With a new year comes a fresh look at one’s long-held hopes, dreams, and goals. If voiceover conference attendance is a part of your yearly goals, you may be rummaging the Internet for upcoming voiceover events. You’ll have a LOT of choices. But how do you choose the right event for you? I offer this list of tips to help you narrow down the best use of your time and talent in choosing a voiceover conference.
Support Your VO Goals
Outline what you want to learn in voiceovers. While many new talents wish to do everything voice related, that is just not realistic. Focus on what you want to do in voiceovers. For example, are you interested in audiobooks? What skills do you need i.e., audio engineering, acting, or marketing? Note one to five primary voiceover goals and then develop a sub-list of what you want to learn about your specific purpose or genre.
Shop for the Right Fit
Look over each voiceover conference’s agenda. See if you like the topics and if they are the subjects relevant to your goals. Will the discussion areas further your career progress and do they relate to what you want to learn (the specifics in your list)? Your takeaways should be viewed as a part of your road map for the coming months or years in your voiceover career.
Read reviews from earlier conferences and look for endorsements. Ask your VO colleagues where they have attended. Look at voiceover social media chatter and comments on upcoming events. Conference credibility is just as important as training content.
Look for Voiceover Superstars
Read each presenter’s bio and visit his or her website. What are their specialties and how long has each speaker been in the voiceover industry? Experience is still the best teacher for voice actors. Note the presenters’ projects and if they are in line with the areas you want to pursue in voiceacting.
Pace your Budget
Is the event near you so you can commute? If not, how much travel can you afford? As a voiceover professional, you should budget for one to two conferences per year, so choose wisely. If you must travel away from home, try to share the expenses with another VO talent (room, board, drive, etc.). Some of these costs are a part of doing business, so your voiceover business should pay its own expenses. If your budget is not there yet, you may need to get creative on financing your conference attendance.
No matter the conferences you choose, the experiences will enable you to network within the voice acting community and with other talents. Take advantage of these times as you build relationships and learn from the novice to the seasoned voice actors. Make each event a productive voiceover conference experience.
Have fun, and break a lip!