They say to be successful, we must find people who are doing what we aspire to do and find out how they found their success. Our “Slice of Voice Over Life” series looks at a typical day in a voice actor’s life, their techniques and marketing strategies as they build and expand their career. In part 1, Vanessa Hart talks about how she found her way into the voice over industry and what a typical day is like in her career.

Vanessa Hart continues, sharing her Slice of Voice Over life:

TJP: How has the voice over industry changed for you?

VH: It’s simply night and day. When I began there wasn’t that much that was within one’s own power to control. You got your agent, your union cards and then simply did what you were told with a little marketing on the side. It was grand  at the time. One of my favorite memories was in Minneapolis when I was shooting a union commercial during the day, the agency arranged a car and a long lunch for me so I could leave the set to record a national vo and then arranged an early release for the day so I could make curtain for an Equity show that I was in across town. Easy, breezy  of course, quite a bit of that arranging now falls on my shoulders.

TJP: Describe your career today.

VH: I have 6 agents and run a home studio  a must these days. And keeping up with the technology, marketing, rates, schedule juggling and customer satisfaction is all on my plate. The work never lessens, the learning never stops and the business never closes. Challenging but also wonderful. It’s tremendously empowering and I am blessed.

TJP: Any advice for beginning voice actors? And the more experienced?

VH: Advice for all  never stop learning. Beginners: study from lots of different people at the start, eventually you will find your core coaches who you will work with over the lifetime of your career. With my students, I always do the first session for free so I can determine if the person has the chops and determination to succeed in this business and also if I’m the person they need at this stage. If the answers to all those questions are yes, then a course of study is determined in accordance with each student’s unique needs. I’m a fixer, a problem solver. I suggest you have at least one coach who is that for you and who knows when you need someone else’s expertise and can hook you up with that person. I have a coach like this and she is invaluable to me. Group classes are also encouraged, on a continuing basis. There is always something new to learn  always.

Remember, you are building a business. That means hard work at a steady pace with goals and benchmarks. You have to constantly market yourself and your distinctive signature, coming up with new and different marketing ideas that make you stand out from others in the industry. Be happy with others successes. You are unique and your career will be as well. If you love this business and produce excellent work, with integrity, you will be rewarded in kind. Stick to it and never be afraid to ask the questions you need answered.

Veterans  share, giveback, try something new, keep learning and stretching. Let’s keep our eyes always on raising the standards and lead by example. And let us all remember  the pie is not finite in size but constantly expands to encompass all.

Thanks Vanessa! If you want to share a slice of your voice over life, let me know!

-Tracy Pattin