Tips for Your Voice Over D.I.Y Demo

[@jessicapeng9132]

This was great to hear - I’ve heard from others to never ever ever DIY your own demo, and the cost of having one done professionally has always held me back. Thank you, Bill!

[@deannakreutz1076]

I'm an aspiring VO artist and I'm THRILLED to have found you. Your videos are so helpful! Also, how many thousand people have told you that you look like Jason Bateman?!?!

[@amazonorchid1321]

This is so eerie...I looked up DIY Demo videos the other day...and here's a new one by Bill Dewees...it's as though he heard me...

[@ed.williams]

Ya know what's spooky? Ever watch the X-Men movies and see Cerebro, the vast, spherical machine that enhances Professor Xavier's telepathic abilities? Yep! That's Bill's Whisper Room vocal booth. When he's in there, he can read our minds. Be afraid. Be very afraid. :-)

[@voiceoversbykeith]

Thanks for simplifying this Bill, I'm about to get started. I've been slowly gathering equipment, and should have my diy demos ready soon.

[@lovesvoiceover]

🙌🏽 🙌🏽 🙌🏽

[@MrDoot_]

I'm building a recording booth myself in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to get started with voice-over! (building it myself means it'll cost $500 instead of $2000). Thank you for all the help over the years, Bill!

[@princeicio]

How is your business now, man?

[@MrDoot_]

@@princeicio well I’ve been auditioning non stop, but so far no gigs. I’ve only been at it a few weeks though, so I’m not too surprised.

[@MrDoot_]

@@princeicio thanks for asking!

[@rutujaubale1931]

@@MrDoot_ have u got work? I am just going to start but really confused about gigs platform and how to make demo though taking help from u tube

[@sunshineanderson6349]

Hi Mr. Doot! Just checking to see how it’s going so far? Did you complete your recording booth?

[@adammyers05]

While listening to this I went looking for public domain books with pages I could read for my audiobook reel. I found 2 fantastic options with different styles of deliverance in mind! Thanks, Bill.

[@pamcota3123]

Thank you from a senior returning to work as a Voice Over Artist. Sincerely, Pam

[@Stupid_Blondy]

Loving these videos! It's like a Q&A without having to ask the Q. Thanks, Bill. (:

[@paulinam.5149]

Yes, practice is super important to get better, it's not just about having a good voice, it's more about how you use it.

[@bigp40]

I’ve always been complimented on my voice just didn’t know how to get started in this business… this video has encouraged me to get started and use my resources to get a demo started appreciate the tips!

[@NickRosaci]

Hey Bill, I'm a pro musician and listen to interesting videos on drives to and from gigs. I came across your videos organically, and just before I got on the road I tapped on this video and listened on my drive home. This would be an incredible supplement to my income because I already have the gear and knowledge of recording and editing, so I'm sitting here in my free time taking this advice. Thanks for the idea!

[@joemfahey]

Gonna do this later. Getting into VO, I am basically going down your list of videos and learning each topic one at a time

[@robertrock2000]

I'm so grateful!. You've shared answers to questions I am currently trying to answer. You've even answered questions I would have asked in the near future. Thank you again sir.

[@CJ-iz5ow]

Thanks so much! I've procrastinated long enough. Wasn't sure if I could do it. I won't know until I try!

[@selinalopezhinojosa2505]

Thank you so much! This was the best, most practical advice I’ve seen. Just getting started!🤗

[@lovesvoiceover]

🙌🏽 🙌🏽 🙌🏽

[@msjensing]

Love the idea of re-recording the demo! Getting ready to do that myself. 😊

[@jerryking5154]

thanks Bill. So helpful. For the DIY Commercial demo, are we splicing together the video clips of the commercials also to go along with the VO we record? Do we need that video context for the potential client to connect with what we are audibly presenting? Thanks again for all the words of wisdom.

[@byebyebell1]

Thanks Bill! This video was extremely helpful!!! Im getting to work on my demo today!

[@Sasha0927]

Another keeper. For my narration genres, I'm thinking self-help to compliment my Psych background, (language) learning, and playing with my sultriness / cracking myself up with romance. I've already decided on equipment, it's just that pesky DIY home studio.. It's gotta be amazing, so it's giving me pause, lol.

[@AGENTARMES]

Starting this today!! Thank you Bill. Will report back soon.

[@drabynoopsIRL]

Been reviewing various different content to get started, but this is the first video I've watched multiple times. Going to be setting up a schedule to get a DIY demo going at least once a week and putting myself out there. Hoping to take the money from getting started to reinvest in myself

[@rutujaubale1931]

How I ur work going on??

[@williamrogers281]

Thank you Bill for this great information and insight. I'm looking to get started in my voice over side business/career and this helped me a lot as I was trying to figure out what do to for my demo's. Going to give it my best! Thanks again!

[@DoriePride]

Great information! I loved every listening moment. Thank you!!!

[@patrickjean-jacques7729]

Thanks so much for the tip! Feel like I'm in a stall in the start of the VO journey so this is a big help!

[@deniserichardson5678]

This is great! Just what I was looking for. Thank you, Bill!

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Glad to hear it, Denise! No problem. Really glad you got something out of it. :-)

[@RobertBrownieX]

I WILL GET STARTED TODAY!!

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Fantastic! Glad to hear it! :-)

[@davidblixtmusic4359]

Super helpful!!! Thankyou for sharing all this!!!

[@Cactusflower2000]

Great Content. Thank You😊

[@MaCoffeesOn]

Starting today! Thanks for the awesome tips!!

[@s.sampson9960]

Thank you so much for this, your videos are invaluable ❤

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

You're welcome! So glad to hear that.

[@venturohome7991]

Thanks Bill. Just starting out and this is great information.

[@Ant-to3qg]

You have the best videos, thanks so much!

[@tarekabulleef8304]

I v also seen jobs in upwark brews for wark

[@GhostFox.]

Thank you for this! Your stuff is always way too helpful.

[@MrDavid197900]

Super helpful! I have my home booth up and running. Just got to get demo done ASAP.

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Fantastic! You're nearly there! Just keep at it. 😁

[@biancaburdvo1355]

Thank you for sharing. This was very helpful, I'll start adding and redoing different demo's today.

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

No problem at all, Bianca! Fantastic! That's going to help a lot. :-)

[@seramadbless]

I really appreciate your encouragement, I'm going to get started today :) Grateful for the information!

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

You're welcome! That's very exciting. Feel free to reach out if you have questions come up. :-)

[@robertchase9240]

Great tips I'm doing this today!

[@hornj388]

Just what I needed to hear! Thanks Bill 🙏🏻

[@Samanthanewark]

So helpful and encouraging 🎙🎬👍

[@nathanwiggins230]

Thank you. Very helpful

[@ralphtoles8642]

Thanks Bill! Always helpful!

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

No problem, Ralph! Appreciate that. :-)

[@jwoody327]

Thank you Bill. Great information..

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

No problem at all! I'm glad you thought so. :-)

[@litzvoiceactor]

Thanks Bill, super helpful as always.

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Glad you though so, Litz!

[@ThinBlueLaneRVLife]

Another great one!

[@melvinmorris3651]

Thank you so much!!

[@MrGoofinaround]

Thank you, Bill!

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

No problem, Chad! Glad you found it helpful.

[@timstinies9519]

Hey bill! You are helping me so much in getting started! One question! Once you have the demo do I need a website to house it? Or if I was on fiver would I just send it to the client there?

[@tarekabulleef8304]

Great content also genreass

[@aliciabaugh7605]

love it!

[@elinafeliu1237]

great video!

[@RH-fh1rn]

Really appreciate this video. I have a couple of questions. Is having a slight foreign accent a problem when it comes to English VO work? Would demonstrating the ability to speak or pronounce words in multiple languages beneficial in these demos? Thank you!

[@andrewcrippsvo]

Where is the best place to use DIY demos? Ive put together a number of samples (and still uploading) to create a DIY demo, but dont know where to aim next.

[@IamAlexJustice]

Question Bill, can I use practice scripts in a demo reel, or is that a red flag?

[@SoMedatRwalker]

I am interested in animation.... Should I add an animation demo to my mix?

[@breeze8303]

So correct me if I’m wrong, in the audiobook reel would it be 3 30 second clips in one demo reel? So 1:30 in all?

[@LG-zh2qr]

Bill, can you clarify which audiobook clips to record at startup? Am I to select four of interest to me from the ACM online stock, record the 10-second snips, combine them, upload them to a Profile page (on X site), then begin to seek audiobook auditions? I'm trying to determine where to harness the horse! Thanks so much.

[@LG-zh2qr]

... Or, select from Amazon, in general?

[@drew-shourd]

...great video boss, my stuff is up the flag pole, waving like mad...hahahahahaa.....

[@gailroberts9325]

Are you going to have another Audiobook class like the one you did in July of '21?

[@casq882]

Hi Bill, l was wondering what is your training package price ? Thank you

[@joshmcdowell6610]

Thank you for sharing this information. I work at wendys and every time im in drive thru i get at least 10 customers a day telling me i need to be on the radio, commercials, etc. Because of them i got interested in doing voice over, and after watching your videos, im getting into the voice over business. Im in the process of buying my equipment. The only thing i need once my equipment arrives is a coach. Do you have any classes coming up i can sign up for?

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Hi Josh! That's great to hear! I actually have a VO training program called the VO Blueprint. Here's a link to book a quick call to learn more about it. Link: bit.ly/bill-youtube-k2

[@TtEDtheVoice04]

How do I become your student sir?

[@smizzlebeatz8428]

Question about uploading large files. When uploading an audiobook for a client do you just upload dozens of smaller files? I’ve found Upwork has a 95MB limit to each file for example. Thanks for all the advice it’s helped me tremendously!

[@02mb]

Go get yourself a Google Drive account and pony up for the extra storage space (roughly $3/mo) and you'll never have a problem delivering a file again.

[@LostCoastGhost_]

So is the demo one file? Do you slate?

[@nathanschmitt8664]

I know you said not to use music or anything in the background for a commercial demo however I don't think I have heard a commercial demo without music.

[@thenarrator9204]

The idea is the potential clients usually add music to their commercial. They just need to know how you sound as clearly as possible.

[@adamwinterton]

What exactly is a narration demo and how would it differ from a commercial? Some of the categorical terms used in the industry don't quite make intuitive sense (at least to me).

[@02mb]

Commercial is what it sounds like: commercials you see and hear on tv/radio/internet. Narration is stuff like when you watch a nature documentary--the narrator guides you along the journey. Lots of different narration work... explainer videos, corporate narration where you get to deliver a training module, reading a news article, stuff like that.

[@country_surf]

You need to actually be able to make one. You need to make one so you can know the ends and outs of a DAW.

[@nathanschmitt8664]

Hi Bill I know in your description you list your whisper room as being 3.5'x5' would you be able to list the exact model or would anyone know the exact model please and thank you!

[@02mb]

whisperroom.com has all the details.

[@darryl8940]

Hey Bill, I’m using Logic to record my scripts but now since I’ve recorded separate files off those scripts, would I have to put it all together in one large for to use as the demo? Tryin to button things up. THANK YOU!!! Info has been amazing!

[@mediamannaman]

Yes, this was helpful. Thanks, Bill. One question that wasn't answered was, where do I publish my demo? For example, I do not see on ACX where to publish a demo. They have a page that lets you upload book samples, but for each one you have to fill out a form describing the genre, voice type, and so on. I am just starting out. I do not have an agent. Where should I publish my demo?

[@JimFosterVO]

ACX, as you've observed, has samples, not a demo. Just record yourself recording book samples in genres you'd like to narrate. It's that simple.

[@DocPain]

I am sorry, that i can´t answer your Question about ACX but rhere are plenty of options. First of all, you need a file sharing option like dropbox or google drive. Plenty of clients want mp3 files. Another option might be your own homepage, if you have one. Your KZbin channel can also be utilized, better even if you have video editing skills. A 3rd path are the Voice Over Pages like Fiverr, Upwork, Voices.com and Voices123.com and many many more.

[@mediamannaman]

@@DocPain Thanks so much, that is so helpful!

[@mediamannaman]

@@JimFosterVO Thanks Jim.

[@joemfahey]

@@DocPain I've heard a lot more/positive things about fiverr and upwork (also acx) than I have about voices.com. Any reasons why?

[@jakealden2517]

Can I read from a book already published or will there be some type of copyright against that?

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Transcribing something from ispot.tv or a commercial off of youtube as examples falls under fair use. You won't have issues with a previously published book either as you are just using it for demonstration purposes. Hope that helps!

[@jakealden2517]

@@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees Thanks!

[@sirbaerias3456]

I see lot of different options of using existing commercial spots for demos. Some say : no do not do it because the company don't like it because you are not the original voice and other company can hear your demo and think oh no he copies scripts Some say : yes do it the company don't care anyway I use the practice scripts from voices.com and translate them into german (because I am a german VO artist)

[@DocPain]

I did the same, but got more tracktion from the commercial scripts. I am working both languages german & english.

[@sirbaerias3456]

@@DocPain so you take german commercial spots and voiced with the exact script and create your demo? Do you have a source for german scripts or do you transcribe of KZbin videos?

[@DocPain]

@@sirbaerias3456 Yes. Same methode as Bill described. There are plenty of german commercials on KZbin.

[@sirbaerias3456]

@@DocPainokay. Hope your demo works fine 👌👍

[@SachinKotak-qy9ln]

Uv suggested emulating demos from ispot.tv/youtube etc. Hope there won't be any copyright issue? Pls clarify. Thanks

[@VoiceCoach-BillDeWees]

Hi Sanchin! There wouldn't be any issues with copyright as it falls under fair use.