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The Very Latest…
AI: Don’t Miss the Voiceover Business Potential
In the rush to judge AI as a threat to the VO industry, many might miss the incredible marketing and business tools therein.
Just Before that…
A.M. Coffee Podcast
You’ll enjoy this wide-ranging interview touching on a lot of VO topics on Mike Tarnow’s podcast: A.M. Coffee
Yes, There’s WORK Involved. Just Do It!
This stuff is not rocket surgery…but just in case you missed one of the most basic tenets of success, read on.
3 Bedrock Foundations for VO Business Success
…and it’s not rocket science, but read on anyway.
Does VO Success Depend on Where You Live?
Rural or Urban? Arkansas or Los Angeles?
Your geographic location may set your VO fate. Or not.
Bait ‘n’ Switch Social Media Marketing?
Maybe we were just all kidding ourselves. Maybe “free” social media was never really free. Here’s why — to get noticed — it’s gonna start costing.
The Best Place to Find New VO Jobs
Lord knows, the options are endless these days, and the path of least resistance is alluring. How ’bout THIS for an idea?
Voice Over Education
15+ Dialects Sites
English is the only language I speak. Sure, I'm jealous of my VO friends who speak two or more languages...they're more marketable...but I still feel like I'm learning English! So how hard can it be to learn a few dialects (in English), and still be able to broaden...
“You know, I used to be a….”
Never. Never have I run across a voice-actor who began life as a voice-actor. Everyone came to the profession from somewhere else. A good many began in broadcasting...especially radio. Some from (ahem) TV, or production, or audio engineering... but seriously... do...
My Battle With “It”
It's a darn shame, doncha think? So tell me...what does the "it" refer to in the sentence above? It's crazy isn't it? (same question) "IT" has become the most overused, misunderstood, misused "crutch" word in the English language. Lately, I've been going back through...
5 Ways VO’s Can Use Evernote: Part 2
Seriously, I'm having trouble keeping the list to just 10 tips (Monday and today). If you haven't read it yet, check out Monday's blog with Part 1, 5 Ways VO's Can Use Evernote. There are some helpful links to get you started. Honestly, I don't think even the...
Can I Clear My Throat, or Not?
Every 6 months I see my ENT Physician. He clears the wax out of my ears, looks up my nose, mumbles something to his assistant, then sticks a camera scope down into my throat. It's mildly irritating, but THIS is why I mostly come every six months. He says: "Say...
Teck-Neeks
Sorry for the horrid misspelling. Did it bring you this far? Good...then read on. Today's article is a guest blog provided by Amanda Clarke of GlocMedia- a UK digital marketing agency. They work closely with goLocalise, London's leading voice-over agency --...
Short Messages for Busy People
Attention spans are beyond short. These days they're miniscule. The teenage generation of today doesn't even use email. According to the Pew Research Center, only 6% of teens exchange email daily. They reserve email for "official" communications. Most are happier...
The “Remote” Challenge
While in Ft. Worth, TX for my daughter's college graduation, (see yesterday's blog) I got the call we all love/hate to get: a voice over job, and they needed it yesterday. Since we all seem so overwhelmingly infatuated with creative solutions for recording on the...
Constant Contact Alt?
What do you use for sending out newsletters, tracking email lists, and handling CRM? There are plenty of products that offer simple-to-full-spectrum features in this online space. And that full spectrum includes the price they charge for it. Am I wrong in thinking...
The Key to Choosing KeyWords
There's that term again: Keywords. Everybody throws it around like it's OBVIOUS what they are, or should be. Delve into online websites, marketing your VO services, and you'll see that keywords pop up in many of the SEO and SEM strategies that used to be so...
World Voices #WoVochat
VO Atlanta Rates Roundtable Panel
'Two big VO conferences in two months. 'Gotta remember to pace myself. :)But, look... these gatherings are golden if you go in with an agenda, a promise to yourself to talk to targeted contacts, and to take lots of notes/pictures.At the Voiceover Atlanta event in...
Oh, You’re Gonna Wanna Check This Out!
The folks over at the GVAA have been busy. You know, the Global Voice Acting Academy. Founder Cristina Milizia, and her amazing team of coaches and contributors grew tired of searching through the morass of confusing online resources for VO rates. What they DID find...
III was Thrilling
As I write this, the only business yet to handle from WoVOCon III is April's board meeting.People began arriving Wednesday, and some won't leave until the end of the week (the Nat'l Assoc of Broadcasters -NAB - convention is in town).At nearly 150 attendees plus...
These Two Sessions Will Make WoVOCon a Game-Changer of a VO Conference
...and I really hate picking out any ONE or TWO things, 'cause it's ALLLL gonna be just off-the-charts wonderful.From Marc Scott's session on CRM's, and Graeme Spicer's stance as a social media contrarian...to Joe Loesch's Master Class... and the mic shootout or...
Countdown…
...to the WoVOCon weekend.In a couple of days, members of our growing organization will be arriving.Their pilgrimage to the 3rd annual meeting in Las Vegas is testimony to the desire for VO community. After all, VO Atlanta happened a scant 6 weeks ago. That...
How far….
....would you travel to go to a voiceover conference?Well...Sean Daeley traveled 6827.6 miles. That's how far it is from Nagasaki, Japan to Atlanta, Georgia, USA.Like me, Sean is a "hybrid" voice actor who does something else to help pay the bills (for now). Only......
Atlanta Attitude
The lady who sits down across the lunch table from me was blond, bubbly, and about my age. We're both at the catered lunch provided by VO Atlanta on a Saturday. "I'm Barbara," she says. "I've been working as a nurse most of my life, but I think there's a future for...
VO Atlanta, Day 1
No sleep last night. Greeted with hailstones at the Atlanta airport. But... a glorious reunion with old friends, and the wonderful introduction to new friends at the first day of VO Atlanta. In the interest of my sanity (I'm on a panel tomorrow), I'm leaving you...
In One Week…
...will I see you in Atlanta?The 2016 Voice Over Atlanta conference will be its 4th year, but it will be my first visit. VOA is an extension of its founder and executive: Gerald Griffith, and his company: VoiceoverCity.Friends who went last year raved about the...
Yes, We Mean “World”
In April, World-Voices Organization will celebrate 4 years of existence during its third annual Conference. We know we're USA-born, but our intent has always been to embrace all countries, all cultures, any language. The voiceover community may be varied, but we all...
VO Business & Compensation
Acoustic Treatment for Home Studios
Home voiceover studios are different than the mega-equipped studios you’ll find in production houses or agencies…but that makes them no less professional. They just need to be tweaked differently.
4 Ways to Avoid Shooting Your VO Business in the Foot
Be your own best friend, not your own worst enemy. There are enough traps in freelancing without self-sabotage.
Avoid these traps.
Merry Christmas!!!
Voice Over Education
Seminar Excerpt: CourVOisier on Social Media
Everybody's favorite voice over business coach, and prolific YouTube trainer -- Bill DeWees -- is finally getting out 'n' about. Bill and I are both introverts. Seriously. And besides being uncomfortable in the limelight, Bill is just always working. The guy is...
5 Tips for Handling Info Overload
You know me... I live, eat, and breath social media. Believe it or not, though, I'm not the most prolific poster among my peers. I chime in when I see fit, and I'll throw out a blog link or retweet now and then (policy subject to revision at any time). For the most...
Wolfson Wisdom
A gift. Just the other day, Nancy Wolfson handed over a gift we all can use. Something she had prepared for another publication that went unused. "Why waste it?" she said. "Dave, can you put it in your blog?" Ah...gee... I really had to think about that one. Top...
Cold? Choose a Fabby Feb VO Working Vacation
Looks like the voiceover community has finally discovered what most every other conceivable business has known for years: Las Vegas is the premiere conference destination in the world. Well OK, it's not quite that serious. But it IS growing. January saw Marice...
VO at NMX
What is NMX? An acronym for New Media Expo, a pre-CES convention. CES is the largest of all the hundreds of conventions that descend on Las Vegas every year. The Consumer Electronics Show. This week is CES...the center of the technology universe for one week. ...
Would You Recommend This Book?
Next year, I'm finally going to do what so many have been urging me to do. In fact, it's in the works as we speak. I'm going to publish the best of my blog into a book. Probably 3 books by the time I'm done. Wow! THREE BOOKS?!!! Here's the math: 2013 completes my...
Tobias. Vegas. January.
Recent years have seen the foundation of a Marice Tobias tradition in Las Vegas: an all-male weekend voice-acting workshop. Now, she's scheduled another (the third)...and what a great way to get VO going in the New Year! If you've been toiling in the voice-acting...
Wanna Know How To Become Rich?
John Pozadzides goes by the name John-P. Email me if you want to know how to REALLY pronounce his last name. Anyway, John-P and I have been friends for years. Were it not for him, I'm not sure how we would've handled moving my daughter into her college experience in...
Fall & Spring
Have you ever noticed how the general pace of life seems to just vibrate a little faster in the Fall and Spring? These are the most enjoyable months for being out-of-doors, and yet the level of commitments seem to keep us INDOORS far too much. Just take a look at...
Digital Simple = Digital Best
There's a reason why the digital design mavens at mega-tech companies like Microsoft, Samsung and Apple are going to minimalist graphical user interfaces. Win 8 and the new iOS7 are both about as plain-Jane as you can get. Thin lines, no borders, subtle colors, and...
Voice Over Hardware & Software tools
2 “L’s” and an “S” + 1
LinkedIn x 2 and SoundCloud.
Some stellar web resources.
Wouldn’t YOU Share?
Maybe it’s the “news guy” in me. I just hafta tell people when I see important stuff.
Like in today’s blog.
Resources, Resources!
Ebb and flow. Some days the VO world seems to be quiet, but over the weekend it was decidedly not!
Make it Easy on Yourself
One of the all-time great VO collaborations, and I’m not talking about an audition.
See how two minds = one great idea.
Pronounceology
Voice Actors who see a need in our business, and fill it with a great idea.
Here’s a perfect example.
5 Reasons Why You Should NOT Produce Your Own Demos
Yeah…don’t even think it.
Here’s why.
DIY Websites: The Lowdown
How important is a website to your business?
Crucial.
So do you really wanna do it yourself?
Cattle Call Marketplace
Clients meet voice-actors, and everyone’s happy, right?
Wrong.
You can do better.
The New Norm in Security
You value your sound files, right? And all your docs, pics, programs, and financial data too?
Then you can’t afford NOT to do this.
The Mighty MIc
…our unofficial mascot. Our sword. Most of us wish we could afford yet ANOTHER one. Yes? Here are some ideas.
Voice Over Events
Oh, This is Gonna Be Good!
Yesterday the official registration opened up for WoVOCon-3 in Las Vegas.WoVoCon is the annual gathering of the faithful. Any of our ~630 members can attend. We hope they all do, 'cause when that many passionate voice actors get together, there's more than just a...
But Wait!…There’s More!
Scores?...Hundreds? watched yesterday as Edge Studio's Managing Director Graeme Spicer conducted a face-to-face interview with Voices.com's CEO David Ciccarelli.Cicacrelli and Spicer know each other, live in the same city, and there are close ties between Edge and...
Do This…
...watch Tuesday's Edge Studio-sponsored interview with Voices.com's CEO David Ciccarelli.Graeme Spicer, Edge Studio's Managing Director will conduct the interview in Toronto.Spicer is a World-Voices pro member, an accomplished voice-actor, and brings with him a deep...
DevLearn 2015
Las Vegas hosts a never-ending, multi-layered parade of conferences and conventions. It's the #1 gathering place for such things, and the city obliges with it's own ginormous convention center. Beyond that, most all the resorts have their own convention...
FOMO Frustrations
March was a challenge if you're afflicted with FOMO (fear or missing out). VO Atlanta, and FaffCamp two weekends in a row, and I was at home sitting on my hands...or rather sitting in front of my computer watching the parade of tweets, pics, and FaceBook shares fly...
WoVOConquered
Since 2007, I figure I've attended some 20 voiceover conferences. Yeah...crazy isn't it? I counted it up on my fingers three times just to be sure. I'd agree with you if you think that I'm some kind of nut, or hog for punishment...but....but...my life is...
Symbiosis
Noun, ...any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship between two persons, groups, etc. This week, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) hits Las Vegas. Next to CES, it's the largest, and most equipment-exhibitor heavy conference in the busiest...
Do You Need a VO Talent Agent?
It's OK, you don't have to answer. In fact there may not BE a right or wrong answer...it could be sort of a personal thing. Talent agencies pretty much were the T-1 line to VO jobs back in the day. Now -- depending on who you ask --- agents are STILL the path to...
CES2015 in 2:10
Got a minute?...er....well...a couple of minutes? The technology, planning, and marketing behind a show like CES is beyond imagination. It all comes together for 4 days in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and this year almost 200,000 people paid homage. I spent all...
Pressing On
There's no doubt I suffer a deflation in January. The build-up to the Christmas and New Year's holidays are so expectant, that you can't help but feel a loss come January. Personally, Januarys are to my year... as Mondays are to my week...and I HATE Mondays! But no...
Listen to my Commercial demoVoice Over Niches
How COVID-19 Gave New Life to Radio Dramas
Covid – its tendrils reach into all parts of our life and culture….even radio drama. Read on.
A.M. Coffee Podcast
You’ll enjoy this wide-ranging interview touching on a lot of VO topics on Mike Tarnow’s podcast: A.M. Coffee
Yes, There’s WORK Involved. Just Do It!
This stuff is not rocket surgery…but just in case you missed one of the most basic tenets of success, read on.
Voice Over Hardware & Software tools
Persistence PayOff: ConnectionOpen
Weaker souls may have caved…but not the forces behind this distance-connection technology.
Hear the latest on this exciting platform.
Freelancer Security
We ARE the IT department for our freelance businesses. But is that a strong suit for you?
Here are some fundamentals to consider.
Year-End URL’s
On the cusp of 2018, here are a few online resources I’ve been hanging on to for just this ocassion.
Google Searches Demystified
Understand a few simple syntax constructions in your google search,
and you can open up a world of opportunity.
Get Paid!
With a new year looming…your top priority should be getting jobs, and that means getting paid.
Here’s a list of the best ways to do that with the least cost.
MailKing May Be Just Your Kinda Software
There’s Gmail, and then there’s programs like Constant Contact and MailChimp. Why not put them together? MailKing does.
CRM: Can’t Reach Me
The never-ending search for a CRM (customer relationship manager) is…well…never-ending. Maybe this will bring it to an end for you.
Automated Voice Acting?
They’ll never stop trying. The innovators, scientists, and geeks who think there’s a digital answer to nearly every human function. Now, this.
Addendum to “Bluff & Bluster”
Apparently, yesterday’s blog struck a nerve. It did with the author of VoiceCastingBank too. She has this extra message she wanted me to pass along.
Bluff & Bluster
In this case, I hated being right. Check out today’s blog to find out why a cease and desist order is bad for the voice-acting community, but oh-so-predictable considering the source.
Are You a Leader? Yep!
You ARE a leader…whether you know it or not. Now…how will you capitalize on that?
Disappearing Days
Uh…August?
I’m just sayin’
Video: Newest Rates Roundtable!
WoVO is at it again…with another expert panel discussing rates.