He: Did I read on your blog where you told people trying to break into voice work to chase gigs on Fiverr and Upwork?
Me: If you’re one of the (very) few people who actually read my blog, then yes you did.
He: But the big name “coaches” and “experts” say gig sites like those are bad for the industry, and provide garbage gigs at equally awful rates. They say gig sites offer cut rate quality, and potentially doom participants to getting pigeonholed as cut rate, low talent performers.
Me: Well, I’m not “they,” I’m me. And I’m certainly not a “big name” anything. But none of “they” are particularly interested in new artists becoming “they.” “They” are a lot more interested in keeping competition to a minimum. Some of “they” are really just hoping to score a few bucks off dreamers for “coaching.” If they can get you to pay them AND keep you from turning into a competitor, that’s two wins in one.
He: Are you saying some of the big name people are “gatekeeping?”
Me: Not all of “they.” But a percentage. Look, the reality is that the pandemic caused an explosion of people trying to work from home. Setting up a rudimentary voice over studio is as easy as tacking up some comforters in a closet. Now, everyone with a mic and a dream is trying to break into the industry. Most will flame out fairly quickly. But the ones with real talent and determination will find work, and then more work. Clients are a lot less interested in your work history than they are in your work future. If you can provide the read they need, and you’re not some wanted fugitive or lunatic, they’re probably too busy to give a damn if you did a v/o for some rando YouTube channel for 5 bucks last fall, or whatever.
He: But don’t “they” have a point about gig sites causing a “race to the bottom” industry-wide, rate wise?
Me: You have to consider the clientele. That blockbuster movie’s production house isn’t gonna hire the v/o for the global trailer on Fiverr. That Big 3 automaker isn’t looking on Upwork for the voice to introduce their next sport-ute. No one is scoring a national ad campaign for a monster fast food chain on a gig site.
He: But the big name agencies have rules about their signees being off the gig sites. Some even say they’ll refuse to sign you if you’re active on one.
Me: And they absolutely should. When you rise to the level of real representation, taking gig site work undercuts not only your own paycheck, but your agency’s, too. 10-20% of 5 bucks won’t keep an agency’s lights on, much less help them help their roster find work. But my advice was for the newbies, the people who are capable of doing the work, but haven’t found that “break” yet. As I said then: “Get. The. Gig.” Without a professional demo, professional advancement is nearly impossible. Without those early gigs, a professional demo is, as well. Work begets work. Learn to swing the bat before you try hitting major league pitching.
He: You mentioned “rudimentary voice over studios” earlier. How does “professional-grade” differ from “rudimentary?”
Me: That’s a topic for another blog entry. Besides, the one or two people who have read this far don’t believe this is a real conversation anymore.
He: Are you saying I don’t exist?
Me: I’m saying if you want professional voice over artistry, hire Ben Crystal.