VO Business Tips Archives - Page 2 of 5

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.

Scammers Still Like Voiceovers

VO Business Tips, voiceover, Voiceover Bussiness Tips

If you’re a voice talent with your contact information on the Web, you may have seen rashes of email scams. Over the last few weeks, many of my VO colleagues have received emails from potential scammers. Education and awareness are the best defense for keeping your voiceover career safe. Always practice safety online and in business; it may prevent you from being scammed.

Scams are no joke, and you should practice safety on and off-line. Voiceover talent Doug Turkel writes in his April 2016 blog, Anatomy of a Voiceover Scam, about direct email scams targeting voice actors. His story is eye-opening as to some of the tactics used by these electronic predators. Unfortunately, the list of scams has increased since Doug’s 2016 article.

These Hoods are not Merry Men

You may think that times are changing, and voiceover scams are of a lesser concern today. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. The list of ways and methods unsuspecting new and existing voice talent can be ripped off is expanding.

Gravy for the Brain list popular scam methods targeted at voiceover talent. They include:

Royalty Scams
Voiceover Demo Reels
Pay to Play (P2P) Sites
Voiceover Training

In Voiceover Scams: How to Stop Getting Ripped Off (27th January 2017) Hugh Edwards writes that royalty scams are among the most common scams. “These scams are much more common and are actually worse because they happen all the time in our industry and are easily missed. They aren’t asking you to send them money, but they are conning you into not receiving the right amount of remuneration in the first place,” says Edwards.

Voiceover Demo Reel production is also an area that has been a feeding ground for the unscrupulous. In 5 Ways To Spot Predatory Demo Coaches, Dave Courvoisier notes the cues to spotting overnight voiceover production houses. “They will typically promise that a weekend’s work in their studio (usually out of town) will result in a dynamite demo you can take to any agent anywhere to get voiceover jobs.”

Voiceover Training is not based upon vague processes or promises. Becoming a successful voice talent involves understanding one’s capabilities and learning how to run a voice acting business successfully. No voiceover coach or demo production company can promise mastery of voice acting in a single weekend or through a few Web-based seminars. The business of voiceacting involves training and marketing. There is no short cut around acquiring and getting the knowledge to build and maintain a successful voiceover business.

Be Safe Not Sorry

Voiceover work is exciting and fulling, so take time to research all too-good-to-be-true jobs, training, and promised royalties that could end up costing your aspiration and passion for voiceovers. Protect what you love so you can do what you love for as long as you want.

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!

For the Love of Voiceacting

VO Business Tips, Voice over Training, voiceover

When you think of love, do you think of walking through a beautiful green meadow combed with the rays of the setting Summer Sun while carrying a commercial script in your hand? Or when you think of love do you mentally picture yourself with little chocolates, a soft cuddly teddy bear, and a bottle of Sangria in your recording space while you do an all-night 100-plus page eLearning project? Perhaps when you think of love you think of the 15 hours you’ll spend narrating an audiobook not to mention the fun you’ll have doing your edits? While some of these examples may not be your opinion of love, some people do think that performing new scripts, exciting books, and meaningful (and some not so meaningful) eLearning projects as labors of love (for profit). Do you know what it’s like to love being a voice actor? Before you go out and buy your first shotgun microphone, let’s cover a few of the basics of loving one of the best careers ever, voice acting.

Love is in the Airways

Voiceover is the process of making an announcement or reading a piece of text, which is a lot like reading aloud in school. But voiceacting is the process of bringing a script to life through peppered inflections and intonations to communicate feeling and information as one. Serious voiceover actors can be a little sensitive because they know what it takes to achieve success in the field. Not everyone will come out smelling like a rose on the other side of their voiceacting pursuits. Some will lose their shirts and be bitter about the experience, while others will look back with fond memories. Make sure you’re in the business to develop found memories.

Define Voiceacting and You

Find out if voiceacting is really for you. I know people who love to sing but can’t carry a tune in a bucket even with help holding up either side of the bucket. Now, this does not mean that the person is not sincere in his or her desire to sing. It usually means someone is unable to mentally or physically perceive musical pitch. Consult a good coach on your voice and delivery to determine if you have the basics needed for a rewarding career in voiceovers.

Read up on the life of voice actors and actors. Try to get an understanding of the typical actor’s journey to success as well as why some actors give up on the profession. Imagine your reaction in similar situations and how you would address any setbacks. Once you’ve considered the career move, decide if voiceacting is something you want to do no matter what comes with the choice.

Be Committed to Your Success

Once you know voiceover acting is a good career choice for you, the real work begins. In such a competitive field, commitment is vital. Knowing why you’re in the business will help you go for it. Backstage’ s 7 Qualities Every Successful Voice Actor Should Cultivate gives a list of key success points.

Believing in yourself while doing the hard work will help you push toward your goal. Spending all your time practicing or shopping for microphones usually won’t get you an eLearning job. You must balance your time to focus on all aspects of building from the ground up your voiceover career.

The success of your business will also require treating your business like a business. Gravy for the Brain’s, You Must Master These 4 Skills for a Successful Voiceover Business has some great take-a-ways on starting and running your professional business. There’s no shortcut for keeping good records and marketing to new clients. Remember, if you run your business like a hobby, it will pay you like one.

Being in love can make you feel alive, happy, and unstoppable. As a voiceactor, you should love what you do. So, before you go out and purchase that ring to place around the base of your microphone (to hold it correctly in the mount), make sure you and your voiceover career are mated for long-term success.

Happy Valentine’s Day and break a lip.

Time for Social Media or Voiceovers?

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

Spending time on social media is excellent for connecting within the voiceover community. The various outlets provide a unique way of keeping up with the trends, events, and innovations in the VO industry. How much time of any given day should one spend on social media? Is it possible to spend too much time socially surfing? Make sure your social media activities don’t overshadow precious work hours in other areas.

As a self-employed voiceover artist, I find time management is crucial. I know that many voice artists are versed in computer skills, which is necessary for successfully managing one’s home studio and electronic interactions. However, it is essential to plan your time wisely, so you are not spending more time on social media than in other areas of the voiceover business.

Schedule Your Time: If you share your time in many daily pursuits, plan when to check in with social media. Social media is an excellent marketing tool and provides a unique opportunity to connect with potential clients. Still, this is only one tool in your marketing plan.

Social Media and Your Business: Posting and networking are not just efforts at play. Curate your content to reduce wasted hours and individually shape your posts.

Katie Lance writes in Social Media Time Management: The Best-Kept Secrets Revealed for Curating, Creating and Promoting Hot Content “Whether you are building your Facebook presence, creating unique Stories for Snapchat, or building a community on Instagram – curating is probably going to be a part of your process.”

Make time for other Voiceover Management: Always seek ways to hone your skills. Regular practice helps you to develop a better voice delivery, so as they say, “Practice makes perfect.” Never minimize the need for practicing your voiceover skills over web surfing. Likewise, make sure you’re leaving time for client follow-up, auditions, and other necessary daily business habits.

Don’t leave out Human Interaction: Remember, you are a talent on the move. Compassion, tenderness, and kindness are great attractors within the human spirit. Let your soul show through when meeting others on and offline. Personal interactions can lead to new business relationships just as much web connections. Social media should not replace human interaction to give it a different flavor.

Okay, now go for it, and break that lip!

It’s 2013 – Do you know where your voiceover business is going?

VO Business Tips, Voice over Training

Fill in the blank. “In 2013, I resolve to _______________ for my VO career.” Really!!

If you are like me, you have started, stopped, and started so many things in life. Don’t let your VO career take the same course. Voiceover is a great career as well as an adventure in discovering the facets of your own soul as a voice actor.

I’d like to share with you Voice Talent Manager Celia Siegel’s thoughts on how not to skimp on your VO career in the new year (http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=6teiw9zw).

The industry continues to grow, and we must grow with it. Consider Celia’s article, and know where your voiceover business is going in 2013.

Voiceover Conferences-Your Right Fit

VO Business Tips, Voice over Training

With a new year comes a fresh look at one’s long-held hopes, dreams, and goals. If voiceover conference attendance is a part of your yearly goals, you may be rummaging the Internet for upcoming voiceover events. You’ll have a LOT of choices. But how do you choose the right event for you? I offer this list of tips to help you narrow down the best use of your time and talent in choosing a voiceover conference.

Support Your VO Goals

Outline what you want to learn in voiceovers. While many new talents wish to do everything voice related, that is just not realistic. Focus on what you want to do in voiceovers. For example, are you interested in audiobooks? What skills do you need i.e., audio engineering, acting, or marketing? Note one to five primary voiceover goals and then develop a sub-list of what you want to learn about your specific purpose or genre.

Shop for the Right Fit

Look over each voiceover conference’s agenda. See if you like the topics and if they are the subjects relevant to your goals. Will the discussion areas further your career progress and do they relate to what you want to learn (the specifics in your list)? Your takeaways should be viewed as a part of your road map for the coming months or years in your voiceover career.

Read reviews from earlier conferences and look for endorsements. Ask your VO colleagues where they have attended. Look at voiceover social media chatter and comments on upcoming events. Conference credibility is just as important as training content.

Look for Voiceover Superstars

Read each presenter’s bio and visit his or her website. What are their specialties and how long has each speaker been in the voiceover industry? Experience is still the best teacher for voice actors. Note the presenters’ projects and if they are in line with the areas you want to pursue in voiceacting.

Pace your Budget

Is the event near you so you can commute? If not, how much travel can you afford? As a voiceover professional, you should budget for one to two conferences per year, so choose wisely. If you must travel away from home, try to share the expenses with another VO talent (room, board, drive, etc.). Some of these costs are a part of doing business, so your voiceover business should pay its own expenses. If your budget is not there yet, you may need to get creative on financing your conference attendance.

No matter the conferences you choose, the experiences will enable you to network within the voice acting community and with other talents. Take advantage of these times as you build relationships and learn from the novice to the seasoned voice actors. Make each event a productive voiceover conference experience.

Have fun, and break a lip!

Beware of Voiceover Scams

VO Business Tips

If you’re a voice talent with your contact information on the web, you may have seen some of the recent rash of email scams. Over the last few weeks, many of my VO colleagues (including myself) have received some type of email from a potential scammer. You never know where one or many may strike. Always practice safety online and in business; it may keep you from being scammed.

Scams are serious and you should practice safety on and off-line. Voiceover talent Doug Turkel writes in his April 2016 blog, Anatomy of a Voiceover Scam about scammers targeting #VO talent. His story is eye opening as to some of the tactics used by scammers. It’s a must read.

Today.com’s article, 10 Simple Tips To Avoid Being Scammed tells us not to assume things are always as they seem:

Question everything: phone calls, mail solicitations, email offers, links on social media.
Don’t take things at face value. Con artists know how to make their scams look and
sound legitimate. They can doctor pictures, copy logos, fake testimonials. It’s also easy
to “spoof” caller ID and create fake websites.

I encourage you to practice the tips and habits noted in the articles. I know you want to grow your business, but smart safety should never be an after thought.

Be safe!

Leesha

Voice Overs