Hi Marc,

Bruce

Bruce, thanks for writing in.

Finding a V-O agent can be very frustrating, especially when you have a good-sounding, professionally produced V-O demo.

One possible reason why you haven't been able to land an agent in Los Angeles is because of how highly competitive the market is there. L.A., New York and Chicago, the "three majors," are extremely competitive V-O markets.

My advice is to look in other, smaller markets for representation:

Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas/Ft. Worth, St. Louis, Minneapolis, etc.

A little research on the Internet will find many V-O agencies that represent out-of-town talent.

Also, posting your various demos on Voices.com would help as well. They have categories for commercials, trailers, promos, industrials, animation, etc. that will possibly help attract an agent's interest.

And while you're trying to get an agent, you can still market yourself successfully through sites like Voices.com.

I know many successful voice actors who have no agent but have been making a good living. They just market themselves aggressively, send their demos out constantly, and keep coming up with clever ways to promote themselves.

As you mentioned, this is a highly competitive business, but having talent is just one facet of being successful. Marketing and self-promotion are equally important.

Remember, the reason agents take only 10% of what you make is usually because they're able to get you only 10% of the work out there.

The rest is up to you!

Hope your holidays are happy and healthy.

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.

Cashman Commercials © 2006