Business Tips Archives - The Compassionate Voice

Holding Up In 2020: Have It Your Way

Business Renewal, Personal VO Views, voiceover, Voiceover Bussiness Tips

As I hope you know, the world is in the midst of the Covid-19 onslaught on our society and our way of life. As such, we have to make drastic changes in our daily lives to stay healthy. Countless news programs, commentaries, podcasts, preachers, and scientists give us their daily take on how to adjust to the ever-changing “new normal.” But I’ve come to understand that changing during this unprecedented time in world history can only go so far. Each of us must decide how to make it through these strange days.

If you’re running a business (like voice acting), there is a fair amount of adjustment needed for dealing with things as a creative and entrepreneur. I’ve come up with a few thoughts to consider for adjusting to the new normal your way.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

While voice actors should keep abreast of the types of voice delivery popular in media and entertainment, we need to dial back the doses of bad news. To be clear, communication that leads to feelings of depression, sadness, hopelessness, and fear are bad news. Keeping informed of the latest health developments and strategies for staying safe is a good idea. But you may have noticed by now that too much of a perceived ”good thing” may not be so good after all.

Limit daily news and media time. If it’s breaking news, you’ll probably get a Tweet or Instagram post about it. Review several sources of news to help you determine a balanced view of the information. You must think critically about what you are seeing and hearing to decide what’s best for you.

In, What to Do When You Get Unexpected Bad News, Suzanne Kane writes “Go straight to the source to eliminate bias or watered-down information that may be more opinion and hearsay than factual. To properly deal with unexpected negative news, you need to arm yourself with the facts.”

Maintain your Daily Wellness

Hopefully, you have some idea of what a thriving daily routine looks like for you. Keep your physical health in check, and make sure you are also watching your dental health. (Ever since I learned that many of the ancient Egyptians died of gum disease, I’ve become a big supporter of good dental health.) Likewise, watch your weight by getting in regular exercise and healthy relaxation. I find cycling helps me to stay mentally and physically healthy.

Practice Caution until the Cure

Many of us are finally getting opportunities to do more outside our homes than grocery shop. We can now visit museums, shops, beaches, churches, restaurants, and friends! But there is still a need for extra caution in society. Have your fun and do as much as you need to maintain good relationships. Of course, make sure you’re practicing the official guidelines for venturing out in public and around others.

Stretch your Creativity to the (legal) Max

It will take most of us a lifetime to understand and reveal our true selves. Use this time of adjustment to continue to see what is in you and express it creatively. For example, you don’t have to be a voice actor to invest in training in voice or acting. Get in on virtual learning and artistic pursuits to see what comes from within you. Let yourself laugh at life and dream of how the world would be if everyone were just like you. If you’re a voice talent, never stop investigating the possibilities of advancing your creativity to that which lies within you. Continue to harness your creative “gold mine,” your mind.

Nurture your People

Your new normal should not be void of people. Again, voiceover people know and understand the importance of human interactions. We know that you cannot relate and reach others without understanding them. We need our families, friends, neighbors, and even some of our enemies. People teach us to succeed, fail, fight, love, grow, and adapt. Spending all your time behind physical or virtual walls does not lead to good relationships or mental health.

The worst solitude is to have no real friendships.” Francis Bacon

Use the virtual tools available to connect with others. Moreover, meet others in safely distanced setting to talk, laugh, and just be yourself. You need your people and they need you. Don’t deprive them of you. Nurture others and you will find your spirit is a little lighter every time you interact with people. Find a way to make it work your way.

Your survival is now in your hands. You are too special to lose, we need you. Take the advice on being safe, but don’t let being safe strip away your life. You can make it through 2020 and beyond. I’ll be listening for you breaking a lip.

5 Things Voice Actors Can Do Now to Stay Noticeable

Business Renewal, Business Tips, Voiceover Bussiness Tips, Voiceover Clients

No matter your background, language, or location, life for you has changed. The COVID-19 incident has changed the present and is yet to reveal its whole effect on our future. But as an optimist, I believe life is still worth living. As a creative, living is not just consuming food or having fun; it means being able to create, share, and give to others. This is a great time to find new and emerging opportunities for helping others through the expression of one’s creative talents. But, with the ongoing readjustments facing our society, you may be wondering how to adapt to the fluctuating “new normal.” Here are five ideas on how to re-evaluate where you stand in the voiceover market and stay noticeable to current and potential customers.

1. Let Others Know You’re Available

The current business environment presents a great time to send friendly contact messages to customers. Let your current voice over clients know that you care about them and are here to help if needed. You don’t have to ask for work but offer something meaningful to your client. If you have other skills, talents, or related contacts, let others know you can be a part of their solutions to adjusting to the new challenges of today’s business world.

When reaching out to potential voice-over clients, use the same approach. You want to see where people are and how you can help them with their needs. Show your heart as a creative and someone that brings value and service to society.

Most people don’t like change. They revolt against it unless they can clearly see the advantage it brings.” John C. Maxwell (Pastor & Motivational Speaker)

2. Get Really Good at Social Media

Social Media is the preferred method of daily communication. Usage over many platforms continues to escalate. Review your social media analytics and what others are drawn to in your postings or blogs. Note what is working for your sites or not working. Review other voice-actor sites and see what posts are getting the most attention plus look into incorporating similar methods into your platforms. Learn to communicate in the language of current and potential customers. Oberlo notes that “If you cater your content toward the audience of the social media platform, you’ll be successful.” Direct your strategy for meeting the right market at the right time. Make your presence about willing to meet the needs of others.

3. Develop Partnerships

You don’t have to limit new partnerships to just voice talents. Most of your outreach should be to those who can use your services or who you can help reach their business goals. Follow various businesses on social media or in virtual meetings to get an understanding of other industries. When possible, make meaningful contributions to postings and conversations. Look for connections related to shared interests, activities, and future goals.

Inc.com says, “Such partnerships are just as beneficial for businesses of all sizes, provided each partner knows how to build, cultivate, and make the most out of the partnership. Once you’ve found your partner, work together to build something that will benefit you both for years to come.”

Look for companies that are doing something that would benefit both of you and help seek to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. And always interact with respect and in a positive, bipartisan way.

4. Renew your Mailers

Contact via mail is making a comeback. This is a good time to use postcards or other printed material to reach out to local businesses. Develop a timely message and let your community know you are here and how to make contact.

5. Keep a Virtual Eye on the Industries

With the current pandemic, there has been an explosion of virtual video meetings. Diligently watch the virtual meetings and industry leaders’ presentations. With such a wide variety of virtual experiences, don’t limit yourself to voice over sites. You can find potential clients across the board and in many genres. Increase your personal knowledge about new topics or take up new skills. Open yourself up to the winds of opportunities and skills you may not have considered in the past.

It’s a new day and time. Don’t limit yourself. Keep yourself marketable and viable through the crisis of 2020.

Break a lip!

8 Things That Can Make A Staycation Work For You

Business Tips, Personal, Personal VO Views, Voiceover Bussiness Tips, Voiceover Clients

This week, it’s all about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s a threat to our way of life and seems to be the only news we hear. No matter your business or employment state, all people are affected by this medical crisis to our society. But what can you control, change, or improve? Yes, we have choices, even during this worldwide medical crisis. Choose to take your mind off the crisis with 8 things that can make this time of staycation work for you.

1. Work Your Undone “To-Dos”

If you’re like me, something is always falling off your “To-do list.” Look around your office and home, and notice what you have been planning to do but just have not gotten around to completing. Are there rooms that need to be cleaned, painted, or just organized? Use this time to take a crack at your list. Then again, these undone tasks don’t have to be just work. Get to your fun To-do list too.

2. Express your Creativity

Many voice talent are creative people by nature. If you’re not a voice talent or actor, that does not mean you cannot take up a creative habit or be creative. Consider adopting new practices like painting, writing, or even coloring.

Coloring books are popular these days. In an article appearing in O Magazine, Brigitt Earley’s Best Adult Coloring Books to Melt Your Stress Away, notes that coloring books are not a kid only activity. She writes, “… the advanced options (coloring books) are chock-full of beautiful and insanely intricate designs; others are a little irreverent; some are more functional, doubling as a journal or a calendar… .” Coloring is considered quite calming.

Still not convinced? The blog by Eva Williams, 8 Therapeutic Benefits of Coloring in Adult Coloring Books and Apps, says, “While our mind is engaged in coloring, it seldom diverts and relapses into negative thoughts.” It’s all about refocusing your mind.

3. Reconnect with Family and Friends

While social media is all the rage, make time to pick up the phone to talk or live stream friends and family. Check on older loved ones as well those who are single or live alone. The act of reaching out and caring about others has a calming and pleasing effect that can last for days.

4. Take an Inventory of You

It’s okay for a little self-focus. Moreover, this is probably the best time for such an activity. During the Coronavirus, we may want to examine what is essential in your life, are we pursuing our goals, and are they the right goals. Writing down what you want, where you want to go, and where you are in the process can help bring your life into focus. Make the best of your time and talents. (For more, see my blog on keeping your goals fresh and on point).

5. Keep Moving

The old saying is, ‘If you don’t use it you will lose it.’ So, make time daily to stretch and get your body moving. From my point of view of a voice talent, you should practice breathing and other techniques to keep your voice at it’s best. The body works succinctly with all its parts. If you’re stressed or upset, it will come out in your voice-over performances. Release a little stress through movement.

Tell your readers to use it or lose it. If you don’t use your muscles, they get weak. If you don’t use your mind, it begins to fail.” John Templeton

6. Update your Software Knowledge

Do you have books or software you’ve downloaded and have still not mastered? (Guilty) Now is the time to check on what you have. Make sure your remote directing, editing, and other software updates.

Moreover, find out about any new features and learn some of the old features to make sure you’re getting the most out of your purchase. The information and tools only help us when we know how to use them and use them well. If you need help, Facebook and YouTube usually have loads of software tutorials to help you get up and functioning.

7. Plan your Next Vacation

If money is no object, where would you like to go? If money is an object, where would you like to go? Find a happy medium between the two and plan your next (post staycation) Vacation. Consider your budget, travel, location, and activities. There is nothing wrong with dreaming, and just thinking of time away in the future can lighten your spirits today.

8. Use Social Media Wisely

Not all news is good news or real news. Watch what you need to stay safe and healthy, then cut off the Media. Don’t worry, there’s always an update in a few hours, so it’s fine to give yourself a break. If you are hooked on social media, watch a few cat videos, or kids throwing food, and feel free to laugh out loud.

Go ahead and break that lip!

What has voice overs done for you lately?

Business Tips, Personal, Personal VO Views, Voiceover Bussiness Tips

As a burgeoning or continuing voice-over talent, you may have thought the title phrase even if you didn’t say it aloud. Like other business owners, voice actors are in the business of doing what they love and making a profit. However, there’re times, when one must step back and ask, “what have I done for voiceovers lately?” Instead of focusing on getting to get, focus on giving to give.

Network to Give

Social media is indeed all the rave, but face to face time can be a great way to connect. While that’s no new thought, connecting to learn and understand another’s journey in the voice over business takes a little more work.

After you’ve exchanged business cards at networking functions, and the casual conversations begin, quite your spirit and take the time to focus on what the other person is saying. Listen to a person’s speech and inflections. Listen for what moves them and what may be an area of concern. I’ve noticed that if you allow others to talk about their favorite subject (themselves), they will tell you quite a lot about what’s on their mind and in their career. Listen to the character cues behind the words and even the insecurity that may underscore phrases. Listen without judgment, then understand to respond.

Giving in-network can be processing what you have heard spoken and carefully suggesting or commenting to the listener. This giving is not an opportunity to lay out a full speech about you and your business, but to respond to small tidbits with information that may be useful to your listener. Your objective is to give to your listener something they can use and perhaps help change his or her future. Providing the right, brief tip shows your compassion and caring for another.

Diplomacy is listening to what the other guy needs. Preserving your own position but listening to the other guy. You have to develop relationships with other people so when the tough times come, you can work together.” Colin Powell

Network to Help

There are causes in voice acting too. Sometimes you can volunteer your time and talents to help new talent, barter for services, or mentor others. Not every networking event should have a money aim; networking is an excellent way of making a difference in the business community and educating others on the topic.

I live in a town where it’s all about competition and getting ahead. As such, listeners and encouragers have a way of sticking out even in the most casual of meetings.

Don’t miss this. If you network to give, you’re doing something more profound than just gleaning a future contact. You are learning how to listen and care about another person and give without looking for something in return.

As a voice talent, the simple act of giving will help improve your ability to connect and emphasize as you tell a story and see things from another’s perspective. In a world climate of so many people pushing for their recognition or success, being open to listening and giving to others can be a way of improving your relationships and communication.

“Turnabout is fair play,” or so the saying goes. If you focus on giving what is needed in networking and other areas, your business and life will richly develop. The next time, you could be the person who gets that little tidbit of relevant info from a new pal that changes the way you live your life and operate your business.

So, the next time you think, what has voice overs done for you lately, I hope the answer is, “it’s done a lot.” Find better ways to help others as you break a lip.

Running the Voiceover Marathon

Business Tips, Personal, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips

The voiceover world has a saying that never seems to get old. Voice teachers and coaches alike tell their students, “the Voiceover business is not a sprint but more like a marathon.” For some time, I didn’t understand the meaning of the phrase. When I thought about the sprint/marathon analogy, runners like Usain Bolt, Florence ‘Flo Jo’ Joyner, or Harold Abrahams (“Chariots of Fire” movie fame) would come to mind. But for voiceactors, the business is more like training for and running a marathon. If you want to achieve voiceacting success, run your business like you’re training for a marathon.

Before I get into analogies and comparisons, let’s examine what it means to train for a marathon and a sprint. Dr. Hunter Vincent, a personal trainer, provides some guidance on the difference between “sprint” and “marathon” training. You must first understand what’s in store physically for your body throughout your training regimen.

When it comes to voiceovers and voiceacting, you must also know precisely what you’re asking of your yourself to reach your goals. You must cultivate the right mindset and prepare yourself for action. To sum it up, you must know which mindset you need and the difference.

Sprint – Short and Sweet

A “sprint” can be considered a short, high-intensity run or workout. Sprint training includes running stairs and hills as well as working with Interval Circuit Training equipment. You probably had to do a few sprint races in your time growing up. With a sprint, you gave your all for a few moments and then the run was over, or you could pass the baton on to the next runner. If for some reason the race became longer, you probably almost broke into a cold sweat because you knew your best run was only a few feet in distance. The longer the race, the better the chances you could lose strength or become overly tired before you reached the finish line.

Marathon – The Long Haul

Marathon training does quite the opposite. VeryWellFit.com says, “A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42 kilometers. (Wow!) Although marathons differ in their terrain and degree of difficulty, the distance is always 26.2 miles.”

The Army Ten Miller and the Boston Marathon are among the famous US-based marathons. Dr. Hunter also notes that “Although it is equally challenging to run a marathon or even train for one, the intensity is technically considered to be less, and heart rates tend to be a lower percentage of your maximum.”

VeryWellFit.com goes on about how to prepare for a marathon, “(You must) follow a training schedule so you’re properly prepared for the race, avoid getting injured, and feel confident when you get to the starting line. Having a training schedule to follow will also keep you motivated during the four to five months that you’ll need to prepare for the race.”

The Voiceover Marathon

A voiceover business (or marathon) can take many years amidst changing industry conditions to become lucrative. So, to translate into voiceactor terms, operating (or training) a voiceover business includes the following:

Developing and following a schedule to include marketing, training, and practicing.
Learning how to avoid injury by having the right mindset when you win jobs as well as when you lose jobs or opportunities.
Gaining confidence in oneself through training and applying feedback from good voiceover coaches and mentors.
Increasing business intensity at a reasonable pace.
Following up with marketing leads and old clients.
Practicing proper nutrition and hydration.
Maintaining good personal and dental health plus steering clear of “pop” foods.
Motivating and rewarding yourself for meeting small goals and milestones.
Getting proper rest rejuvenating your creativity and keeping you on your game.
Maintaining your business at healthy pace that will not cause burnout.

So, yes, the voiceover coaches have a truthful saying. A career in voiceovers is like training and running in a marathon. Sprints can be rewarding, but it will not take much to cause you to lose strength, become overly tired, or discouraged long before you reach the (voiceover) finish line.

Break a lip as you run your voiceover marathon.

Foundations of the Working Voiceactor

Business Tips, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips

Voiceover is still a hot topic with people moving in and out of the industry daily. The rise in audiobook sales and gaming platforms has piqued the interest of the younger generation as many vie for an opportunity to become one of the favorite gaming voices or narrators. But some things about voice acting are timeless and a vital part of the makeup of the working voice artist. Integrity and hard work are still the foundations for success as a voiceover artist.

Why integrity?

Voiceactors quickly learn that unlike other professions, the best parts of your mind and spirit are open to the world to examine, critique, and even criticize. Voice acting comes from the soul of the truly gifted artist. Each performance is an imparting of the spirit of the artist as he or she brings a piece of text to life. This practice of pulling from one’s inner being to perform before the world is not always well received or accepted. For that reason, rejection in the form of losing a job or not being selected for a project can be especially hard on the voice actor. Losing a voiceover job oe client can be seen as a professional rejection as well as a personal one.

Integrity plays a big part in supporting the soul of the voice talent. It’s in one’s nature to desire appreciation when one has done their best. Knowing that you have done your best with integrity or the “personal quality of fairness” helps when you face rejection and can fuel your pursuit of future success. Giving your best as a voice actor and business owner, plus returning the same respect and kindness as one wants from others, builds the integrity foundation that supports the working voice actor’s professional life. Showing integrity by treating others fairly, learning to accept rejection, and keeping an even keel can lead to eventual success. Your integrity shows up in the way you approach new prospects, learn from your teachers, run your business, manage your finances, help others, and most assuredly in your voiceover performances.

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Henry David Thoreau

Why hard work?

The nicest voice actor around must still run his or her voiceover business like a business. There is no substitute for a regular regime of marketing, learning, training, and auditioning to remain viable. The voiceover industry has very few shortcuts. The industry evolves as society evolves in the way it communicates and interconnects. Working voice talent keep an eye on changing industry trends and how the human voice is most effective across the various voiceover genres. Also, a successful voice talent must maintain focus on the technologies related to home studio innovations. Lastly, a voiceover talent must know his or her transforming personal style, learning curve, ability, knowledge, etc. Regularly reviewing and embracing all aspects of the voiceover industry and continuing to reach toward voiceover success can be a daunting task, but not impossible.

Working hard also means working smart. Recent industry changes have some talents rethinking their commitment to voice acting. Some are finding that changes in the industry’s accepted rates and the overall feel may differ from their personal aims. Moreover, some may feel that it takes too much work to make a decent living as a voiceactor.

Voiceacting is like any other profession; one must learn to “roll with the punches” to make it. If working hard is still not getting the results you need for success, know when it’s time to refocus your efforts or find another professional pursuit.

Starting with the basics of deciding how to perform all aspects of one’s business with integrity and through hard, is the sound foundation of the working voice talent.

Whether its gaming, commercials, or eLearning, voiceacting is a lot of fun and can be very rewarding. But, without the fundamentals and a good foundation, success eluded and only be an unfunded dream.

Work hard with integrity as you break that lip.

Voiceover Success is in the Focus

Business Tips, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips, Voice over Training, Voiceover Bussiness Tips

I’ve heard the expression that in decision making, you should ‘throw it (an idea) against the wall and see if it sticks.’ Does this apply to your voice-over success strategy? In voice acting like any other business, if you want to be successful, you must be focused.

If you’ve ever watched the feeding of dangerous pets or zoo animals, you’ve seen a trainer throwing assortments of mouthwatering morsels that are all quickly gulped up by the animal to make room for the next catch. As a voice talent, you don’t have to mock the feeding of an animal. It’s okay to choose what you want and what you don’t want to do in your business. Making wise choices in running your voice-over business will improve your performance and lighten your mental load on your pathway to success.

It can take many years to become successful in the voice acting business. Those of us in the industry, usually have only a general idea of how long it will take for us to reach our perceived success, whether it be money or voice-over jobs. The uncertainty of the time to success is the most substantial reason to focus and choose what works for you.

Know What You Do Best

Identify what you are best at as a talent. Are you drawn to performing commercials, audiobooks, or narrations? Focus on that skill or those skills in your training pursuits. If you’re not sure yet, verify with your coach where your best voice performance lies and then research on how to be the best in that genre.

Not everything matters equally, and success isn’t a game won by whoever does the most. Yet that is exactly how most play it on a daily basis.” Gary Keller, author of The One Thing

You don’t need to go after all areas of voice acting. Focusing on what you are good at will lead you to success faster than the “catch whatever” attitude when searching for and accepting voice-over jobs. Target your best audience through marketing and focus on the jobs you want.

Now that you know what you are good at, what does the voice-over industry need in your preferred genre? Is the market changing? What are the ideal styles that work best in reaching targeted audiences’ clients? Look, listen, and find out what voice producers want and focus on being in the position to deliver those tools with excellence.

Become the Best You Can

Train, practice, and train again. With the fast pace and change within the voice-over industry, you must be open to what is working now. Are you current in your voice acting delivery and style? How can you improve? Your best delivery today should be relevant for today and not what was good yesterday or last year.

Get the Word Out About You

Market to the voice-over seekers in your chosen genre. Purchase marketing or client lists if needed and reach out by email or social media sites or even cold calling. If your budget does not support the purchasing of voice-over contact lists, do your web search using keywords and phrases to narrow down potential voice seekers in your area. Once you feel you’ve exhausted the search in your area, expand nationally, and even internationally to find your target audience.

Stay Focused (Don’t Change Unless You Must)

You may receive offers to do other types of voice acting work, so consider your options carfully. I’m not suggesting you leave money on the table, but if you move from your goal, you may fracture your focus and lose sight of your goal. There are many types of voice acting, so staying in your voiceover genre will grow your business more steadily over time to the goal you want.

Focus as you break a lip!

Kindness: Shared, Remembered, Returned

Business Tips, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips, voiceover, Voiceover Bussiness Tips

I recently vacationed in Idaho and stayed at a resort hotel. Late in my stay week, I left my hotel room early one morning for breakfast. When I returned later that day, I found a note from the housekeepers thanking me for my stay. While the note could have been an indirect reminder of the gratuity, I’d like to think the note was just a sincere appreciation. Each time I encountered the cleaning staff, I made a point to greet them pleasantly and compliment them on their services. I was so moved by the note, that I left a “nice” gratuity in response. Never underestimate the power of kindness.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “kindness” as the quality or state of being kind, treating people with kindness and respect. Kindness, such as in the case mentioned above, prompted me to increase the amount of gratuity I planned for the cleaning staff. It also gave me a good feeling that I was appreciated as a guest.

Likewise, I had a different episode just a few weeks before my vacation. A neighbor in business has shown me little kindness over the past few weeks. While she has not said anything overly offensive, her short emails written in bold, capital letters and her curt responses to my emails regarding community matters, gave me the feeling that she has a low personal regard for me.

Now, this is not entirely a rant; it’s more of me pointing out a lost opportunity. I believe the services my neighbor offers could be enhanced through narrations, targeted voice marketing prompts, and information videos on her website. Moreover, I support her vision and applaud her as a successful entrepreneur. However, due to our interactions, I believe our working together would not be beneficial. Alas, the experience is a missed opportunity due to the lack of kindness.

Kindness Matters

Speaker and author Bob Burg once said, “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like, and trust.” Do people trust you? Do people like you (and do you care)? Are you genuinely kind to others? We all have good and bad days, but do you try to maintain an attitude of openness and kindness? Small acts of kindness can determine your business’s future, primarily as a working voiceover artist.

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity

Working voice talents interact with many potential clients throughout the day. The person that serves us in the restaurant may be the owner. The Uber driver may be part of a small company burgeoning on video success. Your neighbor, whose child has just visited your door requesting a small donation to his or her high school band’s field trip, may be in need of your business services. Voice actors are like passion ambassadors.

We have fantastic opportunities to touch the world through our human voice. The art of vocally communicating emotions that compel others to act can best be performed by a voice actor and second to no other mode of communication. It all starts with the behavior of kindness.

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

Princess Diana

Never overlook kindness in building new friendships. Who knows, you may need the favor returned sooner than you think. Lastly, you may further be surprised as how being kind to others helps you stand out from the pack in all areas of your life.

Be kind as you break a lip.

Get Ready for your On-the-mark Voiceover Elevator Speech

Business Tips, VO Business Tips, Voice over Training, voiceover

Are you ready to let others know what you do in voiceovers in a brief, positive way? Let’s say you’re out and about doing your daily rounds and appointments. During a casual conversation, you get a question about your line of work. Your response notes you’re a voiceover talent. But then, your listener looks puzzled and asks a follow-on question something like, “What do you do in voiceovers?” Do you know what to say next? Motivate others to work with you through an on-the-mark voiceover elevator speech.

Your voiceover speech doesn’t have to be a canned response. It should be something tailored to each situation and include all the essential facts about what you do. Therefore, preparation is vital. Take time to narrow down the main points you want to communicate with others in about one minute.

We win more business, not because of pitching but because clients say, ‘We like the work you’re doing.’” David Droga

In “How to Write the Perfect Elevator Pitch,” Jente Kater, notes the significance of a focused message:

“A great asset forcing you to keep your pitch both interesting and well-structured is the A.I.D.A. model (Attention → Interest → Desire → Action). The model, often used by sales and marketing professionals, ensures that your story will be coherent and clear. Above all, remember to get excited. If your pitch isn’t something that gets your blood flowing, it won’t do much to elicit a reaction from your audience.”

Edge Studio’s 10 Critical Business Practices that Voice Over Artists Overlook, notes the importance of accurately describing what you do instead of just saying you’re a voice actor. Most individuals think only of one type of voice work. Here’s more advice from Edge Studio.

“When asked what you do, don’t say, ‘I’m a voice-over artist,’ because most people don’t know what that means, and the few that do will probably think it means commercials. Instead say, ‘I help businesses sound better, by providing them with wonderful sound tracks for their voice mail and training videos so they sound more professional.’ Tailor this ‘elevator pitch’ precisely to your special strengths.”

Developing your Script

Write out your responses to the following questions and narrow down the key points.

What benefits do you provide to your voiceover clients?
What are your specialties?
What makes your services unique?
What things are you most proud of in the business?

Once you’ve covered the basics, think about what you bring to each client. With these points in mind, gage your listener to provide just the right particulars and (possibly) your business card. For more on how to write an elevator speech, review Mike Simpson’s How to Write A Killer Elevator Pitch.

Tailor the Particulars

Potential voiceover clients are everywhere. Still, choose how much to share about yourself and your business. Think through the following:

Is this person a business candidate or strictly a casual contact?
Is he or she a primary or secondary potential client?
Would sharing my contact information (business card, etc.) be a good idea?

Incorporate the above into your on-point elevator speech. Keep your information current. If you’re in business, there will always be a need for a good elevator speech. Make your interactions count toward future clients and network growth. You’ve got this.

Break a lip!

Set it and forget it? Not in Voiceovers

Business Tips, Personal VO Views

Growing up in Washington, DC, I often watched my grandmother cook meals using a slow cooker. She would place raw meat along with various spices in a large crockpot to slowly and thoroughly cook for hours. The slow cooker released the most incredible aromas that you could almost taste the spicy, simmering meal. While that process works well for making dinner, the process can also be related to running a voiceover business. A good talent spiced with training and marketing can become a great success. But unlike my Grandmother’s meals, a voiceover talent must check and recheck their business to make sure it’s developing correctly for meeting success goals.

Success in voiceovers is not a “set it and let it go” action. As a talent, I recently took the time to review my presence on and offline. Occasional reviews, which I’ve written about and still recommend, helps keep me on track toward my business goals. Anyone interested in being successful in business must take time to do a review. A strong business plan that includes online marketing and interacting must be frequently reviewed.

There is no such thing as set and go in voiceovers. Don’t set and forget your business process, perform frequent reviews to keep your voiceover business ‘cooking’ along for the best long-term success.

Let Others Get You Started

We can’t always see what is right in front of us hence the thought of missing the forest for the trees. The best way to start an in-depth review of your voiceover business is to ask other voiceover associates what they think of your web presence and business plan. Also, ask your coaches or a quality voiceover demo producer to listen to your demos to make sure your sound is current and reflects the modern times.

Note and make the corrections that you can afford and that are within your budget. For example, you may not be ready for a new demo, but you may want to make sure that your auditions reflect a current sound and a voice that is marketable.

Once others comment on the external, it’s time for you to review the internal: your recording space. Consider the age of your computer, back-up drives, and other items. Note items that are nearing the end of their life span and start to save for equipment upgrades. Such expenses should be a line item in your budget, but if not, make it a priority. You don’t want your computer to die on you in the middle of a session. It’s better to update your recording space items early than when it’s too late. It always takes longer than planned to get back to business as usual.

One Consistent Web-presence

Review your social media pages and make sure your imagery, logo, and other information are all consistent. Don’t forget to check online texts and link accuracy for your social media sites.

Ingenious Promotion

Many businesses mail holiday cards around the end of the year. Instead, send your clients and contacts casual greetings around New Year’s or Valentine’s Day. Moreover, what could endear you more to your clients as to them receiving a small sweet treat on Valentine’s Day? Give thought to sending Christmas in September cards. Look for ways to make your clients think of you throughout the year.

Make Your Business Public

Commit to reaching out to new groups and causes. As a voice talent, your voice opportunities are endless. As you go about your dealings, remind your dentist, doctor, church members, gym buddies, etc., of your availability to help with any qualifying voice projects. Don’t forget the local public schools and businesses. Dust off and revamp your voiceover elevator speech to reach those new audiences. Make your elevator speech customer focused.

Voice acting in the 21centry is nothing like it has been in the past. Keep your business moving forward; check your progress often. Remember, in the voiceover business; there’s no “set it and forget it.”

As always, break a lip!

Voice Overs