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You have listened to them thousands of times on TV and radio, but voice-overs are the performers who are heard, but not seen. So how do you go about getting work in this fascinating field?

What you need to break into the industry is a well produced demo; this is a demonstration of your potential performing various scripts. It shows producers and voice agents what you sound like and what you are capable of; it is, in effect, your portfolio or ‘audio CV’.

Your demo should include the following: commercials, trailers (or promos, as they are sometimes called), announcing and narration – which is anything from audio books to a documentary read, via an on-hold telephone message. Let your natural accent and ethnicity shine through – NEVER try to hide it.

Voice-overs are made up of three elements:

1) the sound of your voice – its ‘timbre’
2) the way you interpret a script and
3) marketing.

All are important, but your first priority should be to record that demo (in CD and/or mp3 format) and showcase your natural voice quality, along with the unique way YOU bring a script to life. But what if you are not used to reading aloud?

Practice at home and read anything and everything; news articles, magazine pieces…..even children’s stories. Try and match your voice style to the appropriate scripts – it’s no good a soft, gentle voice being used for a powerful, hard sell ad!

Ask yourself: “what do I sound like? Am I upmarket, urban, or light/deep voiced?” It is WHAT you sound like that is important, NOT who you are.

When it comes to experience, you have to bear in mind that each job you take on will be new; I attend sessions where I have never seen the script before and am completely unfamiliar with the style of reading required.

All voice-over artists have to rely on the audio producer to guide them in the right direction to achieve the desired performance. Experience in this business is learnt on the job, but you have to start somewhere and that is why it is a good idea to have a demo, showcasing your potential. You could even make it at home using your computer, a mic and a sound card.

‘Voice-over’ is a broad umbrella term covering many different jobs from voicing ads, TV announcing, narrating documentaries and corporate videos right through to voice prompts and on-hold phone messages, interactive media, podcasting and everything in between.

So the range of work is highly diverse and the job of an agent, producer or production company is to match the voice with the project; your voice demo effectively becomes your audition piece in this process. You will be successful at some, but not others; it all depends on what they are listening for.

Then start marketing. It’s all about the blood, sweat and tears of sending your work out to as many agents, production companies and producers as possible. It is no good having a fantastic demo if it just sits on your bookshelf!

If you’re seemingly stuck in a dead-end job, dreaming of a new career, or longing to build the one you’ve got–your ship has just arrived. Despite downsizing, outsourcing and a devastating post-9/11 recession, the U.S. job market is showing significant, some say dramatic, signs of recovery. The employment forecast, once a chilling reminder of America’s economic injuries, is shifting in favor of the employee, and you can reap the newfound benefits.

Recent studies suggest that American industries, specifically those in health-related fields, computer engineering and teaching, should sustain significant levels of growth in the coming years. The day care industry, real estate and technology-driven industries are also expected to realize substantive gains over the next decade.

Part of the reason, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report, is the aging of the baby-boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964). “What we’re seeing is an older population and a graying labor force,” says Paul LaPorte, economist for the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Thus, we will need additional services that will cater to an older population and more jobs to replace those left by baby-boomers as they exit the labor force.”

Where The Jobs Are

Nursing–Nurses and nurse educators are essential to meeting the medical needs of an older population. “African-American nurses, in particular, are in demand,” says Dr. Linda Hurston, chairperson of the department of nursing at Chicago State University, whose nursing program graduates the largest percentage of African-American nurses in the State of Illinois. “African-American nurses are not well-represented at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate levels. Because there is an increased interest in the field of nursing, we need more nurse educators to meet the needs of a growing student body.”

Teachers–The need for qualified teachers, teachers’ aides and substitute teachers is increasing; especially in some inner-city neighborhoods, and more college students are considering teaching directly after graduation. “There is a renewed interest among students in liberal areas of study, including teaching,” says Kim R. Wells, director of career services at Howard University. “We are seeing a renewed focus on community-based careers like teaching and an interest in social capitalism.”

Computer Software Engineers–In a report by the U.S. Department of Labor, computer-related occupations accounted for 5 out of the 20 fastest-growing occupations. Growth estimates are based on businesses’ increasing reliance on information technology, system security and network security businesses. Predictions include a greater demand for computer programmers, network and data analysts, and system technicians.

Aides To Physical Therapists–Health care occupations comprise 10 out of 20 of the fastest-growing occupations based on a recent U.S. Labor Report. “Consistent with an older labor force, the health care industry and related professions will see a dramatic surge,” says economist LaPorte. “More workers will be needed to serve more people with increasing health care needs.”

The Jobs

Home Health Aides–According to labor experts, the fastest-growing group of citizens will be seniors. Research suggests that the number of workers 55 and older is projected to increase by 49.3 percent by 2012. This rise, and the corresponding needs of a larger and older population, will translate into an increased need for home health aides and related in-home health services.

Day Care Providers–Because there are more two-income families with young children, the demand for day care providers, both agency and in-home, will increase well into the next decade. “We recognize, as more industries are starting to acknowledge, that parents cannot perform their daily job-related tasks without care for their children,” says Dr. Hurston, nursing chairperson at Chicago State University. “We are one of the only nursing programs that provide child care services.”

Real Estate Appraisers–You cannot buy a home, or any other property, without the services of a real estate appraiser. “Appraisers are busiest during periods when the real estate market is hot, but they don’t necessarily lack for work when it’s down because appraisals are required for foreclosures,” according to a recent report by CNNMoney.com. Appraisals are also used for tax assessment, government acquisitions of private land, property disputes, estate evaluation and proposed business mergers.

Retail Salespersons–Because of the high rate of turnover in retail, there will be an ongoing demand for workers. “With the increasing population and the rise of subdivisions, shopping centers and strip malls,” says LaPorte, U.S. economist, “the retail industry will seek to replenish its labor force regularly.”

Opportunities

Medical Assistants–The medical needs of an older population will require more assistants who provide administrative and procedural support to medical offices. Medical assistants are often responsible for patient in-take, record management, patient and staff scheduling, and other administrative tasks associated with the needs of the facility.

Dental Hygienists–Cosmetic dentistry and whitening procedures have sparked an increase in dental procedures, and accordingly, an increase in the need for dental hygienists. Providing chair-side assistance, the hygienist performs routine exams, procedures and prepares the patient for surgery and or cosmetic procedures. They may also be responsible for admission policies, laboratory testing, X-ray requirements and patient education.

Whether you’re a college graduate or not, whether you’re young or old, finding a job is rarely a one-stop process. But Web sites like monster.com, hotjobs.com and career-builder.com have made the search easier and more time-efficient, allowing you to connect with hundreds of employers at the click of a button. Check with your local governmental body and employment agency, ask for referrals from friends and family, and look for local job conferences in your area.

“If you plan to see a job directly out of college, do your research BEFORE you graduate,” says Wells, director of career placement services at Howard University. “You’ll have a better compass for what’s going on and how to adjust your strategy, if necessary.”

Which jobs are the deadliest? Below is a list of jobs that result in the most fatalities and their relative risk rates, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(Relative risk rate is the fatality rate for a given group divided by the fatality rate for all workers. A rate of 2.0 means the worker is twice as likely as the average worker to die on the job.)

Occupation, Risk, Fatal Event

1. Fishers, 21.3, Drowning
2. Timber Cutters, 20.6, Struck by Object
3. Airplane Pilots, 19.9, Airplane Crashes
4. Structural Metal Workers, 13.1, Falls
5. Taxi Cab Drivers, 9.5, Homicide
6. Construction Workers, 8.1, Vehicular, Falls
7. Roofers, 5.9, Falls
8. Electric Power Installers/Repairers, 5.7, Electrocution
9. Truck Driver, 5.3, Highway Crashes
10. Farm Occupations, 5.1, Vehicular
11. Police, Detectives, Supervisors, 3.4, Homicide, Highway Crashes
12. Non-construction Laborers, 3.2, Vehicular
13. Electricians, 3.2, Electrocution
14. Welders and Cutters, 2.4, Falls, Fires
15. Guards, 2.3, Homicide

Think we have missed out any? Submit your own now.

Is there something stopping us from spending on promotion?

Yes! Why don’t we? We never had to. Forty years ago everything we needed was on one street. Remember Davis Avenue, The Boulevard, Mt. Vernon Avenue and Main Street?

The harsh effects of Jim Crow caused Black folk to depend on each other for their goods and services. Very rarely did Black folk venture out beyond the safety of their own communities. Therefore, everyone knew where everyone was and what they had to offer. This was an advantage to the bottom line of Black owned businesses. No real advertising budget was ever needed. This turned out to be a true double-edged sword.

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 took affect, conducting business in the black community took on a complexity never seen before. The mailboxes of Black consumers began to be bombarded with flyers and coupons advertising various sale prices at stores across town. It became very obvious; someone saw the advantages of advertising to consumers in the Black community.

As with the roll of the dice, there is another combination to consider. Investing and reinvesting must be learned by all of our business owners. Just as many of us exercise our faith on Sunday morning, we must sow our mustard seeds when it comes to our dollars Monday through Saturday. It doesn’t take much faith to go out and purchase the things you, your friend and neighbors can see with the proceeds of your labor.

Wearing the latest fashions, a Rolex watch or purchasing an SUV will not give you a return on investment. Bling Bling and Ballin are not cool; investments and retirement accounts are. The desire for immediate gratification has been the downfall of many individuals in our neighborhoods and society.

Creating an advertising budget and becoming a savvy investor of your advertising dollars will produce new customers, repeat business, a healthier bottom line and longevity in your chosen profession. In todays global economy, we can no longer use the same marketing strategies we did 40 years ago. Our client base is larger than the five mile radius surrounding our stores.

I’m reminded of what those wise and beautiful ancient ones said in church when I was a boy. “He may not come when you want Him, but Hes right on time!” So it is with success in advertising.

Untold is not just another male magazine to join the already crowded shelves. It is the only, and the first, lifestyle magazine for UK-based black men.

Untold is different from the current black press – our tone is confident and knowing,

While our mood is celebratory. We want to help give black men the release they need.

Give them the breath of fresh air they thoroughly deserve. Make them cry. Iaugh and feel great for simply being who they are.

Untold is an exploration into a market ready to fragment into different categories, rather than subdivide within what is, essentially. the same homogeneous group. Untold is the complete black lifestyle magazine. Progressive. adventurous and fun, Untold has attitude, is innovative and challenging. It reflects and enhances the new. sophisticated black man who has evolved despite the negative barrage of views against is character No title yet meets the requirements we will match. No publication yet; celebrates the pain. passion and frustration of the mature, intelligent UK black male.

British black men are synonymous with style. UK black men are at the cutting edge of fashion. We buy the same records, watch the same films, wear the same clothes, eat the same food, have the same interests as our white counterparts.

Black men are preparing for the Millennium, as old attitudes are slowly replaced with the new.

Times are a-changing and we have moved on. Yes, we still face problems but none are new. We are much better equipped now. We don’t ponder on things that stand in the way of us getting on – we just get on. Many black men have university degrees, and have the money to spend on the things they want.

Untold is about articulating this unashamed black man, and celebrating his differences at the same time as understanding his common culture. Untold is a means of communication for aspiring blacks – a magazine with empathy about a black UK community that exists, but is largely ignored, as a strong marketable audience.

Welcome to Untold magazine.