Tag Archive for: Full Time Career

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Voice Over Genres

Oftentimes, when I’m at a networking event and I tell someone that I’m a voice actor, the first response is usually, “Really?! Cool!” Followed by, “Where have I heard you? I love animation!”
I proudly say, “Voice actors are everywhere!”

Here’s a quick rundown and examples of various genres of voice-over.

Commercials: Advertising and/or a call to action. Voice actors can be heard on radio, online, or on TV.

Promo: Promos typically have more energy than trailers. “Tonight at 7 on ACN news!”

Movie Trailer: “Gremlins. Rated PG-13. Only in theatres.”

Video games: Not only are voice actors having conversations with other characters, but they are also making sounds called exertions. i.e., grunts during a fighting scene.

Animation: Voice actors are characters in children’s and adult programs seen on TV or in the movies.

Radio Imaging: The voice of the radio station. “WBRG FM. Only in the Burg!”

In-show TV Narration: The voice guiding the audience through a story i.e., a documentary, reality TV show.

E-Learning/Corporate Narration: Training modules. The voice actor’s job is to make the script sound engaging to the listener.

Voice of God: The voice you hear in the theatre. “Ladies and gentlemen, please silence all mobile devices. The program will begin in 5 minutes.”

Live Announcer: This could be the sports announcer or the announcer at an awards ceremony.

Telephony: The voice guiding you through a business phone directory isn’t always automated. Oftentimes, it’s a friendly voice actor!

Radio Drama: This genre is reminiscent of a play, but the audience is brought into the story through an auditory experience.

Voice over consists of many exciting genres, and there’s a different set of skills for each. Next time you run into a voice actor at a networking event, ask them what genre they work in. They’ll
be pleasantly surprised.

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Full Time (Professional Voice Actor)
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“Are You a Professional?”

Being a professional is more than just possessing skill—it’s about delivering consistent, high-quality work every time. Whether you’re an artist, consultant, CEO, or entrepreneur, professionalism is the key to turning your passion into a thriving career. Let’s break down what it truly means to be a professional, work full-time, and balance multiple roles.

Professionalism: Beyond Skill, It’s a Lifestyle

Professionalism isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you do it. It’s about treating your craft as a business. This means maintaining contracts, invoices, agents, managers, staff, meetings, reviews, advisors, mentors, and clear, reliable communication. A professional doesn’t just show up—they are prepared, delivering on deadlines with unwavering consistency. It’s about setting the bar high and meeting it every single time.

Key Traits of a Professional:

  • Consistent performance
  • Reliability in meeting deadlines
  • Visionary Thinking
  • Resilience
  • Risk Management
  • Financial Acumen
  • Customer Focus
  • Time Management

 What Does It Mean to Be Full-Time?

When discussing being “full-time,” this typically means that your various trades are your primary income streams. For professionals, it involves dedicating most of their working hours to related tasks—in-studio office, out-of-studio office, in-person, online, emails, auditing, networking, and marketing. Full-time professionals often have a steady stream of clients, jobs, and projects, allowing them to rely on their many skills as a career.

A full-time professional’s day might include:

    • Client meetings
    • Networking events
    • Continuous learning
    • Customer Focus
    • Leadership
    • Time Management
    • Health & Wellness

Balancing Multiple Roles: The Professional Juggler

Can you be a ‘professional VO’ while juggling other creative roles? Absolutely. In fact, many professionals are not just doing one thing—they’re directors, coaches, actors, authors, dancers, producers, editors, conference organizers, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, business owners, caregivers, homemakers, knitters, content creators, and more. Balancing these roles requires laser-focused time management and prioritization.

Tips for Balancing Multiple Roles:

  • Ensure each role complements your overall career
  • Diversify to add value to your work
  • Maintain high standards in all commitments

Diversifying your roles can enhance your career and provide additional skills, perspectives, and income streams. The key is ensuring each role enhances your professional standards rather than detracts from them.

The Power and Balance of Focus and Flexibility

To be successful full-time, you need focus. This means maintaining and improving your core skills consistently. But don’t mistake focus for rigidity. Flexibility is just as crucial—it allows you to explore other passions that might actually feed into and enhance your main work.

Cross-training in different roles isn’t just beneficial; it’s transformative. You can be ‘full-time’ in multiple areas- at the same time. Broadening your overall skillset, you gain a deeper understanding of related industries, making your work more robust and innovative. Stay flexible enough to pursue complementary passions. If you’re a sales director for a corporation, learn how to build a sales funnel for your other voiceover streams of income. If you’re a corporate narrator learn ways to do corporate narration for your favorite corporation. If you’re a nurse find copywriters who need medical narration. If you’re a homemaker find casting agents for commercial household and/or children’s products.

Professionalism is Your Pathway to Success

Remember, being a professional isn’t just about skill; it’s about consistency, reliability, and treating your craft with the seriousness it deserves. If you’re full-time and balancing multiple roles, the essence of professionalism remains the same—delivering high-quality work consistently. Focus on honing your skills and stay flexible to explore new opportunities. This balance will sustain your career and push it to new heights with multiple income streams while having fun and enjoying life.

By embodying these principles, you’ll succeed and thrive in whatever field you choose to pursue.

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