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Voice Overs

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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

Men Talking

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-over Newbies – Makings for Great New Long-term Relationships

Business Tips, Voiceover Clients

(Photo credit: Curtis Kennington)

Voice acting is a great career, and the field is full of pros who deliver phenomenal talent in their performance. However, even the industry’s best voice talents had to have a start. Many of those new to the craft are tirelessly seeking and searching to find their position in the VO community. New voice actors have the potential to bring incredible benefits to their clients. For producers and agents, working with new voice talents can lead to tremendous long-term voiceover relationships infused with new styles of interpretation.

New voice talents (five years or less of experience) are desperately trying to make a name for themselves in the VO industry. The influx of new voice actors can be an excellent plus for clients in the following ways:

  • Discounted rates may be available to the client
  • Offers of pro-bono work to help build a voice actor’s resume
  • Eager voice actors focused to please new clients and go the extra mile
  • New acting perspectives reflecting modern communication styles

When new talents become established, most will still offer the best services and rates to their initial clients as a sign of appreciation and loyalty. Partnering on the ground floor with a new voice over talent can be a win-win for clients.

As with all relationships, even in business, they take work to last. With such competition in the VO industry, there is an ever-changing group of voice talent becoming equipped with new voice acting skills ready to deliver their best to you and your bottom line.

Consider all aspects of finding the best voice for your project. With so many available voice-over professionals, what you need is only a few keyboard strokes away.

 

Why Go Voiceover Pro

Book Authors' Business Tips, Business Tips, Voiceover Clients

With the advent of the automated digital assistant, we are becoming accustomed to instance voiceover services. But if you’re producing eLearning, blogs, industrial, or commercial materials, the right voice can make or break the success
of your project.  Before you reach out to that person in your office with the “great voice,” I would say go for the professional voiceover.  Hiring a voice talent is the best and most cost-effective path to a successful audio project.

Pros are Pros
While your colleague may have a great speaking voice, this does not mean he or she is a voice actor or is the right voice for the project.  Most credible talents have spent time (lots of money) and sometimes years learning to communicate vocally with the skill of a stage actor.  Also, voiceover talents are professional business people. The voiceover’s business is to deliver what you need when you need it to the best of his or her ability.

In her blog, The Benefits of Using Professional Voice Talent, Marie Hoffman noted that “The professional voice talent is a trained actor, who communicates, not just reads, your story.” Why go amateur when you can go pro the first time?

Business of Caring
Voiceover professionals are concerned about your project.  That may seem odd, but voiceover talents want to see their clients’ succeed.  As such, the success of a well-performed project gives the actor a sense of satisfaction especially when he or she knows that you are pleased with the outcome.

Relationships for Repeat Help
If you have ongoing projects or even occasional ones, time and money can be lost looking for an in-house voice or new talent for each project.  When you work with a professional voiceover, you have a go-to expert. In many cases, your expert can refer you to other reliable talents for your various voiceover needs. Building relationships can lead to helpers in the voiceover industry reducing your overall project cost and time expenditures.

Would you ask your Dentist to lay carpet in your home? Probably not. So, let the voiceover professionals do their job for your business: to voice your project with passion and expertise.

On the Clients’ Team

Business Tips, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips

Not too long ago, I made a drive to my client’s studio.  This trip was special because it took almost an hour by car (especially with East Coast traffic) to reach the location for the two-minute narration.  Because the client is a new voiceover contact, I accepted the offer to visit their studio to help build a new relationship.  While I could have easily recorded the short script in my professional home studio, going into the client’s studio gave me an opportunity to meet the team and to lay the foundation for our working relationship. Yes, voiceover success includes building relationships.

As a voice talent, the business is more than just auditioning. The voice actor needs to reach out and touch those they work with and for.  Placing a face with a name can help you make a long-term connection and friend.  In my case, the numerous home repairs in my community provided an excellent opportunity to get away from my voiceover studio and take time to understand the needs of a first-time client personally.

Relationships within the voiceover community are essential. Moreover, developing relationships, in general, is good because it’s the human thing to do.  Voice talents are the audio ambassadors for their clients’ thoughts, products, and purpose. Through good working relationships, you as a voice actor can let your clients know that his or her projects are in good hands (and voice).

Don’t forget the relationship building side of the business.  Little things like following up with thank you cards and remembering your clients during holidays and special anniversaries not only keep you in other’s mind but can also keep you in their heart.  Most folks do business with those whom they like.  Look for opportunities to do and be nice because it’s the kind thing to do.

In a culture that is becoming more and more polarized, developing your human side as a voice talent and a person is usually unexpected yet welcomed.  If your client or clients are near, take the time to visit the studio if possible. Bring some cookies or something else to encourage the friendship. Who knows, you may return more often than expected.

Your Voiceover Endgame

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

My voiceover career has been one of the most exciting times of my life. For talents like me, voice acting is an expression of the innermost creative self. But, no matter how much we love our chosen profession, a day will come when we’ll have to move on.  As a voiceover professional, you don’t want to suddenly fall off the radar screen. No matter the state of your career, give consideration and plan your voiceover endgame.

Build a network of succession.  Many seasoned talents become coaches and mentors to novice voiceover talents.  If you are a coach, note your students who have similar vocal styles and temperament, then consider including them in your succession plan. Let your clients know you are connected to other talented voice actors that you have nurtured.  As you get to know a person you have coached and or worked with, you come to know his or her work ethic and what your clients can expect from the talent.  This is a great way of passing along your business to other skilled persons. Even in your end game, credibility is still important.

Publicize your other skills.  Before becoming a full-time voice talent, I worked as a communication manager for a scientific agency.  The essence of my position was to break down complicated subject matters into everyday language for internal and external customers.  Such “translation skills” (as I call writing, designing, project managing, etc.) are skills I acquired aside from voice acting.

Think about what skills you have that may come in handy during your post voiceover period.  Let others know now about your skills in areas such as writing, designing, public speaking, etc. By letting your clients know about your other talents, you’re opening the door for options you may want to pursue after you have passed on the voiceover mantle.

Plan for financial changes.  Start managing your finances and save for your future. If you haven’t already, consider an individual retirement account (IRA), Money Market Fund, Certificate of Deposit (CD) or other saving vehicles to prepare for changes to your regular income.  The reality of money is our needs change with time. Your VO endgame should include some sound methods to keep your lights on and a roof over your head.  Benjamin Franklin said, “There are three faithful friends – an old wife (or husband), an old dog, and ready money.”

Maintain good health.  It’s important that you maintain good vocal and personal health throughout your life (See suggestions in my blog, “Voiceover Success: Your Mouth Matters”). No matter how long you choose to pursue voice acting or other pursuits, you’ll need good health to keep going. Take time to rest and address any changes in your voice or personal health. I recommend getting regular yearly check-ups from head to toe.

To the best of your ability, be ready for whatever “new game” is beyond your voice over career.  The time is now to prepare for your voiceover endgame.

Be VO Excellent!

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

A voiceover talent has a unique responsibility in establishing a reputation for excellence.  In such a competitive field, excellence has a way of narrowing down the number of talents who rise to the top and are constantly working.  The best way to stand out from other voiceover talents is to establish and maintain excellence always.

It’s All In the Details

You must prepare for success.  A voiceover’s proper business preparation includes demos, a website presence, and active social media. Operating a voiceover business on the side is not the same as running a successful voiceover business.  A part-time business can be run successfully if the proper emphasis is placed on maintaining its parts so that they function for the activity around the clock.

Excellence also means good overall communication.  For instance, make sure the texts on your website and other social media sites are as error-free as possible.  In her book “The Brand Mapping Strategy,” Karen Leland says, “The words on your website need to be clear, concise and accurate when describing your business and brand.” Consider hiring an editor or using sources like Grammarly to help you edit your writing and other information representing you. Take time to carefully set up and review your online presence to make sure your site communicates the best about you.

Focus your Time and Talent

When speaking with promising voice talent, I hear a lot of “I want to do audiobooks, commercials, eLearning, …I think I can do it all.”  While that sounds great, failing to focus on one’s best skill can lead to a lot of running around and getting nowhere.  Focus on what you want to perform in your voice over business.  There is no shame in just doing one or two genres.

Find and build on what you’re good at as a voice actor.  For example, are you a compassionate person, who can quickly feel empathy for others?  Perhaps you project an anthem style in your vocal delivery and may be good at fictional reads or eLearning projects. Find your style and what you do best. As your business grows, you can branch out into other genres.  Start small and build.

Follow Your Plan

Developing and sticking to a business operation plan takes time and discipline.  This is also the foundation of excellence.  Such habits like delivering on time plus keeping good records and up with the trends related to your voiceover business solidify your position as one of the best.

Hard Work Required

Voiceover excellence means keeping your business strong by developing and maintaining good practices.  This may be the hardest part of excellence.  The daily work of reaching out to clients, managing your web presence, posting to social media, and delivering quality products to your clients on time is a must.

Remember, procrastination and excuses can kill the tender roots of your excellence. Work hard to build and keep your good name and brand foremost with your voiceover clients.  Excellence can only be achieved by practice.  But, that’s what voiceover talent do anyway!