How to Get Paid for Commercial Ideas
Andy Warhol is famous for saying that everyone wants 15 minutes of fame. In the world of advertising and commercials, "fame" can be as short as 30 seconds. Getting paid for an idea for a commercial is not the easiest thing to do. However, if you are willing to learn what advertisers are looking for, and you can create not just one, but many ideas -- build a portfolio of ideas and explore opportunities as a copywriter, a jingle writer, a photographer or an art director to get paid for your ideas.
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Things You'll Need
- Television commercial script
- Voice-over demo tape
- Jingle demo tape
- Commercial photography portfolio
- Copywriting portfolio
Instructions
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Get paid for commercial jingles by coming up with what is referred to as a "demo reel." Write the lyrics that express the key selling points, such as softness for a facial tissue brand. Record your jingle with a simple piano track. Use a vocalist or sing it yourself. Remember that it is the words that matter most. Contact nearby commercial production houses and radio, television and advertising agency producers for their submission requirements. Inquire about opportunities to write jingles on a freelance basis.
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Use your talent and way with words to write slogans. Pay close attention to famous slogans for commercials, such as Wal-Mart's "Save Money. Live Better" and "Got Milk?" to get an idea of how slogans express the brand promise. Write at least 10 to 12 slogans, as advertisers are accustomed to looking at scores of slogans before making a final selection. Pitch your ideas to smaller, local businesses to develop your copywriting skills and to earn money as a freelancer. Develop a portfolio of speculative ads that demonstrate your skills. Apply for a position as a copywriter if you are serious about pursuing advertising as a career.
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Sell ideas for television or radio commercials by developing a script and, for television, a storyboard. Learn the formal way to write a script for a 30-second television commercial featuring the video description for the action in a column on the left of the page, with the audio component of what actors, announcers and/or music lyrics say in a column on on the right of the page. Come up with at least three to four commercials ideas for a product. Pitch your portfolio to local television and radio stations to get your feet wet as a freelancer.
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Use your "golden voice" to pitch your talents as a voice-over announcer. Transcribe commercials from television that you feel you could deliver just as well -- if not better. Record your reading, and make a demo reel of your voice-over skills. Put several types of recordings on your demo to show your range, such as humorous, serious or even an impression of someone famous -- past or present. Find out who represents voice talent in your area and request a meeting to submit your demo tape. Ask your local television and radio station for leads on reputable talent agents and agencies.
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Build a portfolio of photographs that display strong commercial photography skills. Demonstrate your ability to light products so they look magnificent. Create a "speculative" portfolio of photography samples. Develop a contact list of creative directors and art directors at local advertising agencies. Contact them to arrange an appointment to have your portfolio reviewed. Post your photographs on freelance sites such as iPhoto, Getty Images and others to sell your images.
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Tips & Warnings
Be committed to break into the world of advertising. Take classes. Continually study commercials to figure out how they are made -- and most importantly, what the strategy is behind the idea.
Never send unsolicited ideas to advertisers or agencies.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
