Business & Money 101 Tele-Seminar

BUILD A SUCCESSFUL VO BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP

Being a voiceover talent isn't just about being on the mic. Successful professionals also know that they are in business, and need to act as both artists and business people if they want to be paid properly and operate efficiently.

Learn these particulars of the voiceover business before you create your demo so that you can tailor your demo to match your new business and be fully prepared to begin working once your demo is complete!

Covering topics ranging from agents and casting directors, session preparedness, understanding VO norms and expectations, staying competitive and adapting to industry changes, this two hour intensive seminar will help you start thinking like a professional, to learn what to expect once your business is up and running, and to be ready when it happens.

Instructor Erik Sheppard's business experience with major clients including Verizon Wireless, Citibank, HSBC, American Express, Ebay, MTV and TV Land, will help you navigate the difficult questions that inevitably come up as you progress in your voice career. Questions are welcomed during the seminar. See details below.

Sign up now for the next tele-seminar on August 4, Wednesday 7pm-9pm ET.

For $79, Erik Sheppard, a veteran of the voice over industry, answers your difficult questions about the business side of the business, that arise as you progress in your voice over career. Class space fills up quickly, so it is crucial to sign up early. Register by emailing training@edgestudio.com or by calling us at 212-868-EDGE (3343). Click for Edge Studio Policies.

See all testimonials

I feel very fortunate to have found Edge Studio. David and Mike are very knowledgeable, patient, and supportive teachers, and they deliver their instruction in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. They allow students to learn and progress at a comfortable pace and always strive to have them do their best. -I would recommend Edge Studio highly to anyone.

Dale G.

I would like to thank everyone at Edge for all your assistance in preparing me for this demo. The process has been a fun and exciting journey, and everyone has been so supportive and professional. Also, I really appreciate Eric for all his help working with me to create compelling material, and Jake for producing an amazing final product. David, thank you for all your insight and advice. It is always a pleasure speaking with you when I was in the office. I look forward to working with you...

Anthony

I wanted to get back to you to make sure to thank you. You all did a great job. PLEASE GIVE THIS MESSAGE TO DAVID And I would also like you to please let David know that I really appreciate the talent and expertise that he and Edge Studio in general provided me during the training and demo production process. I used to work in New York as a model and commercial actress in the mid to late 80's and I worked with a lot of really talented people and I must say that David is awesome. He is a...

Suzanne

Hello, I just wanted to write a quick thank you directly to Noelle Romano, Brandon and David. I was in last Tuesday evening 8/18 to record my demo after two months of learning and being coached through this intense but fun training program. After meeting with several different coaches and learning from each and everyone of them Noelle was one that I felt most at ease with especially with her consistent positive reinforcements. She made the final recording session fun. Brandon was on top of...

Sally Almeida

Thanks Dave, and remembering everything you've taught me I can hit the one word several ways ... FANtastic, fanTAStic, or with a Yiddish slant "fantasTIC?" Of course, with some creative allowance I can change it to a very natural "FAAAAbulous!"

The feedback I'm getting from demo would make you proud! I keep hearing that it is "wonderful". In fact, I've had offers from three agencies, within just a few weeks.

WOW !!!! There are not enough positive adjectives in the dictionary to describe Edge Studio. It has been one of the most marvelous experiences I have had in my life. The staffs' knowledge and professionalism are second to none. In addition, they make you feel right at home. To anyone considering a career in Voice-Over, Edge Studio is the place for you. I look forward to continuing my Voice-Over education with Edge Studio. Most Sincerely,

Dave

Hi David, "Just wanted to say thanks! You and your Edge Studio staff made the whole project--from voice coaching to studio demo session to the CD duplication process well worth my time and investment. David, you and Judy, are excellent, easy to follow, instructors. Each voice session taught me how to use my voice as a marketable tool. Now, with freshly honed skills and confidence, I've been able to develop a very marketable style. I even opted for an Edge Studio special engineering evaluation...

Jerry McClelland North Carolina

Having gone through the one evening voice-over intro, one-on-one coaching and just completed my demo at Edge Studio, all I can say is "wow". Voice-over work "ain't easy", but with the thoroughness and professionalism of the Edge Studio coaches and staff, not to mention that they are just plain neat people, I am confident in launching this next career.

Sara C.

Hi David. I want to thank you so very much for the help and encouragement you gave me since the day I took my first workshop. Having just cut my first demo, I have some work to do to get started, but what I have learned over the past few months has been invaluable. The honesty and candor, without being crushing to my self esteem worked very well for me and I know I have improved measurably since day one. I have already used many of the techniques I learned, in my work of recording prompts for...

Jean Sandler

David - I appreciate the amount of time you took to meet with me earlier today. Look forward to meeting Joan this upcoming Thursday and learning more about this interesting craft. All the best...R Best Regards,

Robert

Hi David, you may not remember me, I took your course and did a demo CD with you over a year ago and moved to Colorado. I wanted to let you know that I have been getting some work here and have been well received. The training I got from you was excellent and it prepared me quite well, not only for the voice over itself, but how to work with directors and editors. I feel comfortable in the sound booth and taking direction (no one could be tougher than you!). Thank you for your help and wise...

Stew Mosberg

Hi David, Just wanted to say thanks for the great workshop on Saturday. I got a lot out of it and hope to continue to learn and do it. You are very professional, but also did a wonderful job of entertaining us. I can tell that you have a very good ear for voices, barely a word was out of our mouths before your comments. I felt as though my previous classes were just for fun, this was serious. And I still had a great time. I plan on practicing on my own, but would like to do another...

Sharon Rich

Don't need to be "out there" to be familiar with Edge Studio.? I live in Las Vegas, and have done several phone consults with the top guy: David Goldberg.? Worth every penny.

Hi, David, Just a quick note to say I loved the class very much and will put to use everything you told us. I also want to say that I have enjoyed working with everyone I've met at EDGE and am so glad to have found a place that can help me move forward in vo work. All the best to you and everyone at EDGE ... Regards,

Constance George

Hi David, I just wanted to thank you, Tom, and Jean for being so wonderful throughout this process. Jean is worth more than her weight in gold as she is always so accommodating and helpful. Tom is extremely talented and taping my demo with him was a blast! I also am appreciative of your help during my demo prep session and during the beginning of my taping. Thanks again for being so great and I look forward to working with you in the future! All My Best,

Denise Martinez Przystawski

A few years back, I signed up for your voice-over classes at Edge Studio. Your teachings and advice enabled me to land several jobs, and, being the voice for our businesses

Margaret Gloria, CT

Let me repeat what a pleasure and fine learning experience it's been to have been tutored even so briefly by the sterling professionals at EDGE and if the opportunity arises, I will unreservedly recommend the "Voice Design Group" to others. Thanks again and may the competition always succumb to the glistening "edge" of your most admirable enterprise. Very cordially,

David

Thanks for everything. Working with EdgeStudio was a completely rewarding experience. The training sessions with David and the other coaches were invaluable. Everyone at the Studio is down to earth, friendly and so helpful. I walked away with a fantastic demo that I couldn't be happier with, as well as the confidence to start marketing myself for work. Thanks again! I'll be in touch soon about ordering copies. Sincerely,

Jaime Saginor

Hi, David! It was terrific to be a part of the class attending: Voiceovers From Home, Marketing, and Telephony. I found all the classes exceeded my expectations. I got the most out of the Marketing Workshop...you gave us a wealth of information, most which I hadn't previously learned. In the future, are you planning a workshop on making a demo? I know there is a wealth of info about it on your website, and you and your staff are so accommodating, but was wondering, nonetheless. Thank...

Linda Kirk

Hi David, Bruce was just super on Wednesday when I taped my audition for the Christian Science Monitor. Every class I've had through Edge has really help me develop the expertise I need to have the confidence in my skills to get out there and market myself. And it's going really well. Thanks, David, for all your individual help and the help of everyone at Edge. You guys are the best.

James

Hi Lara, Just wanted to say how good those tele-classes were on Saturday, so grateful I found out about them. It was really helpful to see how many different ways there really are to read the same script that are equally good. No one right way. It was also fascinating to hear Bruce evaluate us all (many people in the last class) one by one, and also insert helpful tips and anecdotes. Glad I was able to record it all. Guess it's a never-ending learning experience. And fun. Thanks much...

I have to tell you the experience I've had thus far with Edge (on every level) has been worth every penny. I really appreciate the opportunities I've been given as a student and a talent. Thanks for letting me use the projects. I am just about ready to add a "projects" section to my website. Hope to see you soon. Best regards,

Suzanne

David, Thank you so much. I can't tell you how pleased I am with my demo & with Edge Studio in general. As a complete novice in the business of voiceovers I had no idea what to expect and I was skeptical & fearful to say the least. After working with you through the intensive workshop, private training, and finally producing my demo I now have an amazing demo that I'm psyched to market and it's all thanks to you. Your honesty and professionalism throughout has given me the confidence and...

John

Mostly through the luck of the internet and good intuition I was lead to the Edge Studio. Walking into the intensive workshop I was nervous... I never had a problem talking before, so what if I'm bad at it and I don't even realize it. Once David begins the class you know you are in for a fun, learning experience. His ease mixed with extensive knowledge made the 4 hours fly by and when it was finished you just wanted to run home and practice and get started. However, don't get me wrong... be...

I would just like to thank everyone at the Edge Studio for giving me the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Evaluation Placement Program. I enrolled in the Investigate Voice Over Workshop with Kristin and learned so much about the voice over industry as a business and what it takes to succeed. Kristen is so perceptive and professional and gave fantastic advice. My private session was with Eric. He is an amazing coach and a one-of-a-kind motivator. I had so much fun working with him one...

Stephen

"I moved to NYC 15 years ago as a musical theatre actress. Then I was just a trained actress that could speak well but I had no idea that there were other ways I could express myself as an artist combining the skills of acting and my speaking voice. I came to Edge Studio and met David Goldberg who took my potential and honed and coached me and believed in me. His ears have guided me into an awesome career. Because of Edge Studio and David, I am a voiceover talent in NYC. I have voiced cartoons,...

Lisa Adams

My thanks to you and your studio. I have had a marvelous experience and have learned so much from you, Judy and Tom. I could not have chosen a better place to launch my new career. I am very excited!

Liza

My name is Todd Fleming and I have been doing voice over work for about 3 years. The experience that I had with Edge Studio was absolutely amazing. I worked from the DC studio with Kerry Miller and Brad Smiley. Kerry sat down with me, critiqued my abilities and devised a plan of action. Both she and Brad were friendly and honest. They taught me everything that I know about voiceover. I also completed a tele-training course with David that was extremely informative and beneficial. David's...

David, Thank you for the VO advice you gave me last week on pricing the job I had on the table. I did wind up taking the work for Keeler Volvo and applied your pricing advice. As always you are a resource I am glad I can count on. Since taking your course and making my demo tape I have recovered my costs and am now in the profit from the work I have obtained!

Amy (Geragosian) Fox Internet Business Developer W

David, I do hope this email address will allow me to convey my appreciation to you for the time you spent this evening providing such great voice over learning. While I read a number of articles you have written or been a part of and I've heard you on my iPod, it was great to hear your voice live (even if it was over the telephone occasionally punctuated by the occasional throat clearing and distant children's voices :-)). I found your approach to be refreshingly frank and direct. Your advice...

Doug de Nance

:) Thank you David!!! I really am happy to have access to such helpful advice. I appreciate how blunt you are! It's really what I need! Hope your week is great.

Laila

Jessica, I got into the business with Edge Studio. They conducted the advanced workshop and recorded my first demo (and my second, and soon my third!), and I have used them ever since. David Goldberg, the instructor and sound engineer, is a perfectionist about voice and sound, and he really knows the business! And since he doesn't do voices himself, he's not in competition with you! I have found them to be professional, very reasonably priced, a terrific value, and extremely valuable...

Pamela

Hi Dave, (Hi Gina) So far my demo has been very well received by my friends and colleagues. I do have to say that my "demo day" was by far the best day ever as I start my journey into a voiceover career. The skill and patience with which my demo was produced was amazing. I really appreciated the time taken to involve me from a technical production standpoint. Not only that but it was just plain fun. The whole process from the workshop and evaluation, to speaking with Gina from time to time...

Steve Smith

Thank you for everything David!!! Edge has been a great experience for me and continues to do so. Not sure how I ended up there...but its where I should have been in the first place.

You can take Edge Studio to the bank. Top notch. Great people, good practices, excellent results. You can practically get a college education in VO just by visiting their website, and reading all the "free" stuff they have.

Thanks, David. Edge Studio has been a great launch pad for my voiceover career, from the very first introductory session right through to the marketing class. Look forward to staying in touch.

Alan The Other Side Voiceovers by Alan Bowser 914

The workshop is a first hand look into the world of voiceovers. It's packed full of very useful information to help you pursue a career as a voice over artist. David adds a lot of personal experience to the mix, giving the workshop a real-world, no-nonsense approach to the industry. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone interested in doing voice-overs." Thanks again, and I will be in touch.

Chris Swee

...I must say, the staff at Edge Studio go way beyond the definition of "passion" or "devotion" to their students and the VO business...I'm truly impressed:). They are so fabulous that I wish I worked for Edge!

Laila

Just wanted to say "thank you" to David. No matter what may or may not happen in terms of voice-overs being in my future (I am still interested in narrative work), I had to take this opportunity to say that David was a first-class teacher. The four or four-and-a-half hours passed very quickly, and I never once approached boredom! David was incredibly informative, humorous, patient, and persistent! I came away with a much greater understanding of what's involved in voice-overs, from all...

Steve McKay

Hi David It's been a crazy couple of weeks.. but I have been meaning to drop you a quick note letting you know just how much I enjoyed working with you. You are a fabulous teacher and an all around great person. It is such a bonus to love the finished product, my demo, and to enjoy the process that got me there. Anyway thanks again! Respectfully,

Debra Joy aka Debra Katz

Thank you David for your professionalism, helpfulness and honesty throughout the entire process, from the very first phone call to finally producing my demo. I know you're a perfectionist and it is a great asset! And thank you Judy for being a fantastic coach and helping me, a novice, learn the art of voiceovers. I truly enjoyed working with you! Your coaching has been valuable. Thanks also to Gina and Susan for being helpful and friendly on the phone. I wish you all the best! Thanks!

David, My name is John Blackburn. I came to NYC over the weekend from Washington, DC (Maryland). I had the most amazing experiences on this trip, and Edge was a HUGE part of that. I feel I am well on my way to finding "my voice"... Thank you so much for creating Edge Studio! Every one I have worked with (Sara, Lara, Rose) have all been so professional and helpful. I felt as the owner you should know what an amazing staff I think you have. Thank you again for everything you and your...

John Blackburn

Thanks for your quick response. I am always impressed with the level of service you and your employees give to your clients on a consistent basis.

Suzanne

I really appreciate the fact that you're pulling for me. That truly means a lot. I'll keep you posted as to what's happening in terms of response to my emails. Take care,

Dale

I love receiving your voice-over newsletter and read every word, taking the advice offered and applying it to my career in broadcasting.

Hi Morgan, The tele-class last night was wonderful! I really enjoyed it - I had to cut off about 15 minutes early, but it was a very well-spent 3 hours. Kudos to our instructor! My next step is to set up a one-on-one with a coach - was hoping you could help me with that. I am local to DC, and wanted to see if I could have an in-studio session in the Bethesda location. Thanks so much!

Holly

Thanks to what I've learned at Edge Studio, I have now been invited to auditions that I wouldn't have been asked to go to before. The one-on-one coaching from Eric Rath and the guidance from David Goldberg really raised my performance levels in both commercial and narration work. I get many compliments on my demos... and I credit it all to Edge. Be assured I will continue to sharpen my skills with more Edge classes in the future. Thank you!

David, As always, you are brilliant. I've got some CDs to burn and cards to print! I will probably be the only VO guy there. This is SO helpful. Thanks again. You rock.

James

Hi, David! First of all, I hope this email finds you and your staff at EDGE Studio doing well. Just to give you a heads up...I mailed a copy of my Audio Book Narration demo CD to you last Friday, so you should very soon be in receipt of it, if not already. While re-mastering it, I took all that you had mentioned (in our consultation session last December) into account and applied your great feedback, comments and suggestions to the best of my ability. David, I want to thank you because I...

Leslie

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Your instructor Erik Sheppard Erik Sheppard

A truly unique and versatile voice talent. With over 10 years voice over experience, he has been the voice of thousands of high profile projects across the globe ranging from corporate presentations to national radio and television campaigns. He is consistently the preferred male voice for many of the most prestigious corporate, commercial and promotional production companies worldwide. Clients include Verizon Wireless, Citibank, HSBC, American Express, Ebay, MTV and TV Land.

When not behind the mic, Erik is a voice industry blogger and podcaster. He is the organizer of the Voice Over Mixer series of networking events and the developer of the upcoming VO List project. He is the voice over department head for a national IVR firm with offices across America. He was the moderator of the wildly popular bulletin board VoiceOverSavvy.com. Recently his career and related projects have been profiled in such places as Voice Over Extra, Voices.com, Voice123.com, The Voice Over Insider and countless blogs and podcasts. If it is happening in the voice over industry, chances are Erik is involved.

Erik is proud to sit on the Board of Directors and to be an inaugural member of SaVoa, The Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists.

Hear Erik's commercial demo. Hear Erik's narration demo.

CLASS OUTLINE

The flow of the industry

Who hires talent (casting agents, directors, engineers, end-users/clients, essentially anyone along the chain)
Who pays talent
What do casting professionals listen for? Why do they hire certain talent?
Client expectations
Discuss the politics that exist in the industry

What it takes to be professional

ONLY give your contact info to the person who hired you. (If you give your contact info to others, they may feel that you're trying to bypass the person who hired you.)
ONLY discuss your rates with the person who has hired you. (If you discuss your rates with the end-user, for example, they may inappropriately find out that the person who hired you, a studio for example, was marking up your rate 10 or 15%.)
Be on time
Be prepared
Have highlighter, pencil with eraser, mints, tissue, water
Be calm, confident, enjoy the experience!
Pay attention, listen, follow direction
Don't self-produce, don't apologize for being stuffed up, don't apologize every time you stumble,...
A professional reputation will travel as fast as a bad reputation!

How to ensure you set-off in a marketable way

The most successful students and voice over artists are those that take an active role in their own careers... right from the beginning!
Listen to select demos and LEARN WHAT THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS are for demos. Get ideas... but do NOT directly copy anyone.
Do not record your demo until you are ready:
- you are comfortable recording (no tension)
- you are comfortable following directions (rather than just reading a script your way)
How and where can you go to read, learn, and listen about the industry. The more you learn NOW, the more you can tailor your demo to be more marketable for you!
Think about the type of clients you want and THEN think of a way to stand out for them, and how to stand out from competitors. Have your demo reflect this.

How to ensure you remain marketable

Do not market your demo until
- you will be comfortable recording (no tension)
- you are sure you can reproduce the reading quality on your demo (if you market before this, you are misrepresenting yourself)
Make sure that you are all set to begin recording the day your demo is finished. If a client wants you to record something from your home studio on a tight time-frame but you don't have it set up yet, you will leave a bad impression with the client and they probably will not use you in the future.
Don't quit your day job. Do not assume that work will be instantaneous or that you will be able to demand the same rates of experienced talent out there. It takes time and patience... but don't give up! You can do this! If you think that once you make your demo you will be able support yourself right away you will become discouraged very quickly.
Continually assess the marketplace, the competition, and where you best belong in it.
Continually assess new genres (styles of vocal delivery) that are marketable for you, and be honest with yourself about the kind of work you're likely to get. Then market yourself accordingly. A great example of this is a woman we worked with: She insisted on making an audiobook demo with very serious and intense copy on it, even though she has a Southern belle/peach pie/sweet tea voice that would be much more suitable for other types of material. Not to say that you shouldn't go for your dreams, but you will likely be much more successful if you are realistic

Tips on running your business that you SHOULD BEGIN NOW!

Know the difference between a graphic designer, an artist, and illustrator, a web designer, and a web developer. And begin vetting a team now! This will give you time to select the right team to work with you to best suit your needs, and, it will help you spend/invest your marketing budget wisely.
Network with your fellow students. As your careers grow you can use each other for recommendations, advice, and to review materials before sending them to prospective clients.
Start organizing any contacts now (trying to catch up later is tough)
Keep records of costs incurred in training and setting up your business for tax purposes.