Avoid These Voice Over Profile Mistakes and Get More Leads

Your Profile is Your Calling Card

As a voice over artist, having a well-crafted profile is crucial for attracting clients and getting more job leads. Your profile on a voice over job platform is your digital calling card. Your profile serves as your virtual representation in the industry and acts as a powerful marketing tool. By optimizing your profile and avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly increase your chances of landing voice over gigs. In this article, I’ll discuss the top 10 profile mistakes to avoid, so you can optimize your profile, attract more clients — and ultimately get more paying gigs!

1. Not Using Keywords Effectively

The most important aspect of creating a strong voice over profile is using keywords effectively. Clients often search for specific terms or phrases when looking for voice over talent. By including relevant keywords in your profile, you can increase your visibility and chances of being found by potential clients. Research popular keywords in the voice over industry and incorporate them naturally into your profile. For example, if you specialize in commercial voice overs, make sure to include keywords such as “commercial voice over artist,” “advertising voice talent,” or “brand spokesperson” to attract the right audience.

Place appropriate keywords in the description of each demo. Treat each demo as distinct from the others, as clients will often see them in isolation. Keywords or descriptions repeating between demos? That’s perfectly fine!

Also place keywords in your bio, as this will bring the client directly to your profile.

2. Not Understanding How the Platform Matches You with Clients

Most voice over platforms use algorithms to match clients with suitable talent. It’s essential to understand how these algorithms work to optimize your profile accordingly. Research the platform’s guidelines and recommendations for profile optimization. Pay attention to factors such as tags, categories, and keyword relevance. By aligning your profile with the platform’s matching criteria, you increase your chances of appearing in relevant client searches. Focus on the breadth of coverage, to ensure your profile appears in as many categories or segments that you are interested in or qualified for.

3. Not Using a Professional Profile Headshot or Logo

First impressions matter, even in the voice over industry. While your voice is your primary asset, having a professional profile headshot or logo can make a significant impact on potential clients. It adds a personal touch and helps create a memorable visual identity. Invest in a high-quality headshot or have a professional logo designed that represents your unique brand as a voice over artist. This will make your profile stand out and create a professional image that clients can trust.

4. Not Using Tag Words (or the Right Ones) on Your Demos

Demos play a vital role in showcasing your voice over skills and attracting clients. However, many voice over artists overlook the importance of using tag words effectively in their demos. Tag words are descriptive keywords or phrases that help clients find specific types of voice over talent. Incorporate relevant tag words into your demo titles and descriptions. For example, if you have a demo for narration work, use tag words like “narration,” “documentary,” or “audiobook” to increase its discoverability. Don’t foorget to use tags to describe your role (“fireman”) vocal tone (“instructive”), or the type of script (“safety message”).

5. Not Creating Demos in Enough Categories

To broaden your appeal to clients, it’s crucial to create demos in multiple categories. Voice over work spans various industries and genres, including commercials, video games, e-learning, animations, and more. By showcasing your versatility through demos in different categories, you demonstrate your ability to adapt your voice to various contexts. This increases your chances of attracting clients from different sectors and opens up more job opportunities.

6. Wrong Language Order

If you are a multilingual voice over artist, it’s essential to pay attention to the order in which you list the languages you speak. Clients searching for voice over talent in specific languages often enter their search queries accordingly. To ensure your profile appears in relevant searches, list the languages you speak in order of proficiency or relevance to your target market. For example, if English is your strongest language and you primarily work in the English-speaking market, list it first.

7. Advertising Your Lack of Experience

While it’s important to be honest about your experience level, advertising your lack of experience on your profile can deter potential clients. Instead of focusing on what you lack, emphasize your strengths, skills, and unique qualities as a voice over artist. Highlight any training, workshops, or certifications you have obtained. Showcase your previous work and client testimonials to build credibility. Clients are more interested in what you can offer them rather than your lack of experience, so focus on the value you can bring to their projects.

8. Not Enough Information Under the Studio Section

Clients often look for voice over artists who have a professional setup and can deliver high-quality recordings. Neglecting to provide sufficient information about your studio setup can make clients hesitant to hire you. Include details about your recording equipment, software, and acoustics in the studio section of your profile. Mention any professional-grade microphones, audio interfaces, and editing software you use. This information reassures clients that you can deliver broadcast-quality recordings and gives them confidence in your abilities.

9. Not Describing Your Voice Age Range or Voice Skills

Clients have specific voice requirements for their projects, such as a particular age range or vocal style. Failing to describe your voice age range or voice skills can lead to missed opportunities. Clearly state the age range you can convincingly portray, whether it’s youthful, middle-aged, or mature. Additionally, highlight your unique voice skills, such as accents, character voices, or specific vocal qualities. This helps clients quickly identify if your voice matches their project needs, increasing your chances of being selected for the job.

10. Inconsistency Between Your Various Profiles and Personal Website

As a voice over artist, it’s common to have profiles on multiple platforms and maintain a personal website. However, inconsistencies in information or branding across these platforms can create confusion and undermine your professionalism. Ensure that your profile information, headshots, demos, and branding are consistent across all platforms. This creates a cohesive and unified online presence, making it easier for clients to recognize and remember you. Regularly review and update your profiles to maintain consistency and accuracy. Also consider any differences in pricing between the platforms. Once platform fees have been taken into consideration, the prices your charge clients should be similar between the platforms you use.

In conclusion, optimizing your voice over profile is essential for attracting clients and getting more job leads. Avoiding common mistakes, such as not using keywords effectively, not understanding platform algorithms, neglecting a professional profile headshot or logo, and not providing enough information about your studio setup, can significantly impact your chances of success. Additionally, describing your voice age range and skills, creating demos in multiple categories, and maintaining consistency across various profiles and personal websites are crucial steps towards optimizing your profile. By taking the time to craft a compelling and well-rounded profile, you can position yourself for more opportunities in the voice over industry.