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Voice Overs

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Fuel your Creativity through Friends

Personal VO Views, Voice talent renewal, voiceover

A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of voice actor friends.  My elite group of FaffCon friends and I have been virtually meeting very nearly monthly for several years.  (FaffCon was developed by Amy Snively and is one of the first content laden, voice-over events specifically geared to helping voice-over talent become successful through collaboration.)  While time and life have changed us all, we are very happy to still be working voice over talents.  Hearing of my friends’ successes and optimistic hope for the future really uplifted my spirits.  While human relationships can be work, they are the best way to fuel your creativity and hope for the future.

The meeting with my friends reminded me of how important it is to focus on the good things in life. Where I live, the airways are constantly bombarded with negative rhetoric and news.  After hearing hours of negative comments, death reports, and predictions of doom from an irradiated planet, taking time to interact with the right set of friends is just what I needed.

So, what does this have to do with voice acting?  Plenty.  Voice actors by nature and sensitive to the world around them.  I have found that to be an effective voice actor, confidence and optimism are essential. One way to keep and maintain confidence and optimum is to fill your creativity soil with those things that grow your confidence and optimism.

Choose to associate with positive people who like you for the person you are, who encourage you to be yourself, and be the best you can be.”  The Napoleon Hill Foundation

An Ear for the Positive

We all want to be successful, so pay it forward.  Take time to listen as others speak, especially a friend telling of success, and be happy for them.  We all have times of success and failure.  It’s a part of the human experience.  Hanging out with the right friends and business associates can make all the difference in the world. For more on this, see my blog “How I Get my Voice-over Help.”

This week’s meeting (like many) with my FaffCon VO friends felt like a cozy warm hug from a friend that I hadn’t seen in some time.  Of course, not all relationships and interactions are always cozy and warm, co don’t give up on doing the hard work of building healthy relationships.  Through healthy relationships, you become a much better voice actor and person overall as you learn, grow, forgive, appreciate, and do it all over again.  You’ll truly see how building positive relationships can help in the down times and fuel your creativity even in the recording booth.

Now, with all this optimism, it’s time to break a lip.

 

Social Wise is a Voice Actor’s Mission

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

Most business owners understand that their website is the place to park their info for the world to hopefully find their business. One’s social media presence is another matter. Today’s voice-talent will have a hard time finding work without a wise and specific strategy for getting the word out about them via Social media.  If you want to be a real player in the voice acting arena, make sure you’re getting your effort’s worth in communicating through Social media.

Choose the Best Social media Sites for Your Business

Every so often, I come across someone in business who proudly announces that they are not on Facebook.  What gets me is the pride the person has in the distinction.  I think some business owners feel that they are hiding from a whirlwind of social chatter or protecting their privacy by not being on Facebook or similar platforms.  While this may be a nice thought, the lack of social media participation only keeps a company away from potential clients.

For more on platforms, Kris Spisak, in 2019 Social Media Trends & Statistics— (January 2, 2019, Business 2 Business), outlines the social media platform trends and audience.  Limiting your Social media to the right platforms can help you narrow down where to find your best on-line audience.

As a voice actor, it can be a challenge to choose the right platforms.  Voice actors place their demos on their websites, so there’s no need for daily post clips from jobs on social medial (which is a very bad idea).  So, voice talents must be a little creative on what works to keep in front of potential clients.

When looking for your client’s “water cooler” so to speak, start by searching general terms associated with your clients’ niche.  Search for networking events your clients may attend and see if the events have social media sites.  Likewise, your clients may already have social media pages (which I’m sure many do).  Follow them and read their posts to get an idea of how you can help their business. Make sure you review as many platforms as needed to find your potential market.

Narrow your search to companies in your genre.  Look for the social media platforms of potential clients.  When you read the posts and comments, give honest and uplifting feedback that shows a positive attitude and that you have an idea of your potential client’s challenges.

Maintain an Active Presence

Once you have established your Facebook, LinkedIn, What’s App or other presence, make sure you’re making regular postings.  Many voiceover talents feel social media can be overwhelming.  To help bring order to regular postings, use a post planning tool like Hootsuite, Postplanner, etc.  You can set up your activities to continue without your constant oversite.

Once you’ve decided on how often you post to your sites, I suggest you try your best to keep that schedule.  For myself, I find it annoying when I receive newsletters at irregular intervals.  To me, it appears the sender has no structure; I never know when an email or social media post may emerge from the writer.  Equally, those who follow you may look forward to your posts, so don’t keep them waiting. Keep your posts timely.

Don’t Fear Being Personal

I think sharing a little personal information can help potential clients get to know you. Don’t share anything you’re not comfortable with, which is also very wise.  Share posts from sites you like, give a kind greeting with a beautiful scene, or relate some bit of information that can benefit others. Something as small as remembering other’s special holidays and occasions shows you have a personal side and perhaps a good sense of humor.

Only Speak in the Positive (Someone is Always Watching!)

What we post has repercussions. Speak, kindly always.  Now more than ever, personal views shared on Social media can be a career killer.  Crisis management can sometimes address unforeseen posts and items taken out of context, but why create your drama (away from the microphone).  Make kindness your partner on your road to success.  For more on crisis management, see Your Comprehensive Guide to Social media Crisis Management by Sapir Segal.

If you currently have negative posts on your sites, consider removing them.  Your views are important, and so is your business and social presence.  Make an impression that will draw others to you not away from you.

It’s your mission to make a good impression and be social wise so you can break that 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.

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

Men Talking

Are you ready to let others know what you do in voiceovers in a brief, positive way? Let’s say you’re out and about doing your daily rounds and appointments. During a casual conversation, you get a question about your line of work. Your response notes you’re a voiceover talent. But then, your listener looks puzzled and asks a follow-on question something like, “What do you do in voiceovers?” Do you know what to say next? Motivate others to work with you through an on-the-mark voiceover elevator speech.

Your voiceover speech doesn’t have to be a canned response. It should be something tailored to each situation and include all the essential facts about what you do. Therefore, preparation is vital. Take time to narrow down the main points you want to communicate with others in about one minute.

We win more business, not because of pitching but because clients say, ‘We like the work you’re doing.’”  David Droga

In “How to Write the Perfect Elevator Pitch,” Jente Kater, notes the significance of a focused message:

“A great asset forcing you to keep your pitch both interesting and well-structured is the A.I.D.A. model (Attention → Interest → Desire → Action). The model, often used by sales and marketing professionals, ensures that your story will be coherent and clear. Above all, remember to get excited. If your pitch isn’t something that gets your blood flowing, it won’t do much to elicit a reaction from your audience.”

Edge Studio’s 10 Critical Business Practices that Voice Over Artists Overlook, notes the importance of accurately describing what you do instead of just saying you’re a voice actor. Most individuals think only of one type of voice work. Here’s more advice from Edge Studio.

“When asked what you do, don’t say, ‘I’m a voice-over artist,’ because most people don’t know what that means, and the few that do will probably think it means commercials. Instead say, ‘I help businesses sound better, by providing them with wonderful sound tracks for their voice mail and training videos so they sound more professional.’ Tailor this ‘elevator pitch’ precisely to your special strengths.”

Developing your Script

Write out your responses to the following questions and narrow down the key points.

  • What benefits do you provide to your voiceover clients?
  • What are your specialties?
  • What makes your services unique?
  • What things are you most proud of in the business?

Once you’ve covered the basics, think about what you bring to each client. With these points in mind, gage your listener to provide just the right particulars and (possibly) your business card. For more on how to write an elevator speech, review Mike Simpson’s How to Write A Killer Elevator Pitch.

Tailor the Particulars

Potential voiceover clients are everywhere. Still, choose how much to share about yourself and your business. Think through the following:

  • Is this person a business candidate or strictly a casual contact?
  • Is he or she a primary or secondary potential client?
  • Would sharing my contact information (business card, etc.) be a good idea?

Incorporate the above into your on-point elevator speech. Keep your information current. If you’re in business, there will always be a need for a good elevator speech. Make your interactions count toward future clients and network growth. You’ve got this.

Break a lip!

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.

So you’re going to be a voice actor, really?

Personal VO Views, Voice over Training, voiceover

Voice artist or voice over is one of the most enjoyable professions in the entertainment business. Friends and associates often ask me how to get into voice acting. Compassionate lines in a script sometimes make folks believe it’s easy to be a voice actor. Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that.

To those looking for the opportunity to make their dreams come true as a compassionate communicator or as an over-the-top movie trailer orator, I encourage you to consider my tips on getting into voice acting.

A new voice talent must first “think” like a new business. Below is my short list of how to begin thinking and being a voice acting business.

Consider your reason for wanting to voice act: Think about why you want to be “in the business.” If you want, jot down your reason or reasons. Don’t worry, you can revise it later if you want, I won’t tell.

Drop the attitude, please: Voice acting is what I call a “service business.” All the pros I know have an attitude to serve others with excellence. The pros know that it’s not about having a great voice, but about bringing a script to life!

Start to make connections through the Internet: Start by doing word searches on Do a word search on voice over, acting, etc. Follow talent you find and like on Facebook, Twitter, etc, but in a causal friendly manner. You are seeking to develop new business connections not looking to stalk top voice over talent.

Find out all you can about voice acting for free: Before you sign up for that class that promises to make you a killer demo and voice over star in one year or less, do your homework. There are many sites that offer free advice on how to start developing your craft. You can take out the check book later.

Next time, I’ll will warp up my best tips on becoming a voice talent. So for now, have fun with your homework.

So you want to be a voice actor, really? (A little more)

Voice over Training, voiceover

Don LaFontaine and many others have found fame and fortune as a voice talent. These greats perform with seemingly little to no effort and bring scripts and stories to life. My soft, warm, compassionate delivery is only one style of voice acting. Voice actors can be as unique as petals on a rose or as varied as snow flakes. Below I provide a few more of my tips on becoming a professional voice actor:

Find your niche: what you do well. Many new voice talent want to do every delivery and style right out of the gate: compassionate, animated, girl or guy next door, etc. You need to understand your best style and delivery, which usually is not everything. Perhaps your voice is best for e-learning, hard sell, or perhaps for soft, warm, and hart-felt messages. The point is that you can waste a staggering amount of time pursuing the wrong type of jobs. Break the habit now.

Develop a support system. It can take years to become a stellar voice actor and that is with study and perseverance. Disappointments will come, and at times, you will be the one who needs compassion. This can be lonely business. Many folks like the idea of being a voice actor but not the hard work needed for regular practice, quality auditions, continued learning, good home studio skills, etc. Try to get someone to hold you accountable to help keep you on track towards building your voice business goals.

Do it or don’t! Recently I met a guy who said to me, “… I’m trying to do voice overs.” My first thought was, “Why. You are, or you are not.” Decide on who you are and what you do. A voice over artist is a skilled artisan. You don’t want to become someone who spends thousands of dollars on audio equipment and voice training to the become a professional (voice) student and not one (voice) job to your credit.

Know when to quit/know when to stay. Some folks hit the ground running and never look back. But if you have challenges or have tried and still are unable to overcome them, perhaps voiceover is not the right career for you. We all have personal issues, but if your obligations make it almost impossible for you to do what’s necessary to be successful, you may need to take a break or close the business until you can really commitment to your success.

Whatever you decide, voice overs is a unique and fun career. Well, that’s it for now.

Happy voicing!

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!