Big Mouth Media

www.bigmouthmedia.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Voice Overs for media, and audio production. I offer my voice as my selling point to content providers who create projects like corporate videos, eLearning, TV & Radio Commercials, website audio and much more.

2. When and why did you start your business?

I started in 2000, but only in the last 12 months have I increased the time devoted to it, and will be functioning as a Pty Ltd company for the 2010-2011 financial year.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

I have achieved stability in the sense of being able to survive without a full time job (which I came from, and was earning $60,000 a year !). I enjoy what I do, and believe my former experience has fuelled the ability to continue it on.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Finding new clients. I don't utilise an agent as most voice over artists would do - it would be nice for the work to come to you, but I like dealing with people one on one and they don't have to go through 2 different people to speak to you. Also, there's a lot of competition out there, especially from others who charge far less than what I would to get the quantity of business.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Promoting my website, advertising on my vehicle's back window, and generally looking for opportunities anywhere I can find them. You never know what you'll get unless you speak to someone or try.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Advertising in a couple of 'yearly' guides, that weren't really aimed for my market (which is a hard one to pinpoint). All that's resulted in so far is a couple of calls from other publishers wanting to put me in their books too !

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Not having to work for "the man", working from home but with the ability and options to go to recording studios as well. Also, I like doing my own marketing and graphic design - i'm no expert, but have coped quite well so far.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

Richard Branson (have read his book), and there's a few voice over people around like Ian "Lofty" Fulton, and a colleague of mine - Anna Blatch ... who's been doing this for years and is happy in her position.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

To offer a full service of recording, editing and delivering to clients...instead of just handing them an audio file they need to fix - I'll do all that for them. I'm planning on moving further into the eLearning field, and hope to attend a number of expos for it in the coming 12 months to advertise my business - that's a targetted audience ! I'm also working with my partner, and we will both be directors of the company.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Watch out for dodgy operators, and if you can - either request credit checks from new clients or run a "thirds" system with your invoicing, a third upfront before the job, third on initial completion, final third when everyone's happy. I'm planning on doing that also. Market yourself wherever you can, don't be afraid to approach someone out of the blue - you might make a long term client. Never think you have enough clients - if you rest on your laurels, things might fall away from you when you least expect it, and you won't have anywhere to go.

Visit us at: www.bigmouthmedia.com.au