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Many who enter the field of voiceover do so because they believe it to be a snap! Get the script, sit down... and read it.

Not so fast! Even the most talented, experienced and professional voiceover talent goes through a process with each script, albeit, that process varies depending upon one's approach, style and (yes) indiosyncracies.

Regardless, and I'm sure you've heard this before, voiceover sure beats "digging ditches". No question. But, trust me... it's not as easy as the pros make it seem.

What separates the men from the boys (or, in the interest of P.C. - the women from the girls), isn't so much the talent, the experience, etc. It's the daily routine of operating a real business. You may love doing voiceovers, but absolutely abhor the process of making a business out of it. You need to develop a contact list, THEN keep up with it. You need to build and maintain a studio (or something resembling a place in which to work). You need a website to display your abilities and experience. You need a plan! Let me repeat that one... you need a PLAN! How will you make yourself stand head and shoulders above your competition?

Once you've deciphered the answers to those critical elements of beginning a business, you need to market, market, market, then - market some more. This is the only creative outlet in your arsenal. If you're going to spend the time - and you'll have to in order to succeed - make it fun! Nobody knows you better than you do. Take some liberty - expose yourself. Now, pull your pants back up, smartass!

Marketing is what separates the wannabes from the true pros. Maybe you have tons of dough to drop on expert outside marketers, SEO gurus, webmasters, producers and the like. More power to you (if you want someone else handling your business affairs).

If you can't get excited about telling people who you are and what you can do for them (and the internet opens you up to the entire world), then you may as well hang up your headset now. On the other hand, if the mere idea of touting your benefits to a potential client coupled with the understanding that rejection is a major part of our world gets your juices flowing, welcome to the ranks!

Competition is stiff! But, there's room for us all. Now, back to work.

"Testing... testing, 1, 2, 3..."

Learn more about this author, Doc Phillips.
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