voice acting

Be A Voiceover Problem Solver

September 20, 2023 by Leesha S

Woman Seek to Solve a Problem — Solving A Problem

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 voiceover 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.

What Keeps You Grounded As A Voiceover?

August 2, 2023 by Leesha S

Woman Reaching while Grounded — Reaching while Grounded

The basics of voice acting don’t change. While styles, preferred ages, and other nuances may be ever changing, the basics of voice acting are what they are. As voice actors and business owners, we must know our strengths and weaknesses. But we also need to understand what supports our stand and helps move us toward continued success. For me, what keeps me going is not one stagnate thing. On the contrary, applying the various things that keep me grounded helps me move toward voice-over and personal success.

Getting Too Much Too Fast

Every week, we’re bombarded with too many new reports, advertisements, and unsolicited help. Humans are not equipped to keep up with floods of communication at the speed of light. The constant change and distractions we experience and continue to experience are what give most of the attention span of a fly.

Healthcare industry influencer Steven Zauderer writes in a July 24th, 2023, article, Average Human Attention Span By Age: 47 Statistics, says “The average human has an attention span of just 8.25 seconds according to recent studies – 4.25 seconds less than in 2000.” Zauderer further writes, “The average human attention span decreased by nearly 25% between 2000 and 2015.” So, you might say, it’s hard to know what is means to be or how to stay grounded at least for very long.

Getting Grounded

It’s pretty common to walk through an airport or down a busy metropolitan city and notice almost everyone on a smart device. While it’s nice to be connected, the constant stream of information will hamper our ability to absorb all the information we need on any given topic.

In voiceovers, it’s essential to continue grounding ourselves through education, practice, and connections. Adding to our abilities and improving our skills may not be sexy and exciting, but it builds the foundation for a successful business.

“Grounding is most effective when you have some place to go. When you know where you are going, grounding brings strength and confidence, when you’re stagnant you get caught in the past.”

― Tony Curl (Seriously Simple Stuff to Get You Unstuck)

Patience is still a Virtue

Patience is voice acting seems like an oxymoron, but it is not. We stay grounded as we apply what has been learned. If one has learned the appropriate skills for a successful voiceover career, some success will eventually come. There is no shortcut for hard work and continued development. Patience in the voiceover business may be the best way to secure your business for the long haul.

Make It A Family Thing

We voice actors are people; therefore, we need people. We need interaction with those in business, those who can help us in business, and those who are NOT in the voice-over business. The care coming from the right supporters can make us successful, console us in our times of failure, and replenish our souls. Make sure you have associations with those who can keep you in the loop with trends in the voice-over industry. Moreover, make sure you know those who are experts in marketing or at least refresh your marketing techniques through education. Don’t forget to attend at least one in-person voiceover event every year to be around like-minded people.

Lastly, always make time for family and friends. Whether you’re married or single, you need time with people you like and love and those who like and love you. Time with close friends and family supports your mental health. We’ve had too much time alone thanks to the COVID-19 lock downs.

It’s time to continue restoring our personal and professional support groups. These associations and practices can keep us sane and creative voice talents. You may find that applying the above concepts will help you be more grounded leading you into being the best you can be as an excellent, long-term voice actor. #breakthatlip

For A Voice Talent, The Best Thing To Say Maybe Nothing At All

April 1, 2023 by Leesha S

Recently I returned from a vacation in Canada. After months of saving and preparation, I was finally at the place I had dreamed of for six months. It was a group trip of about 50 of us skiers and non-skiers. Depending on my mood, I can fall into both groups. During the trip, I received some odd comments from one of the ladies traveling with us. She asked whether I had a roommate because that was my preferred mode of travel and where I was sitting on the plane to our destination. When I asked this lady to take a photo of me overlooking a river in Vancouver, she remarked that she took the picture so that I would not be the center of attention. What? Okay!? I’m thinking it’s my phone/camera, so why shouldn’t I be the center of attention? Instead of stewing about the strange comments I was receiving from this almost total stranger, I refocused on what was most important, enjoying my long-planned vacation. I thought when confronted with harmful or contrary information, the best thing to say may be nothing at all.

Comment, Why?

As a voice talent, I read and scroll social media posts on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Often, I just read the comments and don’t lend my two cents. However, if I can comment with something of value and to help the situation, I post and express my thoughts. As a voice talent with a public platform, my comments are not just seen by my followers. So, I try to determine if I can improve the conversation or help solve an issue or problem. If my thoughts lead to negative or not-so-nice stuff, I keep it moving. I don’t need to join an already full choir of those venting about topics like Artificial Intelligence (AI), voiceover industry changes, or the price of home studio equipment. Comments are a good thing, but why?

Nobody likes A Faultfinder

In this life’s journey, we all are exposed to good and bad challenges. Those who show and express an appreciation for their success attract others to them because they have realized that showing off only gets you fake friends. I’m not sure why the lady on my trip was so concerned about my room accommodations or my seat on the plane, but I decided to keep a good attitude and not return the same probing questions. This person knew nothing about me and the journey I’ve taken as a voice-over talent or somebody in general. Seeing someone enjoying a nice trip is not a license to make assumptions about the person’s life or character. Therefore, I decided to take the events in strive and come home safe to my voiceover business.

Keep it Moving

As a voiceover talent, I know we encounter many unsolicited opinions and remarks. Directors who think we need to go back to school, harsh criticism of our new demos, beliefs based upon our appearance, and backlash of our social media posts are just a few examples of blow backs. On the other hand, many directors and voice-over professionals encourage each other, share what they have learned, and are generally a joy to work with and around as top talents.

“Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.” Roy T. Bennett

When you encounter folks who may not have good things to say or write, try to look past the harsh responses. Working voice actors have to endure a lot of rejection, so try not to take the rejection personally. Sometimes it’s best to say nothing and count your blessings because you’re in the best profession in the world. You’re a voice actor! Go ahead, #breakthatlip

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

Voice Actors, Don’t Get A Dog

November 26, 2021 by Leesha S

The Dog You Love — Dog with Paw-He Cares

We love our pets, but like getting a new pet or going into voiceacting, we sometimes buy without considering the overall cost to maintain our new furry friends or a new business. If you’re a voice talent like me, we have to think about the long term. Will voiceacting return the love we put in it? Who can say? It’s kinda of like getting a new pet. Allow me to draw a few parallels in my story about investing in a pet, in this case a dog, and pursuing a voice-over career.

When New Things become New Headaches

I have a friend who was down in the dumps because his beloved new dog needed surgery. He adopted the dog from an animal shelter at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdowns. My friend and the dog really hit it off. The pup was only a few years old and seemed to bring the companionship feeling that my friend longed. But, the animal had a few hidden health issues that have recently surfaced. So, my friend is struggling to keep his little canine healthy and happy.

Many voice actors have a great start and a honeymoon relationship with their career for the first couple of years or good jobs. Then, as it usually happens, the jobs start to become less and less as delivery styles change. As a result, the talent may struggle to stay sustainable in the voice-over industry. Now time and what little money is made may be spent on the wrong items. A person may start to feel hopeless and concerned that the pursuit of voiceovers was only a pipe dream.

How to keep New Things Feeling New

When it comes to pets, my friend does have some options. He is considering purchasing insurance for future bills or delaying the surgery for as long as he safely can for his pet. He enjoys his new dog and does not want to lose his new friend. My friend is also working a little overtime to help bring down the impending veterinarian debt. While finances are tight, he wants to keep his new four-legged companion.

Voice acting is incredibly rewarding and can allow a person to experience so much personal fulfillment. So, while voice actors are faced with challenges like automation and Artificial Intelligence voices, actors may still want to stay in business and find ways to adapt and evolve with the industry.

When It’s Time to Call It Quits

My friend is lucky because he wants to keep his dog, but he has admitted if his beloved pet suffers another financially burdening illness, he may need to give him up. Pets can be a lot of fun to have, but paying big bills and prolonged hospital stay costs may not be within the owners’ budget.

You do not write your life with words…You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.” Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

In voice-overs, when running a business becomes more of a burden than a job, or when it’s no longer fun, a voice actor must consider his future. While there is more work than ever, competition is more fierce that ever! Keeping up with the industry can seem like a foot race. Voice talent must stay in contact with their peer groups and industry leaders to keep up with what is happening as well as continue to train and adapt to industry changes.

So, the lesson of this little anecdote is to consider the cost of every choice, whether it’s a new pet or a new career. Like getting a furry new pet, the first few days or months after making a significant choice or decision may seem like a honeymoon, but only at first. Voice acting is a fun, fulfilling career, but it’s a lot of challenging work. Training is necessary. Good demos are necessary, and finding customers is a must.
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell
Think about your choices beyond the new, fun stage and into the long term of living with the selections you’ve made.

Keep breaking that lip.

What now in Voiceovers? Thoughts on Coping with Change

August 18, 2021 by Leesha S

How many times have you said in the last year, ‘What now?’ It’s incredible to me all the stuﬀ I have to adjust to every week. As a voice talent and business owner, it seems that I’m constantly questioning the latest things. So how do you handle the constant daily changes in your voiceover business and life in general? What do you do when you feel you can’t take another new thing? Here are some thoughts on how to get a grip on ever-present changes in voiceovers.

Don’t panic. Take it slow.

While I genuinely believe I am incredible, sometimes I have to read or hear something a few times before I get it. New social media sites or home appliances can take a moment or two to understand and learn how to operate correctly. If I get stuck in my understanding, I’ll seek expert help. Depending upon the situation, a good YouTube video can be a great source of information, reducing my anxiety and helping me get up to speed on a matter.

In voiceovers, taking direction is essential to success. One key focus of any good talent is to learn to take direction. Taking direction means correctly hearing or receiving feedback and then making the appropriate changes for the next performance. Being directed can be stressful and may seem like a lot. So, it’s essential to calm the mind and then focus on the critical points of the direction. If there is still a disconnection, repeat to the director what is wanted or ask for clarification. It’s better to ask for help than to deliver something completely different or unwanted by the producer.

Accept the Change (That’s life)

News flash. We are all getting older with every passing second. While this reality may not matter to a young adult, anyone over 35 acutely feels the aging process, especially in today’s youth fixated society. We should see change as an opportunity to grow and become more than we are at the present moment. Whether it’s a new technology, a road, app, or business style, there’s usually a simple explanation available to help us through.

The rise in automated voices or Automated Intelligence (AI) software has many voice actors panicking. Voice professionals wonder if the AI will make it hard to make a living or work in an industry they love and enjoy.

When it comes to change, don’t forget ChatGPT. What about ChatGPT? The folks at ZDNET provide a good overview. Their short answer is “ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool driven by AI technology that allows you to have human-like conversations and much more with the chatbot.”

Voiceovers is like any other business. Change happens. A good approach would be to research and fully understand the new variations happening in the business. With understanding can come a since of where one can fit into the AI industry. It’s better to face change head-on and find a way to make it your friend, not your foe.

“He was swimming in a sea of other people’s expectations. Men had drowned in seas like that.” Robert Jordan

Don’t Become Overwhelmed.

Of late, I’ve noticed that keeping up with the social media world can be a little challenging. Finding something to post that is stunning and gets a lot of net traction can be like throwing paint on a wall and hoping it sticks.

Seemingly, there is a new app, program, social media platform, or computer thing every week! I’m not sure if humans were built for our technology roller-coaster ride. Many of us are just hanging on or faking it. Some are about to get thrown oﬀ at the next curve! So instead of barely making it, choose what to add to your business platform or home studio and what to just put on hold.

In Mark Schaefer’s article, Keeping Up with the Furious Pace of Social Media Change, he recommends avoiding Fear of Missing Out or FOMO. Mr. Schaefer comments, ” As you build your social media tribe and the conversations multiply, you have to adjust and come to grips with the fact that you have a life beyond social media. Some thing(s) are going to slip through the cracks. Allow that to be OK.”

Your life and time are precious, so take on what you can do well and do them consistently. Learn what you must in voiceovers and pick up the rest down the road. It’s better to do a few things well than a lot of things poorly. You’ll sleep better too.

Break that lip!