There are numerous ways to get involved in the voice-over community and voice-over conferences are an obvious choice – but there are so many options. Plus they can be costly, plus travel is costly, and what if I don’t know anyone, and which conference is best for me, and which panels and classes do I take while I there? Help me my brain is exploding!
It’s ok. I know it can get overwhelming. Let’s break down some pros and cons of conferencing and find ways to make it work for you.
There are two really big USA-based voice-over conferences: VO Atlanta, the longest-running and biggest conference with 1,000+ attendees, and One Voice, based in Dallas (One Voice has both US and UK conferences). Both offer tons of interactive sessions, moderated panels, and small breakout groups with highly sought-after coaches.
Pros:
- You can experience a wide array of what the voice-over world has to offer through vendors and sponsors
- You have the opportunity to learn about various niches of voice-over from gaming and animation to dubbing, political, and even voice-over for kids
- You can curate your business strategies through marketing and CRM panels
- You can meet tons of fellow voice-over actors, both newbies and experienced pros
Cons:
- It can quickly get pricey when you add up travel costs, hotel stays, purchasing add-ons like smaller breakout classes, and hotel food.
- I can’t be alone when I stress about the overwhelming amount of people that are there, which requires a lot of social energy.
Some tips for turning the “cons” into “not the worst”:
- Pick a conference that is close to you and drive: better yet, find someone else from your hometown and carpool. I stick to One Voice in Dallas because it’s only three hours away from me. That way I can also pack a small cooler with healthier snack options and my yoga mat so I can move my body after a day of sitting in conference rooms.
- Skip on the breakout sessions: if you have a particular coach you want to meet and are interested in working with, go to one of their sessions that are included in the basic conference ticket. You can get a good idea of whether or not you want to work with someone one one-on-one and invest further time and money after hearing them speak on a panel. Conference speakers are also very available pre- and post-sessions, as they are usually encouraged to meet and greet as part of their role as a presenter. The cost of a breakout session with ten other attendees is usually similar to the cost of an hour-long one-on-one coaching session post-conference.
- Remember we are all on our own path: many of us go from working alone in a dark booth to being overstimulated in a loud crowd of hundreds of people. Sometimes the voice-over conference and speaker world can feel like an in-crowd clique that the rest of us weren’t invited to join. It’s easy to play a game of comparing yourself to other actors. If you are fairly new to voice-over and don’t know anyone going to the conference, post in the specific conference Facebook group that you would love to meet some new friends going, which panels and genres you are interested in, etc. The voice-over actors going to conferences also want to network and expand their circle, and the vibe is very friendly and welcoming, sometimes you just have to make the first move. That said, know your limits; you don’t have to be “on” every second of the conference.
- Additional tips: move your body throughout the day, step outside and get fresh air and sun (one time I realized I hadn’t gone outside of the hotel walls in three days), and bring a jacket because they keep the conference rooms cold.
There are smaller, more tailored voice-over conferences throughout the year that I highly suggest you look into, like VOcation, The Audio Publishers Association Conference, The Mid-Atlantic Voice-over Conference, Get Your Game On, and That’s Voice-Over! Career Expo.
If conferences as a whole don’t work for your wallet, schedule, or social battery you can still participate virtually at a much lower ticket price. Remember there is no right way to conference. Do what works best for you!
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