December » 2008 » The Voiceover Boblog

Success in 2009

Posted December 31, 2008 by Bob

My friend and mentor Philip Banks has posted on his Voiceover Universe blog today a list of 10 action points for voice actors in 2009. I don’t know about you, but I will be putting these in to practice in the coming year. (I’m not positive but you may have to be a member of Voiceover Universe to see Philip’s blog.)

Category: Career Advice, General, People | Comments (0)
What you can change, what you can’t

Posted by Bob

My friend Jeff Tobin has one of the brightest minds of anyone I know. He’s a gifted businessman, coach and speaker. He sent an email this week that I’ve asked for permission to share here.

————————————————–

Once again, another year has gone by. So how are you feeling about 2009? A lot of people are very concerned. Don’t be one of them.

If you aren’t significantly better off than you were a year ago at this time… the markets aside… you can expect pretty much of the same thing in 2009. But this is only true if the things that you can control are still not under control. Is there hope? Yep! Better yet, there is fact. Here are two facts about which you need to know:

The first fact is that some things are simply out of your control; these are the things about which you can do nothing at all. The markets. The housing crunch. The sudden decline in the value of your 401k. You can’t control your customer’s perceived needs or their interest in your products or services. You can’t control the competition or market demand.

These things are like the weather. They are out of your control. You can only respond to them. It’s sunny. It’s raining. It’s cold. You may not like what you get, but it’s a clearly waste of time and energy if you try to change it. Don’t. Forget about these things. Respond, yes, but don’t raise your blood pressure trying to change them. You can’t.

The second fact is this: some things are within your control. Personal contacts and relationships. Marketing. Fixed and variable costs. Your reputation. Your level of service. Your intent and your actions. It’s in this realm – and in this realm only – that you can have a significant effect on the months ahead.

So focus on one thing: the things you can change.

How do you make a huge leap forward in 2009? You identify what you can do and what you can’t. Then, work with a singular intent to make significant change in a limited list of actions. You can do it. It’s easy.

Follow my simple model: On one sheet of paper, take three minutes to write down everything in your life that is giving you stress. It doesn’t matter whether it’s business, health, your faith or family. Write down anything that keeps you up at night. Write down anything that makes you angry. Write down categories like the stock market, or real estate that you own. Write down issues with the kids, a date that went bad, even the ugly old tile in your bathroom. Write it all down and get it on paper. Don’t worry about running out of time. You’ll get the most important things on paper early on in the process.

Now look at your list. Study it hard, then grab a big fat black Sharpie or blood-red pen and scratch a line through anything on that list over which you have little or no control. Smile when you do it. These are the things you won’t spend time worrying about any more.

Finally, grab a clean sheet of paper and copy down anything that is left from the original sheet. These are the things over which you have some real control. Prioritize them: Mark with an “A” the very few things that give you the greatest concern. Mark a “B” for the next, larger group, and “C” for the rest.

That’s it. Simply write, remove, then rate. Once you’ve done this easy exercise, you are ready to take on 2009. Throw away the first sheet; that was last year’s thinking. Now use all of that old, wasted energy and apply it to the things you can control – the things on your new list.

Need some help? Give me a call and I’ll be pleased to spend some time with you on the phone. If you’re reading this over the holiday, get out your calendar right now and mark off some time to do this exercise. Then check in with me when you’re done.

Your great new year is less about resolutions than it is about focus. Control what you can. Choose a few items and target your intention on them alone. You’ll find less stress and more productivity with each passing day. Oh, and you’ve got 365 of them.

Best Regards,
Jeffrey Tobin
The Concept Coach

————————————————–

May you have a wonderfully prosperous 2009.

(Update: Though he doesn’t update it terribly often, there’s solid gold all through Jeff’s blog.)

Category: General | Comments (0)
Report on the Voice Over Industry 2009

Posted December 30, 2008 by Bob

David Ciccarelli, CEO of Voices.com, emails with a note about a new post on the Vox Daily blog that includes a free download PDF of this Report. I’ve read through the report and can tell you I think it’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

Category: General | Comments (2)
Will Your Client Survive?

Posted December 29, 2008 by Bob

My friend Blaine Parker is not only a superb voice actor, he’s a brilliant writer. I always enjoy his Hot Points emails that arrive each Monday morning. I’ve asked him for permission to reprint last weeks missive because it has so much of value for all of us.

————————————–
HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS HAD IT TOO EASY?

Indeed, there is a recession. That’s inarguable. But many business owners who are complaining about how slow business is—are they necessarily justified? Have they done everything they can to raise the level of their game? Or have they been coasting along on the coattails of an economic boom time? And now that things are slow, are they experiencing the critical flaws in their respective business models?

ADAPT & SURVIVE

There was a news story this morning about a landscaper who’s weathering the tough economic times by taking smaller jobs. The nickel & dime projects she wouldn’t have considered a year ago? Now she’s now happy to take them. While it’s easy to question the wisdom of turning down work when times are good, it’s applause-worthy to see this landscaper adapting to survive.

I’ve had clients who, a year or two ago, refused to take those nickel & dime jobs—despite my suggesting they advertise for them. Now, all of a sudden, guess who’s asking for nickel & dime jobs in their advertising.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, WE HAVE ONE CLIENT WHO NEVER REFUSES ANY WORK.

He has a long-established interiors business. He’s always made it clear that no job is too small—despite his reputation as an established, upscale provider who’s worked for important major clients. This man wears the stripes of his generation: a great-grandchild of Italian immigrants who came here in the late 1800s, he is thrifty, conservative, and doesn’t spend lavishly. He always has his nose to the grindstone and never considers himself above any work anyone has ever offered.

Guess which of our clients isn’t presently complaining about the status of his business with regard to the economy. He’s always understood commitment to his customers, and how each job, no matter how small, is an investment. It’s a seed being planted that can eventually grow into an enormous oak tree of a client.

One woman came to him with a broken caster on an ottoman. Because he gave 110% on that broken caster, she’s subsequently brought him a six-figure billing history.

HE GETS IT

The businesses who survive are going to be the ones who understand value added. Who understand customer service. Who understand they are in no way entitled to anything—they have to earn every bit of business they get.

So, what does this have to do with us?

Now more than ever is a time when a smart marketing consultant knows to be more valuable than simply taking an order. A smart marketing consultant is going to make suggestions beyond just a client’s advertising. You’ve captured a lead, what do you do with that lead to make him a customer? Once you have a customer, what do you do to keep the customer coming back? What do you do to make the customer an evangelist for the company?

Bottom line: what can the marketing consultant do to be more valuable to the advertising client—that in turn makes the advertising client more valuable to his prospects and customers?

VALUE ADDED IS A CUSTOMER KEPT

It’s all about giving as much as possible so that the customer would (a) be crazy to go anywhere else and (b) has no choice but to talk about the business to his friends.

Left-field example: ski instructors.

My wife and I just spent a week skiing at Park City. We took advantage of a program called Ski College, which is an insanely cheap week of all-day lessons. She and I split off into different groups.

My instructor was a 5-foot tall dynamo of a woman who is intense in her ability to enthusiastically convey her craft. She makes sure everyone in her class knows they can have free demo equipment from the ski shop because of their association with her.

On the first day, she asks about your goals for the week and takes notes. At the end of five days, she hands you a written evaluation of your performance, with advice and tips to progress further.

She includes her email address and phone number.

My wife’s instructor is a party-hearty dude who is enthusiastic in his ability to convey fun. His girlfriend is skiing with the group. She’s crying on the other female students about the rocky nature of her relationship with him. At the end of the week, the instructor drinks some beer with his students. He basically fits a cliché of ski instructors.

My instructor fits the model of an aggressive entrepreneur whose business is about making things happen through creating customer loyalty.

She is a cult brand of her own.

Guess which of these two instructors had double the amount of tips at the end of five days. Guess which of these two professionals has an intensely loyal customer base that thrives on subsequent expensive private lessons.

SHE UNDERSTANDS PLANTING SEEDS

There’s no reason the other guy couldn’t be equally aggressive and thorough in his approach. But he’s a different kind of businessman. He’s pleasant enough. He banks on a captive audience. He’s waiting for customers to come to him. She isn’t coasting. She’s propelling her business on greased rails.

And she’s using tools readily available to ANY business. They’re inexpensive (if not free), they’re valuable, and they’re exactly what hooks the customers and keeps them coming back.

These tools are also the kinds of things that you and I can use in our own businesses and recommend for our clients.

Businesses in motion remain in motion.

Businesses at rest…

Well, you know.

As always,
Blaine Parker
Your Short, Fat Creative Director in
Park City
—————————

You all ready know that building relationships with clients who hire you again and again is one of the most important keys to your long-term success. I hope what Blaine and written above in the context of radio station advertising exectutives helps give you some fresh ideas about how to pursue that goal.

By the way, if you’d like Blaine to add you to his Hot Points email list, send him a note. Contact information is on his website.

Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (2)
CATCH 3.5 trailer

Posted December 28, 2008 by Bob

My friend Amy Snively has only a bit of screen time right in the middle of this chilling trailer from a new web series called Catch. She plays the Mom of the male lead.

My thanks to Amy for posting the link on the VO-BB.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
Expand your horizons

Posted by Bob

If you do voiceovers and you read this blog there’s a high probability you’re located somewhere in North America. I say this not just because this blog is written in English, but also becasue I look at my server logs. I know where the traffic is originating, at least in general terms. (I’m pleased to say that lots of folks visit from Europe, South America, Australia, India and so forth, too.)

John Florian recently published an interview on VoiceOverXtra with Nick Ivanov, CEO at Graffitti Studio, which is based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I recommend that you take a few minutes to read because you’ll find lots of interesting and thought-provoking comments in the article. I hope it expands your horizons, as it did mine.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
The Zatarain’s Man Sings Too!

Posted December 27, 2008 by Bob

Rodney Saulsberry has released his CD Better Than Before. Rodney isn’t just a superb voice actor and coach, he’s a mighty fine singer as well. Previews and purchase are available through his CD Baby page.

Update: Rodney emails with news that Better Than Before is now available on iTunes as well.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Rest in Peace, Eartha Kitt

Posted December 26, 2008 by Bob

Yesterday singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt passed away at the age of 81. You’ll find a great write-up about her and her contributions to the world of voiceover in this article at Big Cartoon Forum. My thanks to my friend Moe Egan for posting the links on the VO-BB.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
If you use Pro Tools …

Posted December 25, 2008 by Bob

You could look at this as a Christmas gift from Digidesign. Check out the post at Audio Geek Zine on the plugins from Digidesign for free. You read that right. Digidesign and free in the same sentence. (My thanks to my friend Steve Stone for emailing me this link.)

Category: General, Tools | Comments (2)
Merry Christmas – Ghost of Christmas Past edition

Posted December 24, 2008 by Bob

The inimitable Philip Banks, my friend and mentor, has been the source of many of the very best posts at the VO-BB. I’ve quoted some of them here (search on Philip Banks if you’d like to read them) and now it’s my great pleasure to again point you to something truly special. (Note: Kudos to Peter O’Connell for being the first to blog about this.)

On Monday, Philip proposed to us that we jointly record the classic Christmas poem T’was the Night Before Christmas.

The script made it way around the world, from the UK to the USA, Japan and back again. Then Mr. Banks put his final stamp on the entire proceeding, adding a wonderful musical background.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I think you’ll agree, a beautiful Christmas gift. I’m so grateful I was able to take part in the fun.

Here are the talented members of the VO-BB who took part, and the order in which they appear….

1. Philip Banks
2. DB Cooper
3. Peter O’Connell
4. Kara Edwards
5. Bob Souer
6. Diane Maggipinto
7. Todd Ellis
8. Connie Terwilliger
9. Brian Hart
10. Moe Egan
11. Greg Littlefield
12. Mary McKitrick
13. Michael Rhys
14. Liz de Nesnera
15. Frank Frederick
16. Tammy McDaniel
17. Greg Phelps
18. Marcy Worthington
19. Greg Allen
20. Caryn Clark
21. Frank Frederick
22. Liz de Nesnera
23. Michael Rhys
24. Mary McKitrick
25. Todd Ellis
26. Liz de Nesnera
27. David Monteath
28. Mary McKitrick
29. Philip Banks
30. Kara Edwards

Merry Christmas to you and to all those you love. And may your new New Year be filled with joy, peace and much success.
(Update: I’m bumping this to the top of the page again for Christmas Day!)

Category: General | Comments (8)
A Christmas Gift

Posted by Bob

My friend Dave Courvoisier blogs from his heart this morning about Christmas and a special first-born child.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
I have it on good authority

Posted December 23, 2008 by Bob

As in, I received an email from them, that James and Penny are offering some significant discounts to those who sign up for their VoiceActing Academy before the end of 2008.

Category: General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (0)
Voice actors read Twas the Night Before Christmas

Posted by Bob

Bringing this back for the season.

Category: General | Comments (2)
The new “bridges” podcast is released

Posted December 22, 2008 by Bob

One of my favorite clients has released their latest edition, Volume 20 of their “bridges” journal, which again includes several articles in podcast form that I’ve recorded and produced for them. All of the podcasts are availalbe on a separate page as well.

Category: General | Comments (0)
Unofficial audition at Peter O’Connell’s blog

Posted by Bob

Peter O’Connell is running another unoffical audition call on his blog, this time for the announcer position for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

Category: General | Comments (2)
Keep your home studio happy and healthy

Posted by Bob

Voice actor Mike Harrison offers some helpful thoughts about how to make sure your computer and other home studio equpment stays in top condition in an article published today on VoiceOverXtra. My thanks to my friend John Florian for the email note about this excellent article.

Category: General, Tools | Comments (0)
Happy Blogiversary Kara

Posted by Bob

My friend Kara Edwards celebrated her second blogiversary yesterday with a tour of her new studio in Tampa, FL where she and her husband have recently relocated after living in Charlotte, NC for the last several years. We miss Kara here in Charlotte, but the move (as she explains in her post) has given her an opportunity to build her new studio to her own custom specifications.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
Dan the man

Posted by Bob

My friend Dan Nachtrab has just done a really cool bit of work.

Yep. His first trailer. For Disney! Good for you, Dan. I’m thrilled to see how well things continue to go for you.

Category: General, People | Comments (4)
Tom’s cartoon turn

Posted December 21, 2008 by Bob

My friend Tom Dheere is featured as the voice of David the Frog in this cartoon pilot. Part one.

Upstate Four 1 from Krause Brothers on Vimeo.

Part two.

Upstate Four 2 from Krause Brothers on Vimeo.
Superb work, Tom. Well done.

Category: General, People | Comments (5)
Studying with Bob Bergen

Posted by Bob

Ed Liu has written a superb and detailed article about studying with Bob Bergen that’s now available on the Toon Zone site. Thank you, Ed for the terrific article and to Bob for posting the notice about it on Voiceover Universe.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
A birthday visit from friends

Posted December 20, 2008 by Bob

My dear friend Rowell Gormon and his wife Lisa have come by today to help me celebrate my birthday. Of course, we had to capture the moment digitally.

It’s ever so delightful to spend a day with friends and family.

Category: Blogging, General | Comments (2)
A tale from the road

Posted by Bob

My friend Mandy Nelson tells a fascinating story on VoiceOverXtra about her successful efforts to pack for a trip for a long trip and get everything including her recording gear into a single bag. If you ever need to record while traveling you’ll find a lot of valuable ideas in Mandy’s article.

Category: General, People, Tools | Comments (2)
Elfed on the Voiceover Universe

Posted December 19, 2008 by Bob

OK, this was just too good not to share. From my friend Zurek, the heart and soul behind the Voiceover Universe comes this bit of holiday madness.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Category: General, People | Comments (1)
Pat Fraley offers a greeting from Saint Nick

Posted by Bob

Or something like that. Check out the special page at Pat Fraley’s site for this message from Saint Jack Nick!

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
R.I.P. – Majel Barrett Roddenberry

Posted by Bob

Majel was seen on camera in both the original Star Trek series and in The Next Generation, but for us voice actors she will also be forever remembered as the voice of the Enterprise computer.

My thanks to my friend Dave Houston for posting the link to the article on the VO-BB.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Voiceover Isolation booth video – part 5

Posted December 18, 2008 by Bob

Michael Minetree emails this morning that has completed his voiceover booth project.

There are actually 2 videos this time.

You can read more about this project at Michael’s Minewurx Echos blog, here and here.

Category: General | Comments (0)
USB microphones

Posted December 17, 2008 by Bob

Loren Fry has done a superb job talking about USB microphones in an article published in Radio and Production Magazine.

Category: General, Tools | Comments (0)
Santa’s voiceover nightmare

Posted December 16, 2008 by Bob

I posted this last year, but it’s too good not to run again.

My favorite line? “That’s now how I wrote it.”

(update: My thanks to my friend Todd Ellis for posting the link to this video on the VO-BB.)

Category: General | Comments (2)
My first children’s audiobook is now available

Posted December 15, 2008 by Bob

I simply love recording audiobooks. Yes, they are a lot of work and usually at a rate of pay that’s well below what I earn for other kinds of long-form narrations. And far less than I get for commercials and other short-form work. But the thing I love best about being a voice actor is telling stories. For me, at least, many times the very best stories I get to tell are the audiobooks I read. So, I love recording audiobook.s

I’m especially delighted to tell you about my latest audiobook project, which is the first I’ve done for children. It’s from a wonderful company called Faith Audio Center and it’s called The Unbelievable (But True) Story of Moses. Maybe the most fun of all about this project is that I got to work with my youngest son, Brian. He has a small part at the very beginning of the audiobook. And I play three parts. You can hear two of them in the clip that’s available through the front page of the Faith Audio Center site.

Category: General | Comments (4)
Another peek behind the curtain

Posted by Bob

My friend and mentor Philip Banks uses YouTube to give us a glimpse into his world.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)

Bob Souer

Subscribe by email

Search

Categories

Archives

Blogs & Forums About Voiceover

Career

Favorite Sites

Female

Help for Blogging

Male

Other Blogs

Information

Site Navigation: