Or at least I hope it stays that way for a while. My undying gratitude to Alex at LearnCpp.com for coding the updates to my favorite theme, Tiga, so that it will work correctly with the latest updates to WordPress.
Blogging
Writing better links
With all of the folks joining us in the blogosphere these days, I hope you won’t mind if I pass along some age advice from some of my friends not involved in voiceover; folks who really understand how to build and market web sites. I mean, the top notch folks at Future Now. In particular I want to call your attention to the sage advice in this post from Jeff Sexton.
The key concept? The language you use for your links makes a huge difference on whether or not someone will click through. Good stuff, Jeff. Thank you.
Welcoming Dave Courvoisier to the voiceover blogosphere
My good friend Dave Courvoisier has just started a voiceover blog. Dave lives and works in Las Vegas, Nevada and I expect that will provide him with some unique opportunities to comment on things. Welcome Dave. I know I’m going to enjoy reading what you have to say.
By the way, check out Dave’s main site when you get a chance. I think you’ll agree, he’s a talented man.
Bee sure to check out Kara Edwards’ new site
OK. If you didn’t know this about me, I have a very serious affliction. I’m rather fond of puns. When you see Kara Edwards’ new web site, you’ll understand why I’m starting this post with this confession. Meanwhile, do check out Kara’s site. You can read Kara’s thoughts about the new design on her blog, which has also had a face lift.
As you’ll discover while reading Kara’s blog post, Nancy Wolfson was involved in all of these changes. Kara studies with her, as do I. In fact, lots of talented people study with Nancy. Maybe you should, too? (And when you sign up, if you mention to Nancy that you read about studying with her on this blog post about Kara Edwards, she’ll give Kara a free lesson.)
Podcasting advice from one who knows
Donna Papacosta first came to my attention through the Vox Daily blog. I’ve since added her to my blogroll because there’s a lot of solid and valuable advice there, especially if you want to podcast as well as or instead of blog. In particular, this post is filled with valuable suggestions.
A blog comes back to life
In my efforts to find and link to every blog of relevance to us in the voiceover world, I found one some time ago called Babble-Blog, the blog of the Babble On Recording Studios in Minnesota. While checking out the various links in my blogroll this evening, I was delighted to see that this formerly rather, uh let’s just say, quiet blog has a new look and new activity.
Great to see you guys, active. I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Welcoming Rowell Gormon to the voiceover blogosphere
My friend and fellow North Carolina based voiceover talent, Rowell Gormon has just entered the voiceover blogosphere with a brilliant first post. (My first entry is a pathetic shadow compared to Rowell’s fine writing.) Take a few minutes to read. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
And welcome to blogging, Rowell.
A podcast you don’t want to miss
Voiceover Experts is a new podcast for folks involved in the voiceover business. Hosted by Julie-Ann Dean, this podcast is very well done and chock full of good information.
Social Bookmarks
With my thanks to my friend Peter O’Connell for his post about this wonderful WordPress plugin, I’ve added Social Bookmarks to my site.
NC VO get-together gaining steam (updated)
My deepest thanks to Stephanie and the crew with VOX Talk, the voiceover podcast from Voices.com. They’ve highlighted our planned meet-up in Winston-Salem on their VOX Talk #29. And we hope you see you at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 23rd. Details are posted just a bit further into this blog. And if you know anyone else living and voiceovering in North Carolina, please pass the word.
Excellent blogging resources
Today, while following links that sprang from my server logs, I came across Kristen King’s blog called Inkthinker. Among other treasures, Kristen has compiled an excellent page of links with Tips for Bloggers, which I’ve just added to my blogroll, in the Blog Helps section.
I especially recommend the top two links on that page, first What’s In a Name? and second 10 Ways to Destroy Your Brand; both from Chris Garrett.
Very good stuff.
Welcoming Doc Phillips to the voiceover blogosphere
This evening I received a very nice email from Doc Phillips, one of the many talented people it’s been my pleasure to meet on the VO-BB.com, letting me know that he’s started a voiceover blog. I’ve added Doc’s blog and main site to my blogroll.
Welcome to the blogosphere, Doc. I’m sure, from reading the articles you’ve posted on your site in the past, that I’m going to enjoy reading your blog too.
Blogging with a business purpose
This voiceover blog, which was named The Voiceover Boblog on a whim when my blog father and good friend Steve Knight suggested I do so, has a business purpose. In other words, while there are lots of personal stories and comments from me here, my focus is on blogging about my main professional passion, working in voiceover.
I want to call your attention to a link I’ve just added to my blogroll under the Blogging Helps section. It’s to a superb article from the brilliant minds at Future Now. I highly recommend it to you, especially if you are now or are thinking about blogging with a business purpose.
Everything Acting’s newest podcast
With my thanks to Darbi over at Everything Acting, check out their latest podcast (Episode 27 if you’re reading this post in the archives) for an interview with Billy Serow, of Abram’s voiceover department.
Welcoming Jeffrey Kafer to the voiceover blogosphere
You’ll find Jeffrey Kafer’s first post on his voiceover blog when you click here. I must say, I think Jeffrey’s first post is a substantially better first post that mine. We’ll done Jeffrey. Much success to you, not only with your blogging, but with your voiceover career.
I’ve added you to my blogroll as well and look forward to reading your posts.
Instapundit Voiceovers
Glenn Reynolds, as you probably know, is the Instapundit and among the very elite in the blogosphere. He and his wife Helen also do a podcast from time to time, which involves recording and microphones and all that other stuff we deal with every day in the world of voiceover. (Well, OK, he doesn’t audition; but other than that!)
Now, you can peek into the Instapundit studio and media room, which has just undergone a significant upgrade. Very nice work, Glenn. And I wish you much continued success with your podcast.
Interviewed, again.
The good folks at Lit Between the Ears, a blog about audio drama, have interviewed me. You can read the post here.
Why blog?
Over at Vox Daily, Stephanie encourages you to start blogging about voiceover. And for that matter she encourages lots of folks to start blogging…
I foresee that coaches will be blogging, providing some value upfront via the blog about voice overs, vocal health, and present opportunities that lead to more students signing up for their classes.
It would be interesting to see casting directors and agents blogging as well.
Where ever you fit in the voiceover world, I encourage you to blog. Stephanie provides a number of valuable suggestions and reasons you should be blogging in here post. I encourage you to read the whole thing.
And if you do start a voiceover blog, drop me a comment here and let me know where to find your blog. If you do, I’ll add you to my blogroll.
10 Blogging Mistakes to Avoid
Thanks to the good folks at WordPress.org, the team that makes this blogging software I use, today I ran across a list of 10 Blogging Mistakes to Avoid by John Chow. Good stuff, John. Thank you.
Getting from here to there
I’ve made a couple of changes and additions to my blogroll today. Changes that I’d like to call to your attention. First, I’ve changed the label for one section from Writing to Career. Dan O’Day, Dick Orkin, Roy H. Williams and Kristine Oller are all people to whom you should listen and from whom you would do well to learn.
But, I especially want to call your attention to the second Kristine Oller link, which is in the section titled Blogging Friends. First, Kristine is indeed a friend. And, she’s now blogging. But, it’s the specific focus of her blog to which I want to call your attention. It’s a blog intended to help you get from where you are now, (with a foot in two, three, maybe 12 baskets), to where you want to be, making your living doing what you love.
Here’s one of the key paragraphs from her first post…
As someone who used to act plus make copies, I know the frustration of having to squeeze your creative expression into the nooks and crannies of your weekly schedule and, on occasion, having to shove it to the side of your life altogether. I also know that this kind of daily grind, if it continues for too many years, can utterly deplete your creative spirit. And once your joy and passion start to fade, burnout (and its nasty cousin, bitterness) can invade.
And she closes with these stirring thoughts…
[T]oday, I am fortunate enough to wake up every morning able to make my living doing things that I love to do. I hope the same will soon be true for you as well.
I plan to make Kristine’s blog a regular stop. I hope you will, too.