To get in touch with talent agencies around the country and beyond, you'll have to do some leg work by either cold calling them or sending out some "cold emails" (an email to someone who doesn't know you).
If you're sending the same email to many agencies, make sure that you don't lazily BCC every agency on your list with an obvious mass email (or, worse yet, CC them all…). Do what you can to personalize your voice over email message to the voice over agency. Let them know that you're taking the time to note who exactly you're sending your message to, even if you have pre-written an amount of it. This is especially important in the subject line of your email. Include the name of the agency in your subject line, like "[Voice Actor Name] for [Talent Agency]."
Let them know that you're taking the time to note who exactly you're sending your message to, even if you have pre-written an amount of it.
This is especially important in the subject line of your email. Include the name of the agency in your subject line, like "[Voice Actor Name] for [Talent Agency]."
2. Attachment Rules
You're going to want to include your demo reel and possibly even a headshot along with your email. However, including these as attachments could potentially flag the message as spam. Cold emails with attachments quite often are, in fact, spam or phishing messages. Not to mention, many folks don't like their inbox space filling up with large files, and with how many submissions talent agencies receive, it can fill up fast, landing you on their bad side.
You're going to want to include your demo reel and possibly even a headshot along with your email. However, including these as attachments could potentially flag the message as spam. Cold emails with attachments quite often are, in fact, spam or phishing messages. Not to mention, many folks don't like their inbox space filling up with large files, and with how many submissions talent agencies receive, it can fill up fast, landing you on their bad side.
Instead include your reel and headshot as a link.
File sharing platforms such as Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Squarespace, and iCloud are great ways to facilitate this. Just add that link to your email. Be clear with the recipient about where the link will send them. This will result in more listens.
i.e., "Here is a link to my commercial reel on Soundcloud: [insert Soundcloud link]."
3. Email Subscription Providers
It also appears inauthentic and impersonal. Having plopped the emails you found from a voice over agency contact list into a bulk email list on Mailchimp for your first point of contact to a new agency isn't a good look. However, don't be afraid to send unsolicited emails or make those cold calls - just be sure you are cordial and professional.
Be prepared for a lot of rejection. It's merely part of the business, and while disheartening, you should never take it personally.
4. Be Ready to Deliver
Also, make sure you're ready to be taken seriously as a voice actor. If you reach out too early into your voice over journey before you've had enough practice, you may have blown your first contact with that agency. Ensure you've prepared and practiced enough with voice over practice scripts, have a professionally produced voice over demo, and have an excellent presentation.
After that, it's simply a matter of perseverance.
