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Financing your Audiobook

Book Authors' Business Tips, VO Business Tips

Library of Books

You’re book or “baby” is ready for publication. You know from your fellow authors that the next step is an audiobook version. You begin to look for a narrator to produce your book, but you’re stunned by rates quotes upward of $400 per finished hour (PFH). Do you look for a cheaper narrator? Should you offer a lower price? You may think it’s time to panic but don’t. With a few creative steps, you can retain and finance a quality narration of your audiobook.

Before discussing funding, let’s examine the logic behind that $400. PFH rate. What does it cost the narrator to produce your book? You have a deep connection with your project. Those on your production team are in business to help you and to feed their families. The production team members may have different reasons, but the combined goal is the success of your book.

Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) notes that it takes the average narrator at least two hours to read one hour of a book. But that is just the beginning. It takes two to three additional hours to proofread, edit, mix, and master one complete hour of an audiobook. Quoted narration rates can range from $200-$400 PFH, which may seem like a lot. With the work needed to develop your “baby” into an audiobook, paying a reasonable rate makes fiscal sense for a quality finished product.

Now that you see the rationale behind production costs let’s look at a few ways to fund your book project.

Online Grants

Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, a service of the Foundation Center, is a subscription-based program that allows you to search for funding sources based upon topics, interests, and other criteria. Subscriptions are available for a variety of periods depending upon your needs.

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing, as defined by Merriam-Webster.com, is the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online community rather than from traditional employees or suppliers.

GoFundMe.com and IndieGoGo.com are two popular personal online fundraising websites. Crowdsourcing is a great way to reach out to those who have read or know of your work and would support efforts toward your audiobook production.

Deferred Payments

Consider negotiating a deal with your audiobook producer to take partial payments. You can develop a contract and set up regularly scheduled payments through PayPal or another source that allows you to pay your vendor in increments. Be sure to pay the audiobook producer timely. Everyone knows everybody on the Web.

Charge Cards

While not my first suggestion, if you have cash advance capability or can pay your audiobook producer directly by credit card, this could be a good way to cover the PFH rate.

Royalty Shares

Most producers like to have royalty shares in their recording deals. This way, you can pay for your project over time if you can also budget an initial PFH rate for the development of your project.

Help from Friends and Family

Sometimes you just have to ask.  Friends and family may give or loan you the money necessary for the audiobook. Your supporters jointly may provide all the funds you need.

Support from Groups

Ask for assistance from your civic group, organizations, clubs, and church, especially if the subject of your book is relevant to your group’s purpose and goals.

Other Funding Idea Sources

The American Express Open Forum article, 10 Alternative Ways to Raise Cash Fast for Your Business, notes a couple of funding ideas that could work for your audiobook project.

  • Microloans. Microloans are a specific category of small loan—usually under $50,000—usually are easier and simpler than traditional loans. The Small Business Administration has a microloan program, which uses 150 approved microlenders.
  • Loans From Online Loan Sites. You may be able to arrange for a small loan from your bank, or you can reach out to a web-based financial institution. A growing number of sites have simplified processes for submitting and applying for a loan, some with expedited processing.

Once you’ve secured your funding, reach out to the most qualified voice actor/producer to develop your audiobook. You’ve put too much time into your project, so it’s no time for bargain shopping. A good, quality narrator will give you excellent service at a fair price. Remember, he or she also has a business reputation and wants to do a good job. It’s better to budget for the best production at the onset. Your book is your baby (or one of your babies). Treat your little one with the best care, so it will be a finely produced audiobook of which you can be proud.

Is Social Media Your Soapbox?

Personal, Personal VO Views, VO Business Tips, voiceover

You’ve had it. Everybody is disrespecting you or your opinion and you’ve had enough. Is it time for you to lash out on Facebook or Twitter? After all, you have a right to express yourself and your opinion. But is social media the platform for your personal views?  Will you change society by sounding off?  Posts can have repercussions, so you may want to give care in social media expressions.

In this politically charged time in America (again), headlines and opinions are being shared everywhere. From billboards to talk shows, everybody has an opinion…and wants to be heard. I’m sure you have seen a running stream of comments on many sites with all manner of retorts. You may be wondering if you need to let others know your thoughts via social media.

Guard Your Business Soapbox

Throughout the 20th century and long before the Internet, men and women would seek to reach the masses by speaking on street corners atop soapboxes.  Answers.com says, “In order to be seen and heard, the speaker would carry with him (or her) a light wooden box, called a soapbox from its previous purpose, to stand on.”  These little boxes allowed folks to stand above crowds and spout causes, thoughts, and sermons.

A Soapbox

We all have feelings. As a voiceover talent, you are probably a passionate and insightful actor. Moreover, you most likely use social media as an intricate part of your voiceover business as with other companies.  However, unless your business is directly related to sharing your opinions, consider the consequences of posting your personal beliefs via social media (your soapbox).  Only post items related to controversial topics when you believe your opinions will be viewed as positive influences for online conversations and causes.  If not, consider the long-term effects of your actions.

This advice may save your business and career. I have heard of people losing out on jobs and even relationships because of online postings. If you recall an event some years ago, a voiceover talent lost a major character voice contract because he posted a personal opinion on Twitter.  The list goes on.

You would think that personal opinions posted online would not affect a person’s business. Hey, welcome to the digital age. Our society is more connected via the Web than through personal relationships. Often, hiring decisions start with online searches.  Some even do extensive checks into posting histories to decide upon new clients and even marriage partners. What you say online does matter.

Maintain A Positive Online Presence

In business, most prefer and choose to do business with people they like and with whom it is easy to work. Any negative or adverse comments posted by you may be seen as controversial or a sign of trouble. You don’t want to give potential clients the wrong impression of your business because of your online postings. As a voice talent, you may be expected to demonstrate warm emotion through voice acting. If you are perceived as divisive or contentious, you may not be considered for certain jobs in specific categories or with some organizations. That big long-term voice gig client may keep searching for talent after reading your postings.

Be Business Smart

Valuing others is what makes us human.  If your values appear to be strong in one direction or another, you may lose potential voiceover clients with debatable postings. It’s best not to reveal your positions on some subjects. This is not being phony or fake, it’s being business smart.  You are not required to reveal your deepest views and personal affiliations via the Internet. If warranted, let potential clients address you directly and not use your social media profiles to gain insight into your personal preferences.

Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” Lyndon B. Johnson

Keep it Light; Keep Getting Paid

You want to continue in business and keep your friends regardless of the times.  So, make a mental note to hold back on posting your personal politics online. With that said, if you are a political figure, strategist, religious leader, commentator, or the like, your personal views should be shared. But as a voiceover talent, keep the politics light and keep getting paid.

It says in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Act 1, Scene 3, “This above all to thine own self be true… .” Great advice, but not the best for social media platforms.

Be you, be smart, and stay wise.  What’s that thing you do, break a lip.

Encouragement: You Need Some

VO Business Tips

Encouragement is something we all need. I have written on this subject in the past, but it amazes me how much we need encouragement on a daily bias. If you have found something that you love to do, you probably need little encouragement to regularly practice or participate in your favorite activity. However, if you’re like me and working on perfecting your voiceover (VO) business and performance, encouragement becomes essential to current and continued success. Here are my tips to maintaining your VO support.

Network: It Works

You may be the only person in your circle that is a VO talent. Members of the VO community live virtually all over the world. But it’s common to feel a sense of isolation in the trials and successes of the business. Spending hours upon hours working in a booth or your home recording area can lead you to wonder if anyone is out there. When that happens, it’s time to get connected.

One of the quickest ways to get connected is via the Web. Make it a point to check social media sites daily. Read quality articles or watch YouTube videos from members of the VO community. Once you start reading and viewing the many comments on social media, you’ll realize that you are not alone. Many talents have experienced the same performance frustrations, little or no pay gigs, insecurity issues, and other VO challenges. Remember, it can take years to reach your performance goals. All the great ones have been where you are and have lived to tell their story.

Think Well

Don’t spend too much of your time micro-analyzing your challenges. Encourage yourself by noting your positive strives like practicing, auditioning, goal setting, and other steps you’ve made toward your VO success. Recall and recount your accomplishments often. You are in a business that I relate to becoming a brain surgeon; you’re becoming a VO professional!

Balance You

Take time to exercise and take a walk. Visit friends and new places; participate in other activities that connect you with others. Interactions with the right people, via phone or in person, will fuel your spirit and hope as you return to your VO business refreshed and renewed. No man is an island, so don’t try to be the first VO one.

Feel free let me know how you keep going through encouragement and how you encourage others.  Now go “break a lip.”

Taking Voiceover Direction not Giving Attitude

VO Business Tips, Voice over Training

It’s all about being easy to work with in business. Good communication is a part of every successful voiceover (VO) business. Successful voice actors know the importance of clear communication. Knowing how to take and apply VO directions will lead to satisfied, repeat clients.

Start with an open attitude. Taking direction starts with thinking well of the staff developing the voiceover project. Often these folks are developing the scripts and studying the thinking behind the project. If you think of them as the experts for the subject project, you’ll tend to accept directions with a receptive attitude.

Don’t judge the direction.  You might want to steer clear of giving feedback unless you are asked. If you have to give VO feedback, use language that suggests an idea not demanding a change or demeaning the writing.  Use discretion in giving any unsolicited comments or advice; less is more.

Agree to disagree (in silence). Our society encourages us to hold ground regarding expressing our points or views. But unless you are the producer of a VO project, this hard-line thinking can make you appear hard to work with it or can lead to an early release because you just lost your current VO job.

Repeat the direction in your mind. If needed, repeat given direction out loud just as you think you’ve heard it. You can only apply what you understand. If you are unclear, don’t hesitate to parrot the direction back. There’s no shame in noting the direction to make sure you’ve got it right.

If you make a mistake, don’t sweat it. Listen again and go forward. An open and receptive demeanor invites camaraderie and can make you the go-to person for your clients. People consistently work with people they like.

Keep happy thoughts and move on. Don’t use your time later to badmouth the VO producers or directors. Complaining will build a mental barrier to future directions. As with the first point, your attitude sets the tone for your thinking.

Voice Actor and Coach Terry Daniel writes in Listen: Pay Attention To Directors’ Instructions… Or They’ll Stop Paying Attention To You (9/15/15) “Focus on finding effective ways to please your customers. Make sure they are able to come directly to you to get exactly what they need without any headaches, complications or exceptions.”

Whether you’re being directed in your VO booth or a professional studio, taking direction will lead to win-wins.

Your Strong 2017 Voice-over Finish

VO Business Tips, Voice talent renewal

The summer has been a little slow for many in the voiceover business.  Recent changes in the industry have taken many voice talent a back and have caused concern for many small business owners.  You may be wondering about your next step?  With more than half of 2017 in our rear-view mirror, (along with the historical total US Eclipse), it’s time to up your game.  Below are some ideas on how to finish 2017 strong (and in the black).

Review your Position, Now

Are you meeting your financial goals? Are you maintaining your weekly work schedule?  Have you scheduled what you need to keep your business on track to perform like a business and not a hobby?  Honestly look at where you are and what is needed to reach your 2017 VO business goals.

Seek Outside Advice

Reach out to others in the VO business like a different coach or social media manager. Let someone you don’t usually work with give you his or her opinion on your demos, social media presence, and website.  Advice from new sources may point out areas and items you may not have considered before and lead to a some needed action.

Review your Social Media Strategy

Social media is still a critical area for any business.  The VO industry is not an exception.  More and more websites display voice acting jobs from eLearning to gaming.  You want to remain fresh, relevant, and ready.  Make sure your platforms are working for and not against your VO business success.   Gravy for the Brain’s blog on Social Media for Voiceovers lists ideas on improving VO social media presence.

Evolve and Reset

Changes occur. Don’t let discouragement steal your future success.  Voice-over Xtra blogger and Voiceover talent manager Celia Siegel’s comments on recent VO industry changes can be applied to your business. Reset and prepare to face the rest of 2017 with optimism and to reach your success goals.  It’s your time to make and finish strong.

VO Client Sleuthing: It’s All In The Web Search

VO Business Tips

There are searchers and there searches.  Searching and finding the right voiceover VO leads on the Web is more of a careful combination of creativity and skill.  When you want to find companies, you must think of possible combinations that can lead you to your goal.  As a voice talent, marketing to the right leads is key to your business success. But first, you must find your preferred VO clients. Careful web sleuthing can target those voiceover prospects needing your specific skills and talents.

Start your VO client search with the below tips:

Decide on your Preferred Voiceover Clients.  Audio production comes in many forms and it a broad net. Narrow down your search to the type of clients you want to assist in voice production.  Do you have names or companies’ URL?  Do you know of a business but don’t have a way of contacting the right office?  Start looking for the URL using the name and city if you have it.

Brainstorm by Location

Come up with a list of possible words associated with audio, voiceover, and voice acting, etc.  List as many words that you can think of and use the list to start your search for potential clients.  You may also want to search locally, nationally, and internationally.  This type of search will give you a micro view, but you can narrow your findings as you review each search result.

Narrow the Field

Review each of the possible companies in your search results. Make sure you are looking at several pages of your search. Your ideal client may not show up on the first page or two.  Review and see if any of your results are potential voice clients in your niche.  This first search can take time, so you want to narrow your companies to 10, so you can do a more detailed review of each company.

Close Up Review
Using your top 10 list, review the sites to see if you’ve come across a possible match.  Review voice projects produced, recent projects, awards, company members, and the personnel.  I like to know how diverse the company is and the quality of their productions arm.  Determine if they produce their audio in-house and if not, who does their audio production.  You may want to add their partners to your list as potential clients, you never know.

Reach Out

Once you’ve developed your list of 10 excellent potential clients, email or call to see if the company is accepting new talent or other opening questions to begin establishing a relationship.  There are no shortcuts to finding and maintain good voice over clients.  It’s a good practice in the VO business, and the time you are spend searching for the right fit and reaching out to potential new clients (and friends) will garner many rewards in the future.

Reward and Repeat

You may have to repeat this process a time or two, so carve out a specific time to develop your marketing list.  Take a break and even reward yourself for sticking to it then repeat the process.  Your goal is to find those voiceover clients needing your specific skills and talents. You’re looking to provide a service with the best fits for you both. Your efforts are well worth it.

Break a lip! 

Shortcuts to Voiceover Success-Not Really

VO Business Tips, Voice over Training, voiceover

There are very few real shortcuts to voiceover success.  When I first started attending voiceover conferences, I noticed my appearance was not like most of the well-established talent.  Still, I knew voiceover is a career field that needs many types of voices and attitudes; it’s just a matter of finding the right clients. So, when I asked a colleague how he or she became a successful voice actor, I was a little discouraged by those who told me that it was “Luck.”  I thought, “How do I get this Luck to work for me?” Over time, I found that Luck is not the final determiner of success.  For real lasting success as a voice talent, there is no substitute for hard work, persistence, and practice.

In reading online articles and replies to comments, there seem to be a lot of people that believe voice acting is a quick, profitable path to success. With the advent of home digital audio recording and editing software plus the subsequent smartphone apps, becoming a successful voice talent overnight seems like a no-brainer.  The thinking for many entering the industry is you just need an agent and the voiceover work will come rolling in.  But things are not always as they appear.  Paul Strikwerda, 30+ years, seasoned voice talent, gives his thoughts on the blog, “Entitled Wannabees Need Not Reply.  “Take it from me: if doing voice-overs were that easy, everyone would be famous making a fortune from home because they have such a glorious voice… .”

On the other hand, I see many ads from companies and coaches promising voiceover success if you only buy their product, pay their coaches, or purchase their teachings.  New and or struggling talent become fodder for the constant barrage of “you’re not quite there yet” excuses that lead to more money spent and success eluded.  Like with any another business area, the desire to learn and train for this very particular creative arts field has its share of unscrupulous companies.  It’s discouraging to have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on voiceover equipment and training only to be no closer to your dream.

Is this your Waterloo? At the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon met his final defeat. Your quest for voiceover success need not end in such a devasting way.  Decide the boundaries on your pursuit of voiceover success.

Decide the lifespan of your voiceover career. How much time and money will you commit to your voiceover success?  In his book, The Dip, Seth Godwin recommends “Quitting the things that don’t work for your carrier can be powerful.  You need to know when enough is enough, so when you’re at the point of distress, you quit for the right reasons.

Let’s go. Let’s say you’ve decided you are destined to be a voice actor.  Note, I did not type “fated.” If voiceover success is your destiny, it’s time to learn to run your business like a business, commit to finding and working with the best coaches you can afford, market like your next meal depends upon it (which it might), and don’t let go until you have reached your level of success.  You will have many down times and good times.  Your life is worth being its best, and you can indeed be a successful voiceover talent.

Break that lip!

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.

Recharging Your VO Creativity

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

Life springs from our human soul.  From that soul, we as voiceover talent bring the written word to life. But when we find that compassion has emptied and seeped away from us, our creativity weans.  No matter how talented you are or how long you have been in the voiceover business, creativity is not guaranteed nor is it nurtured by the world surrounding most of us.  Here are some approaches to recharging your creativity.

It’s not New, but the Change Starts with You

Creativity is in short supply.  The findings in a major study using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, led by Dr. Kyung-Hee Kim, Associate Professor of Creativity and Innovation at The College of William and Mary, found that since 1990, while IQ scores have increased, creativity scores have been in a significant decline.

Prior to Dr. Kim’s study, a 1968 government-sponsored study by George Land and Beth Jarman (educators) had similar results.  Some 1,600 children were tested and retested on creativity over a period of years. The study revealed that the children’s creativity decreased over time with the most creativity expressed at age 5 of 98 percent to a decreased creativity at age15 of only 12 percent.  When only adults were tested for creativity, the result was at 2 percent.

The time is now to reclaim your inventiveness. Barnet Bain writes in “Reclaiming Your Creative Self, The key to finding resilience, courage, and wonder in a changing world,” that “The tension we feel—the chronic stress and weariness experienced individually and collectively—comes from attempting to meet life’s challenges with limited resources.”

Find a Creative Outlet or Inlet

In the infographic, “40 Little Things You Can Do to Break Your Creative Block” by Kate England, creative inspiration can include daydreaming, journaling, and even doodling.  England writes, “Take up doodling as a daily practice. Brilliant ideas often start as a scribble on a cocktail napkin or envelope.”

Take a Recess

Never underestimate the power of play. Let your mind run free while you walk, exercise, or watch a funny movie.  Give your mind a break from your voiceover routine. You can meditate, sing a song, take a voiceover sick day. The point is to find what feeds your creative spirit to rekindle itself, so you feel fresh and able to put a new spin on all your VO projects.

Touch Base with a Friend

Having friends in voiceovers is not a marketing ploy.  I highly encourage friendships in the industry. Friends can help you think out loud and sort out your feelings. You, in turn, can help another and give advice or listen. Take time to listen and give a friend time to speak and express how he or she feels.  Connecting with others will also allow you to explore empathy and compassion for others, which can fuel the spirit.

There are many more ways to recharge your voice acting creativity, but most center around getting out of your drying creativity well by pouring yourself into life and the world around you outside of your booth.

Don’t be a statistic.  Creativity is how voice talents effectively serve clients, so always strive to be the most creative you can always be.