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How to Start A VO Business You’ve Already Started
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By Rudy Gaskins, October 13, 2024
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For many solo business owners, especially voice actors, the reality of being an entrepreneur often sneaks up unexpectedly. You’ve likely kicked off your career with little more than your talent, a microphone, and the desire to make it in the competitive world of voice acting. Yet, somewhere along the way, the realization dawns: you’re running a full-fledged business, not just booking jobs and recording voiceovers. Now, you’re not only an artist but also the CEO, accountant, salesperson, and legal expert. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Here’s how to navigate the challenges of a business you’ve already started.
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Step 1: Pause and Take Stock
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of business mechanics, it’s essential to take stock of where you are. List out the essential business areas; accounting, legal matters, marketing, and sales, and assess where you stand in each one.
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For example, are you operating as a sole proprietor? Or did you hastily set up an LLC without fully understanding the implications? Do you have any systems for tracking your finances? Have you started paying quarterly taxes? This self-assessment will help you identify gaps in your knowledge and prioritize which areas need immediate attention.
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Step 2: Choose the Right Business Structure
If you haven’t already formalized your business, this is the time to understand the different business structures. As a solo voice actor, you might lean toward operating as a sole proprietor, but forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) could offer significant advantages, particularly when it comes to protecting your personal assets.
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An LLC creates a legal separation between your business and personal finances, which is essential when the unexpected happens, like a lawsuit. Additionally, an LLC allows you to take advantage of certain tax benefits, which can ease the burden of self-employment taxes. If you’re unsure of the best structure for you, it’s wise to consult a legal expert or accountant who specializes in small businesses or freelancers.
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Step 3: Manage Your Taxes
One of the steepest learning curves for new business owners is understanding the tax implications of working for yourself. When you’re employed, taxes are automatically deducted from your paycheck, but as a self-employed voice actor, you’re responsible for managing and paying those taxes yourself.
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If you’re making regular income from your voiceover work, you need to pay estimated quarterly taxes to the IRS. This means estimating what you owe for the year and making four payments; April, June, September, and January. Additionally, consider setting aside a percentage of your income (usually 25-30%) for taxes. Not doing this early can lead to a hefty tax bill at the end of the year, along with possible penalties.
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Keeping your business expenses organized is crucial for tax season. Voiceover artists can deduct several work-related expenses, such as studio equipment, software, and even part of your home office. Set up a separate business account to track income and expenses efficiently, which will make tax time much easier.
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Step 4: Get a Grip on Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is often a challenge for solo entrepreneurs, especially artists who aren’t used to tracking income and expenses. However, effective bookkeeping is key to maintaining financial health and staying compliant with tax laws.
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If you’re just starting, you don’t need fancy software. Choosing something as simple as a spreadsheet program can do the trick. Make sure to track all invoices, payments, and business-related purchases. Over time, you may want to upgrade to accounting software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks, which are designed for freelancers and small business owners. These platforms can help automate tasks, such as invoicing clients, tracking expenses, and generating reports for tax time.
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Hiring a bookkeeper may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it could save you time and headaches, allowing you to focus on what you do best: voice acting.
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Step 5: Master Sales and Marketing
You’ve already started working as a voice actor, but to maintain and grow your business, you need to master the art of sales and marketing. Unfortunately, talent alone isn’t enough to succeed in this field. Clients need to find you, and that requires building a personal brand and marketing your services.
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Start by creating or refining your website. A simple, professional site with demos of your work is a must. Your website is your online business card. It’s often the first impression clients will have of you. Make sure it showcases your range, skills, and professional persona.
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Next, consider how to market yourself to potential clients. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter are excellent places to network and engage with people in the voiceover community. Networking is a long-term game; it’s about building relationships, not just making a sale. Engage authentically with peers, casting agents, and producers to increase your visibility.
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Step 6: Learn About Copyrights and Trademarks
As a voice actor, you’ll be producing intellectual property, and it’s essential to understand the basics of copyrights and trademarks. Your voice recordings are your intellectual property, and in some cases, you may want to ensure they’re protected by copyright laws.
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Copyright protects your creative work, and while you don’t always need to file for a formal copyright, understanding how copyright law applies to your work can be crucial when negotiating contracts. Some voice actors also create a personal brand that they trademark. A trademark protects things like your logo, tagline, or business name. If your brand becomes widely recognized, having a trademark can prevent others from capitalizing on your name or likeness.
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Step 7: Don’t Go It Alone
Perhaps the most important advice for voice actors who have already started their business is not to go it alone. You’re not expected to be an expert in every field. There’s help out there. Consider joining organizations like SCORE (score.org), Small Business Administration (SBA.org), and the Women’s Business Development Center (https://www.wbdc.org/en/). In addition, you can look around for voiceover groups that make a point of focusing on the business of voice acting. These communities often provide valuable resources, including legal guidance, marketing tips, and networking opportunities.
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You might also benefit from hiring consultants or service providers. Whether it’s a lawyer to help with contracts or an accountant to manage your books, outsourcing certain tasks can allow you to focus on your core work, delivering outstanding voice performances.
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Starting a business without realizing the various complexities, is a common experience for many solo voice actors. The good news is that it’s never too late to get organized and build a solid foundation. From choosing the right business structure to managing your taxes and mastering marketing, there are steps you can take to ensure your voiceover business thrives. Take it one step at a time, seek out help when needed, and remember: every successful business, even the ones that started without a plan, can still grow into something extraordinary. ♦♦♦
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Rudy Gaskins is the CEO and co-founder of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the global community of voice actors and the professionals who contribute to the voice acting industry. He co-created That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo and the Voice Arts® Awards. Rudy is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer and documentary filmmaker, with a career spanning PBS, ABC News, NBC Sports, Court TV, and Food Network. His natural talent for advertising led him to become Vice President of Creative Services at Court TV, after which he founded Push Creative Advertising, offering branding services for major global brands such as American Express, Lexus, NBC Sports, Delta Air Lines, Costco, Food Network, BET, and TV One. He has received numerous awards across the media spectrum, including multiple Telly and Promax awards. Under his leadership, SOVAS has been honored with Special Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress, a Certificate of Merit from the New York State Assembly, and a City Council Citation from The Council of the City of New York.
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