Demo Question

[TomConklin]

Hey folks. I would love to get some opinions. Most pro voiceover artists will tell you to only make a demo when you are ready and make sure it is top notch. There is only one chance to make a first impression and that's all you get.

Here's my question to you...

If you are a member of a site like voices.com or voice123.com and you want to get work and experience to prepare you for making "your demo" - then you have to have a demo on your profile. Does putting together a demo of your own work to post on these sites hurt you down the road? I mean, shouldn't I have a commercial demo on my voices.com profile? I want to get work and gain experience, but I also want to go into a pro studio down the line and do an actual studio produced demo. I guess what I am getting at is, to me anyway, it wouldn't make sense to say practice doing voiceovers and then at some point decide... I'm ready to make my demo. Does it?

Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

[SomeAudioGuy]

Yeah the online market place has created an element of chasing your tail, hasn't it?

I think there's a difference between having samples of your work available for people to hear what you sound like, and producing a demo that you're going to be sending to casting and talent agents to try and stir up work.
From reading around the forums, it sounds like you're right in gear, learning what you need to on how best to represent yourself.
This is a very patiently aggressive business we're in.
Be both, and when it's time to make your move you'll know it.

Now grasshopper, try to take this pebble from my hand...

[TomConklin]

Once again, your help is appreciated someaudioguy. Good advice!

[BobbyH]

Originally Posted by TomConklin

Most pro voiceover artists will tell you to only make a demo when you are ready and make sure it is top notch. There is only one chance to make a first impression and that's all you get.

Does putting together a demo of your own work to post on these sites hurt you down the road?

Now, reverse that and you have your answer.

Originally Posted by TomConklin

Does putting together a demo of your own work to post on these sites hurt you down the road?

Most pro voiceover artists will tell you to only make a demo when you are ready and make sure it is top notch. There is only one chance to make a first impression and that's all you get.

You should read this thread before throwing you money away:

Online Auditions - how many's too many?

[TomConklin]

Hi Bobby, I'm not sure what you mean by reverse it and then I'll have my answer - but did you ever think that Roger may not be doing something right? (no offense to you Roger if you see this). I've been delving deeper into the voiceover field for a couple of years now and I have had some successes and some failures. I'm looking at it very realistically and I do have a voices.com membership already. It is an extension on my business and I do not depend on it as my main source of jobs. Besides, it's paid for after one job and the wealth of information and experts that contribute to it makes it well worth it to me. Thanks for the input though. :)

[BobbyH]

I was simply saying that you answered your own question in your initial post. In my experience, and many others, it is best not to market yourself until you have a product to sell. Since you filled us in with a bit more of your background (I assumed you were very new); it might be time to have your first demo produced.

Why?

Perception.

How would it look to a producer who liked your audition and visited your page to see how much experience you have? A lot of times, a producer has to sell their decision to use you over another talent to their boss or a committee. He/she might need some “ammo” and you can’t provide even a demo to help them out. They only see a beginner and they might not want to trust their advertising budget to a novice. Some national ad budgets can run into the millions and it all rests on your shoulders.

Do you see what I am getting at?

There is a system in place for talent to follow. This system has filters to weed out the people who are not willing to put the effort in to being a professional. The first filter is having a great demo and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, making sure you can back up your demo with strong performance abilities.

The entire thread I referred to has a wealth of information about how to handle a career at the beginning. (Roger simply gave a few VOs a reason to provide some helpful advice to anyone starting out. I think most of the info written didn’t concern him directly at all.)

I am not trying to discourage you in any way. Just trying to make sure you take the steps to grow your talent and business in the correct order to make it the most prosperous for you and your future clients.

[TomConklin]

Hey again Bobby...

All good points thanks. I actually read further into that thread after I posted my previous response. I guess I jumped the gun a little there. I do see what you are getting at and I know I have a lot of work to do. I guess the main thing I was looking for opinions on was if putting a commercial demo that I did myself on my voices.com profile before I make my first "real" demo would be a mistake. Thanks very much for taking the added time to respond again. I do appreciated it. :)