VAM 076 | Building Your Voice Acting Brand, Part 2
Welcome to episode 76 of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
In episode 75 I explained the importance of creating and maintaining a positive and consistent voice acting brand. I gave specific advice on how to start with your “signature sound” and how to make sure your website, e-mail and other marketing items represent you as a voice acting “product” in a consistent way. Building and maintaining a clear brand makes it easier for casting directors and producers to remember who you are and what you have to offer as a voice actor. As I mentioned in the last episode, your voice acting brand should be based on your full name. This makes it easier for potential employers to reliably contact you for audition and job opportunities. I also touched on the importance of backing up your marketing message with absolute professionalism.
In this episode, I’d like to take the idea of branding yourself even further by introducing you to the concept of “external” vs. “internal” branding. You see, your voice acting brand is not only about your signature sound and your marketing materials. These things do promote you by showing others what you can do as a voice actor, but they are only part of your branding story. Things like your demo, your website and other promotional items contribute to your “external” brand. Your body of work as a voice actor is also part of your external brand, since your list of credits and your finished performances show your unique creative contribution to anyone who sees or hears them. As powerful as this is for promoting yourself as an actor, these external brand items are not actually you. They are “reflections” of you. They are the artifacts or manifestations of your brand in audio and visual formats. These external brand items are your representatives; they communicate who you are as an artist to casting directors and producers when you’re not around. But what about when you actually are there, in person, interacting with industry professionals, the press, or the public? How do you apply the idea of branding yourself to your face-to-face encounters? The answer is to develop not only your external brand, but your internal brand as well.
In the podcast, I outline in detail how to develop your internal brand to make sure it supports and does not detract from your external brand. I think you’ll find it incredibly useful.
If you’re enjoying the podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could give me a positive review in the iTunes Music Store! Here’s how:
- Follow this link to the Voice Acting Mastery Podcast in iTunes. Your browser should open up to a page listing the podcast.
- Click on the View in iTunes button which looks like this:
in order to view the podcast in iTunes. (NOTE: You must have iTunes installed on your computer for this to work) - Once you’re inside the iTunes program, click on the stars to rate. They look like this:
Thanks for listening!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #76 Here (MP3)
This is another one of those things I’ve never really thought of. I’ve never thought of what my ideals are as an artist. It’s just not something people think about in my neck of the woods. I’ll have to get back to you on this one.
I do know about being punctual though. “Always give yourself more time than you think you need,” is what you’ve said. Former pro wrestler, Stone Cold Steve Austin has said that he is fascinated by time. Being late for anything is so against his ideals that it almost physically hurts him.
Thank you for your time and wisdom.
Not many people talk about your ideals as an artist. That’s why I wanted to make this podcast because it’s a subject that deserves attention.
Glad you liked the episode.
Same here. I never really thought about my artistic ideals. I guess before I can be a reliable voice actor I have to be reliable as a person first. So I guess I’m going to need every help I can get along the way to lay the foundation for my external and internal brand. I know that I’m going to need a little help. For me I can’t stand being late. i always make sure I arrive on time or an hour early so i could get ready for school or karate. In my views I care more about the projects I’m contributing rather than the credits I may get for. Thank you for another wonderful episode sir.
Reliability is certainly a prime requisite for being a professional.
Glad you enjoyed the episode.
I never thought of using the characters you voice as a part of internal branding: I just assumed they mostly displayed a voice actor’s/actress’s talent and ability. Thank you for another great podcast.
Glad I could provide you with some insight. Thanks for listening.
Well, guess I have some homework to do regarding my branding, though I do have a couple words in mind for it.
Thought-provoking episode and looking forward to the next one!
~Kalyn
I’m glad I gave you some food for thought.
They say an artist must be proud of his artwork. It is also good to show signs of humility and it is also true for the artist to appreciate his work and the works of others.
I’m not really interested in what “they” say. Who are “they” anyway? I prefer to get my insight from those with experience who’ve had success.
Understod.
Seriously, thank you for these Podcasts. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to work with you on your June 21st Online workshop.
The mere fact that you have enough time, patience, and dedication to assemble a podcast bi-weekly, on top of the newsletter, on top of your gigs, on top of cons & a myriad of other things i’m sure you’re vested in, AND to do so in such an intelligent and thorough manner speaks so positively not only to your dedication to the art, but also to the fans & VO-hopefuls.
Thank you for being a continuing source of inspiration for me and my peers. Because of your guidance and encouragement I know I can make it.
Additionally I very recently (today :P) Started a podcast based around the “amateur voice-actor” in an effort of self-motivation, collaboration, and to connect with my peers. If you get the chance to listen to it and give me any pointers I would be overjoyed!
“The Amateur Voice” http://podcastmachine.com/podcasts/16828/episodes/95427
Thanks for the link Ryan. Your podcast sounds good. I hope it gives you good experience and practice recording yourself. Thanks also for giving me a shout out in your podcast. I appreciate it.
You’re very welcome. Thank you for appreciating the amount of time and effort that goes in to each one of these podcasts. That’s very thoughtful of you.
I’m glad my work can be an inspiration to you.
Hi Crispin 🙂 Thank you so much with more important things and facts from this episode ^_^ I really enjoy hearing about building a brand between part 1 and 2 so far, which is really important to me as well. When I was in high school, I had a hard time who I am or trouble to fit in, my personality and appearance. I also had a trouble to fit in during my marketing classes, so much peer pressure, and I’m much nerdier than my fashion classmates. I do want attention, but some people, like my other teachers, kept telling me that I as an artist don’t want me to be in public at all instead of my artwork because I’m not really outgoing person. It really hurts me a lot and they want me to be invisible because I have mental impairment. It really reminds me of one of my favorite manga, ‘I Am Here’ by Ema Toyama- Beautiful story. To be honest, I deserve to do more than just an artist- I’m planning to do the cast audition at somewhere community theater from my local area around June. I hope everything is working out. I’m still working on my own website that really fits my personality- Romantic, dreamy, artistic, youthful, feminine, whimsical, curious, and creative- really inspired by my voice between Alice, Wendy and Cinderella archetype. Sorry I wrote very long story. Thank you so much for more important information as always, Crispin 🙂
I’m glad you liked the episode Meghan.
I think you can do what you like. I don’t see any point in reiterating negative stories. It just tends to perpetuate them. Just stride confidently in the direction of your dreams. Don’t worry about people with uninformed or unhelpful opinions.
Thank you so much for your encouragement as always, Crispin 🙂 I’ll do anything what is right and hopefully everything is working out like I’m planning to do during the summer ^_^
Hi there,
Wonderful podcast. I have learned so much from it, and it has been invaluable to me while starting up my own voice over career.
I have a quick question about resumes. I realize that your demo should be your first representation, but what about paper CVs? I don’t have enough VO credits to warrant a full resume so I have my theatre credits as well to flesh it out. Are there any taboos about mixing film, theatre and VOs on a CV? And what is the proper format for a VO resume?
Thank you again,
Ali
Paper resumes are not nearly as important as a demo. However, they can be useful after someone hears you because it can assure them that you have professional experience.
If you’re doing a VO resume, I would list your voice over work first and then any other acting experience you have after that. I don’t know if there’s any taboos. Just lead with the credits that you think would be most applicable to voice acting. Juggling skills are probably not going to help you book a voice over job so you can leave those off.
Most people are going to look you up on IMDB anyway to see what you’ve been in. If you don’t have any credits on IMDB, then make sure your resume clearly lists the voice over work you have done so they know you’re reliable and marketable.
Thanks so much for the advice!