How to make a strong voice over profile page. In 7 not-necessarily-easy-steps.

Your voice over profile page or personal website is your “sales brochure” to get voice over work.   So the challenge is to make it as strong as possible so people don’t leave your page without wanting to click “buy now”!

Here are 7 key points to hammer home.  I’m using THIS and THIS as examples of a good  profile pages (thanks Tim and Remie).

 

1. multiple demos (but not too many)

You want to show that you have range and experience.  Use your 5 strongest demos (no more). Otherwise people have to start scrolling down.  Or worse, get bored.

2. Good photo

Call me shallow, but I always think if a voice over artist has taken the time to do a good professional headshot that they are somehow more serious, and are  are making more of an effort.  Also – people like to know who they are dealing with. Even though voice over is all about the voice – clients hiring still want to know there is a real person who will be invoicing them and listening to their feedback…. so in that case, doing a professional headshot means you put your best foot forward with a bit of flattering lighting.

3. Quirky and short (less than 5 words) description

This is largely for Piehole members. We firmly believe in a short powerful description. Tell people in a nutshell what you are about.

4. Bullet points of brands worked on

Bullet points make it easy-to-read, and listing your clients immediately builds trust with potential clients

5. Videos

Adds a bit of colour and builds trust. Especially if you have, like Tim and Remie, worked on some really peachy TV ads….

6. No links to bodalgo (or other websites that show you in competition with multiple other “similar voices” )

Nothing against Bodalgo at all. Just bear in mind if you’re linking to your bodalgo profile, it has links to “similar voices”. So let’s say you have your own voice over website, especially if you are paying for your traffic with google search – you don’t want to send people to a page that links directly to your competition.

7. Testimonials

This is probably THEEEE most important thing to have on your page. As many as possible. Testimonials work like a bomb.  (Please don’t kick me off the plane for saying that).

 

New script timing tool for voice over artists…. because ya never know

Every voice over artists has his or her own unique…. pace. You get the luscious, slow M&S style VO and then you get the superfastenthusiasticguysellingtomatoesfor99centakilo. And then there’s everything in between.

Plus very often, clients expect a quote really quickly and you don’t always have the luxury of time to check it out carefully.

So James, our resident computer genius created a new toy for voice over artists. A script timer that allows you to figure out “your pace” and also guesstimate (with pretty good accuracy) how many minutes/seconds of audio a piece of text is.

Go on…. give it a goo HERE:  

If you like it, share it!

Voiceover Meet Up Dublin 1st March

You are cordially invited to the Piehole Ireland Voiceover meetup! ALL VOICE OVERS WELCOME! When? 1st March. Where? The Brazen Head, 20 Bridge Street Lower, Dublin 8  Why? You decide. Come along and give voice overs a voice, meet other VOs, network and fill your piehole with a few beers. This is a Piehole event, but all voiceovers are welcome! Entry is €10 – the money is used to buy you two drinks… The event is for fun and not for profit! Spaces are limited to fit into the pub, so please book your tickets here:

TICKET OPTIONS
Select t-shirt size (if you’re buying option 2)

Or if you prefer not to use Paypal: http://www.piehole.ie/pages/Piehole-Dublin-Meetup

Miniature Pieholes

Piehole’s younger talent has an impressive range of gigs under their pint-sized belts including Cadbury’s and Aer Arann Airlines.

In their spare time, (outside of school we hope!) they fit in a fair bit of activity: some work on TV shows, animated cartoons and one even made a recent appearance on The Apprentice. Varying in age from 9 years to mid teens, they boast studio experience and confidence that’s well beyond their years.
What better way to promote your child’s confidence than to help him deliver a rocking demo and earn his own money for his natural abilities? Being able to say you do the voice over for a well-loved animated character on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network is insurmountable in street cred on the playground. And not too shabby when you’re able to save your own money either.
If your young one displays a flair for the dramatic or a passion for performing, watch this space for our Kids Demo Camp coming soon!

Pieholian Meetup 1st March: Save the date

Pieholians from around Ireland are invited to mix it up and mingle with fellow Pieholians at Piehole’s first ever VO meetup. It’s a Piehole event, but all voiceovers are welcome! Come and meet others in the same boat, trade tips and share ideas. Venue to be confirmed in City Centre Dublin, mark the date in the diary! More details to follow…

Voice Over Hilary Fennell Contributes to Book in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation


Hilary Fennell has contributed a short story in a charity book called ‘Celebrating What Really Matters’ in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. The book is  and is available nationwide in Easons and Supervalu for €9.99, as well as through www.powerswhiskey.com / www.thankyouproject.ie.

Hilary’s story is included along with the other 39 finalists from the Irish Times/ Powers competition earlier this year and would make a perfect stocking filler!

Check out Hilary’s Profile here

TV3 The Apprentice: Piehole Voice Overs Rub Shoulders with Big Business on the Small Screen

 

We’re extremely proud of David Cronin, Amy Stack and Toni Webb, the three Piehole voice overs who proudly represented us on TV3′s  ‘The Apprentice’ last Monday night.

Each of them made a quick appearance on the small screen and showed the Irish nation what being a professional VO is all about.

Our very own Ruler, PG, also makes a short but sweet appearance at 13mins 45 secs. Don’t even blink…………your ears.

Favourite quote of the episode relating to the merits of hiring a professional voice over:

 

Business Yuppy one: “I don’t think we need a voice over, I really don’t”

Business legend and future Bill Cullen: “It makes some difference. It makes it into a real professional ad to have a good voice over”

Business Yuppy: “I’ll do it”

Business Legend: “You’d want to be smoking 20 a day!” – Brilliant!

 

Check out the stars profiles here!

Toni Webb + David Cronin + Amy Stack

Noticeboard: Interview with Voice Over Jacqueline Callaly

How and when did you get into voiceover work?
I cut my teeth on voice overs while I was doing Continuity at the London Film School (formerly LIFS)  - the voice on the other end of the phone, that sort of thing.  I was certainly better at that than body-doubling - oh god forbid! - but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed getting into the sound booth. After that I got sucked back into the world of commerce and forgot all about it for a while, until I did some radio training a year or so ago. 
What has been your favourite job to date and why?
To be honest, all of them. Am I allowed to say that without sounding like a bit of a lick? It’s a real buzz doing this kind of work. My job that pays the bills at the moment would involve a lot of dispute resolution, so let’s just say I can’t always say what I’d like to - on the other hand, getting behind the mic is pretty empowering.
What styles do you kick ass at?
Uhmmm, “distinctly melodic”  is how I’m described on Piehole, but I’d also describe my voice as Corporate and sensual… well, not at the same time obviously, as I’m not sure what kind of message that would give.  I’d give the Cadbury’s Caramel bunny a run for her money though.
Are you involved in anything interesting lately?
I’ve just completed an ad for Bach Night Time Remedy for 4FM.
Any advice for aspiring voice overs?
I’m pretty new at this still, so I’m not sure I’m the best person to ask, but for me, I’m just going to keep at it – and why wouldn’t you, it’s great work.  Oh, I really am sounding like a lick now.
Anything else you would like to let us know?
I’m 100% Scottish thoroughbred, so I can ham up the wee brogue as required – though I think I’m a  bit easier on the ear than Rab C Nesbit.  I  lived in Germany for a few years, so I can Vorsprung durch Technik with the best of them.  Oh, and I can also do a headstand. Without my head exploding.

Noticeboard: Pom Boyd Voice Over to Present Trilogy of Short Films

Pom’s little Trilogy of short films ‘Today’, ‘Hard Day’ & ‘Birthday’ are to be shown together, for the first time, at The Cork Film Festival on Sunday the 13th November at the Triskel. Pom would love to see you there. You can check out the details here at The Cork Film Festival website

Check out Pom’s VO Profile here!

Noticeboard: Interview with Voice Over David Young

What led you into the world of voice overs?

A hand in the back. I was pushed. I’d been presenting radio shows and making documentaries, yet was blithely unaware of all things VO. But then some quite clued-in people gave me a shunt to try voice work. One (short!) train ride later, here I am. 

What’s the most interesting job you’ve had to date and why?

It’s got to be making a lotto ad with Mutiny and DDFH&B. The idea was based on using 3-D stereo sound. If that makes any sense. It’s pretty much like being immersed in the ad, with audio coming at you from all angles. And so we recorded in all sorts of places – the middle of traffic islands and golf course fairways. Great fun. 

What style of reading would you say is your strongest?

Damn good question. It might just be narration. I’ve been making documentaries with RTÉ and the BAI. So, telling stories – real ones, mind you – seems to be a natural fit for me. But I’m willing to stand in front of a bus … momentarily … for the sake of a good take, if I have to. (Jeez. Those studios!)

What single piece of advice would you give to aspiring voice over actors?

Enjoy it. And don’t feel too beaten up by the knocks. They’re inevitable. But you will meet some incredibly creative people along the way. And that’ll bring you along.

Do you prefer recording from your home studio or are you happier to take direction from copywriters and sound engineers?

It’s the same really because you’re still working with people. And trying (your damnedest) to meet their expectations. The artists in copy and sound choreography can really improve what you do, no end. So, even with a state of the art home studio, with all the bells and whistles, it’d be foolhardy to ignore ’em. 

Honest, that is not my presidential answer.

Anything else you would like to let us know?
I’m really cheap to run. I never order dessert. Just coffee please. And I’m good to go. 
On www.posthouse.ie, there’s a whole raft of stuff, from radio to writing, and back again. So, I could come in handy if you want to bounce ideas on a script or build a story board. 

Check out David Young’s VO profile here!
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