Apollo.io: The Direct Marketing Tool That Changed My VO Business
- Tom Dheere
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
As freelance voice actors, we are the CEOs of our own businesses. We can have the most incredible demos and a top-of-the-line studio, but if we don't have a System of Execution for finding new clients, we don't have a business—we have a hobby.
For years, the "system" for many of us has been a mix of pay-to-play sites, agent submissions, and a whole lot of hoping.
But what if you could take control? What if you could build your own list of dream clients and reach out to them directly?
That's called Direct Marketing, and while the idea isn't new, the tools to do it effectively have been a game-changer for my voice over business. I want to show you the single most powerful tool I've found for voice-over lead generation: Apollo.io.
Apollo.io: Your All-in-One Voice Over Marketing Machine
What is Apollo.io?
Think of it as a massive, searchable database of companies and professionals combined with a powerful email tool. It allows you to stop guessing and start building a predictable pipeline of potential clients.
Instead of just searching for "production companies," you can find the exact person at that company who hires voice talent.
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Find Your Ideal Clients with Laser Precision
This is where the magic starts. Apollo's search filter is incredibly detailed. You can search for clients based on:
Industry: Target e-learning companies, advertising agencies, or video game developers.
Location: Want to find clients in your city or a specific state? Easy.
Job Title: This is the big one. You can search for titles like "Creative Director," "Producer," "Head of Production," or "Casting Director."
Company Size: Prefer to work with smaller boutiques or large corporations? You can filter for that, too.
You can build a list of hundreds of highly targeted leads in the time it would normally take to find a handful.
The Free Plan: Your Secret Weapon on LinkedIn
I know what you're thinking: "This sounds expensive." But you can get started for free, and the free version is incredibly powerful on its own.
Apollo gives you a certain number of free "credits" each month. One of the best ways to use them is with the free Apollo Chrome Extension. Have you ever found a great potential client on LinkedIn but couldn't find their email address? This is your solution.
When you're on someone's LinkedIn profile, you simply activate the Apollo extension. With one click, it will search for and verify that person's professional email address. Gone are the days of sending messages into the void of LinkedIn InMail. With the free plan, you can build a small, targeted list of direct email addresses every single month without paying a dime.
Why This is Perfect for Voice Actors
Apollo.io allows us voice actors to:
Take Control: Stop waiting for the voice over jobs to come to you. Build a proactive system for outreach.
Save Time: The amount of time you save on research is staggering. That's more time for auditions and bookings.
Be More Professional: Reaching out directly to the right person with a personalized email is far more effective than generic contact forms.
Ready to Build Your Client Pipeline?
I genuinely believe that a smart Direct Marketing strategy is the key to a long-lasting, stable voice-over career. Apollo.io is the most effective and user-friendly platform I've found to execute that strategy. It has streamlined my workflow and opened doors to clients I never would have found otherwise.
If you're ready to stop waiting and start building, I encourage you to check it out. Using the link below will give you access to their platform, and as an affiliate, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Click here to get started with Apollo.io and see how powerful it can be for your voice-over business.
Take control of your lead generation. Your future self will thank you!
Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit?
Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business.
Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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Through VO Strategist, Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.
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