Using Keywords In Email Reach-Outs

And Good News for Audiobook Narration

INTRODUCTION

I try to be pragmatic and realistic when writing about audiobooks: it’s hard work, it takes a long time, you can have oodles of talent, but you also need the magic of good timing. Sometimes, I think I probably lean a little into pessimism: oversaturation of market, AI technologies, competitiveness in the industry.

Today I wanted to lean into the good news of narration:

• The truth is it is a hard job…but it’s also wonderful.

• It is competitive…but there’s a lot of work available.

• Email reach-outs can suck…but they are how your get gigs, and they work.

There’s plenty of hope for new books, new opportunities, and new clients.

There are many of us who make our living narrating audiobooks (or directing, engineering, proofing, prepping, etc.) There is still a lot of hope and opportunity in the industry.

Here’s a little tool to help you when you craft your reach-outs. I’ve given you some examples of keywords to think about using in your reach-outs. Don’t use all of these, obviously, but look at the lists and see if you have any of these traits. (Or maybe these lists will help you think of something you offer that is unique.) Try to incorporate a few of these keywords into your pitch to hire you.

Remember to not expect a response to your reach-out. Casting is frequently overwhelmed with work and tasks, but with your email, they can keep it in their inbox, and search for it later.

THE REACH-OUT

(I have a lot of articles about crafting these. Search “reach out” in search box to find more articles.)

With your first email introduction to casting, pack your note with searchable keywords so that casting can get to know what you offer, who you are, and how to find you when they need you. Make sure you include contact info.

In subsequent emails, vary what you say, how you say it, and always stress your availability with specific dates if possible. Keep it short when you can.

THINGS CASTING LOOKS FOR

Here are things that popped up for me in casting.

When you’re casting, you want to find the right fit of narrator to writer. This can be in the actor’s approach, of course, but for authentic casting, sometimes casting needs a narrator and writer to align in other ways like heritage, languages, accents, etc.

Things that casting might look for before sending out auditions:

• Gender

• Age

• Genre

• Heritage

• Special skills

• Language fluency

• Natural accent

• Actable accents

• Education

• Passions

Other things that are great to know and give a narrator more credibility and help establish trust are:

• number of books recorded

• home studio and punch & roll ability

• awards (nominations or received)

• training

• coaching

• fan base/social media (especially important for romance/erotica).

KEYWORD SUGGESTIONS

Here are keywords (or things to share) in those categories that could help a casting director find you:

Gender

One of the first things casting decides is what type of narrator does the book call for. One narrator, two, multi-cast? And what gender? Some books can be read by anyone, but others, especially first person POV or memoirs, require a certain kind of reader. If you’re comfortable, share your gender and pronoun preferences with casting.

Remember that casting is very supportive and understanding and who you are (and all the colors you have) helps them find a great book for you.

Keywords: nonbinary, female, male, trans, etc.

Age

There’s a lot of fear of ageism in the industry. In casting, they are listening for your VOCAL AGE, not your calendar age. Do you sound authentic as an adult, a teen, a kid? What voices are believable?

You can share age ranges in reach-outs or on profiles. Keywords aren’t as useful here but you can say things like: adept with child/teen voices, believable YA voice, etc.

Genre

Stating genres you like to perform or are known for is extremely helpful. This lets casting know what you love and where your expertise is.

Choose one or two genres to highlight with your reach-out. This gives casting a way to think of you AT FIRST. Once you’re working with them, you can expand how they think of you and request other genres.

Keywords that I’ve searched for and let me know a narrator was comfortable with those genres:

Romance, erotica, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, dark romance, dubious consent, clean romance, no swearing, loves swearing, historical, thriller, mystery, cozies, cozy mystery, memoir, biography, health, education, science, math, mathematics, humor, romcom, sports, LitRPG, religious, political, action, etc.

Heritage

Knowing your heritage can help casting especially when they have a request for a narrator from a certain population. Sharing this doesn’t stereotype you or pigeon hole you into one kind of role, but it does give you an IN into the industry.

Your background might be how you get cast at first. You get cast again by doing great work.

Keywords: American, French, Canadian, African, Australian, Southern, Russian, Slavic, Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous, Native American (note any tribal affiliations), Italian, British, English, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, etc.

Language fluency

There are two types of language fluency in audiobooks: There’s conversational and there’s audiobook fluent. Conversational fluency means you can have a conversation in that language. Maybe you are bi-lingual. You could perform an entire book in that language.

Audiobook fluency means that you can pronounces words, names, phrases, in that language with accuracy in pronunciation.

See the keywords above but change to say something like:

I’m American with a natural Midwestern accent. I speak French and have audiobook fluency with Spanish, German, Russian and Italian.

Keywords:

American, French, Canadian, African, Australian, Southern, Russian, Slavic, Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous, Native American (note any tribal affiliations), Italian, British, English, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, etc.

Natural accent

Note where you’re from and your natural accent.

Keywords: Any location

Actable accents

List accents you have studied and/or are comfortable performing. Australian and Welsh are hard to cast, so if that’s in your wheelhouse, highlight it.

Keywords:

American, New York, Boston, Midwest, all the US states, East coast, West coast, Texas, Georgia, French, Canadian, African, Australian, Southern, Russian, Slavic, Spanish, Mexican, Indigenous, Native American (note any tribal affiliations), Italian, British, English, RP, London, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, etc.

Special skills/other info

Any interests, skills, or experience you have can help casting remember you and think of you for books later. Example: I love foraging, psychology, true crime, baking, cooking, writing, mushrooms, horror movies, classic film, health, feminist topics.

Keyword examples:

Childcare, Neurodivergent, ADD, ADHD, psychology, LGBTQ+, history, war, aircraft, fishing, boating, marathon, running, healthy eating, working out, political, conservative, liberal, religion, education, philosophy, animals, yoga, wicca, witchcraft, Christian, Catholic, hunting, sewing, fabric arts, weaving, painting, plants, horticulture, gardening, parenting, relationships, therapy, sports (list specifics), journalism, theater, theatre, acting, Broadway, musicals, dancer/dancing, etc. (Whatever you can think of that’s niche/interesting/weird.)

I have a passion for gymnastics, health food, psychology, and Renaissance Faires.

Education

This can be helpful to know, especially if you have a degree in a certain area. It lets casting know that you have training and a deep understanding of the topic. List your education and any degrees or certificates you have. If there’s a degree for something, there are probably books in that area that need a narrator.

KEEP IN MIND

Keep in mind that, yes, the industry is competitive. But it’s still entirely possible to connect with casting and get auditions…and eventually, get those gigs. Remember that narration is a long form art, but it’s also a long form career.

It takes time, repetition, and consistency to keep getting work.

Keep at it. There is hope and there is work. Sharing what makes you unique, what sets you apart, can help you find your way to the books that are there, just waiting for you.

THOUGHTS?

Is there something you’ve shared in an email reach-out that you thought was weird, but got you cast? Any suggestions or questions you have? Leave a comment and maybe others will be inspired or can help you brainstorm.

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ABOUT TANYA EBY

Tanya Eby is a narrator, freelance casting director, and audiobook coach. You can contact her and schedule a session to help you work on your email reach-outs or anything in the audiobook industry. (She can help writers too.) Simply contact her for availability. Her rate is $60/half hour.