Having a website dedicated to your voice-over business is imperative for any actor looking to book more work and become more professional in the industry. Getting your own personal domain set up is a right of passage – and there are plenty of mistakes to be made along the way! I’ve had a few versions of a website using several different host platforms, and honestly my website is still evolving each year with me.
Although everyone’s sites will vary, especially in terms of the way we brand ourselves, there are a few sections you definitely should have no matter what!
- Your demos: This might be a no-brainer, but your website should be capable of hosting your demos! Make sure that you’re able to play them without issue. If you only have one demo at the moment, that’s ok, as long as it’s up there! In general, I recommend having at least two, if not three or four. Most importantly, make sure the demos are at the top of your webpage! We want these to be the first thing web visitors see and hear!
- Your studio setup: Let potential clients know what sort of tech you’re using in your home booth! Your microphone, audio interface, booth set up, and which platforms you use to record and edit your voice are extremely helpful for clients to know. Are you able to use SourceConnect? ipDTL? Zoom, Google Hangouts, Phone Patch, etc.? All of that would be important to put in this section of your site as well!
Designing a great website is easier than ever. - Contact information: Again, seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve seen plenty of sites missing information like your phone and email address. I recommend putting this information at the top of your page, such as in your header – and then again at the very bottom. Most platforms where you go to build a website for yourself will allow you to create a contact form. This makes it even easier for people to contact you!
- Previous clients: Most actors have a collection of client logos or a running list of clients they’ve previously worked for showing dominantly on the page. It’s the Jones Effect – people will likely do what everyone else is doing. If they see you’ve already worked for ten cool brands, more cool brands are likely to follow suit! If you’re at the stage in your career where you’ve booked little to no work, that’s ok – instead, make a section about what you’re capable of. Talk about your training at Such A Voice, for example! If you’ve been professionally trained in narration, commercial work, and character work, no need to broadcast that it’s just the beginning of your career. Talk about what you can do with confidence!
- Testimonials: As you start to book more and more work, you may have the opportunity to receive reviews or hear feedback from your customers. When you get positive reviews, you can add those to your site! Make sure if the client is giving you that feedback directly rather than posting a review on a public forum that you ask their permission to quote them on your site. People love to read about what you’re like to work with, how fast your turnaround time is, and the energy you bring to a recording session.
There are plenty of website hosts where you can go to start building your own personal website, if you haven’t done this already! Some that I recommend are voiceactor.com, Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, or WordPress. If you’re a bit more advanced, or have a little extra cash laying around, you could also look into hiring a freelance web designer!
If there’s anything else you’ve seen on an actor’s website that you’ve loved, let us know! And don’t forget to have fun when designing your site – let your personality shine through!
Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!
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