I’ve been told I have a good voice. Should I record a demo CD?
‘The simple answer is “no” because if you have not been trained in a technique, advertising agencies would not pay £200 / $500 an hour just because you have a good voice. That would be like asking someone to play the violin because they have 10 fingers.’
What should I do first?
“First of all you need to know if you have enough ambition (not everyone does). Then you need to learn a technique so that you are confident and professional when you walk into a studio. Why be an amateur if you can be a professional, it’s the difference between a pub pianist and a concert pianist. Finally, you need to record a demo CD. Be very careful that you get your value for your hard earned money! I’ll be happy to advise you, just email or phone me. Once you have a demo CD, you need to contact as many radio stations and advertising agencies as possible. And remember, you need to be patient. It’s not rocket science.”
Is there really plenty of work?
“There are thousands of voiceovers needed in every country, every day. Most of us think of TV and Radio commercials. For example, there are 6000 radio stations in the UK and America. If they used 10 voiceovers a week, that would amount to 3,000,000 voiceovers a year! But there is even more work in other areas. Companies produce videos for safety training, induction, sales and promotional purposes. Museums use audio tour tapes, trains use recordings to announce stations, airlines give safety instructions, car manufacturers, satellite navigation systems, Microsoft, on hold phones, video games and much more. The human voice is needed everywhere.”
How much can I earn as a voiceover?
How much you earn depends on:
- Which country you live in
- Whether your work is television, radio or corporate
- Is it a local or national campaign
- How many times it is shown
| Radio commercials | - £50 – £200 / $150 – $1000 |
| Television commercials | - £200 – £3000 / $400 – $15000 |
| Television presenters | - Negotiable |
| TV continuity announcers | - £50 – £200 / $250 – $500 |
| News-reading | - Negotiable |
| Documentaries: | - £100 – £200 / $400 – $800 |
| DVD: company reports | - £100 – £200 / $250 – $1000 |
| TV ads & kids cartoons | - £200 – £3000 / $400 – $15000 |
| Talking books | - £1000 / $2000 per day |
| Websites | - £100 – £200 / $250 – $1000 |
| Video games | - £100 – £200 / $250 – $1000 |
| Phone on-hold system | - £100 – £200 / $250 – $500 |
If there is so much voiceover work, it must be easy so why do some people succeed and others fail?
“That’s easy: first of all, some people think a good voice is enough and don’t bother to learn a technique; and many more people do not have the ambition or patience.
My first voiceover job was a TV commercial for Dunlop which would have earned me £5000. A producer had mistakenly chosen me because he liked my voice (that was his first mistake). I had no training; in fact I didn’t know a microphone from a doorknob. Twenty minutes later I walked from the studio in a daze. It was a disaster!”
I learned a very important lesson that day: If you want to become a voiceover, a TV presenter or broadcaster, you need a technique. A good voice alone is not enough.
Is there a guarantee?
“I can certainly guarantee that the Hudson Voice Technique™ will make a dramatic improvement in your presentations and reading. I can also guarantee that there is a massive amount of work in every country, but I cannot guarantee any individual’s determination and ambition. Only you can do that. Here’s part of a letter I received recently:
‘I have several sessions booked to record 45 and 75 second Website Audio Files and I have done a couple already, so I’ve already earned back my course fee!
And on Friday I am seeing the director and producers of a new TV documentary series being made for Discovery about Ghost Hunters, to audition as narrator.’ David Roberts
That’s a terrific start! This could be you.”
You say the only technique in the world is the Hudson Voice Technique™. Why do I see many ads offering to train me?
“Lets be clear about this situation. When you learn to read, you need the ABC. When you learn to read professionally, you need the Hudson Voice Technique™.
There are excellent advisors, especially in America who can help you advance your career as a voice over. But the first stage is to learn how to read professionally.
Everyone in the world communicates by instinct because a technique has never been available, even at stage schools.
There are hundreds of people offering to train you to be a voiceover. Some of them give good advice, but that’s not much use unless you are trained in a technique. The fact is that none of them has a technique to teach. They are confusing advice with technique.”
Dictionary definition:
“instinct” [in'stingkt] n. The innate aspect of behaviour that is unlearned.
In other words; “guessing“.
“technique” [tek-neek] n. (1) A set of specific rules which determine the degree of excellence. (2) The degree of skill or command of fundamentals exhibited in any performance.
The problem is that anyone can call themselves a trainer.
Should I contact an agent?
“Yes, but I would wait until you have recorded a few voiceovers because you will be more confident and have some experience. That will give you a much better chance.”
What is ISDN?
“ISDN is one of the digital miracles. More than 50% of voiceovers are now recorded via an ISDN line. It’s like a telephone line, but it allows more information to be transmitted, giving a truer rendition of your voice. It will enable you to work from your home and record anywhere in the world. More importantly, it will enable you to record to any radio station or recording studio in your own country.
I suggest you record a few voiceovers and get your investment back before spending more money. ISDN is an amazing opportunity to increase your income.”
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