VO potential from (rural) home studio...?

[Allan J K]

Hello,

I'm a former broadcaster/writer (male, with voiceover experience from the old days) and am now preparing to re-enter the field to handle some VO requests from former clients.

Because I'm new to much of today's recording technology and its impact on the field, I'm hoping you may have some advice/guidance in the following areas.

For the foreseeable future, I'll be spending time with an ageing relative and will be located far from audition sites, professional studios and people under ninety. With good recording gear, a quiet studio space and a high-speed connection, is participation in this industry possible/viable despite that comparative geographic disadvantage?

Further to that point--and fully understanding the subjective nature of the issue--could I ask for some real-world assessments, from both established pros and beginners, of the potential for, say, moderate success of a skilled, hard-working voice talent who's experienced in marketing and working strictly from home? (If there are bold opinions regarding realistic income estimates in that situation, based perhaps over a five-year period, I'd be delighted and grateful to hear them. I realize there are a million variables and I'd allow for all of them in any feedback.)

Thank you all for your time; I really appreciate your insights.

[Brice Lewis]

I would say that with the nature of the business today, you should be able to find work. I will say that broadband access is key (unless you have no problem juping in the car and heading to town for the closest wi-fi spot to upload or download big files). As long as you have a good setup and the chops, you should do ok.

[billelder]

This is just my experience and may not be applicable in yours or anyone else's case. <g> But, as people post you may find some common thread that makes sense to you.

When I first decided this was what I wanted to do, I made several calls to broadcast friends who had made the transition. The best advice I got, although I didn't know it at the time, was this. "Everyone has to find their own way." It's true. There are some key things like making a good demo, but finding and maintaining clients will have to come from your Rolodex, experience, creativity and luck. For me, I had a lucky break that made all of the difference. A major player in New Orleans wrote a very nice comment about some work I had done for him and about 10 good clients came on as a result. And then, there are some radio friends who are now PD's who use me as their "station voice."

For me, the web site has been the key, especially in a rural area and working outside of my market. On a personal note, I can appreciate your position with your aging family member. I am in the exact same situation and have been doing this full time with no other source of income for eight years. You'll have freedom and availability that will be very helpful. Only you can answer how much you'll need to make. Before I left my full time job I made sure my finances were in order and that I had saved about half a year's salary while I found my way. I also didn't leave my job until I had three good continual clients, and that working 40 hours was keeping me from finding and doing work with my own business.

Brice is correct. Wi-fi and other ways of staying connected will help you now in ways I didn't have in the early 2000's. The best trick is "call forwarding" that forwards your home calls to another phone seamlessly. Or maybe get a cell phone as your business number. That way you can take calls while out. Nowadays, there are lots of ways to check your e-mail and reply.

Lastly, get a PayPal account. This allows you to get paid via the internet using an account or charge card. It will cost you a bit per transaction, but you can take that off on your taxes and shuttle the money straight into your bank account. I'll do a quick voiceover for a client and then had money in my PayPal half an hour later. Groovy! <g>

[Allan J K]

Hi Bill and Brice,

Thanks for the replies and for addressing those important aspects of the business; your perspectives give me a valuable overview and help to define that "common thread" of experience.

I can definitely relate to Brice's reference to roaming around looking for wireless hotspots.