Voiceover Bussiness Tips

Things To Consider For Staying With Voiceacting (Even When Swimming Against The Current)

July 17, 2024 by Leesha S

Pacific salmon are reported to swim upstream against fierce currents annually. As a natural inclination of the species, the swim is dangerous and filled with predators like hungry bears. Still, the salmon are not deterred and fight to reach the place where they must spawn. Unlike Pacific salmon, most people entering the voiceover business will turn back or close their recording studios for good within the first couple of years. Most of us will not develop the drive of salmon. So, here are some things to consider with voiceacting or any business when you have to continue against the drift or alone.

The Honeymoon Will End

Honeymooners know about the euphoria of those first few days into a new marriage. And like a new marriage, setting up that microphone, social media pages, and so on for a new voiceover business can be fun and exciting. The thought of hearing one’s voice over a streaming service or other media is a wonderful goal. But, when the opportunities don’t come quickly, it’s easy to become discouraged. Moreover, with the initial cost of websites, demos, and proper home studio furnishings, the voiceover honeymoon can end abruptly.

This first lesson is not to give up. Focusing on your goals can keep you moving forward. It’s not just the destination but the journey. The journey is the preparation for reaching the destination.

Watch for Fair-weather Supporters

In the beginning, you will have many supporters and maybe a few business partners. But as the road to success becomes filled with setbacks, obstacles, rejections, and financial challenges, those inexperienced in the voice-over business may only be with you for a while.

Stay Focused During The Fall Away

If you think you can make it in voiceovers, you probably can. So, you must make sure you are focused on what you want and why it’s important to you. No one else can give you purpose and meaning for any pursuit. Review why you got into this business and keep going.

Forgive Often Especially Yourself

As a creative, there will be times when you may feel discouraged, lonely, and even depressed about your lack of success. Having high standards is good, but sometimes we don’t make our own targets. Likewise, there may be times when you feel rejected, misunderstood, or disrespected by others. Strong negative feelings can be dream killers. Remember to forgive often, especially yourself.

Don’t Let Others Tell You When To Quit

You are the only one who can close your doors. Finances and training are the most important parts of your business. When it comes to advice, think about the advice you are receiving and why. It’s good to get business training and mentoring, but make sure the advice is not just a shot to the heart of your dream.

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others (or them to you)

We’ve all seen our colleagues on Facebook and Instagram post about the big jobs they received. Many voice talents post about their awarded big and high-visibility jobs on social media. Seeing someone else’s success while you’re struggling to keep the lights on in your voice-over studio can be a little discouraging.

One of the good things about the voiceover business is the uniqueness each of us brings to the industry. As you continue to market and look for jobs, you will find your niche and where your voice is the most marketable. So don’t worry if you (for now) are not achieving the success of your colleagues. Sticking to a good business plan is a better strategy than being jealous of those who constantly post their success on social media and never their real-life failures or defeats.

Pivot If Necessary, But Don’t Give Up

With the ever advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we, as voice actors, are challenged to remain marketable and viable to clients. Let’s face it: AI is a real threat, but it doesn’t have to kill your dream. Continue to search for the right genre that is best for your voice. Keep marketing. If you love voice acting, look for non-conventional opportunities like Podcasting and other areas that need the acting that only comes from a human soul.

“Independent will is our capacity to act. It gives us the power to transcend our paradigms, to swim upstream, to rewrite our scripts, to act based on principle rather than reacting based on emotion or circumstance.”

Stephen R. Covey

Be Prepared To Walk Alone

As time goes by, you will undoubtedly face many challenges to your dream. Some will tell you to give up, close down, or suggest you were not cut out for voice acting. Don’t let anyone steal your dream. Failure is not a crime. However, allowing someone to talk you out of pursuing your dream and you then living with that nagging thought of “if only I hadn’t given up,” will not make matters better.

Be prepared to walk alone, but with a good attitude and hope of reaching your desired success. Success can be elusive, but that’s true of many things in our life’s walk. Keep trying; what can it hurt? You may not spawn, but you may hear your voice a time or two over a streaming service or other media. There’s nothing like it.

Break that lip!

Experience Is Never Overrated For A Voiceactor

July 3, 2024 by Leesha S

As an actor, I’m learning to be more cognizant when watching movies or streaming shows to notice the believable actors. I’ve watched TV since my childhood. My favorites were the Flintstones, Speed Racer, Happy Days, and many more. These days, I watch quite a bit of Classic TV and new stuff, but now I see the actors in a different light. In every movie genre, I began to notice the subtleties of the scenes and how the actors worked the moments without dialog by using emotions, body inflections, and other cues to steal a scene. These same attributes can work for professional voiceover talents too. Experience is never overrated; take time to notice what works and makes any great actor great.

Don’t Just Watch, Study

The next time you watch a video or other visual performance, notice the actors that capture your attention. Watch with such intensity as to extract the fundamental nature of a show through your scrutiny. Notice the people who entertain with such passion that they evoke an emotional response. Good actors have learned how to become immersed in their characters so as to seemingly physically become the character. Watch the eyes of the actors as well as their range of feelings and how they interact with each other. Do all the actors play well together, or do some seem shallow, self-absorbed, or stand out above all the rest?

Isolate the Believable Characters

When you see a character actor who is believable, ask yourself why you believe in their performance. What touches your heart and makes you want to see more of them? Believable characters have a way of acting and performing that reaches the audience and communicates verbally and spiritually. Good actors know how to steal a scene and light up a room. See if you can pick up on that spiritual interaction that makes scenes believable and memorable. Actors like Robert Shaw playing Quint giving his USS Indianapolis Speech in “Jaws” and Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon in the “Game of Thrones” character portrayals are so unique that their performances are remembered for years.

Spot the Rookies

Some indie and newer films may have all kinds of actors in the scenes. Often, you can tell the performers who just barely leaned their lines but still haven’t gotten a handle on acting in a scene. These performers lose our attention pretty quickly. The inexperienced actors’ words and actions seem almost rote and fall flat or are uninspiring.

Apply the Good Traits, Drop the Bad Traits

As you take the time to notice experienced actors over the novice, take the good traits and incorporate them into your voice acting. Voice acting requires more focus and believability than on-screen actions. Still, once a voice actor learns to implement the style, habits, and actions of an experienced screen actor, a voiceover delivery takes on a new level of emotion and connectedness behind the mic.

Likewise, when you see bad acting, note what doesn’t work. Does the actor seem more involved in or focused on worrying about how they look on screen than how they act? Are the actors relying on their physical appearance to compensate for the lack of talent, focus, and experience? Some beginner artists believe acting instruction would detract from their natural ability (I say, or lack thereof). Being cute will get you so far and certainly nowhere near acting accolades.

Voice actors should always connect to the VO script, whether it’s industrial or commercial and especially in audiobook pieces. The experienced actor knows how to take a script apart bit by bit and decides how to best apply emotions and feelings to a read.

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” Steve Jobs

It’s all acting, so whether you’re in front of a microphone or a camera, experience matters. By noticing what you see around you, the verbal, non-verbal, and emotional cues can shape how you interact with others. The better you study those around you on and off screen, the better and more experienced voice-over actor you will be.

Go and break that lip!

The Myth Of The Round Tuit

February 19, 2024 by Leesha S

As of September, I had met many of my 2024 business goals. So, I was feeling pretty good about being an actor. (I stopped calling myself a voice actor; now, I see myself as an actor.) Being cast in June for an on-camera role with one of the sweetest four-year-old actors I’ve ever met was one of the highlights of my summer. At the same time, certain essential items were left out of my business plan. I thought about my neglected marketing and other tasks when, the other night, a friend remarked that she would go hiking and walking with me when she could “get around to it.”

It occurred to me that my well-meaning friend would probably never exercise with me. It’s funny how we can get into the habit of saying we will do a thing or make a change yet never make any real effort toward that thing or change. Time moves fast, and we must ensure we are not letting our days slip away without monitoring our goings-on. So, Let’s review the myth of the Round Tuit and start making 2024 great.

What’s Standing In Your Way

While I loved the Christmas play I performed in at the end of December 2023, its now well into another year. Coming off a bout with pneumonia in late January 2024, I’d found it really hard to get back to my regular grove. Granted, I liked my momentum of voice-over work and business. But lately, I’ve let excuses keep me in an “I’ll get around to it” mode. Are you experiencing the same thing? Are you keeping up with those admirable plans you made for 2024? It’s time to identify what’s standing in the way.

The Myth Of The “Round Tuit”

Several years ago (during a different career), I attended a conference exhibit show. One of the vendors had small round disks available for the table’s visitors. The words “Round Tuit” in big, bold white letters were imprinted on each round red disk. The table manager invited me to take one of the red disks so I would no longer have to wait to accomplish something. What a reminder that if you want to achieve something, you’ve got to stop putting off the effort. The Round Tuit is just a plastic, inanimate disk. The only thing it does is remind you of what you haven’t done today and probably won’t do tomorrow.

Let’s Move On

Now that I’ve unpacked the myth of the Round Tuit, I’m off to review my 2024 list of potential voiceover and acting undertakings. My career this year will include more on-camera acting, singing, and of course, voiceacting. Voice-over is my first love in the business. No matter the project, I feel honored with each selection. To have a producer or the like indicate that of all the voices they have considered for a project, I’m the one they want gives me a feeling of being unique.

“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” Charles Dickens (David Copperfield)

None of us are getting any younger, and most will not get a Round Tuit by our next birthday. For me, I’ve decided to dig out my Round Tuit and place it near my vocal booth to remind me to get back to doing what allows me to bring joy to others.

You may not have a Round Tuit, so I suggest you make yourself one to remind you of the importance of your time. Make time to do the essential things in your life and business.

Remember, a Round Tuit is just a plastic, inanimate disk. You are a marvelous human on an incredible life journey. Don’t stop doing what makes you great. Go ahead and #breakthatlip.

Be A Voiceover Problem Solver

September 20, 2023 by Leesha S

Are you a problem solver or a problem to work with? A good voice talent is a problem solver. Recently, I had an experience that showed the right and wrong way to solve a customer’s dilemma. If you want to help, learn what is needed and find a way to solve your client’s problem and not create a no-win situation.

Not long ago, I went to a local chain store looking for house candles. The day’s Weather Reports called for heavy rain and possible widespread power outages. So, I thought it was an excellent time to get some old-school candles in case the lights went out in my home. You see, I lost power for seven hours a few weeks ago. Therefore, preparing for a potential power loss seemed like a good idea.

So, in my efforts to be proactive, I visited a famous store that sold household and grocery items. Unable to find what I needed on my own, I asked a pinafore-clad employee for help. The employee returned a puzzled look in response to my question about the location of household candles. She then made an “educated guess” on where my requested items may be. My other opinion was to ask a different store worker for help. So, I asked another employee. She, too, could not help and admitted the store only carried decorative candles. But I was looking for utility or white candles, usually unscented. Either way, my problem went unsolved.

“If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.”
― Isaac Asimov

But then, I started to rethink my problem. What I really needed was a source of light that did not need an external power source. Then, ‘Bingo.’ I went to the camping supply section and found small lanterns and lights that use batteries. I had solved my problem.

Missed Opportunity

After this incident, I thought about the service I received from the store employees. None of the people I interacted with asked me more questions to understand my problem or provided me with options. They just wanted to get back to stocking the shelves. The employees are still probably restocking stocking shelves.

Take Note for Change

For the voice actor, we should never approach a potential client with an indifferent attitude. When we fail to understand a potential client’s needs or audition specs, we don’t address the problem. Voice talent do more than “stock virtual shelves.” We bring words to life through our unique script interpretation and give messages meaning. It’s a talent’s job not just to provide a product but to solve a problem.

Steps to Being Indispensable

There are many people in and out of the voice-over business daily. Many become discouraged by the changes threatened by technology. But, the focus of every voice actor business should be to solve the client’s problem. Solving problems can be done in four simple steps:

Listen or read to understand the problem or request
Make sure you know why there is a problem
Get or find the right tools, skills, and resources
Make sure you present a final solution (product) and if possible, beyond what is needed

And of course, whenever you have a deadline, you want to be early with your project. If you make it a point to understand the client and uniquely solve the problem, the client usually will seek you out for future help.

To end, always be available to supply a unique experience that will leave your clients impressed and looking to you to solve their VO project problems. That’s how you #breakalip.

Speak your Truth as a Voiceactor

August 24, 2022 by Leesha S

Should your individual opinions affect your choices in voiceover projects? I recently read a blog related to truth, or should I say, statements reported as news in the American news media. The post was about how some people shrewdly use social and news media platforms to develop messages. These messages may contain misleading or belief-based information to sway receivers to a particular point of view. If accepted, the persuasive message may convince receivers that an opinion-based report is a fact.

I wondered how voice actors cope with questionable information they must communicate through scripts and projects. For example, how do you deal with voicing projects where you believe the information is askew? It’s one thing to listen to the news and read social media, but what if you’re voicing a message that is contrary to your values? The wrong answer can affect one’s finances. As a talent, define your standards of truth as a voice of integrity.
Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” Oscar Wilde

Set The Standards

To run a successful business, you must have standards within that business. Those standards govern what you can and should do to please a customer. So, first, become clear on what you prefer to voice as an actor; the rest is follow through. For example, I know actors specific on the types of reads they record and only voice those types. The actors are not biased in any way; they have simply decided what kinds of projects they will perform.

Times and thinking have changed a lot in the past five or even two years. Your standards should be top of mind throughout your daily business life. In Focusing on Your Core Values as a Small Business, Matt Wilson says, “And if you started your company a week ago or 10 years ago, I urge you to spend a bit of time considering just who you want your company to be and make sure that it is living up to your standards.”

Live With The Choices

When a voice actor hangs out the “For Hire” sign, they tell the world they are available for almost any project. But before a voiceactor is ready to work, they must be clear as to the tone of the business. Producers may not just judge you on your demo, but your previous projects and affiliations posted online may also be reviewed. You don’t have to pen a statement of values per se, but if you note on your public profiles the types of projects you enjoy and the work you want to voice, it’s a subtle way of letting others know your choices.

You also show your choices through social media followers, posts, and support. It’s a given today that someone will review your social media pages to see what you’re really about. So, make sure your post and support align with your principles.

Distance yourself from causes and pages that can give a bad and incorrect view of your business and who you are as a voice actor. Sometimes, it’s best not to participate in publicly bashing elected officials or celebrities. While you can have your point of view, making political statements as a voice actor and offending potential future clients may not be suitable for business.

Voice Integrity

You are the most intuitive as a voiceactor when you participate in projects you can agree with or believe in the message. Don’t take any job because money is slow. Your voice recording could be heard indefinitely, and you may become the talent that supports a particular position. In addition, if you believe in what you’re saying or selling, your read will go much better because you can connect with the message and why it’s important to others. Moreover, if you want to connect with a message, know what you want the listeners to feel, and that will come through in your voice.

I’m not saying you have to love aftershave cream or hard tack screws, but if the message is one you can believe in, such as the importance of aftershave cream and hard tack screws, you can voice the script with meaning and conviction.

Know What Fits For You

I know from experience that sometimes we get asked to do projects that don’t align our values even though the position is popular in the media. Going against the social media influencers or the messages in the news may seem like walking into a windstorm headfirst. But you cannot compromise yourself and still be an effective, emotive voiceactor.

Seek projects that you can proudly stand behind and would not be embarrassed if your parents or children recognized your voice. It may seem hard, and that’s because it is. You may have to walk away from some big-dollar jobs, but in the end, you’ll have done what’s right for your future.

Speak your truth at a voiceactor, and you’ll never have to lie about who you are or how you feel. Your feeling matter as a voice actor. Now, do what you do best as you #breakthatlip

Six Ways Voiceactors Can Skip the Scam Forest

July 22, 2022 by Leesha S

Getting through the forest of scams to the Kingdom

It’s true. There is good business out there for new and established voice talent. As a seasoned professional voice actor, I pride myself on giving clients fast, courteous service at a fair price. Therefore, like any other small businessperson, I enjoy meeting and collaborating with new people and expanding my list of potential voiceover contacts. However, with so many interactions strictly over the Internet, marketing to and attracting good new clients and contacts can sometimes feel like walking through a mysterious forest looking for the right path to the Kingdom. The last thing anyone wants is to lose time and money being hurt or robbed by a scammer. To that end, below are six ways to lessen your chances of being scammed in the voiceover business.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Most of us have heard of the emails (usually with poor spelling) or the messages that we have won $1M and need to send an unknown person our bank account information. Or you have heard the one about the long-lost uncle or aunt who has just died somewhere overseas, and you are the only one inheriting his or her entire fortune. When is the last time you heard of someone leaving a hefty sum of money to a “relative” they didn’t know or had ever met? I think in these cases, eccentrics like that die and leave their money to their cat. So, we figure out pretty quickly it’s a fraud. Common sense is our first line of defense when weeding out scams.

When you receive a request for voiceover services, ask the person how they heard about you. Voice talents often refer business to other trusted colleagues for voice services outside their particular genre or field. Also, this helps you verify the person is a legitimate business contact. Get as much information as you can without acting too much like Sherlock Holmes.

“Your silence will not protect you.” — Audre Lorde

Don’t be afraid to speak directly to a potential client.

As voice talent, we often collaborate with clients from all over the world. If possible, try to arrange a short introductory call to hear the person’s voice and give them a mini-speech on how you can meet their voiceover needs. This practice allows both of you to get a feel for each other.

PowerHomeBiz.com recommendations the following:
When trying to determine if your new client is a scammer, it’s important to speak with them on the phone. As most criminals use the internet to hide their true identities, most will shy away from getting on the phone. However, there are a few things to consider when on the phone with a potential client.
When speaking with new clients, use software that protects your identity and sensitive information. With the help of tools like a conference call bridge, you’ll also be able to use secure conference calling to verify the identification of new callers. Additionally, you can use screen sharing for further confirmation that you’re speaking to the person you believe you are talking to.

Beware of fast turnaround request from strangers.

While most of the work in the voiceover industry is fast, that is no reason to drop your guard. Beware of those who contact you for a quick turnaround job and not mention rates, usage, or how you can be compensated. You don’t want to rush out and do a job and never receive a dime. This can easily happen to new voice actors desiring to build their client base. Also, a promise of paying you after a job is completed is no real guarantee. Make sure the client provides you with at least a down payment before the delivery of any voice work.

PowerHomeBiz.com says, “Whether it’s a new client with a “rush order” or someone looking to hire you immediately, having incredibly tight deadlines is often a red flag of a scam. Scammers use pressure and urgency to force their victims into making the wrong decision. While there are often clients that need quick turnarounds, having a stranger demand work immediately is cause for pause.”

Market to and work locally.

You can skip the shaky contacts if your roster is full of good clients. Seek to build relationships with local companies that need your voice-over services. It’s always a good idea to review a company’s business profile online and check with the Better Business Bureau for an idea of the company and the experiences of the current and former clients. In addition, your local Chambers of Commerce may have a listing of companies you’re looking to work with, so you can verify if the company is on the up and up.

Connect with caution on Social Media.

In BBB, 10 Steps to Avoid Scams, it’s suggested, “Consider only connecting with people (or companies) you already know. Check the privacy settings on all social media and online accounts. Imposters often get information about their targets from their online interactions, and can make themselves sound like a friend or family member because they know so much about you.”

Protect your money.

Consider wisely who you share your online cash sharing credential with. Most low-cost or no-fee cash apps carry little protection if your account is hacked. While it’s good business to provide accessible payment services to clients, you want to ensure you are not opening yourself to a scam. Never share your cash app information with a company you are unsure of and not confident of the relationship. In addition, most cash apps have no provision for recovering lost or stolen money; therefore, you are responsible for what goes out of your Cash app account.

Safeguard your accounts by signing up for Voice Verification or Push Notifications for your mobile banking transactions—signup for email notifications of any transactions on your business accounts. Monitoring your accounts is the best way to catch fraud before it becomes an unrecoverable situation.

A wise voice actor takes care of business, so he or she is free to take care of the clients. So go you, break that lip.