Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Can actors think like a business? Will that get in the way of their craft? Will not doing it doom them to failure? Is there a sweet spot? What's the Problem? The problem is both educational and cultural. We have been educated using the 19th century Prussian educational model which is designed to create soldiers and factory workers. Not very conducive for artistic, self-employed, self-determining, entrepreneurs. The other problem is cultural. We have been raised in a American Idol, Chorus Line, God I hope I get it, audition-and-pray, if you're not a star you're a loser, environment. Also not very helpful. People think they have to get discovered, that they have to get their big break, that they have to get lucky to be effective and successful and that's just not true. If you're going to depend on that to be successful you may have to wait for a long time. How Actors Can Think Like a Business Examine your assumptions to manage your expectations What are your assumptions about yourself? What are your assumptions about the entertainment industry? What are your assumptions about what your relationship is or could be with the entertainment industry? Your assumptions influence your expectations and it's extremely important for you to manage your expectations. You need to understand how you work and how you don't work, how you operate how you don't operate, and this will influence your decision making process. Make business decisions based on facts, not your feelings You need to have facts. You need to have data. You need to be able to analyze and understand what's going on in the industry and what's going on inside yourself. The ability to metacognate, which is where you stand outside of yourself and look at yourself from the outside objectively so you can make objective data-driven fact-based decisions about your acting career. Be realistic about your talent, your resources, and your life situation Be realistic about your talent (or lack of talent) Be realistic about the resources that you have (or don't have) Be realistic about what the logistics of your life are Be realistic about the skill sets that you have (or don't have) Figure out what exactly you need to be effective Keep Going - Watch this Trailer: Get Your Acting Act Together Click the button below to rent "Get Your Acting Act Together" for only FIVE BUCKS! 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Catch the Replay We answered questions like... What does it mean to be grateful as a voice actor? Who should you be grateful to both professionally and personally? How can you demonstrate your gratefulness? and much more...! About Jodi "I’ve done voiceover work in the healthcare, corporate, hospitality, political, and non-profit sectors, among others. No matter your specific need, know that I’m a reliable partner in your business and I provide super quick turn-arounds – because I know how fast your business moves. My number one goal is to make you look good! My highly satisfied clients include Dell, Bose, BBVA, Subway, Steinmart, Bissell, Unisom, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Kraft, Visit Orlando, HGTV, and more." Connect with Jodi: https://voiceoversandvocals.com Keep Going - Watch this Next: How-To Video: Analyze Your Business Watch this trailer then click the button below to rent this How-To video for only 5 BUCKS! (rental offer expires 12/31/23, purchase price is $30) Up Next... VOS Book Club I have built a collection of great books about voiceover as well as managing your finances, marketing, self-help, and much more! Studio Gear & Recommendations Looking for a new microphone, audio interface, or other gear? Click the button below to check out my recommendations! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Recently my wife and I watched a PBS documentary about the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It was a fascinating and tragic exploration of this extraordinarily gifted young man who died too soon. We watched his meteoric rise into the art community, his relationship with Andy Warhol, how he was traveling the world and making ridiculous amounts of money selling these amazing works of art and then he died tragically. He became part of the '27 Club' for those of you who are familiar with that. As we were watching it, it got me thinking. Am I an artist? Am I a part of the community, or am I some kind of hack? What is art? Art is when you create something that makes people feel something. Do my eLearning modules or medical narration work make people feel? I don't know. I try very hard to create a safe environment through my voice by being engaging and sincere and kind. Whenever I narrate one of those videos about helping people pick their insurance benefits, I think about that single mom who's got kids. One of them may have special needs and that single mom is terrified of picking the wrong prescription plan. I do everything I can to make that single mom feel safe and confident that they're going to make the right choices. So yeah, I'm using my voice to make someone feel better. I don't know if this is some kind of narcissistic, self-indulgent exercise that I'm doing right now, but watching that documentary about Basquiat moved me. It reminded me why I decided to want to do voiceover in the first place. My point is that no matter what kind of voiceover work you do, you are engaging. You are emoting. You are feeling. You are trying to connect with people. And if that isn't art, I don't know what it is. Keep Going - Watch this Trailer: Analyze Your Business Click the button below to rent "Analyze Your Business" for only FIVE BUCKS! 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 voice over 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Catch the Replay We answered questions like... How to become an audiobook narrator How to use data to move your voiceover career forward AI and its impact on the audiobook industry and much more! About Adam "I have worked professionally in the voice over industry for over 20 years, voicing everything from audio books, commercials, online videos, and even the voice of a beer coaster. Yes, indeed, a beer coaster that screams, "Beer thief!" when your brew is snatched. "I came to voice over from a stage background, I hold my bachelor's in theatre from Bradley University and my master of fine arts from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Just as on stage, I bring my passion for story-telling and inhabiting characters to the microphone." Connect with Adam: https://www.adamverner.com/ Keep Going - Watch this Next: How-To Video: Voiceover Website Basics Watch this trailer then click the button below to rent this How-To video for only 5 BUCKS! (rental offer expires 11/30/23, purchase price is $30) Up Next... VOS Book Club I have built a collection of great books about voiceover as well as managing your finances, marketing, self-help, and much more! Studio Gear & Recommendations Looking for a new microphone, audio interface, or other gear? Click the button below to check out my recommendations! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Catch the Replay We answered questions like... How to get testimonials & reviews from clients How to improve your voiceover website SEO Business cards: yea or nay? and much more! About Peter Peter K. O’Connell celebrated his 40th year as a voiceover and broadcasting professional in 2022. As “America's Friendly, Neighborhood Voiceover Talent”, Peter's versatile voice talents let him work with valued clients who range from Fortune 500 Companies to companies who think $500 is a fortune! A natural born storyteller, some of Peter’s global commercial, narration and broadcast promo voice-over clients include Amazon, IBM, iHeart Radio, Duracell, Crest Toothpaste and NC State University. Peter produces his voice projects through his company, audio’connell Voiceover Talent -- a division of O’Connell Communications, LLC. His voice-over studio is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina (just outside of Raleigh), where Peter lives with his wife and children. Connect with Peter: http://www.audioconnell.com. Keep Going - Watch this Trailer: Audiobook Self-Production Click the button below and get 'Audiobook Self-Production' for only FIVE BUCKS! Up Next - Bring your Questions! Adam Verner YouTube Live Event VOS Book Club Looking for voiceover-related book recommendations? Check these out! Grab Studio Gear As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Catch the Replay We answered questions like... How to think about money as a performer How to manage your finances as a performer How to prepare for retirement as a performer and much more! About Christi Since 2011, I’ve been working full-time at my dream job as a voice actor when I launched my company Audible Creations LLC. My voice can be heard on commercials, corporate narrations, eLearning, phone systems, political campaigns and automotive spots for clients all over the world. I’ve now added two GOLD Telly Awards to my collection – only this time for my voiceover work. These are joined by one gold & two Silver W3 Awards and two Voice Arts Awards for Outstanding Political Announcement-Attack Ad. Adding to the studio bling are 2 Pollies and being a finalist for the Reed Awards for Political voiceover. Connect with Christi: https://www.christibowen.com. Keep Going - Watch this Next: Audiobook Self-Production Is time getting away from you? Learn how to manage your day and your ongoing projects as an Audiobook Narrator. Tom shares his tips and tricks for improving your audiobook workflow, and shares solutions for staying on track… Up Next - Bring your Questions! Marc Scott YouTube Live Event VOS Book Club Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits - whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal. Grab Studio Gear As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... I cloned my voice! Oh no! A year and a half ago, I cloned my voice, and after renegotiating my agreement with the AI production company, I can now discuss it more publicly. The company behind this is called Murf.ai. Many people have been asking me why I decided to clone my voice and if I'm contributing to the decline of the voice-over industry. As a passionate advocate for the voice-over industry, I have always protected and cherished my profession – it's essentially the only job I've had as an adult. My decision to clone my voice stemmed from my desire to future-proof my career and ensure its sustainability. I thoroughly researched the process, consulted trusted individuals, including a lawyer, and had numerous meetings with various AI companies to ensure that both parties could proceed ethically. The actual process of cloning my voice, as well as how it generates income for me is further detailed in my "AI Voice Creation Experience" video available at the VO Strategist Shop. I believe that cloning my voice is both ethical and a step forward for the voice-over industry. My goal is not only to set myself up for success but also to support the industry as a whole. By sharing my experience and knowledge about AI voice cloning, I hope to help fellow voice actors make informed decisions about this technology, whether they're considering it themselves or simply trying to avoid being taken advantage of by others in the field. Takeaways: You can synthesize your voice safely You can use your synthesized voice to make money safely and ethically Get a good lawyer and ask good questions Keep Going - Watch this Next: My AI Voice Creation Experience Have questions about what it's like to clone your voice? Tom walks you through his voice-creation experience... 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 voice over 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Catch the Replay We answered questions like... What is eLearning? What is an Explainer Video? What's the difference? Where do you find the work? and much more! About Anne Ganguzza An award-winning Director and Executive Producer, Anne is a 2020 SOVAS four-time nominee for Outstanding Corporate Narration Demo and Outstanding eLearning Demo, 2019 two time SOVAS nominee for Outstanding Narration Demo, Best Voiceover, three-time 2018 SOVAS Nominee for Outstanding Narration Demo, Best Voiceover, Outstanding Commercial Demo, Best Voiceover, and Outstanding Podcast. She is also a recipient of the 2017 Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Narration Demo, Best Voiceover.. Keep Going - Watch this Next: Know Your Worth How much should you charge? Tom shows you how to set your value, build a rate sheet, negotiate with clients, invoice with ease, and make adjustments along the way as needed… Up Next - Bring your Questions! Christi Bowen Bring your voiceover money management questions for me and voice actor Christi Bowen 8/21/23 @2PM ET! YouTube Live Event VOS Gear Club SA-87i – Condenser Microphone The SA-87i is an exact reproduction of the best sounding vintage Neumann U87 microphone we could find and considered by most engineers as the finest sounding U87 ever made.. Grab Studio Gear As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... When it comes to marketing in the voice over industry, opinions differ. Some find it scary, while others find it liberating. Which side are you on? Let's delve into the world of marketing as a voice over artist and explore its potential impact on your career.. . Misconceptions and Realities. Many individuals entering the voice over industry mistakenly believe that talent alone will bring them success, without any need for marketing. However, the truth is that before focusing on marketing, there are essential prerequisites to address. These include acquiring proper training, creating a professional demo, setting up a website, and establishing a home recording studio. Once you have these foundations in place, it's time to face the daunting task of marketing. The Perspective of Marketing Professionals. Even seasoned marketing professionals who have worked in the industry for decades can find themselves ill-prepared when it comes to marketing as a self-employed performer. The principles they learned may not directly apply to the voice over industry's unique dynamics and challenges. The transition from marketing for companies to marketing oneself requires a different set of skills and strategies. Overcoming the Fear It's natural to be scared of marketing, whether you have a marketing background or not. The thought of promoting oneself, building relationships with clients, and carving out a niche can be intimidating. However, remember that you are not alone in this feeling. Many voice actors share the same fears. Embracing the Liberation On the contrary, marketing can be incredibly liberating. Unlike traditional marketing, as a voice over artist, you have the freedom to create your own brand and advertise yourself in unique ways. This level of autonomy can be both exciting and overwhelming, as it requires you to determine your path and take the reins of your career. Marketing in the voice over industry can evoke feelings of fear and liberation simultaneously. While there may be challenges along the way, embracing marketing as an essential aspect of your voice over career will set you apart from the competition. Remember, you have the power to shape your image, connect with clients, and forge your path to success. Keep Going - Watch this Next: Marketing For Performers Curious about how to promote yourself as a performer? Tom examines the world of Direct and Indirect Marketing, including types of campaigns, do’s & don’ts, and how the understand the 'why' of marketing... 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... The current reality of the voice industry It was once again an honor and a privilege to be a guest on the Mike Lenz VO Podcast. We had a fantastic and illuminating conversation about how much the voiceover industry has changed over the past few years and the changes that are yet to come. "You have to stay relevant in the voiceover industry" - Tom About The Mike Lenz VO Podcast Get a front row seat into my journey as a Voice Actor. Get sage advice from the pros in the industry. Get some inspiration to start and grow your VO career. Takeaways: Online Casting Sites are more relevant than ever before AI is here and it's not going anywhere As voice actors, we must understand what is happing on our industry and react accordingly All voice actors must learn how to future-proof their voiceover careers to thrive in the long-term Keep Going - Watch this Next: Make Working from Home Work Struggling to run your business from home? Managing the day-to-day operations of a successful voiceover career can be rough. Tom offers solutions and advice about the critical aspects like invoicing, email communication, and keeping track of marketing efforts… 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 voice over 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Have you ever wondered what it's like working with me? I'm a theater trained actor, and my journey started at Montclair State University where I pursued my bachelor's degree in theater. From there, I delved into classical training at the national Shakespeare Conservatory, honing my skills even further. But my passion for acting didn't stop there. I ventured into the world of voice acting, taking on various roles to develop my genre proficiency as well as earn money. Interestingly, I also had experience as a corporate trainer at Bennigan's, where I traveled across the country, opening restaurants and training the staff. This experience taught me so much about communication, coaching, and understanding the intricacies of service. When it comes to coaching... I've come to identify four major styles: therapist, drill sergeant, professor, and cheerleader. Personally, I align more with the professor/therapist type. I love delving deep into the details and analyzing the voiceover industry and the performing arts industry as a whole. I believe in taking a holistic perspective, looking at how all the gears of this industry interlock. It might sound a bit strange, but I'm a unique blend of left brain and right brain. While I'm an artist at heart, I also have a fascination with office supplies and spreadsheets. I believe that true success in the performing arts requires both worlds. Finding the balance between being creative and embracing the business side of things is essential. One of my strengths as a coach is helping people identify their pain points. Regardless of where you are in your voiceover journey, I can assist you in creating a coherent, actionable plan that adapts to the ever-changing nature of the industry. It's important to understand who you are as an artist, what you want to achieve, and how you can make it happen. Through our partnership, I aim to empower you to be the artist of your dreams while grounding you in the realities of the business. So, if you're looking for a coach who is analytical, empathetic, and dedicated to your growth, I'm here for you. Let's embark on this exciting journey together and make your voice heard in the world of performing arts!" Keep Going - Watch this Next: Know Your Worth How much should you charge? Tom shows you how to set your value, build a rate sheet, negotiate with clients, invoice with ease, and make adjustments along the way as needed… 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 voice over 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... 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.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest... Money is a funky subject When trying to get into the Performing Arts, money is almost always a consideration. Most people don't understand what goes into starting their own business, much less being being self-employed. Most people are scared of money. Even if they covet it, it may be because they're afraid of it. Afraid of not having and afraid of losing it. They're afraid of the things they can't do and be and have as a result of not having money. As if it wasn't funky enough... Being self-employed further complicates matters as it requires an additional level of financial knowledge and management. It is not only about investing in one's training in the performing arts but also about understanding how to invest in oneself and the business. A performer needs to take non-performing classes to grasp marketing principles and business acumen. My Recommendations Robert Kiyosaki said it best, "Don't work for money; make your money work for you." Therefore, it is crucial to have a healthy relationship with money on a mental, emotional, spiritual, and psychological level to understand how to make your money work for you. I know this is a tough subject for performers and there is a fine line between love, hate, and fear. While it is critical to have money, performers must be equipped with the necessary skills to cultivate a healthy relationship with it. Keep Going - Watch this Next: Master Your Cash Flow Do you know where your money is? Tom guides you through the basics of voiceover business expenditures, and teaches you how to manage your revenue, taxes, insurance, and retirement as a freelance voice actor… 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 voice over 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... 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.