.
So you’re a voice over actor. It’s your dream. You’ve taken all the classes, your voice is very different and you have range. You have multiple solid demos. You have learned many different dialects and you now master them. You are ready. Now what?
As a voice over actor, there are countless opportunities to be had without needing an agent. There are many online platforms where you can get jobs. But if you feel that’s not enough and you want more. (Cue to the Little Mermaid song…)
We get it.
You want an agent. You want casting directors and producers to notice you. How do you do that?
Well, here’s the great news. We live in a digital world. There are so many different platforms where you can showcase your work. Social media is a great way to get seen. If you do great work, people will notice.
Create a channel on Youtube, specifically dedicated to your voice over work. Show us your range.
Follow casting directors/producers/directors on Instagram (but do not DM them!) If we/they click on your profile and see great content, we/they will notice. Guaranteed.
You can even use the latest social media trend: Tik Tok. Many professionals are now looking at that too.
You can use LinkedIn to your advantage, too. Look up the projects you would want to work on, then look up who is working on them. See if they would want to be added to your network. If they don’t, don’t push it. Everyone gets hundreds if not thousands of requests, it’s not personal. But it’s good to know who they are. Maybe you know someone in common.
Stay on topic and stay on brand. Make the content interesting. Make us want to work with you.
So don’t be afraid to create content. Nothing will happen if you stay home, with your amazing talent and nobody there to see it.
Now here is what NOT to do.
Do not stalk producers, casting directors and/or directors. Don’t send emails that look like this: “I am so talented I don’t understand why you don’t want to meet me. I’m the best thing since sliced bread.” Eeeek. Those emails, if they get read, go straight into the trash. That is not how you are going to show someone what you can do, and it leaves a bad tase in the recipient’s mouth.
Referrals are, of course, a great way to get seen. But again, it goes hand in hand with what I wrote earlier. You need to do great work. Then surround yourself with other actors who do great work and are good people. Stick together, and I promise you, someone will know someone and if you show up and do the work, and are a good human, someone will refer you. Then it’s up to you what you do with that referral. (Hint: Don’t blow it!)
Hang in there. Everyone’s career looks different. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. And if this is where your heart is, then trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to.
With love and gratitude,
Stay safe and healthy,