Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase, we get a small commission at ZERO cost to you, helping keep this content free. A win-win for both of us!
You may be thinking, “Why should I care about personal branding? I’m a voice actor.”
Well, the voiceover industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and personal branding can give you the edge you need to succeed. By creating and maintaining a strong personal brand, you can differentiate yourself from your competition, build a loyal following, and attract more work.
Here’s why personal branding matters for voice actors:
A personal brand is the unique combination of skills and experiences that make you who you are. It’s how you present yourself to the world, and it’s what makes you stand out from the crowd. As a voice actor, your personal brand is one of your most important assets. It’s what helps you get work, and it’s what helps you build a career in this competitive industry.
Differentiation
In a saturated market, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. A strong personal brand will help you do just that. By showcasing your unique strengths and personality, you’ll be more likely to catch the attention of potential clients and collaborators.
For example, let’s say you’re a voice actor who specializes in commercial work. There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of other voice actors who also do commercial work. So, how can you make sure that potential clients remember you? By creating a strong personal brand, you can set yourself apart from the competition and make it more likely that potential clients will think of you when they need a voice for their next project.
Loyalty
When you have a strong personal brand, people are more likely to remember you and come back to you for future projects. This is because they know what to expect from you and they trust that you’ll deliver on your promises.
For example, let’s say you’re a voice actor who is known for being reliable and professional. If a client hires you for a project and you exceed their expectations, they’re likely to remember you the next time they need a voice actor. On the other hand, if you’re a voice actor who is known for being flaky and unreliable, chances are that clients will go to someone else the next time they need a voice actor.
Relationships
Building a strong personal brand can help you attract more work and build long-lasting relationships with clients. Personal branding also involves continuous self-promotion. As a voice actor, it’s important to network with other industry professionals and to promote yourself whenever possible. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and make sure your name is out there! The more people know about you and your work, the more likely it is that you’ll get hired for voice acting roles.
Attraction
A well-crafted personal brand will help you attract more work. This is because potential clients and collaborators will be able to easily find you online and see that you’re the right fit for their project.
For example, let’s say at the earlier example as a voice actor who is looking for more commercial work. By creating a website and social media profiles that showcase your commercial work, you’ll be more likely to attract the attention of potential clients who are looking for a voice actor for their next project.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a strong personal brand, potential clients and collaborators will have a harder time finding you and determining whether or not you’re the right fit for their project.
Now that we’ve gone over why personal branding is so important for voice actors, let’s talk about how to create a strong personal brand.
There are three main elements of a strong personal brand:
Your Online Presence
This includes your website, social media platforms, and any other online properties that you control. Make sure that your online presence is professional and consistent with the image that you want to project.
Your Material
This refers to the content that you create, such as demo reels, blog posts, video tutorials, etc. Again, make sure that this material is professional and aligned with your desired image.
Your Interactions
This covers all of your interactions with others, both online and offline. Whether you’re interacting with a client or simply commenting on someone’s blog post, make sure that your interactions are respectful and add value to the conversation.
Personal branding is essential for voice actors who want to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
By creating a strong personal brand, you can differentiate yourself from your competition, build a loyal following, and attract more work. So what are you waiting for? Start building your brand today!
M. Bruce Abbott is the Creative Director/Partner at Radio Lounge. Bruce has over 30 years experience as a voice actor, casting and production director, as well as extensive advertising, marketing, and podcasting experience.
