If I summed up this blog post as an anime title, it’d be called:

Let Me Hire You! I Lost the Job Because They Couldn’t Find My Demo?!

I want to tell you guys a story. It’s totally true, every bit of it. I was once responsible for casting a high profile Union video game. Not something I do often, but I’ve been a casting director often enough to know what it’s like in that chair. I’ve come to understand the nuances of casting and have built a robust network of voice actors to draw from.

The casting process often involves presenting top choices to the client and then discussing—sometimes arguing our cases—to determine the best fit for each role. While clients usually respect my expertise, they ultimately have the final say, even if I might disagree with their choice.

During one particular casting session, we were torn between two actors for a strong, brawny hero character. Let’s call them Tom and Harry. Tom was relatively new to the scene, while Harry was an established name. The client felt that Tom’s voice lacked the rough edge needed for the role, despite his talent behind the microphone.

But I knew Tom. I was confident he could nail the part. In an attempt to prove this, I scrambled to find his demo reel while on the phone with the client. I couldn’t find it. Tom didn’t have a website, just a Twitter profile leading to a broken link. Despite my belief in Tom’s abilities, his lack of an organized online presence cost him the role—we went with Harry without another ounce of debate.

How could I make a case for someone who didn’t make it easy for me?

This experience reinforced a lesson I emphasize to my students: maintain a unified and organized online presence. It’s not just about SEO or constantly updating your profiles—it’s about making it easy for clients to find and evaluate your voice. Communication with clients isn’t just about showcasing your vocal talents; it’s also about setting clear expectations of what working with you will be like.

To set these expectations, you must eliminate any friction from the audition to the job offer. This means ensuring your website is functional, submitting auditions in the correct format, meeting deadlines, and providing any necessary documentation. In other posts and videos, I’ve discussed how many aspects of your career are within your control, beyond just your voice. Treating your career like a business is essential. Think about it—if a restaurant’s website fails to load their menu or lists an incorrect phone number, you’re likely to dine elsewhere. Similarly, a voice actor must manage their career with the same level of professionalism.

So, let’s do something about it. When you’re finished up here, review your own online presence. Check your voice acting demos, ensure all links are functional, and confirm that your social media pages accurately reflect and promote your voice acting career.

Make a promise to yourself: by the end of the day, verify that every link works, update your demos, and double-check your contact information. Don’t be the reason someone else gets hired for the role you could have aced. Don’t make me hire Harry because you didn’t allow me the chance to hire you.

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