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Career Advice

Actor’s Tool-Kit #2

Career Advice, General

ACTOR’S TOOL KIT #2

ACTING LIKE YOU’RE A BUSINESS

by Bob Fraser

OUR REAL BUSINESS

Too often we actors get so caught up in the sub-atomic details of our ‘inner lives,’ our insatiable desire to perform, the lengths to which we will go – to satisfy that itch, our financial distress, and our recent lousy experiences with the business – that we tend to neglect our REAL interests.

Take it from an old fish – who has traversed these waters for 4 decades – in real life, it is an absolute necessity to view your acting career as a business. A small business to be sure, but one that has the real potential to grow into a rather large small business.

And, as naturally as putting on weight follows Krispy Kremes and Coca Cola, we must conclude that in order to have a successful small business, we are probably going to have to learn some skills that will help us in … ‘Anyone? Anyone? – Bueller?’ …

BUSINESS.

It is very important to really understand the concept that your business is very much like any other small business. The first concern of business is to develop a large group of satisfied customers.

Here’s where some actors come a cropper. Other actors, production companies, agents, managers, casting folks … they are the suppliers, sales people, distributors, co-contractors, and marketing people. My friends, they are OTHER businesses, with whom you hope to do some joint ventures.

These other show biz folk are NOT your customers. The actors’ customers are called “the audience.”

Forget this (or argue with it) at your own risk.

CUSTOMER BASE & PUBLIC RELATIONS

The bigger the customer-base we bring to the table, the more our business is going to flourish. Which brings up the second rule of sustaining a “going concern:”

Keep improving the product. You are the product … the rest is self-explanatory.

Public relations, sales, advertising and referral business contacts are four fundamental areas that also must be attended to. These things are what bring you new business. They are all important to sales. You will probably have to start out doing these things on your own.

Public relations is mainly about being nice. Charming. Memorable – in a good way.

SALES

When it comes to sales, here are a few important concepts:

Be dependable. Why do you think you hear “It’s dependable” on so many commercials? Dependable (on time, off book, in the zone) is a big part of the sales pitch.

Deliver the goods. Delivery is another big advertising pitch for good reason.

Be easy to work with. This is a good beginning, but the key phrase you want attached to your efforts is: “A JOY to work with.”

ADVERTISING

Since advertising is a scientific enterprise, your headshot and resume (and your online presence) can be tested for effectiveness – so you should test.

For instance, direct mail advertisers (who mail unsolicited sales pitches) consider 3% a minimum effective return. It follows that we should consider our unsolicited direct mail the same way. If you are not getting called in 3 times for every 100 headshots (or other mailings) you send – maybe it’s time to try another headshot or mailer.

Test. Which means you have to keep accurate records. Like sitting down and counting and listing and math and stuff. I know – yuck. But if you don’t do it, who is going to do it for you?

Referral business contacts. This is the sole reason to act without getting paid. Student films, equity-waiver, and actor-collective productions are okay, IF you are meeting and working with people who are better than you are. If you are the best in the group, it’s probably time to move on.

The best way to make business contacts is to be involved in your own life and your own business. Like love, business contacts will come to you in the strangest places. You will meet people at the gym – the museum – the produce section – the Krispy Kreme
store…

THE RULES

Try very hard not to be anxious, or grasping, or needy – or – just like with love – you can ‘go too fast.’

In the final analysis, you will have to handle the elemental business things of your acting career – or they won’t get done. All you have to do is be nice, dependable and a joy to work with. You’ll also want to become an advertising number cruncher, a memorable collaborator and paying attention to your customers – all while still having an outside life.

If this is not how you naturally behave, and you can’t (or won’t) develop these habits – well, there are other businesses where being nice and a joy to work with aren’t that important – like … morgue attendant.

Just kidding. I know you. I know you’ll pay attention to business.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: THE SEVEN ACTING MYTHS

======================================================

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint articles from Actor’s Tool-Kit, on your website or electronic newsletter. However, in order to comply with my copyright, you must also include the following paragraph with your reprint:

“Reprinted from ACTOR’S TOOL KIT, the email course just for subscribers of Show Biz How-To — The Free Actor’s Monthly. Get your own free subscription by going to: showbizhowto.com

Copyright © 2006 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved”

======================================================

PRIVACY STATEMENT: Bob Fraser Productions will NEVER share your personal information with anyone. Ever. Period.

============================================================

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Consonance

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover

I’ve written a number of times in the last few weeks, encouraging you to join me (and lots of our fellow voiceover professionals) at V.O.I.C.E. International in March of this year. So, I think it’s very cool that the voice casting site a name so similar to the conference has signed on as a major sponsor of the event.

As noted in her comment a couple of message below, and as you can read about in this news report, Voices.com has signed on as a major sponsor of V.O.I.C.E. International.

I hope I get to meet you there, too.

Update: More information from Stephanie is available through Vox Daily and VOX Talk.

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From Radio to Voiceover, a correspondence

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People

The other day as I was looking through my server logs and noticed I was getting some traffic from a site I hadn’t seen before so I clicked over to check it out. The site was Clark W. Michael’s. So, I wrote him a quick note of thanks for the link, and to let him know I’d added him to my voiceover blogroll.
His response to that email prompted some correspondence I thought useful enough to share, so I asked Clark’s permission, which he has graciously granted, to post here.
He wrote…

Thanks for the link back. Appreciate it. I usually take a look at your blog about every morning and find it helpful and enjoy the friendly tone of your site.

Thank you. I’m delighted to know you’re enjoying the site. I’m happy to take a few minutes to try to answer your questions. You’ve made some important observations, to which I’ll respond in a moment; but first a couple of concrete suggestions:
1. Join the VO-BB.com. Lurk. Read the archives (I’ve read all of them, which took a long time, but was worth every hour it took.) Lurk some more. Post some questions when you feel like you’re ready. Post some answers when you have them. It’s a great on-line community and you’ll be glad you’re a part.
2. If you can possibly work out the schedule and finances, join us in Las Vegas at the end of March at the V.O.I.C.E. conference. It’s going to be an incredible time of learning, meeting loads of other people at all kinds of difference stages of their career, etc.
I’ve put the responses to your questions below, in among your questions. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I’ll do my best to answer.

I’m a radio guy and just beginning the arduous process of seeking voice work. Not easy at all. I’ve got a lot to learn and have come to the conclusion that I need to get on the phone and solicit work if I’m going to find any.

Work rarely falls into our laps with gift-wrap and a bow. While I’ve had that happen a few times, it’s usually the result of relationship that have been built over a long period of time; and not just some random event. But, before you start making phone calls looking for work you need: 1.) training (as you note above, there’s a lot to learn); 2.) a great demo for each category of voiceover work you’re trying to find (imaging, promo, commercial, narration, etc.); 3. a plan for how your not only going to “put yourself out there” but how you’re going to keep track of what’s working and what’s not working in your marketing plan. (Without this plan, and the ability to track and compare, you’ll never know where to concentrate greater resources and what to leave behind.)

I have an account with Voices.com, but that has proved rather fruitless.

My experience with Voice123.com and Voices.com has gone like this: I get cast about 4 times as often through Voice123.com as I do through Voices.com and most of my work through Voices.com has come as a result of direct contacts while my work through Voice123.com has mostly come through auditioning. But, I have a good friend for whom almost the exact opposite is true. Most of his work has come through Voices.com and little through Voice123.com. There’s no magic formula. When you audition, you do the very best work you can, send it, and forget it. Maybe every 3 months, you do a little comparison to see what’s working and what’s not (see my note above about planning, tracking and comparing); but I look at my membership fees at these sites as exactly what they are: advertising dollars. I spend it for the the doors of opportunity it opens, not for guaranteed work.

I’ve also come to the conclusion that radio and voice over are almost two different worlds.

You’ve just said a mouthful!

One would not assume that until investigating what it is you guys do to make a living. Hard work. Lots of rejection. I would guess most of the time you never hear back from the people for which you audition. That’s certainly true for me.

Correct. I rarely hear back from auditions, unless I’m cast. Of course, that’s what you want to hear!

I admire your tenacity and am realizing that that seems to be the key character trait necessary to find steady work.

Without persistence, you’ll give up. No one ever won anything by giving up. No one ever succeeded at anything by giving up.

I image you’re quite busy doing what you do, but if you have time — I’d sure appreciate any hints you can offer to steer me in a productive voice over direction.

See points #1 and #2 above.

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However you can manage it

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, Tools

I hope you will plan to join me and many of your fellow voiceover professionals at the V.O.I.C.E. conference the last week of March 2007. We are going to learn so much. We are going to have such a great time.

Pat Fraley, Bob Bergen, MJ Lallo, Rodney Saulsberry, DB Cooper, Frank Frederick, James Alburger, Penny Abshire, Connie Terwilliger, Bettye Zoller, Chris Wagner, Gregory Best, Dave Courvoisier, and even more players to be named later. Whether you know all of these names, some of them or even none; every one of them is a working voiceover professional who is willing to dig into his or her bag of tricks and share with you.

I sure hope I’ll see you there.

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Harvesting follows planting

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover

Never the other way around. As a kid who grew up in the farm country of North Central Minnesota, I knew this kernel of truth before I knew how to ride a bicycle.
My friend Brian Haymond has a excellent post on the value of planting voiceover seeds. What? Read it. You’ll see what I mean.
Like me, Brian lives in Charlotte, NC. So, while I’m on the subject of voiceover guys in Charlotte, today I received a very nice email of greeting from another voiceover guy in Charlotte, Jon Carter. I’ve added Jon to my blogroll to the left.

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Golden Handcuffs

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover

Every week at the end of her regular The Actor’s Voice column, Bonnie Gillespie has a section titled Your Turn. While I think her new column is stellar, and almost every word applies in some way to people trying to get into the world of voiceover work; but what I really want to call to your attention is the Your Turn section at the bottom of this column.

Here’s the question to which Bonnie responds…

I’m here in NY. (Yea!) I’ve managed to get a temp job (happened fairly quickly) and an apartment (took three months and at the “low” rent of $1200/month for a 1-bedroom). I’ve had some good acting success with a number of indie films and TV pilots so far and I’ve even had the lead in an NYU student film (and I’ve only been here a couple of months). I can feel my confidence increasing and opportunities opening up. I feel it won’t be long before I start making some money with my acting, in spite of all the input from everywhere about how limited opportunities are. I have just ignored all of that and moved full steam ahead into my work. So here is my question.

The temp job that I’ve been working is looking to hire the position I’ve been in permanently. They’ve been flexible with me as a temp to take whatever time I’ve needed for moving and acting but I’m worried that if I take a permanent position with them I’ll lose that flexibility. On the other hand, I need to make that $1200/month just to cover my rent. I’d like some input from people out there who are working actors. Is a bird in the hand really better than two in the bush? Do I opt for a more financially secure position knowing that the loss of flexibility could possibly cost me work?

Thanks for any input. And as always, thanks for the great column. You are an incredible resource for all of us.

Bonnie’s response is brilliant, transparent and full of great advice. Here’s a key thought…

I had to trust that I was going to be able to make a living, because there is no guarantee that you will, when you choose the freelance lifestyle. I had done the “job security” thing the last time I had moved across the country for this crazy career. I was not going to fall for that again! They’re called golden handcuffs for a reason. The job takes care of you and you get used to living a certain way. And then you’re stuck. And you’re not pursuing acting anymore. Or if you are, it’s like a hobby you barely have time for. And that’s not why you moved to a major market, right?

Read the whole thing, main column and Your Turn. It’s well worth your time.

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Getting from here to there

Blogging, Career Advice, General, People

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.

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How to change the past, the present and the future

Career Advice, General

For some years I’ve known how to change the past. While I’ve spoken about this to some of my friends, I’ve never written about it before. It’s actually very difficult, and yet, simple as can be.
It’s called forgiveness.
No, this isn’t a trick. Nor a joke. Your past will change, dramatically, when you forgive those who have hurt you, betrayed you, or done whatever other harm to you. Yes, this is true even if they never admit the wrong. The past changes, because you change your view of the past, your memory of the past, when you truly forgive.
These thoughts came to mind today because of two things I’ve read in the last 2 days. Both are related, yet the focus of each is in a slightly different direction.
Stephanie at Vox Daily writes today in response to something she heard on the radio. While she doesn’t say these exact words, the thrust of her comments are about changing your present. Stephanie does a beautiful job of connecting this idea to the world of voiceover…

…imaging something happy could make your voice happier sounding; a poignant memory could make your voice sound melancholic; imaging that you’ve just stubbed your toe could even make you feel pain… ouch!

And, for those times when life is grinding you down…

…look through old family photo albums. Remembering happy times and seeing images of people you love has an amazing effect on your spirit and outlook.

As for changing the future? That was the explicit point of this week’s Monday Morning Memo by Roy H. Williams. Here are the key paragraphs…

The cognoscenti will remember me saying, “A person can take no action until they’ve first imagined that action in their mind. Persuasion begins when a person imagines themselves doing what you want them to do.”
Last week, The National Academy of Sciences added to our understanding by making it clear: Our ability to imagine the future is linked to our memories of the past.

If you’d rather listen to Roy’s audio recording of his memo, you’ll find that file here. Listen or read, but take in the whole thing. You’ll be glad you did. And while you’re there, why not sign up for Roy’s Memo every week?
There you have it. The past, the present and the future…all inextricably linked through our memories.

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Actor’s Tool-Kit #1

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People

Recently I subscribed to an excellent service from Bob Fraser called Show Biz How-To. Bob’s information is focused toward on-camera actors for television and film; but there’s a bunch of valuable information that applies to those of us who act entirely or mostly with our voices. I’ve asked his permission to reprint the series of Actor’s Tool-Kits that he sends to his subscribers, and he has given me permission. What follows is the first installment. I’ll post more of these in the coming weeks. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
——————————————-
ACTOR’S TOOL KIT #1
ACTING FOR MONEY
by Bob Fraser
One of my hobbies, during my active career, was watching the results of other show biz folks. I kept journals for about 5 years, then I noticed that I didn’t need to keep a journal because it was becoming redundant. The fact is, that all the successful people I met over 40 years, (and when I say ALL I mean 100%) were capitalists.
I don’t mean that in a political way – I’m talking about store-keeper capitalism. All the successful people I’ve known in the show business are successful because they are good business people. Good store-keepers.
The other side of the coin is the unsuccessful actor, writer, director, producer, etc. Believe me, most of them are not untalented, or unlucky, or unconnected. Generally, their real problem is that they are just lackadaisical business people.
The biggest mistake I see is the total time and energy the unsuccessful actor puts into the business. This amount of time can be described as: not enough.
IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCT
If we are not working at our business to keep things running smoothly on a daily basis, if we ever sit back and wait for things to happen, stop marketing and promoting, or quit trying new ideas to get people into our store (to buy our product) well, every business around us will say a big thank you – and grab our customers.
If we don’t devote enough time to our business, if we don’t plan what we’re doing, if we don’t put in a lot of thought and energy, if we don’t have vision, if we’re not excited by it all, then, then the sad truth is that we’re just not going to get very far. we’re going to be crawling along, while all around us, sincere, hard working capitalists will be charging past.
What can you do to become a better capitalist? A good start is to understand the difference between actually being in business and just having the store open.
The number one way to improve your business is to improve your product. The best product is not always what the customer buys – but it’s always the product the customer wants. Your odds improve as your product gets better.
Be sure to advertise. If one kind of advertising isn’t working – try something else. (Get new headshots until you get one that works.)
It doesn’t hurt to keep the store open 12 hours a day.
Don’t worry about hiring a salesman (An Agent) until you’ve done a lot of market testing and selling, yourself.
You want a smart salesman and a smart salesman knows better than to try to sell an untested and unproven product. An agent cannot afford to sell one of his customers (studios and producers) a sub-par product. Keep in mind that your salesman will probably represent a lot of different “lines” and he will give more attention to the better ones.
Always present your product (you) in the best possible way.
The key to good business is to accentuate the benefits of the product and work hard to eliminate any reasons for the customer not to buy. This requires a lot of thought.
After all, your product is a human being and we all have flaws – which sometimes (after some thought) – turn out to be benefits.
WORKING HARD AND SMART
That’s what capitalism is: Taking your product out into the marketplace, defining your customer base, doing good product testing and research, hiring good salespeople, advertising well, and keeping the store open late.
Watch the capitalists around you. You know, the folks who run their own dry cleaning store, sandwich shop, or quick print center. If they are successful, study them carefully and find out how they run their businesses. You will discover that most of them work very hard.
Is it worth working very hard?
Well, their dream is probably just security. Our dream, on the other hand, is fame, fortune, respect and a bit of immortality.
And security.
Don’t kid yourself, it’s a capitalist’s dream … with a twist and a cherry on top.
The question is – how hard are you willing to work to achieve your dream?
Keep in mind that the number one benefit of capitalism is the money – and money equals freedom.
I think that’s a dream we can all get behind.
NEXT INSTALLMENT: ACTING LIKE YOU’RE A BUSINESS
============================================================
PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint articles from Actor’s Tool-Kit, on your website or electronic newsletter.
However, in order to comply with my copyright, you must also include the following paragraph with your reprint:
“Reprinted from ACTOR’S TOOL KIT, the email course just for subscribers of Show Biz How-To — The Free Actor’s Monthly.
Get your own free subscription by going to: showbizhowto.com
Copyright © 2006 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved”
======================================================================================
PRIVACY STATEMENT: Bob Fraser Productions will NEVER share your personal information with anyone. Ever. Period.
======================================================================================

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Shut up and talk

Career Advice, General, People

My friend Mary C. McKitrick manages to pull voiceover, karate and classical orchestral music into one cogent and thought-provoking whole is this wonderful post on her blog.
And while you’re there at Mary’s blog, be sure to check out this post as well, which gives you a chance to hear a wonderfully done flash animation for which Mary provided the voice.

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Keep learning

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, Tools

If you’re not honing your craft, learning how to do a better job of marketing yourself, or otherwise improving your life personally and professionally, you’re losing ground. It may not seem like it right now, but that’s because sometimes the ground losses are subtle enough that you don’t notice. But, it’s happening.
This year, in March, you have an opportunity to learn on several levels. Craft. Marketing. Networking. Auditioning. And more. Yes, I’m talking about V.O.I.C.E., the Voice Over International Creative Experience.
And here’s another reason you should be there in Las Vegas, March 27 through 31, 2007: Pat Fraley is going to be there to teach his new seminar called 26 Slick Tricks Smuggled Out of Hollywood. I look forward to seeing you there and to learning along side you.

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Are you derailing your own efforts?

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover

My friend Dave Christi has some very cogent thoughts for you about marketing yourself. Here is the key question…

“What is YOUR marketing strategy?” As an independent voice artist, you are a business owner. It doesn’t matter if you are running your business full-time or part-time, you’re President, CEO, CFO, and YES, marketing director, of your own business. So what, Mr. or Ms. Marketing Director, is your marketing strategy?

Read the whole thing. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

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The secret sauce for your career

Career Advice, General, People

There is a secret sauce recipe in this post at Adam Creighton’s blog that, if you follow these directions, will have a startlingly beneficial effect on your voiceover career.

Now, keep in mind that Adam is writing from the point of view of an actor pursuing on-camera work as well as voiceover work. In the case of someone (like me) who only does voiceover work, the comments about a headshot don’t really apply. But, preparing a personal “thank you” card for each of your auditions…brilliant. Having your own business cards? Pretty obvious, don’t you think? (Note to self: get the business cards done!)

The key point, about expressing gratitude for the opportunities you receive…is vitally important. I thought this was the best bit of the whole post…

I’ve heard people say, “I didn’t send a card, because I sucked at the audition.”

Get over yourself! Send a thank you card, and acknowledge the person for taking out of their day to spend with you. You’re sucking didn’t make their sacrifice any less.

A simple expression of gratitude. You’ll see. It will make a world-changing difference in your life.

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How to ask for a critique

Career Advice, General, People

Doc Phillips has a number of valuable and useful articles on his site. I think one of the best is called “If you can’t take the criticism, DON’T ask for it!”
Here are a couple of key points…

Don’t make the mistake of asking your significant other, best buddy, grandma or bartender. I guarantee they will be inclined to praise your talent(s). Why? Because they care about you and don’t want to hurt your feelings. There’s another very good reason. They don’t do your work.

NEVER argue with your mentor concerning their critique of your work. NEVER attempt to defend why you read a line this way, or why you chose this entrance over that entrance. Instead, thank them for taking their time to help you. Also, take from the critique what you can use – then, chuck the rest!

Good thoughts from a talented man. Doc’s site is here. You’ll find more valuable articles from Doc here.

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Another tasty load of…Philip Banks

Career Advice, General, People

Posted today on the VO-BB by Mr. Banks, in response to the one year anniversary of working in the voiceover business by one of our colleagues were these 16 years of lessons learned…as he put it, “from an elderly and frail man a few random thoughts.”

1990 – No matter what you believe there is nothing better than speaking to the decision makers and getting your demo in front of them.

1991 – Keep looking for those elusive new clients and keep your existing clients happy.

1992 – Aim high as the person you know will say “No” may surprise you and say “yes.”

1993 – Get to know the people who work alongside your clients and producers as most will be the clients of the future. Get to know them, DON’T network them.

1994 – Don’t work for nothing, but be prepared to make a loss, as in the long term the loss will prove to have been an investment.

1995 – Steer clear of the gossips, moaners and negs. You believe you are able to rise above them, but in truth you will catch yourself stooping to their level and one day you’ll moan about the wrong person to the wrong person.

1996 – When someone gives you a tip it’s usually because they’ve been given a better one. Good or bad, always say thank you and never say “I knew that” even if you did.

1997 – Do the jobs you hate doing as often as possible. Master those and when the jobs you love come along your star will shine brightly.

1998 – Don’t become a Voice Over bore, most people really don’t care. To be interesting one first must become interested.

1999 – Wise up to the users. Introduce the word “No” into your vocabulary and learn to use it without malice, vitriol or bitterness.

2000 – Let people know you are open to offers, work is work. The reason you aren’t being asked could be because people think you are not interested.

2001 – Embrace change but don’t follow the pack. Get better at making what works for you WORK BETTER.

2002 – Are you kidding yourself that one market makes you money or is it just taking more of your time than the profitable jobs? If you think something is not worth the effort you’re probably right –- Fortune really does favour the brave.

2003 – Life 1st, Voice Over work 2nd. For some strange reason if you concentrate on the 1st you get more of the 2nd.

2004 – Don’t send wine by the bottle, send it by the case. Most of the people for whom you work do not earn $300 per hour. A “Thank you” package can really make someone’s day.

2005 – Set yourself goals and stick to them. If the goals don’t make you think “I’m not sure if I’ll …..” they’re too low.

2006 – If you want to play, enjoy. If you want to get somewhere as a Voice Over you have to earn the right to play and it takes serious commitment. Be nice, be approachable, be easy to work with, be honest even when tempted to do otherwise. It’s worth bearing mind that people don’t have to like you, they have to hire you.

2007 – To anyone who got this far. May yours be happy, healthy, peaceful, prosperous and full of dreams come true.

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I’m going to make my first trip to Las Vegas

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, Tools

At the end of March 2007, I’m going to make my very first trip to Las Vegas. Not to gamble. In fact, if you come too, we’ll both be there for a sure thing. What sure thing? Making the leap to the next level in your voiceover career.
Yes, I believe that’s what I’m going start, based on what I’ll experience March 27 through 31, 2007 at the Palace Station hotel. If you come, you’ll gain the same benefits.
If you’d like to know more about V.O.I.C.E., the event I’m talking about, check out their website voice-international.com. Once you’ve read over everything, then click on this registration page to sign up.
Will you be there? Let me know. I look forward to meeting you in March.

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VOICE in Las Vegas

Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover

By now there should be two key things you’ve learned from reading this voiceover blog, if you want to be truly successful as a voiceover talent. Always work on improving the art and craft part of your work. Always work on improving the business part your work.
If you’re great at marketing yourself, and you find lots of work as a voiceover talent; but you can’t deliver the goods once you’ve been cast, you’ll have a very short career.
If you’re a brilliant talent, can make grown men weep and women swoon with your voice; but you have no idea how to market yourself and find work, you’ll have an equally short career.
Both sides of the equation are equally important.
Which is why, if you’re serious about your voiceover career, you should make plans now to attend VOICE in Las Vegas, March 27 – 31, 2007. I’ve already paid my registration to attend. I’ve already bought my plane ticket. I will not miss this opportunity to improve both sides of the voiceover equation.
Read about it here. Register here.

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