A student of mine recently inherited a nice chunk of change, and she wanted to know if she should invest it all in her new voice over career.
She was looking at hours of advanced coaching, new audio equipment, a few custom demos, and a nice Studiobricks vocal booth. My approval would mean she’d burn through everything her grandmother had left her.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure this would be a smart decision. I think it’s always wise to leave a little nest egg for a rainy day. But there was more at stake.
Every investment means taking a risk in the hopes that you’ll get a solid return in an unpredictable world where nothing’s guaranteed. Any investment is always an uncertain trade-off between risks and rewards.
I’ve seen aspiring talent spend a lot of money on acoustic panels, microphones, preamps… the whole shebang, (encouraged by their coach!), only for it to end up on eBay because things didn’t work out. So I turned to my student, and had “the talk.”
“How badly do you want to be a voice over?” I asked.
“How badly is badly enough?” she retorted.
Then I told her the story of my friend Luke, a talented amateur organist. Luke called me up one day and said he had found this piece of music called “Suite Gothique” by French composer Léon Boëllmann. Even though it was beyond his technical ability (especially the famous Toccata), he was madly in love with the music.
As soon as the score arrived, Luke started practicing day and night. In fact, he refused to rest until he got all the movements down.
“Can I play it for you?” he asked.
An hour later I was at his home. When Luke opened the door he looked like a zombie.
“Forgive my appearance,” he said. “I’ve been living on Red Bull for the past few days.
“But Luke, your HANDS,” I cried. “Your fingertips are red and swollen! Are those blisters that I see?”
“I know, I know,” answered Luke. “I practiced this piece until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I just HAD to. It’s like a good book that you can’t put down until it’s finished. Call me crazy, but I’ve never felt I wanted anything as badly in my entire life.”
With his last bit of energy he played the piece to me, and I was blown away with what a “little” bit of motivation can do to a rational human being.
“I get it, I totally get it,” said my student after hearing this story.
“Now, I’m not suggesting you ruin your vocal folds by obsessively practicing a script you really like,” I added. “That’s not the point of this anecdote.
Before you part with your inheritance, check in with yourself to see if you really feel this burning desire inside of you, A deep desire to be a voice actor that’s like a flame that cannot be extinguished.
If the answer is an emphatic YES, go for it!.
If it is a lukewarm MAYBE, please don’t.”
PS Last week I told you that my wife and I both got COVID. She ended up in the hospital, and I did not. Her symptoms were severe. Mine were very mild. Both of us are now officially cleared, and we are slowly getting back to our regular lives. I say “slowly” because we both are still very tired, and the effects of COVID can linger on for a long time.
Please do not underestimate this nasty virus. It’s still with us, and it is dangerous. We live in a supposedly low-risk area, and we still got infected. Do whatever you can to protect yourself and those you come into contact with.
Thank you to those of you who have reached out with words of support. Your well-wishes, prayers, and kind thoughts have strengthened and comforted us. We appreciate it very much!
I wanted SO badly to go into self-employment for myself back in 2007 and leave behind the 9-5 rat race. I kept experiencing hardship after hardship, particularly with computer problems. I was ready to give up, but that thought hurt so deeply. It grated against my resolve. I wanted self-employment so badly I could feel it in my TEETH!!!! Long live the dream.
Can you feel that desire to be a voiceover artist in your freaking TEETH??? If not, it doesn’t mean you need a good cleaning, a root canal or even an expensive crown! It might just be that your teeth will only feel something ELSE so deeply.
I’m so glad you and Pam are doing better, my friend. Thank God! Hope Pam’s dad is doing well too!
Bless ya…thank you for sharing about passion. I can get behind that. 🙂
Passion never goes out of fashion!
When will you know you want to do voiceover badly enough?
Years ago I wrote in a book about starting in the VO business: you have to NEED to do voiceover in the same way you NEED to breath.
Need, not want.
Only with that kind of true devotion to the art of voice acting does one have a chance to develop and excel in performance; have a chance to attract work that can sustain a business and build a brand; withstand competition from humans and now machines; to be fulfilled by this merger of art and commerce that is the voiceover business.
If this answer frightens someone – good. Better to know now than put oneself in a world of professional and financial hurt later.
As for that inheritance or any similar windfall – no matter the individual or industry – save 60-70%; use 20-30% to pay down debt then look at the balance for things you WANT, not need (your mileage may vary).
Investing in a quality voiceover business does NOT need to be as cash intensive as many people would have you believe (experts – beware of those that refer to themselves as experts…they often carry bags made of carpet ;)). Many great sounding voiceover studios have succeeded with far less studio gravy than marketers and social media posts would have you believe.
I’m done pontificating now. Hope that helps.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.
I think this was extremely helpful, Peter.
Thank you for the timely reminder, Paul! I like to think of passion as the spark that propels us through this pursuit, giving us the courage to start and push through the hard times!
I was in a very similar situation to your student, and both you and my dear friend David Toback talked me down to a much more reasonable and strategic investment plan. Thank you for saving me thousands!
Also, I’ve recently rediscovered my own writer’s voice, writing poetry again to process my thoughts, and helpful articles for GVAA’s members and email list. I’m sure reading your blog for the last decade had a positive influence on that. Thank you. 🙂
Anyone thinking of tossing their hat into the V-O arena should consider getting an evaluation from three reputable V-O instructors, kinda like getting three estimates for a contractor at your home. All because you want to do something, or feel a critical need to do something doesn’t mean you’re equipped to be competitive.
I totally agree with you, Marc, and you should be one of those three people. Thank you for continuously providing resources to our community, that enable us to up our game and become better players in this competitive field.
And you should be another. Who shall we nominate to be the 3rd Voiceketeer?