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The Fastest Hour in eLearning I had an eLearning narration session for a new client the other day. We blocked out two hours to record a 2,000-word script, which is a fairly standard timeframe. An hour later, we were done. We had recorded the full script, done a complete playback for corrections, and nailed the retakes. Everyone was thrilled. It was one of those sessions that just clicked. While the engineer was doing some final edits, one of the end-clients on the line asked me a couple of questions that got me thinking. "How do you work so fast, make so few mistakes, and put the right emphasis on the right words the first time?" My answer? Experience and a great script. The Anatomy of a "Perfect" eLearning Session I explained that after narrating in the same genres for over 20 years, you start to see the patterns. You develop an instinct for the rhythm, the flow, and the attitude of the copy. This allows you to lock into the client's desired style much faster. It also helped that their script was well-written, which makes a voice actor's job infinitely easier. Then came the follow-up question: "How much do you practice the script before the recording session?" I told them the truth. "I barely even read them, much less practice them." They were shocked. And honestly, I get it. It sounds like a mix of arrogance and malpractice. But it's neither. It's the result of decades of doing the work before  I get the work. But let me be clear: this is a classic "do as I say, not as I do" scenario. My goal here isn't to tell you to stop preparing. It's to show you what to focus your preparation on so that one day, you can also rely on your instincts. Three Strategic eLearning Narration Tips eLearning narration is a specialized skill. It requires you to flex a specific set of muscles quickly and effectively. If you want to build the experience that leads to faster sessions and happier clients, focus your energy here. 1. Flex Your Acting Muscles (Yes, Even for eLearning) I know it sounds crazy, but taking acting classes—especially improv—will make you a better eLearning narrator. The core of narration isn't just reading words; it's conveying a message in a way that connects with the listener. Improv teaches you how to make copy sound more conversational, more organic, and how to make strong, confident choices in the moment. That's the secret to sounding like a relatable expert instead of a robot. 2. Create a Pre-Flight Checklist Effective preparation is about risk management. Your job is to eliminate as many potential problems as possible before  you hit record. My "no-prep" method works because I’ve internalized this checklist over thousands of sessions. For you, it should be a deliberate process. Ask Good Questions:  Is there a style guide? Who is the target audience? Look Up Pronunciations:  Never assume. Look up technical terms, names, and acronyms in advance. Find Reference Material:  Ask the client for other videos they’ve produced, or find some on their website. This gives you a clear target for the brand's voice. Ask for the Music:  If a music track has been chosen, ask to hear it. The music instantly informs the mood, tone, and pace of the project. It’s a massive strategic advantage. 3. Master the Art of Looking Ahead This one is a more advanced technique, so don't rush it if you're early in your VO journey. Learn to use your peripheral vision to read the next line while you're narrating the current one. I know, it sounds like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. But once you get the hang of it, you'll see what's coming next and be better prepared to make a strong acting choice or nail a tricky transition. It also dramatically cuts down on misreads—assuming you don't accidentally mash a word from the next line into the one you're currently narrating. I've... uh... never done that. ;) Want More eLearning Strategies? The tips above will help you perform better in  the booth, but what about building a business around this type of work? eLearning is one of the most consistent and profitable genres in voice over, offering a level of stability that many freelancers need. To give you a deeper understanding of the opportunities, I created a how-to video, "eLearning: The Stable VO Genre."  In it, I break down why this genre is a strategic pillar for a voice over business and how you can get started. Click here to stream the full video along with a bunch of other great videos that will move your voice over business forward! The goal isn't to skip rehearsal. The goal is to build the right skills so that your preparation is efficient and your performance is instinctive. TIP OF THE WEEK Saturday, September 25th @8PM ET: "Set Goals and Build a Business Plan" . Now is the perfect time to create your voiceover business plan and set your goals for the next week, month, quarter, and year. In this online workshop, I will walk you through how to determine what success can look like for you and how to make it happen. Thursday, September 30th @8PM ET: Marketing 201 webinar "The Sales Funnel" . In this class, students will explore the concept of the “Sales Funnel,” and how it can yield more paying clients in the long run if used properly. HAPPY HAPPYS Happy Batman Day and Butterscotch Pudding Day ! QUOTE OF THE WEEK I am so sick of people taking out their insecurities on me. American Beauty (1999) Tom Dheere is the VO Strategist , a voice over business & marketing coach and demo producer since 2011. He is also a voice actor with over 20 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voiceover you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Analytics, ROI, and Voice Actors As a voice actor, understanding your metrics is crucial to refining your strategy and growing your business. My conversation with Anne Ganguzza shed light on the importance of tracking analytics to measure marketing impact, analyze revenue, improve auditions, and retain clients. Tom's Top Takeaways Marketing Metrics Matter:  Tracking website visitors, social media engagement, and email open rates helps voice actors see what marketing efforts resonate. This data informs smarter decisions to reach potential clients. Follow the Money:  Understanding where income comes from (e.g., specific clients, marketplaces, or job types) guides voice actors in targeting high-value opportunities. It's essential to know what works financially. Audition Analytics:  Keeping tabs on auditions submitted, landing rates, and feedback received helps voice actors identify areas for skill improvement. This self-analysis is key to getting hired more often. Client Retention is King:  Tracking client return rates shows which relationships are fruitful. Voice actors should focus on delighting consistent clients to ensure a steady stream of work. Our conversation emphasized that metrics only tell part of the story. Voice actors must manage expectations and consider the bigger picture. Numbers are tools, not the sole measure of success. By tracking the right analytics, voice actors can make data-driven choices to elevate their careers. Keep going - watch this next: Know Your Numbers, Grow Your VO Business a.k.a. Track Your Voice Over Business Watch this trailer then click the button below to rent this How-To video for only 5 BUCKS! Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... Through VO Strategist , Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

Vocal health is critical for all voice actors. Here’s why I bring it up… Last week a fellow voice actor posted on social media about a lost voiceover gig because of laryngitis. It was self-inflicted due to singing in a social setting the night before and the client couldn’t push back the recording date. Talk about a tough pill to swallow! Sorry. I was groaning as I wrote that... That’s a rough situation to be in and I do sympathize with the talent, to a point. I’m not gonna sit here from my perch and pass judgement on a “rookie mistake” either because I make mistakes all the time and I’ve been doing voiceovers for 20+ years. Nobody knows everything about anything. TIP OF THE WEEK All voice actors must engage in smart vocal health practices all the time. Vocal Health Rule #1: Know Your Voice . Determine which part of the day your voice is at its best. For example, I’ve learned that my voice is warmed up about one hour after I wake up. My voice is at its best around midday. For others it’s in the morning, evening, or even at night. Experiment with different vocal warm-ups to determine which is best for you (loosening your jaw, widening your range, etc.) Vocal Health Rule #2: Know your limits . Be smart about smoking, drinking, vaping, singing, and shouting. Ideally, do these as little as possible! Smoking and vaping are nasty, filthy, smelly, expensive, potentially deadly habits so don’t do them ever. Having the occasional drink, Karaoke session, or screaming your face off at a concert or sporting event is fine once in awhile, but timing is everything. Everyone has different tolerance levels and recovery times for different stimuli. For example, if I’m going to have more than one drink, attend a party, concert, etc. I know that I need 48 hours recovery time to ensure I’m in tip-top vocal shape. Some people need less time to recover, others need more (See Vocal Health Rule #1). Vocal Health Rule #3: HYDRATE . Hydration is everything. You should be incorporating water into your fluid intake every single day, especially when travelling or attending events. There are various suggestions out there as to how much water you should consume, but many are biased by the bottled water industry’s marketing efforts so do your due diligence. Here’s a WebMD article that may help. BTW I’m a coconut water nut and I drink it every day. For me it aids in hydration & digestion and I think it’s yummy. You can read more about it here. Just like everything else in life; when it comes to vocal health do your homework, pay attention, and make good (ahem, grownup) decisions! UPDATE! It's been six years since I wrote this blog and things have changed for me! Nowadays, as soon as I wake up, I have some coconut water for hydration and I'm in the booth within fifteen minutes. My voice has never felt stronger! NEWS AND NOTES Booking Out Notice! We’re going to Maui for our honeymoon Saturday, October 5th to Wednesday, October 16th . I’ll be in town for one day then Friday, October 17th I head to Baltimore for a conference. I’ll be back in town Monday, October 21st so IF I’m not dead I’ll be back in my booth Tuesday, October 22nd. I will be bringing my mobile rig for auditions and small projects. Thursday, October 24th @8:oo PM EST: “Business and Money 201” Webinar, ‘Time Management’. In this one-hour webinar, I’ll talk about how to set your priorities and focus day-to-day on moving your voiceover business forward. Tuesday, October 29th @8PM EST: Marketing 201 webinar, ‘Keeping Clients Coming Back’. In this one-hour webinar, I’ll tell you the REAL secret to client retention. HAPPY HAPPYS Happy International Poke Day and Cyber Security Awareness Month ! QUOTE OF THE WEEK If someone wants to be a part of your life they'll make an effort to be in it. Don't bother reserving a space in your heart for someone who doesn't make effort to stay. Lorenzo Dozier, 31 Days to Live Tom Dheere is a 20+year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for hundreds of clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a voiceover business & marketing consultant known as the VOStrategist and produces the comic book “ Agent 1.22 ”.

Want to set your voice over clients up for success? What are key questions to ask clients before a job? With a Voiceover Project Service Guarantee, you'll never forget to ask the right questions and share the right info for every voiceover project you do! With examples of how to address everything from audio file formatting to the dreaded Retake Policy, you'll see how to set up your voiceover clients (and yourself) for successful projects using open lines of communication, and avoiding surprises for either side.

Effective collaboration with your voiceover clients is critical. I recently did an in-person recording session here in NYC. It was me, the engineer, and the client. The session went great. Why? I was self-directing at times, giving them options they didn't ask for, and making corrections to the copy as I went. All things I teach my students NOT to do! At least, not yet. I also had a recent at-home live-directed recording session where a sentence was grammatically incorrect. The director said he's a stickler for correct grammar but he was worried about altering the copy. I suggested that I narrate it to make it grammatically correct and then record an alternate the way it was originally written. If they don't notice what we did, fine. If they did, we have the alternate. That's exactly what we did and the client was happy. Does all this make me a rogue, naughty voice actor who doesn't take direction? TIP OF THE WEEK Developing your collaboration skills is critical for value delivery. Delivering value in the session is just as important if not more important than demonstrating value in your marketing efforts. Collaboration is a skill that must be developed to be an effective voice actor. How can you develop your collaboration skills...? First off, if you are new to the voiceover industry and have never worked with a particular client before, I wouldn't advise doing what I did. Yet. Marketing is all about establishing and nurturing meaningful relationships. Relationships are based on trust. Trust comes from proving that you can deliver the goods. With that in mind; listen to the client. Not just the verbal direction, but the nonverbal communication that's taking place. Read the room. Let them get comfortable with you. Notice the back & forth not just between you & the director but the director and other people at the session. Demonstrate you can take direction before you start riffing. Though you can't start running with the script and doing all kinds of crazy stuff at the outset, eventually you can be a collaboration whiz, too! RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS Here is where I occasionally suggest stuff that may help your voiceover business. Some of these suggestions may include an Amazon Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you click on the link and purchase the item in question, I get a few cents at no extra cost to you. Today's recommendation: books! One of my favorite self-help titles is Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin . I talked about it in a blog post from way back and I think about its teachings a lot. You may have heard me in a workshop ask who has a nice voice and make everybody raise their hands. Then I say, "NOBODY CARES" to make a point. This book is where I developed that line of thinking. You can see more recommendations at my Studio Gear & Recommendations page . NEWS AND NOTES Saturday, December 4th @5PM ET: The 12th Annual NYC VO Mixer! (In NJ) . Voiceover beginners, pros, or "adjacent" to the voiceover industry; come on out! Dress to impress! It's the "company holiday party". Please RSVP at the Facebook Event page as there is an attendance cap. Sunday, December 5th @9AM-5PM ET: "Kelly and Tom are Hanging Out at a Hotel" . The day after the VO Mixer, we've rented a conference space at the hotel for voice actors to discuss the current state of the voiceover industry and share tips & tricks for success. Voice actors of all experience levels are welcome. It's free to attend but we do ask for a small donation to help cover the cost of the space. To RSVP, email me at tom@tomdheere.com. Saturday, December 11th @5PM ET: Studio " eLearning Performance with Guest Coach Tom Dheere ". eLearning, training modules, and instructional content is a leading category in voiceover opportunity! Every voiceover genre has a unique set of "performance rules." Get a clear understanding of what is required when voicing educational/training content. Don't miss three hours of script reading! You'll be sure to "learn" a thing or two and have a lot fun while doing it! Saturday, December 18th @1PM ET: VO Resolutions: Setting Goals for 2022 . W e are nearing the end of 2021 and the new year is quickly approaching. How can we set ourselves up for success in the voice over industry and enter 2022 feeling confident and ready for success? In this one-hour webinar, students will learn how to set realistic professional goals as a voice over actor and how to take the new year by storm. HAPPY HAPPYS Happy Chocolates Day and National Mousse Day ! QUOTE OF THE WEEK If you are serious about your goals, drop the conditions. Go directly to your goal. Be your goal! Conditions often disguise strategies for escaping accountability. Why not just take charge and create the experience you're looking for? Eric Allenbaugh Tom Dheere is the VO Strategist , a voice over business & marketing coach and demo producer since 2011. He is also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voiceover you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Let's talk about social media strategies What platforms should you be on, and how do you make your presence known when you start posting? My best piece of advice about choosing the right social media platform or platforms is to align it with what you like to do… If you like to long-form write…get on Facebook If you like writing in short bursts…check out Twitter If you like presenting yourself professionally…Linkedin is for you If you like taking & curating photos…post away on Instagram If you like shooting & editing videos…make your mark on YouTube & TikTok Now one thing I'll say is that all of the social media platforms are desperately trying to compete with each other. They have features to share in all the ways listed above. You can post pictures, video, copy, and captions on pretty much all of them. The question is, is which one of them are more algorithmically friendly to any of those things… “Don’t try to do everything on all social media platforms. You’ll burn out quickly.” - Tom Video is Empress It's the most it's the most rewarded form of content right now. Regardless of the social media platform you choose to be the most active on, it’s definitely in your best interests to make video as much as you can as often as you can…and get good at it! There are a lot of people out there that are making very high quality video content (and not only are they making high quality video content and putting it on social media, but they’re properly packaging them.) To excel, your visual, audio, graphics, hashtags, keywords, title, and metadata description place them appropriately. They know which groups to be in. All of that stuff. And yeah, I know it's yet another layer of that that you got to do to be an effective voice actor. Back in the day... In the earlier days of the Internet, search engine optimization or SEO (which is basically when someone goes to Google and types in stuff and results come up) used to only look at your website or a company's website or a voice actors website. Now Google, Bing, Yahoo! Other search engines are also looking at your social media content & presence. So it’s important to have quality content on social media because you need to please the robots and you need to please the humans. Keep Going - Watch this Next: Social Media For Voice Actors Are you a voice actor trying to figure out social media? Not sure that to do, where to start, or what types of things to post? I share how to use social media to your advantage, including what “good” content is, how to please the humans while making the robots happy… Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! VOS Book Club Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin Most people entering the voiceover industry think they will be successful because of their raw talent. Nope, that’s not how it works at all. Talent is one of the least important ingredients for success in voiceover and Geoff Colvin illustrates this perfectly. Talent is overrated, Deliberate Practice is underrated. Wanna know what Deliberate Practice is? Buy this book! Need help? Work with me. Book time with Tom and get your VO business together! He's the VO Strategist , a voice over business & marketing coach and demo producer since 2011. Tom Dheere is also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voiceover you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

As the VO Strategist, my job is to help fellow entrepreneurs avoid the kind of boneheaded mistakes that can cost them time, money, and momentum. But to do that, I have to be willing to admit when I make those mistakes myself. And hoo boy, did I just make a big one. For 50 days, I ran a social media campaign called "Inspirational Quotes for Entrepreneurs." The goal was to share some wisdom and grow my audience. If you haven't already ignored the campaign, you can see it here: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube The result? A spectacular belly flop. Crickets. Tumbleweeds. A masterclass in how to get ignored when you're a business of one. It was a fantastic failure. And that’s why I want to break it down for you, piece by painful piece, so you can learn from my blunders and apply the lessons to your own freelance business. Autopsy of a Failed Social Media Campaign: 3 Self-Inflicted Wounds My strategy was flawed from the very beginning. I broke three of the most fundamental rules of social media, and the algorithms rightfully punished me for it. My First Mistake: I Made My Audience Work for It (And They Didn't) My brilliant idea was to post a teaser on my social platforms. The post would announce the quote of the day, but to actually get  the quote, you had to click a link and watch a video of me saying it on YouTube. Why I Thought It Would Work:  "This is genius!" my brain said. "I'll create a sense of mystery! I'll drive a ton of traffic to my YouTube channel!" Why It Actually Failed:  This created friction . As a fellow freelancer, you know our audience's time is their most valuable asset. Expecting them to stop, click, leave the app they're in, and go somewhere else just to get the punchline is a terrible user experience. I was asking for their time and effort before providing a single shred of value. And, quite rightly, they collectively said, "Nah, I'm good," and kept scrolling. My Second Mistake: I Tried to Fight the Algorithm (And the Algorithm Won) As if that wasn't bad enough, I made the platforms work against me. Facebook's primary goal is to keep you on Facebook. LinkedIn wants to keep you on LinkedIn, etc. The last thing they want to do is help their one of their biggest competitors, YouTube. Why I Thought It Would Work:  "People love my brand, they'll follow me anywhere!" my ego exclaimed. Why It Actually Failed:  The moment a platform's algorithm sees an external link to a competitor, it throttles the post's reach into oblivion. They’re not going to send their users to another party. By trying to funnel everyone to YouTube, I was a solo rower trying to swim upstream against a powerful current. My Third Mistake: I Put Up a "Do Not Enter" Sign for New Followers Every single day, the text and the thumbnail for the post announced what day it was: "Day 1 of 50," "Day 2 of 50," and so on. Why I Thought It Would Work:  "This shows consistency and commitment! Entrepreneurs respect the hustle!" my inner marketer declared. Why It Actually Failed:  It created a massive barrier to entry . Imagine you're a potential new follower and you see a post titled "Day 43 of 50." Your immediate reaction is, "Well, I guess I missed the first 42. Too late now." Instead of being an invitation, it felt like an exclusive club you were already too late to join. For a solopreneur trying to grow their audience, alienating potential followers is a critical error. The Inevitable Follow-Up Question: "Should I Go Back and Fix the Old Posts?" After a detailed autopsy like this, the next question is always about the cleanup. Is it worth my time to go back and correct the 200+ posts from this failed campaign? NO . As entrepreneurs, our time is our most valuable and finite resource. While the urge to "fix" past mistakes is strong, in the world of social media, it's a terrible idea. Here’s why: The Algorithms Have Already Moved On A social media post has an incredibly short lifespan. The platforms decided the fate of those posts within the first 48 hours. Editing them now won't magically push them back into people's feeds. Your effort would be almost completely invisible. The Opportunity Cost is Too High This is the most critical reason. The 15-20 hours it might take to correct all those posts is time that could be spent on high-value, forward-looking tasks: writing more blog posts, doing direct outreach to potential clients, or planning your next  campaign correctly. Salvage the content, not the posts. I will keep my list of 50 quotes and re-launch the campaign correctly somewhere down the road. I will let the old posts fade away as a sunk cost and a valuable lesson learned. The Bottom Line: The Lesson Every Entrepreneur Needs to Learn A successful social media strategy isn't about tricking people into visiting your preferred platform. It's about providing native value  where your audience already is. My next campaign won't be a funnel; it will be an ecosystem. The quotes will be posted directly as text or images on each platform. The videos will be uploaded natively. YouTube will be the archive, not the bait. And I will never again start a post with "Day X of..." Learn from my face-plant. Give your audience value, right then and there, and they'll reward you with their attention. Make them work for it, and they'll reward you with silence. Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit? Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business. Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Get my curated list of essential VO tools here. Keep Going - Watch this next: Social Media for Voice Actors Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Get a Video Subscription - use code FORWARD  for 20% off your first month! Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... As the VO Strategist , Tom Dheere has provided voice over business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 30 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

You’ve spent a ton of time and money on your voice over website. You’ve got the killer demos, the professional headshot, the slick design, and a contact form that works flawlessly. You launch it, send the link to your family and friends, and then... crickets. The brutal truth is that a website nobody can find is just an expensive, digital business card. It’s a passive asset waiting for someone to stumble upon it. For years, I treated my website the same way. I knew about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), of course. I’d dabble with keywords and plugins, but I never gave it the strategic attention it deserved. My thinking was, "I'm a voice actor and a business coach, not a Google-whisperer." That thinking was costing me opportunities. I realized my website wasn't working for me; I was just paying to keep it online. Six months ago, I decided to change that. The Strategist's Dilemma: Opportunity Cost As the Voice Over Strategist, I preach about identifying your core strengths and outsourcing the rest. My "zone of genius" is helping voice actors build sustainable businesses, not deciphering the latest Google algorithm update. Every hour I spent fumbling around with meta descriptions and site audits was an hour I wasn't  spending coaching, marketing, or, you know, talking for money. That's called opportunity cost . The cost of doing something yourself is the lost opportunity to do what you do best. I knew I needed an expert. I needed a team that could take the SEO burden off my shoulders so I could focus on my own business. After doing my due diligence, I landed on a company called Adapting Social . My 6-Month Experiment with Adapting Social I signed on with Adapting Social about six months ago, and I've been genuinely impressed with their approach. This isn't about some "secret trick" to fool Google. It's about a methodical, strategic process to make your website more valuable and visible to the people who are actively searching for your services. Here’s a glimpse into what the process has been like: A Deep Dive Audit:  They didn't just glance at my homepage. They went through the entire vostrategist.com  site, identifying technical issues, opportunities for improvement, and the keywords my ideal clients were actually using. A Clear Strategy:  They presented a clear plan of attack. We worked together to target specific keywords relevant to the business of voice over. They weren't just optimizing for "voice actor"; they were helping me get found for the strategic advice I offer. Consistent Execution:  This is the key. SEO isn't a one-and-done task. It's an ongoing process of content refinement, technical tweaks, and building authority. The Adapting Social team has been handling all of that in the background, freeing me up to do my work. The Results? It's Working. So, what has happened in the last six months? While I won't share confidential analytics, I can tell you that I've seen a steady, measurable uptick in organic traffic. More importantly, I'm seeing an increase in qualified leads —people finding me through search engines who are looking for the services I provide. My website is no longer just a digital business card. It’s becoming an active, lead-generating asset for my business. It’s working for me 24/7, even when I’m in the booth or asleep. That’s the ROI I was looking for. When is the Right Time to Invest in SEO? Now, after hearing my success story, your first instinct might be to immediately go and hire an SEO firm. But does that mean every voice actor, especially those just starting out, should make this investment right away? In my strategic opinion: No. Hold your horses. Think of SEO as a high-powered amplifier. If you don't know what message you're amplifying, you're just making a lot of noise. Before you can effectively target keywords that will attract your ideal clients, you first need to know who those clients are  and what you're selling . And you can't know that until you've identified your niche. Are you the go-to voice for corporate e-learning? The warm, friendly mom for commercials? The gravelly, authoritative voice for documentary narration? The quirky character voice for animation? Each of those specialties has a completely different set of clients who are searching via completely different keywords. Investing in SEO before you have this clarity is like buying expensive fishing gear before you've decided whether you're fishing in a freshwater river or the deep sea. You'll waste a lot of money on the wrong bait. You're ready to seriously invest in SEO when: You have discovered the 1-3 genres of voice over where your talents truly shine. You are consistently auditioning for and booking work in those specific niches. You have professional, genre-specific demos on your website that back up your claims. Once you've hit that stage, your website is no longer a generalist's portfolio; it's a specialist's calling card. That's the perfect time to pour gasoline on the fire with a targeted SEO strategy, because now you know exactly which terms to target to attract more of the work you're best at. Is Outsourcing Your SEO the Right Move for You? If you're in the same boat I was, you have two choices: Spend dozens of hours learning the complex, ever-changing world of SEO. Hire an expert to do it for you. For me, the choice was obvious. Choosing to SEO outsource and invest in professional SEO services has been one of the best business decisions I've made this year. This isn't a hard sell. It’s a strategic recommendation based on my own positive experience. If you feel like your website is invisible and you're ready to turn it into a real business asset, I highly recommend you check out Adapting Social. Full disclosure:  I was so happy with their work that I joined their affiliate program. That means if you decide to work with them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend services I use and believe in, and these folks have earned my trust. If you’re ready to get found, email me at tom@tomdheere.com and I will personally introduce you. Your website is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. It’s time to make sure it’s actually fighting for you. Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit? Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business. Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Get my curated list of essential VO tools here. Keep Going - Watch this next: Is Self-Marketing The Best? An Honest Answer Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Get a Video Subscription - use code FORWARD  for 20% off your first month! Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... As the VO Strategist , Tom Dheere has provided voice over business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 30 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

What did you actually  accomplish last month? If you’re like many freelancers, that question can send a jolt of anxiety through your system. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind—the auditions, the edits, the emails—and pop up a month later with no real sense of progress. You were busy, sure, but were you building anything? For the past 20 years, I’ve started every single month the exact same way: by writing a Monthly Action Plan. That’s 240 consecutive plans. This simple, one-page document has been the single biggest reason for my success as a voice actor. It’s my North Star, my accountability partner, and my defense against chaos. If you want to see what my Monthly Action Plan looks like, click this link and download the template so you can follow along. Over two decades, the process has taught me a few things. Here are the four biggest lessons. The 4 Pillars of an Action Plan That Actually Works Lesson 1: It's Not a To-Do List, It's a Mission Statement The very first thing on my plan isn’t a task; it’s my personal mission statement: "...get closer to becoming the human I know I can be by exorcizing my demons, making self-loving choices, and working as hard as everyone thinks I do." A simple to-do list is about tasks. An Action Plan is about purpose . By starting with my "why," every task below it gains context. "Follow up on overdue invoices" isn't just a chore; it's a step toward financial stability that allows me to make self-loving choices. This mindset turns the mundane into the meaningful. Lesson 2: You Must Balance Working "IN" vs. "ON" Your Business This is the classic freelancer's trap. It's easy to spend all your time working "IN" your business—invoicing, recording, editing. That’s the work that pays today’s bills. But if you don't spend time working "ON" your business—marketing, networking, finding new partners—you won’t have bills to pay tomorrow. My plan forces me to do both. Tasks under Cash Flow  like "Follow up on overdue invoices" are me working IN my business. Tasks under Marketing  like "Connect with new clients on LinkedIn" are me working ON my business. Your plan must have a healthy mix of both to ensure you are not only surviving but thriving. Lesson 3: Your Health is a Business Expense. Schedule It. In the "Health" category of my action plan, you'll find pushups, a mental health day, a doctor's appointment, an "Accountabilibuddy Meeting." Why is this on a business plan? Because as a freelancer, YOU are the business's single most valuable asset. If you burn out, the business closes. If you're unhealthy, your performance suffers. Scheduling a "Mental Health Day" is as important as scheduling a client session. Tracking your pushups is a leading indicator for your energy levels. Don't treat your well-being as a luxury to be enjoyed only after the work is done; build it into the plan as a non-negotiable cost of doing business. Lesson 4: The Perfect Plan is the One You Actually Forgive In 20 years of monthly action plans, I have never checked off every box in a given month. Not once. For years, I'd beat myself up if I didn't accomplish everything. It was paralyzing. The real secret to doing this for 20 years is learning to forgive the unchecked box. The plan is a guide, not a merciless tyrant. Life happens. A big project comes in, you get sick, or you just have an off week. The goal isn't 100% completion. The goal is progress and intention. The act of writing the plan itself focuses your energy. Hitting 70% of a great plan is infinitely better than hitting 100% of no plan at all. You don't need to wait 20 years to feel the benefits. Start now! What's one thing you want to accomplish this month for your Cash Flow, your Tools, your Technique, your Marketing, and your Health? Write it down. That's how it begins. Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit? Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business. Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Get my curated list of essential VO tools here. Keep Going - Watch this next: Get Your Freelancing Act Together Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Get a Video Subscription - use code FORWARD  for 20% off your first month! Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... As the VO Strategist , Tom Dheere has provided voice over business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 30 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

In my role as a the VO Strategist, I talk to voice actors every single day. They come from all walks of life and are at every stage of their journey. But do you know the most common, underlying question I hear? It comes in many forms: "I've taken some classes... now what?" "I'm booking a little, but how do I get to the next level?" "I feel so overwhelmed. What should I be focusing on?" Underneath it all, the real question is: "What's next?" A voice-over career can often feel like having a destination in mind but no map to get there. It’s easy to get lost or stalled. While my one-on-one coaching is designed to be your personal GPS for navigating those tricky spots, I've always believed that the most prepared drivers are the ones who have studied the map before  they even get in the car. Today, I want to share a resource that is a great "road atlas" for our industry: the VO Career Path Atlas . A Different Voice Over Career Path for your Business A successful journey often involves two things: a comprehensive map of the territory, and a guide to help navigate it. This is where the synergy between a resource like the Atlas and my own coaching comes into play. The VO Career Path Atlas, created by the highly respected team at Tennessee Voice Over, is a foundational, self-paced program that gives you that map. The Atlas as Your Foundational Map Think of the Atlas as the complete encyclopedia of the voice-over business. It’s a massive, self-paced resource you can use to: Understand every aspect of the industry at your own speed. Get detailed, step-by-step instructions on setting up your business infrastructure. Explore different genres and marketing strategies to see what resonates with you. It’s the perfect tool for building your foundational knowledge and getting the "big picture" of your career. How The Atlas and My Coaching Work Together This is the crucial part. Having a map is one thing; navigating the real-time traffic, detours, and roadblocks of your specific journey is another. The Career Path Atlas is the Map:  It gives you the comprehensive, static view of all the possible roads you can take. It empowers you to come to our sessions with a deeper understanding and more specific questions. My One-on-One Coaching is the GPS:  I’m your live, interactive guide. I help you interpret that map in the context of your  unique voice, brand, and challenges. We work together to navigate the immediate intersection you're facing, fine-tune your marketing approach, and hold you accountable for the journey. When a client comes to me having already gone through the Atlas, our sessions become exponentially more productive. We can skip the basics and dive straight into high-level strategy, execution, and troubleshooting. Who Benefits from This Combination? The Aspiring Actor:  Use the Atlas to build your foundation. Then, come to me for one-on-one coaching to build your unique brand and launch strategy. The Plateaued Actor:  Use the Atlas to self-diagnose potential gaps in your business. Then, we can use our session time to surgically address those gaps and implement a growth strategy. The Pivoting Veteran:  Use the Atlas to learn the landscape of a new genre. Then, work with me to craft a specific plan to leverage your existing experience and break into that new market. Find Your Path and Start Driving with Confidence Having a clear, strategic plan is everything. The VO Career Path Atlas is an outstanding investment in building that plan, and it will make any future one-on-one coaching you do—with me or anyone else—infinitely more valuable. Full transparency: The link below is an affiliate link. This means if you decide to purchase the course, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’m recommending it because I genuinely believe it serves as a powerful complement to the personalized strategy we can build together. Click here to explore the VO Career Path Atlas and get the foundational map for your career. When you have both the map and the guide, you’re no longer just a traveler. You’re a strategist. Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit? Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business. Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Get my curated list of essential VO tools here. Keep Going - Watch this next: Voiceover Website Basics Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Get a Video Subscription - use code FORWARD  for 20% off your first month! Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... Through VO Strategist , Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

Why I Scrapped My Complicated Cloud Storage System I have a confession to make: I love Google Drive. Google Drive logo That might not sound like a big deal, but up until recently, my data management strategy was a chaotic mess. If you'd looked at my cloud storage situation last year, you would have found me juggling Dropbox, Box, and  OneDrive. To keep them all in line, I was using a separate service called MultCloud. On top of that, I was paying for Carbonite to back up my hard drive every day. It was complicated, expensive, and frankly, a bit ridiculous. An Autopsy of a Bloated System The tipping point came when my paid Dropbox account simply stopped syncing, and no amount of troubleshooting could fix it. It was the final straw. I took a hard look at what I was paying for and realized I had created a system with too many moving parts. Redundant Services:  Why was I paying for multiple services that all did the same thing? Unnecessary Costs:  Each subscription was another line item on my expense report. Increased Security Risks:  Every extra account was another potential point of failure, another password to manage, and another target for hackers. So, I blew it up. I deleted my Box, OneDrive, and Multcloud accounts. I downgraded Dropbox to the free version. It was time to simplify. My New, Streamlined Voiceover Cloud Storage Solution Today, my entire digital life runs on two services: Google Drive:  I upgraded to a paid 1TB plan, which costs less than my old Dropbox plan. It seamlessly stores all my business files, plays audio and video auditions, and integrates perfectly with the documents, spreadsheets, and forms I use every day. Norton 360:  I discovered that my existing antivirus software was already backing up my hard drive daily and included a file restore function. That made my separate Carbonite subscription completely redundant. Canceling it was an easy choice. The result? I’m saving money, I have fewer accounts to worry about, and my entire data management system is cleaner and more efficient. The Strategic Takeaway: It’s Time for Your Own Tech Audit My story has a clear lesson for every freelancer: you need to audit your tech stack regularly. Take a hard look at the services you pay for every month. Ask yourself: Is this tool still serving its purpose? Is there a simpler or more cost-effective alternative? Am I paying for redundant features in different products? You might be surprised by where you’re wasting money or exposing your business to unnecessary risks. If you want to talk through your own cloud storage and backup strategy, I’m happy to help. Just book a free 15-minute consult, and we can figure it out together. P.S. This is just the first of a few big changes I'm making to streamline my business this year. Stay tuned for a big announcement in a few weeks! NEWS AND NOTES Thursday, March 25th @8PM EST: “The Sales Funnel“. Learn what the Sales Funnel is and how to push voice seekers through it. SOLD OUT !!! Sunday, March 28th @5PM EST: “eLearning Performance Workshop“. There are a few seats left in the April workshop. Every single TVAS workshop I’ve done so far has sold out quickly so sign up ASAP! Thanks to everyone who attended the VO Strategist VO How-To webinar: “ Build Your Marketing Campaign “. If you missed it, the video is now available for purchase at the VO Strategist Shop . HAPPY HAPPYS Happy Chip & Dip Day and Make Up Your Own Holiday Day ! QUOTE OF THE WEEK If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Frederick Douglass Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over twenty years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist . When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the epic sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.

As voice actors, we pour our hearts and souls into our craft. We build stunning websites, curate engaging social media feeds, and send out informative newsletters to showcase our talent. But lurking in the shadows of the internet are predatory law firms, often dubbed "copyright trolls," ready to pounce on unsuspecting creatives for alleged image copyright infringement. Their goal? To bully you into paying exorbitant fees, often for minor, unintentional infractions. If you've received one of these threatening letters or emails, you're not alone. The good news is, while these situations are stressful, you have options and resources. Let's break down how to navigate this tricky landscape and, more importantly, how to protect yourself from becoming a target. The Anatomy of a Copyright Troll Attack These firms often operate with aggressive, debt-collector-like tactics. They scour the internet for images that are technically copyrighted but may have been used innocently, or even appear to be freely available. Then, they send demand letters for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. One fellow voice actor recently shared their experience with me. They received multiple emails from a company demanding payment for images allegedly used without proper licensing on their website. It's a shocking and unnerving experience, designed to make you panic and pay up immediately. I've been there myself, twice! Years ago, I faced similar demands for images I'd used on my blog, one of them ironically related to an audiobook I narrated. Even though the original publisher was responsible for licensing, the claim eventually landed on my doorstep. It was a frustrating and costly ordeal that highlighted just how aggressive these firms can be, often pursuing claims years after the supposed infringement, in my case ten years! Why Are These Firms So Aggressive? These companies are legitimate law firms, and they will  pursue legal action if you ignore them. They rely on the fact that many people, especially independent contractors like voice actors, don't have deep legal pockets and will opt for a quick, albeit expensive, settlement to make the problem go away. They profit from fear and a lack of knowledge. The payment processes can also be convoluted, sometimes involving international transfers, which further emphasizes their often-questionable business model. Your Best Defense: Prevention and Prudence While it's unsettling to think about, the best way to deal with copyright trolls is to avoid them altogether. Here's how you can be more careful with images across all your online platforms: Always Assume Images Are Copyrighted:  This is the Golden Rule of IP. Just because you find an image on Google doesn't mean it's free to use. Use Reputable Stock Photo Sites (with proper licenses):  If you're going to use stock photos, invest in legitimate services like Getty Images, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or others. Critically, understand the specific license  you're purchasing. Many licenses are for editorial use only, not commercial use on your website or marketing materials. Read the fine print! Opt for Public Domain or Creative Commons (with attribution):  Some images are in the public domain or fall under Creative Commons licenses. Even then, carefully check the specific CC license to ensure you meet all attribution requirements. Create Your Own Graphics:  This is the safest bet. Use tools like Canva, Adobe Express, or hire a graphic designer to create original visuals. This gives you complete ownership and peace of mind. Get Written Permission:  If you want to use an image you didn't create or license, reach out to the copyright holder and get explicit, written permission. Audit Your Existing Content:  Take some time to review your website, blog posts, newsletters, and social media archives. Replace any questionable images with ones you've properly sourced or created yourself. It's a tedious task, but far less stressful than dealing with a copyright claim. If You Receive a Demand Letter: Don't Panic, Take Action If, despite your best efforts, you receive a demand for payment, here's some advice: Do NOT Ignore It:  Ignoring the claim will almost certainly lead to higher demands and potential legal action. Consult a Professional:  Your first step should be to seek advice from a lawyer specializing in intellectual property, especially one who has experience dealing with these types of firms, like Rob Sciglimpaglia . There are professionals who specialize in negotiating these settlements down to a much more reasonable amount. Request Proof of Copyright Registration:  Politely but firmly ask the claimant to provide proof of the image's copyright registration. This is a crucial step, as some firms may try to bluff without proper documentation. Be Prepared to Negotiate (but carefully):  If the claim is legitimate, most firms are willing to settle for a significantly reduced amount rather than go to court. However, let a professional handle these negotiations. Document Everything:  Keep meticulous records of all communications, demands, and any actions you take. The tactics these "copyright trolls" employ might feel unethical, but they are a legitimate threat. By being proactive and understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can protect your voice acting business and focus on what you do best: bringing scripts to life! Have you had an experience with a copyright claim? Share your tips and insights in the comments below to help our community stay informed and protected. Want More Tools In Your Voice Over Toolkit? Stop guessing which microphones, hardware, software, and books are worth your investment! I’ve built a curated resource page with the professional tools I trust to save you time and help you make smart decisions for your business. Please note: As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Get my curated list of essential VO tools here. Keep Going - Watch this next: Think Like a Freelancer Want to stream as many How-To videos as you want? Get a Video Subscription - use code FORWARD  for 20% off your first month! Upcoming Events & Appearances Here's what I've got going on in the next few months - register to attend and add your voice to the mix! Looking for help navigating the entertainment industry? Check in and Stay on Track... Don't know where to start? Let's chat. Grab 15 minutes free - let's see what your business needs... Through VO Strategist , Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.