Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.
A. Most of the work I book is either thirty second TV, or long form narrations or documentaries. That's not to say I don't do interactive voice response work or radio spots, because nothing could be further from the truth. Although I can't be all things to all people, I do try to stretch myself into characters and animation now and then.
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. Know that I will, to the best of my ability, give your product or service the competitive position in the marketplace it needs to be successful, and give it the best opportunity to be profitable. I am successful only if you are successful, so we need to work as a team to achieve our goals.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. I don't think many of my clients realize how difficult this profession is, regardless of the fact that it may seem effortless to me now, because it wasn't always that way. I had to go through growing pains to achieve what I've done. And I wear many hats, and always have, so I'm very self-contained, and self-taught.
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. The consumer should ask for voice samples from previous marketing work for products or services similar to their own. Then, upon hearing them, if the consumer can envision this professional being part of their team, discuss more particulars with this person. Include rates, turnaround time, and re-edits with or without music or effects in the discussion.
Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?
A. Any client seeking voice services should be sure that the message they would like to convey is clear and concise, and written in an engaging manner so as to entice potential customers to try your product or service. It's important to establish how the product or service will benefit the customer in their business or personal lives, thereby making the message much more effective and convincing.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. I have a unique voice quality suitable for a wide range of projects. My voice has been called authoritative, edgy, compelling, provocative, confident, and intimidating, but I can also be compassionate, caring, and even whimsical.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. I can give my clients a product no one else can give them: the words, created with my voice, that put their products, services, and promotional events in a very unique light with great opportunity for success.
Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A. They usually ask about turnaround time, and I tell them that I can have their product ready in the time that they require. I work very closely with clients to ensure that their needs are met, especially in this area, and that they're happy with the final results.
Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?
A. How difficult and competitive this business really is. How every job, every piece of copy is treated, and how much an actor has to bring to make the words dance and jump off the page. It is a unique endeavor because of all the different approaches that are possible, and all the different colors that can be used to achieve a certain hue.
Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?
A. Like many voice actors, I was told I had a unique voice, and that I should pursue work in radio or television. I didn't realize how difficult voice acting really is until I attended workshops and learned all the nuances and finer points of this craft. I continue to learn more each day, despite the fact that I've been in this business for over thirteen years.
Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.
A. I provided narration in an online video for a global aquatic food farming research and development company, which is located in Belgium. This firm specializes in creating fresh, new, cutting edge technology for marine life feeding and farming, a much needed scientific endeavor to address the ever growing worldwide demand for nutritious food. With farming and feeding stations set up in various locations across Europe and Southeast Asia, and employing only the most dedicated practitioners, they're achieving their goals with great success. I feel privileged to have been a part of this historic development.
Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?
A. Be prepared for a ton of hard work, like getting better at your craft, finding your niche, setting up a home studio, taking voice classes, either private or with others, and getting ready for your first demo. These days, there are lots of forums and other websites dedicated to voice acting, so the opportunity to learn from others certainly exists. And remember, in this business, there are no guarantees, there's no security, and you'll be rejected quite a bit. But if you've got what it takes, you'll succeed.
