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MARKETING
Get A Jump On Next Year's Voice Over
Marketing By Preparing & Producing It NOW

December 9, 2015

By Bettye Zoller
Voice Actor, Audiobook Narrator & Coach

In the advertising and related industries, the holiday season traditionally is dormant. Holiday commercials are usually recorded in August-October and ad campaigns finished by then.

Advertising agencies and voice over agents sometimes nearly close their doors (except for holiday parties), and welcome this time to spend on personal pursuits.

Business resumes in mid-January, leading up to Valentine's day.

Our industry has a calendar year just like the fashion industry does. It pivots around national holidays and activities such as "back to school" and "summer vacay."

NO HOLIDAY BREAK!

So what can voice performers do to make the very best use of this time of year? Here is a short list of suggested activities that can promote and serve you well:

1. Send holiday postcards to clients and those you hope to make into clients.


Never use envelopes. People read postcards BEFORE tossing them! Make the card clever and attention-getting, and write a short friendly message. Out of sight, out of mind!

2. Send small gifts to your best clients.


Don't forget teachers and agents and those who have helped you!

3. Prepare materials you intend to use in the New Year.


These include headshots, demos, business cards, website designs or improvements, etc.

this is the time to work ON YOUR BUSINESS!! All your new materials should be FINISHED and sent or given out by the end of January. Start the year right!

4. Decide where you may advertise - magazines, newspapers, online - and get the ads designed or do it yourself.


Get noticed! That takes planning!

5. Do you plan on using collateral advertising in the New Year?


These would include pens, pencils, calendars (a good investment since, if clever or attractive, your calendar will be saved and used all year long!).

Decide what you are going to do in this area and have it designed and get it ordered and shipped to you.

6. Prepare your NICHE DEMO (real estate, medical, legal, political, etc.).


If you are going to produce a new demo in a certain "niche area," the holidays are the time to do it!

7. Think ahead to future promotions, such as a Valentine's Day postcard.

Start planning your advertising year now.

8. Design solicitations now, such as to agents you hope to sign with.

Get the materials together now to send out with your new head shot or demo! Choose your photographer or demo producer or website designer now. They get busy after Jan 15!
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ABOUT BETTYE
Bettye Zoller is a multi-award winning international voice talent, audiobook narrator and trainer, and owner of VoicesVoices.com, a voice over production and training company based in Dallas. Winner of Clio, Addy, Golden Radio and many other awards, she coaches individuals and conducts workshops and seminars at her Dallas studio.

Email: btzol@aol.com
Web: www.VoicesVoices.com

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Comments (1)
Adam C. Sharp
12/9/2015 at 11:20 AM
Great article with wonderful reminders to keep my VO business going. All good advice for any business. Working on these ideas right away. Thank you!
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