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Believe it or not, voiceover demos can expire like sour milk. But how do you know if your demo is past its expiration date? Today Anne talks about what you should look out for when it comes to keeping your demo fresh.
Keeping Your Demo Fresh & Relevant: Navigating Industry Trends
As a voiceover artist, one of the crucial tools in your arsenal is undoubtedly your voiceover demo. This is your calling card, your first impression, and the key to landing that next big job. But the voiceover industry is dynamic, with ever-changing trends, content shifts, and audio modifications. So, the question that arises is - how often should you refresh your voiceover demo? And what should you consider while updating your demo? Let's delve into these questions and more.
Understanding Performance Styles and Industry Trends
The performance style in the voiceover industry has seen a shift towards a more authentic and conversational tone. Gone are the days of a perfect, polished sound. The modern voiceover trend leans towards sounding genuine and authoritative. If your demo doesn't reflect this trend, it's time for a refresh.
Industries, too, have been evolving. For instance, in corporate voiceover, themes like sustainability, climate change, and corporate responsibility are gaining prominence. Your demo should mirror these evolving trends. So, it's not just about your performance style, but also the content you're voicing that matters.
Staying Current with Audio Trends
The changing landscape of the voiceover industry isn't limited to performance styles and content. There's also a continual shift in audio trends, including music, sound effects, and styles that accompany your voice in your demo. Ensuring your demo stays up-to-date with these audio trends can add an extra layer of relevance and appeal to it.
Showcasing Your Improved Skills
As a voiceover artist, you're continually honing your skills and improving your performance abilities. Your refreshed demo should showcase these advancements. Regularly review your demo to identify if there's a particular skill you've improved on that isn't currently reflected.
Getting Feedback on Your Demo
An essential part of the demo refreshing process is getting feedback. Reach out to a trusted colleague or a coach and have them listen to your demo. Their insights can help you identify if your demo needs a refresh in terms of performance or content.
Tailoring Your Demo Length
Depending on who you're sending your demo to, you may need to tailor its length. Some agents prefer a minute-long demo, especially for broadcast-style work. On the other hand, if you're showcasing your demo on your website, allowing listeners to access individualized tracks may be a better option.
Regular Demo Reviews
Listen to your demo regularly, and take a step back every year or so to listen to it critically. A good demo can last a couple of years, but depending on the changing landscape, you may need to add or subtract a spot or completely redo your demo.
Keeping your voiceover demo fresh and relevant requires keeping your finger on the pulse of industry trends, continually improving your skills, and frequently reviewing your demo. So, gear up voiceover artists, it's time to bring your A-game to your demo!
Thanks for reading!
Keep on rocking your business like a #VOBOSS
About Anne Ganguzza
Recipient of multiple Voice Arts Awards for Outstanding Narration Demo - Anne Ganguzza is California-based Voice Over Coach and award-winning Director & Producer specializing in target-marketed voiceover Demo Production. Anne's production team creates SOVAS-nominated demos across several genres, including Commercial, Corporate Narration, and eLearning, and her VO BOSS podcast is the winner of SOVAS Outstanding Podcast in 2022.