I’m an eLearning narrator.
I’ve always called myself a voice talent but when it comes right down to it, I’m an eLearning narrator. Or is it E Learning? Or e-learning? I’ve covered the confusing role of nomenclature in voiceovers both here and here so we don’t need to go down that particular rabbit hole today.
I bring this up because lately I’ve been reflecting on my voiceover career. When I started doing voiceovers in the 90’s, I didn’t know eLearning even existed. I thought you needed to sound like James Earl Jones and do nothing but commercials. Do I sound like James Earl Jones? I was introduced to eLearning a couple of years into my fledgling voiceover career (thanks, Matt!) and it put me on a path that has been critical to my voiceover career.
20+ years later, about 70% of my voiceover work comes from eLearning. I just made myself a new eLearning demo and I produce them now as well (you can check them out at the VO Strategist website). It’s safe to say I wouldn’t have a viable voiceover career without eLearning.
What exactly is eLearning? In voiceover terms it’s non-broadcast, informational content like academic tests & lessons, training videos, compliance videos (HR, OSHA, insurance, etc.), museum kiosks, and much more. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry and there is a near-endless amount of voiceover work to be had.
TIP OF THE WEEK
If you’re just starting out in voiceovers, you may have a dream of narrating cartoons or video games and that’s totally cool. I love doing them, too! However, it’s very tough finding consistent work in those genres, especially if you’re new to the voiceover industry. eLearning, on the other hand, can be your most stable revenue stream. I’ve been working some eLearning clients regularly for over 5, 10, and even 20 years.
I’m not saying you should abandon your dreams of being in Pokemon or Halo. My point is that if you build a steady income from eLearning, it will fund your training, demo production, and marketing budget for your animation and video game narration endeavors.
Don’t think it’s easy, though! eLearning requires a specific skill set that takes time to develop and master. Just like any other genre; you need to understand the ins-and-outs, how to interpret copy, and discover which sub-genre may be right for you.
If you want to learn more about eLearning, call me! Just go to www.vostrategist.com/book-me to set up a time to chat.
NEWS AND NOTES
Thursday, September 12th @8:oo PM EST: The Edge Studio “Business and Money 201” Webinar, ‘Workflow’. In this one-hour webinar, I’ll talk about how to run your voiceover business from home on a day-to-day basis without losing your mind. Click here to sign up!
September 13-15: VoCation NYC is almost here!
This shiny new conference will focus on the business and marketing side of the voiceover industry. There is an incredible lineup of presenters who specialize in the marketing and business side of the voiceover industry, including keynote speaker J. Michael Collins and…
Carli Silver Casting Tom Dheere Direct Marketing Dr. Rupal Patel (VocaliD) Future of Voiceover Tim Walsh (Atlas Talent) Agents Eileen Schellhorn (DDO) Agents Robyn Starr (ACM) Management Jill Kershaw Casting (CEO of Sound & Fury) Jim Kennelly Negotiation Melissa Exelberth Turn Non-Union Work Union Tracy Lindley Mastering LinkedIn Matt Dubois Online Casting Carin Gilfry Pay to Play Rob Sciglimpaglia Business Structure / Tax Joey Schaljo Working Pro Panel Maria Pendolino Working Pro Panel Andy Roth Casting Hugh Edwards Future of Voiceover Alissa Zea Working Pro Panel Jamie Muffett Home Studio Setup Johnny Heller Audiobooks Jo Anna Perrin Audiobooks Robert Fass Audiobooks Scott Jacobi Audiobooks Freddie Feldman Future of Voiceover Attendance is limited to 150 seats and they are selling fast. Go to VOcationconference.com to learn more and click here to register!
Thursday, September 26th @8PM EST: Edge Studio Marketing 201 webinar, ‘What Your Website Says About You’. In this one-hour webinar, I’ll talk about how your website can help you gain or lose clients without you ever knowing it. Click here to sign up!
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Dog Day and Banana Lovers Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Tom Dheere is a 20+year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for hundreds of clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a voiceover business & marketing consultant known as the VOStrategist and produces the comic book “Agent 1.22”.
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