She surely does not realize what a favor you did for her! Her attitude will require deep pockets and the end result will still be failure.

Guys like you should keep that famous "Announcer's Test" handy...you know the one I mean. Before the "demo session" you should hand it to the aspirant and ask them to read it; secretly record it. Then play it back and ask them if they REALLY think they're ready to spend money to launch a career that just isn't possible. That should be good for our industry, the aspirant and his/her demo targets. Acting teachers ask you to do the strangest things ("Assume the position of a table and tell us your secret thoughts") that will make everything else you're asked perform a piece of cake. Right on, Dan! Good Job!
Jay.

Mr. Friedman,

I totally agree with you. Several years before I retired from "my real job," the job I worked at 40-60 hpw and provided a steady paycheck, I got interested in VO. After purchasing the latest, greatest and fastest computer available at that time, the latest home recording software, etc., I soon learned how inadequate my training and skills really were.

During the last fifteen years, I have spent lots of time with voice coaches and training, built my own recording studio and learned how to present my voice. Early along I presented free classes to others wanting to learn how to podcast or new bands wanting to cut a demo.

I learned more from these people than I could teach them: If you ain't done your homework, got the necessary training, and most importantly, spent the time training and practicing you are dooming yourself to failure.

I never wanted to be a six or seven figure-a-year Vo artist. All I ever wanted to do was burn some CDs of tales for my grandchildren. After retiring I now record about six audio books each year under an alias. I don't make a lot of money, but I am happy.
Comparing the first CDs I burnt for my grand-children against the CDs I have given to my great-grandchildren I absolutely cringe. My first attempts, without training were abismal crap.

Ah, the "store bought demo" I get them every week.
Right on Dan, it's about reproducible talent, ability and skills, not simply being told what to do.
Every audition should be approached as if it is the final product. Quite often, some of my pros auditions become the read. We like that.
Dan, you nail it every time. How did you get to be so cool? (No need to answer that.)

As always, thank you for your wise perspective Dan!

Studio engineers can help voice talent, a lot, just by being honest. The best (and most embarrassing) lesson I've received to date about my own readiness to do voice overs was from the first person I hired to do my demo. He treated me like a pro! Unfortunately, at the time, I *wasn't* a pro. So when I couldn't perform to the standard required in the time we had available, I realized I needed a *lot* more practice. It was a sobering lesson that I'm glad happened in a private session, instead of at a client's. It took a lot of guts for him to do that, and I still respect him for it.

Dan,
Wise words indeed! I could add the explanation of "demo" being the shortened version of demonstration, but with predecessors such as Dan and Bettye (whom I've webinared with through VoiceOverXtra, I shall defer.
Paul

Bravo! Beautifully put - and so were the comments so far, so I won't repeat. Just - yay. Now if we can get the starry-eyed to believe it...

An excellent example of "American Idol" Syndrome. Some people simply don't hear themselves and then refuse to listen to others when they actually take the time to listen to them, or offer good advice.

"You've got to have a dream" - so says Bloody Mary in "South Pacific," but dreams don't come true by shear will power. There has to be substance to your skills, not your desires. While some people have natural talent, without preparation, training, honest self-reflection, along with that "dream," you indeed are balancing yourself on the head of a pin.

Is that enough metaphors? Lol

Wise decision Danny .
:-3)

"Sound Advice" indeed, Dan :) As a newbie, I would've jumped at the offer of a training and evaluation session! That's the thing - those who really want it are willing to do what it takes to achieve whatever it is that they want. It doesn't come with the snap of your fingers. Today, people want instant gratification and it doesn't work that way. Great article!

Every day I speak with someone about a demo they want to create and echo these exact words. I've been doing so for more than two decades now. I tell them that people say I create "good demos." I respond that while I am an audio engineer and longtime voice coach and voice over professional, the reason my demos are "good" is that my clients are "good." They are familiar with what copy we are doing on the demo. They are rehearsed. They have chosen copy pieces with my counsel and voice coaching. And most important, the demo reflects their persona, their niche, their voice type and particular ability be that announcer, comic flair, elderly, young teen, macho man, newscaster, whatever.

Yes. Right on. Counsel everyone not to spend money with anyone without being thoroughly counseled and rehearsed and to be particularly wary of those high dollar prices people charge. I get lots of those demos in to remake regularly. A demo need not cost thousands!! And strings attached such as "come to our school to study in the East for only ____thousand extra." Run, don't walk away. It's a SCAM. There's a sucker born every minute. Don't be one. And stay away if they say, "You have a GREAT voice and should do this. Stay away if they offer a "free night" and then try to sucker you into a program.