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Voice Overs

leesha@compassionatevoiceover.com
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Voice-over Goals are Doable in 2021

Business Renewal, Personal, Personal VO Views

Note Pad for 2021 GoalsLast year, my view of yearly goals was a little different. This time, I’m considering a happy medium between just thinking up stuff in one’s head to written items in a plan. So, put on your thinking brain and consider these thoughts for making your voiceover and life goals for 2021.

 My thinking about goals is being influenced by, of course, the pandemic. The pandemic has affected how we all think about the world and ourselves. We need to be more on point about what we want professionally and personally. I’m not talking about throwing away your mask. I’m talking about being clear in what you want, the actions (and precautions) you will take, and what you are willing to do for your continued viability.  

In How to set goals for 2021 when everything feels uncertain, Elizabeth Grace Saunders writes, “Despite the unknowns of 2021, setting goals still has great value. Having goals gives you a sense of self-determination that you have the autonomy to make choices for your life and the competence to achieve them. This is a key component of mental and emotional health.”

A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.”

Bruce Lee

Set it and don’t forget it 

 Goals are needed now more than ever. The Lockdowns have limited our ability to interact as we have in the past, so we need to find new ways of keeping our lives moving toward a promising future. We will undoubtedly have challenges. That’s why we plan for the best and meet the other stuff as it comes.  

 

Be SMART 

 

Setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, or time-bound) goals will provide  steps and processes for reaching one’s objectives. The  21 Goal Ideas to Set and Achieve for a Better 2021 says, “… research shows that 80% of new year’s resolutions are forgotten by February 15th. So, if you’re planning on losing weight, saving money, or learning a new skill, you better have a plan.”

Set the right priorities 

 

Continue your voice-over priorities – it’s your business, it’s your life. Consider what worked in 2020, what was derailed, and what you can do to get back on track. It’s not the good times that define us. The difficult times expose our strengths and weakness. Make sure you are keeping your priorities in placed to meet your goals even throught life’s challenges.  

 

Joan Michelson in Think About 2021 Goal-Setting Differently, suggest you start “… your 2021 goal-setting by first listing all your accomplishments in 2020 – and I do mean ALL of them, in every area of your life, as I outlined in my previous Forbes piece – and see where they are leading you. Looking at the throughlines or patterns and commonalities in these accomplishments will reveal where they are leading you.” 

 

Stay woke

 

The pandemic has brought a lot of hidden realities to light. Being “woke” is not a bad thing but an opportunity to expand your thinking about the world around you. Our lives are moving along in the current of time. You can go with the flow or pull out your goal setting oar and paddle in the direction you’d like to travel. The best way to impact your direction is by writing down your goals covering specific areas of your life.   

 

Write them and they will (or may) come

Your goals’ list does not to be long but should include specific items. Dave Ramsey’s article, How to Set Goals for 2021, recommends goals cover seven life areas: spiritual, fitness, educational, family, career, social, and financial.

 

Today is the best day to get started. We all want 2021 to be a lot better than in 2020. I hope my tips and reminders stir you to take action to do some planning for your future. Setting goals is no guaranteed that you will meet each objective, but aiming at nothing will always get you that result. 

 

Now keep on breaking that lip.

Voices of Color: We’re Here

Personal, Personal VO Views

people watching wall of peopleOver the past few weeks, the United States (followed by the World) has endured an onslaught of race relations issues. The voice-over community has not been immune. Allegations of disparities in hiring ethnic voice actors have also come to light. The COVID-19 pandemic is the backdrop for today’s increased anxiety and mental strain.  As such, coping with the changing economic landscape, human understanding, and addressing of contemporary ethnic issues are more challenging than ever. But this time can also uncover new possibilities for voice seekers and talents in many genres. Take hope and know that voices of color are ready and available for hire.

As a voice actor of color, I see some of the recent tensions in a different light. For the first time, many voice producers are becoming aware of possible unknown disparities or biases.

As such, I see this as a way for some to build new connections with voice casters and producers who may not have previously considered minority actors for their projects. This may be a great time to make a positive step forward toward developing new relationships in the voice acting world.

We See What We Want To See

We know there have been issues. I’ve known what it’s like to feel the challenge of convincing voice casters to consider minority voice actors like me. Furthermore, I’ve seen eLearning, audiobook, and other projects for general audiences routinely cast outside of the minority voice-over community. Last of all, I’ve even heard autobiographies of famous African Americans voiced by sound alike, non-African Americans.

Sure, there are actors like Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, and others, but the list of minority voice-over actors is a long one. Today’s voice casters have many fine actor choices who are excellent performers just waiting to be considered.

I believe most of the current disparities are the result of people doing business with those they know, are familiar with, and are within their communities. Dr. Pragya Agarwal sheds light on this in her Forbes, December 3, 2018, on-line article. In Unconscious Bias: How It Affects Us More Than We Know,  Dr. Agarwal writes, “confirmation bias is, where people are more likely to choose or associate positive qualities to people who look or sound or seem more like themselves or belong to the same social and ethnic group as their own.” This is human nature; we are all human. So, lets consider varying our habits.

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

Edward Everett Hale

Ready and Available Talent

As society seeks to heal human biases, this time may present significant opportunities for actors of color. As more producers broaden their talent potentials, minority voice actors should be ready to show their stuff.  One of the most remarkable points to be known for is as a business professional who gets it done. All voice actors, regardless of ethnicity, should seek to show up and work their business with pride and excellence.

As voice seekers look to expand and broaden their pool of talent, this is an opportunity for all voice artists to put their best foot forward. Let’s remember the basics:

  • Know your niche
  • Deliver what you promised on time (early)
  • Make sure you have a quality home studio
  • Develop necessary home audio skills (editing, processing, etc.)
  • Have a current functional website
  • Continue training
  • Keep your web presence postings positive and uplifting

Practicing these good basics and continuing to do your best for your currents and future clients will help you reach the success you want to achieve.

We Are the (Voiceover) World

We all want to be seen as equals. Still, the World will never be fair. Sometimes you will lose, be left out, dropped, and passed over. You will suffer losses and biases. Sometimes you will have to change your approach and find another way around and to win. That’s the game of life.

As I’ve said before, our time on Earth is too short to let the “bobbed wire” of life keep us from continuing our journey to success. It’s still about building relationships. As our communities seek to heal and rebuild, we can all work together to produce awesome new projects, opportunities, and better relationships.

Together, we can break that lip!

5 Voiceover Sanity Checks for a Troubled World

Personal, Personal VO Views, voiceover

Womman running from a shadowCreative people are not immune to the effects of traumatic events.  Recently on Facebook, I made what I thought was a benign comment related to recovering from COVID-19. To my surprise, I received more than one not so lovely reply from semi to perfect strangers asking me to prove and explain world virus recovery rates and other recent political media occurrences.  Feelings aside, I believe the postings were not personal arguments.  (After all, what sane person would attack their supposed “Facebook friend.”)  But I think the postings were expressions of fear and anxiety by the writers.

If possible, I prefer to be a part of the solution rather than the problem. I want to suggest some simple, common sense ways to soothe the anxiety and refocus your positive energy.  Your social media friends may be glad you did.

Take a Mindful Moment

One of the best ways to start feeling better is to count your blessings.  With so much bad news in the media, make a point to turn your thoughts to what’s good in your present life.  Take a moment to take stock of your blessings and make a point to feel thankful.

Give the Media a Break

As a result of the COVID crisis, we’re all giving a lot of attention to the media to be up on when our lives may start to come back to a semblance of normal. As a result of this crisis, too much media coverage can intensify your anxiety.  The Genesis blog, Coping with Fear and Anxiety Following a Traumatic Event, notes that “If news stories make you anxious, limit yourself to one newscast a day. Avoid social media, which can often contain false information and strong opinions, which may include anger, blame, and generalizations.”

For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.“
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Focus on One Activity at a Time

Many people are still trying to do business as usual, which often includes multitasking.  Under normal circumstances, a voice talent must wear many hats, but currently, we are not under normal circumstances.  Try to slow down and focus on one thing at a time.  Moreover, we often surf the Internet or respond to text messages while doing any number of mindless activities. Give your mind a break so you can continue to function in this uncertain time. It’s alright for you to enjoy the slowdown.  You can pick up where you left off later.

Resist Pavlovian Conditioning

Conditioning and behavior are often learned.  We are taught to respond to a ringing phone, text message alerts, and even today’s reports about the pandemic.  Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) experimented with dogs and demonstrated “classical conditioning” (also referred to as Pavlovian conditioning). Pavlov proved that a link could be developed between one event or occurrence that could result in a specific subconscious behavior associated with another activity.

Instead of reacting to negative comments, bad news, and other information, refuse to let difficult information disturb your spirit, especially events that you have no control over or the ability to change.  This is not being insensitive.  Refusing to dwell on the negative is being sensitive to your needs and what is the best response for your mental health at this time. You don’t have to respond to subliminal stimuli or Pavlovian conditioning. Take a breath, gather your thoughts, let your storm of feelings, and fear pass. Choose to maintain your composure with calmness.

Learn to Exercise and Breathe

Exercising and breathing is another way to inner peace.  Take a walk (via social distancing) outside day or night and let the feeling of movement take your mind and body to a better space.  Take good breaths to fill your lungs. Deep breathing automatically relaxes the mind and body.  Something as simple as counting to 10 and taking one or two slow deep breaths can change one’s whole outlook.

A little self care, to include the above, can go a long way to restore a voice-over’s sanity in a troubled world.  As you know, humanity has seen diseases, pestilence, and war throughout history.  I believe we will survive COVID-19 and thrive.  So today, do your sanity check, we will need you on the other side.

Break a lip? Oh, yea!

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.

Wind in the Mind Time for a Voice Talent

Personal, Personal VO Views, Voice talent renewal

As a US citizen, I hear daily political and climate news with dire predictions of future calamities and over accentuated, sensationalized headlines. The voice-over industry is not immune to those periods of dire predictions such as automated voices replacing human voices. Can you imagine your automated voice service as the voice of your favorite animation character? Give that a thought for a while. Don’t let bad news or hyperbole knock you off your life’s course. No matter your pursuit, keep yourself fresh and real with “wind-in-the-mind-time” to maintain your best.

Mind Checkup

I’m a big proponent of regular checkups. Our world is full of daily and even hourly distractions disguised as information, which is geared to kick us off our course. The distractions cause us to doubt our worth, importance, appearance, lovability, and marketability. We’re constantly told we need something outside of ourselves to be enough as humans. Forces are out there that cause us to doubt ourselves altogether and our purpose in life.

The feeling of being ‘offended’ is a warning indicator that is showing you where to look within yourself for unresolved issues.” — Bryant McGill

When I feel a little off base and unsure about everything, I do a self-check-in to refocus. During my wind-in-the-mind-time, I cut off the television, movies, radio, and even Social Media to silence the voices and sounds coming into my world. During my distraction-less time, I listen to what’s going on inside of me. My breath, heartbeat, and general temperament are my focus. It amazes me at how upset I can become after watching a controversial movie or hearing the news. Stepping back and taking time to re-center my mind, thoughts, and being helps me get back to the fabulous person I know I am.

Getting Better with wind-in-the-mind-time

Many of my friends, regardless of their profession, seem to face similar challenges. We grow as talents, business leaders, and professionals, but the human side appears to need the most refreshing and needs it most often. It would be nice to focus our mind on something like losing weight or making 1,000 cold calls and do it. But that’s not the way people work, and that’s fine.

The task of redirecting and refocusing from the old to the new can be exciting and fun. Almost every day, we are exposed to new technologies and processes built to make our world better. We also learn more about the human psyche and how to find inner peace. Voice actors have a leg up on most folks because we operate from our emotional center to vocally communicate written texts. But I also believe those in the acting profession know the cutting edge of deep emotions and feelings and their effects if not kept in check.

So, what of it? The purpose of wind-in-the-mind-time is to refresh your thinking. I use the time to review my world and the changes I become aware of to see if there is something out there that can make my business and life flow a little better. Likewise, this is the time I use to decide on what things I’m exposed to that no longer need my time attention or curiosity.

Is it time for your wind-in-the-mind-time? What have you heard, what do you do, what’s new, what’s essential, what can go, or stay? A little time in the mind can get you back on track and find inner peace.

“The key to happiness is really progress and growth and constantly working on yourself and developing something.” — Lewis Howes

I’m refocusing some of my efforts this summer to improve what I provide to my voice-over clients. You too should take some wind-in-the-mind-time. No matter your business, embrace the positive and focus on a great future as you prepare to break that lip.

(Image by Gerd Altmann and Pixabay)

A Little Sabbatical, A Little Rest

Personal, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips, Voice talent renewal

My blog page is taking a little sabbatical. Your reading my blogs is an honor. I hope you have found my suggestions and advice helpful to your personal and professional life. I expect to resume blogging on voiceover related subjects in July, so I suggest a few of my earlier writings as food for thought for your June 2019.

Set it and Forget it? Not In Voiceovers

Talent spiced with training and marketing can make for excellent voiceover success. But unlike cooking a meal in a slow cooker, a voiceover talent must check and recheck their business to make sure it’s developing correctly and meeting success goals.

Kindness: Shared, Remembered, and Returned

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? Don’t underestimate the power of kindness.

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

You’ve checked your business progress and treat others kindly. Now, let’s wrap up the month by making sure your “elevator speech” is on point. 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. Preparation is vital. Take time to narrow down the main points you want to communicate with others in about one minute.

Thanks again for all your support. All my best thoughts as you give your best performance and break a lip.

How I get my Voice-over Help

Personal, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips, Voice talent renewal, voiceover

"Oha, a little help please?"Those of us who are self-employed know all too well what it’s like to struggle with optimism. We often face days when the world seems to be working for everyone but us. Voiceover talents must contend with not just the regular struggles of maintaining a business but can also suffer struggles from personal rejections like lost voiceover jobs. I’ve found that depending on the day of the week, finding the will to keep forging on toward one’s heartfelt goals may take several or many methods of encouragement. Life is too short, so make a point to find and use what will keep you motivated toward your best life.

Keep Your Encouragers Close

I keep handy Podcast files of encouraging speakers and programs. On my days when my voiceover business is not going as I think it should, I listen to motivational speakers like Willie Jolley and programs like the Voice Over Body Shop.  Alternating between encouraging and teaching podcasts renews my mind and spirit. Learning something new helps me feel energized and ready to apply new methods in my voiceover performances and business practices. Listening to my favorite shows always bring a smile to my face.

Hang Out with Like Minds

Having friends in business is great but, I’ve found that good intentions don’t make for success. A friend of mine gives me the impression that because I am self-employed, she thinks my voiceover business is a leisure pursuit. This same friend is preparing to retire in a couple of years from her full-time government job and open her own design company. In casual conversation, my friend talks about how she’s developing new designs for the many areas her business will cover. However, knowing my friend as I do, she has always liked to discuss what she wants to do or will do, but she often doesn’t make good on her commitments. Perhaps, she is not the best potential business associate I need to help me press through the hard days.

Once you figure out what your passion is, surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you grow.” Jessica St. Clair

Shadowing or associating with successful, like-minded voiceover talents and successful business owners helps me feel like I too can be a winner. It’s wise to partner with supportive professionals and those who have heard the saying, “Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.”

Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.”  Wilson Mizner

Change up your Schedule

I sometimes take time for home improvements and other small tasks to change up my regular routine and accomplish small goals. Something as little as cleaning a room or finishing a letter can give me a feeling of accomplishment. As such, I feel more optimistic when I return to my marketing efforts and voiceover projects.

Never put off Leisure Time

Over the years, I’ve learned that leisure time, especially with friends, is one of the most encouraging things I can do for my voiceover business. Listening to other thoughts and learning how others feel about the world around them gives me a sense of the human environment. Interacting with others in a leisure setting not only pickups up my spirit, but I feel renewed when I return to the recording booth.

Another benefit of hanging with friends is I may pick up ideas for new voice characters. Have you ever come across someone who speech or voice is out of the ordinary? Often, I study such voice characterizations to use them in future projects. Spending time with others can breathe new life into my list of characters and perhaps lead to more voiceover jobs in the future.

That’s a snapshot into how I keep it moving.  Now, go and develop your encouragement sources, because I guarantee the day or week will come when you will want to just throw up your hands. So, before you wave it all off, give yourself another chance to 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.

A Voiceactor Legacy– Write your (Future) Obituary

Personal, Personal VO Views

If you’re a voiceactor like me, you can confirm that we have not lived an ordinary life. Many of us have had to find our way into the industry, and it has not been easy, direct, or typical. We’ve experienced various challenges most of which we’re glad are behind us. We’ll probably never get the chance to tell others about these challenges like how we recorded hours of audio and forgot to turn on the power. We’re not going to mention the time that we cleaned our computer and ended up erasing key files. We’re not going to talk about the fact that one day we called a potential client by the wrong name and company. And the last thing we’re going to tell others about is the time when a producer asked, “You’re a voice talent, right?” (I confess, it happened to me.) Consider writing a mock obituary about your life. Write what you want people to remember about you and keep building.

The idea of the mock obituary came to mind when I was reading Facebook the other day and saw a very unusual note. The post was an obituary for an Indiana man who died in January 2018. But instead of reading the usual date of death, high school attended, and career accolades, this man’s obituary included a small humorous tidbit that said the deceased is “…leaving behind 32 jars of Miracle Whip, 17 boxes of Hamburger Helper and multitudes of other random items that would prove helpful in the event of a zombie apocalypse.” Cute.

As a voice talent, you have a lot that you can share with beginner voice actors. Your final summary doesn’t have to be sad or morbid; people write them that way. We read the biographies of famous actors and voice actors like the great Don LaFontaine to gain insights into their success. I challenge you to write your obituary with a little quirkiness in your legacy.

I know this is not your typical blog posting but bear with me. If you’re taking on the task to write your mock obituary, I offer the following points to consider. If you need a little help, seek the services of a professional writer or maybe someone with experience in comedic writing to help you give your voiceover and life story a blend of humor.

The “Never Forgets” about You

Since public records contain your life facts, write about the remarkable facts such as what you liked to wear, when you had your first crush, your favorite toy, or what movies made you cry. Let people know what made you unique and important. Let others know where and how you found your well of creativity as a voiceactor.

What are your proudest life events? Maybe it was running that relay race against the fastest kid in your school and winning (or almost winning). Let others know how you felt when you changed a life-controlling habit, saw the face of your first child, or lost weight after years of failed diets. Let others know how you felt when you received your first payment for a voiceover job or heard your voice while walking in a mall or watching television. What about your studio and how many scripts you think that you have in storage…somewhere? What are the things that made you laugh? What is the script that taught you the most about being an actor, about being a person, and of course about being a voice talent? Share your feelings, your thoughts, your specialness.

Don’t forget to thank the “Big People”

Thank that high school teacher or mentor that told you that you could be whatever you wanted to be in life. Thank those “naysayers” who fueled your desire to make it in this business and prove them wrong. Thank the coach who put you off that sports team, giving you more time for books and becoming a good sight reader. Thank the voiceover coach who finally understood you as a person and gave you the encouragement that turned your voice over career around. Don’t forget the people who waited for you to finish your voiceover projects and brought you something from McDonald’s when your money was short. Thank the doctor who helped you through your ear, nose, and throat trials as well as colds, congestion, fevers, and all the other ailments that seem to like voiceactors. And finally, remember to thank your Creator for allowing you to voice act.

Many aspire to become voiceactors but so few fulfill the dream. Thus, few will ever know what it’s like to spend precious time and money to pursue the voiceacting call and the deep feeling of satisfaction that comes from being a part of the VO community. It’s your obituary. Tell your story, and let it be uniquely about you. After all, it’s your last script.

Break a lip!