The VO Life

Rejection is a BIG PART of voice over. We get way more "No's" than we do jobs. You have to have that thick skin, roll it off and move on BUT not before you respond in a positive and engaging manner. Keep in mind that a business builds relationships and that means with everyone we come in contact with... not just those who hire us.

We all did it, probably. But those QUESTIONS that keep popping up week after week!! It's how we learn, but is there a better way??

Late October. 4th Quarter 2021. The panic is setting in for me as I come closer to the REAL VO LIFE and no longer living that W2 Life! I feel like it's the big game and I'm the biggest rookie on the field! OH NO NOT AGAIN.... IMPOSTER SYNDROME!!! Let's talk through a few things so I can feel better! Join me! I need your help!

Join us and learn more about Rudy and his VO Life! Inspiring conversation and interesting perspectives from that DEEP VOICE GUY!

Charles Coats had his dream job... he was in Texas training American Airlines employees and using his talents. Then came covid...hear that story and more about how Charles didn't even know what VO was and now... well HE ARE ONE!!! Enjoy a conversation with the VERY TALENTED Charles Coats or as we know him... Charles The Voice!Visit his site www.charlesthevoice.com

Brandon has been full time in VO since late 2018. He is a creative, funny and VERY talented man with voices to spare! Enjoy learning more about Brandon and his VO Life!

Demos. Love em, hate em. Short spots, long spots. Pro, self. Kicking the tires on some of the scuttlebutt about the DEMOS we LOVE!

Chuck Brown has been doing Professional VO for over 40 years and launched a Fiverr career in the past few years as changes to the industry and career changes dictated a change in how he did things. Hear the story of where it started and how he came into VO in new ways as he made changes to his life and career. Listen closely and gain insight from one of the most treasured voices today!

Charles Bain is a stage actor and on screen actor living in Warner Robbins, GA. He is from Alabama and way back in 2015 he decided to pursue VO. Wait, this is 2021... and you said he JUST STARTED? Correct. Through trial and error, he put things on hold then re-started in 2020. His journey is VERY DIFFERENT... and hopefully this conversation might help some of you "slow down" and take the long way!

Voice over is a passion, not a hobby or "another side job to make a buck". There are people getting in every week, asking the same questions. Not to hurt your feelings or make one enemy... but I will tell you LIKE IT IS...

Many of our VO Lifers know Mike and also know he has set the Fiverr format on fire hitting his goals for TRS in only 9 months! Many wonder what his secret was, how did he do it... and he is going to tell you and share what he did to get to where he is but you'll be surprised.

Louise Porter and Alice Everdeen are straight up GOOD at what they do and they are a lot of fun to talk to. Enjoy some insight into these 2 ladies careers and hear their samples of just how good they are! Lots of fun in a bit longer podcast this week but hey... I bet you enjoy every minute!

I juat missed you all and needed to talk... thanks for being there! LOL ! Damn is it slow or what? And hot.....

Dane Scott. You know him! The Gig Doctor! The Coach! Dane shares a wealth of knowledge with Fiverr users daily through his help but there's more you didn't know about his background! Plus he also understands why some people just don't like Fiverr or want it around. Enjoy a conversation with the Gig Doctor! Stay til the end!

Thanks for the great ideas on episodes... today I touch (barely) on is the conversational trend going away or is it still the number one... it is NEVER going away! Pulling back is the expectation... way back! Plus a lot of random babbling this week on things being slow for vacation time and what I do when it is slow.

Multi-talented VO Brad Grochowski joins me today to talk about his first year and his different approach to VO. Brad does lots of long narration and audiobooks bringing a different look at how he plans to grow his business. He also is a performer in a band plus graduated from the theatre. A man of many talents living in Baltimore with his family... enjoy this look into yet another peer and what he is doing in VO!

There are so many places to market your VO business and being a NEW voice artist you may be overwhelmed at all of it and why not? Fiverr, Upwork, Voquent, Mandy, Voices 123, Voices dot com, Cast Voices and there are more. Don't drown, slow down! And I apologize in advance for the "character" rant and getting off track... it's just what I do best... lose my train of thought!! Thank God VO's are scripted cause this show..... AIN'T!!!!!

Auditions. If you are doing them, are you winning? If you're not you may need to SLOW DOWN and self direct more. How? Today's episode is all about how I do it based on some coaching and research I have done. Does it work? I can say my booking ration on Voices went from 74:1 to 52:1 in 90 days. That's all due to coaching, workshops and when I have my senses... following these steps. Do I ever cold read...I shouldn't but yep... however these steps help me greatly and I have to discipline myself to do it. I hope it helps you as well.

A quick look back at my first year in VO and some clips from then and now. Still climbing and grinding, still fighting that accent!!

Mental health as a VO can be a challenge... good mental health that is. This episode talks about how to channel all of that stress and pressure into something good.

The first year of VO is a crazy ride. I am past year one and headed into year two and sharing some insight on all of the coaches, teachers, Facebook pages and more. There's so much thrown at you WHAT DO YOU DO??

How will you stay cool in the booth? Quick self discussion about some options I looked at and then the decision.

Getting work, doing work, marketing, website, social media, more.... how I handle some of my stress and hoping it helps you.

When and how do I ever find a brand and start branding? How will I find my niche?? Time takes care of many things... I am not the expert but here is my take on this PLUS some great tips on helping your conversational read.

Troy speaks with Michael Robbins and talks about his jump into full time

Enjoy conversation with Trevor O'Hare... father, Fiverr TRS and coach!

Initial episode

We're taking our own advice, and really getting serious about our businesses. With that, comes some changes to the podcast schedule, and frequency of our meetups, so that we can leverage the limited time we have available to do what's best for our businesses. We encourage you to do the same.Now don't fret, we're not going away. You'll still be able to connect with us on facebook, and we'll still be doing the other things just not quite as often. Drive a stake in the ground, commit to the success of your business, and get busy getting busy!

It's not easy. WE KNOW... we are in the trenches also. Technical issues, software, DAW's... but why do VO's really fail? Troy and WIll dig into the subject and as you know... they can make it last! I bet their families go the other way when they drive up for a gathering... talk talk talk.... but seriously... this is a business that has many failure avenues!WORKSHOPS:https://voiceover.guru/Linda Bruno and JJ Wilson lead these on Wednesdays. Currently $60. 2 full hours, 6 people, excellent scripts to choose from or bring your own. We have both been going for a few months and truly enjoy these sessions. Learn from the pros!

Dip your toes into a little marketing talk and round robin conversation this week... have a topic for us? We are waiting on you to message us! These guys can BS on about anything for 30 minutes!

Open forum! Going full time and when? Kick the tires and decide! But it's a BUSINESS not a hobby... the time is ????

You can bet these 2 will fill a half hour... with or without a topic. It's spring, and there's a new mic arm they like and then its this and that... they are free wheeling this one folks... enjoy!

Whether a part time VO who CANNOT not work, or a veteran who wants to audition while on the road, you CAN function away from the studio with a little prep and imagination! Troy and Will offer up some suggestions and tips on getting a decent sound on the road.

Ok so you're in the VO biz. You've done your You Tube channels, a few "better" jobs but you feel you can do more. What's my next step? As a VO get used to having a coach... forever! Name one person who has led their sport, industry, etc and one thing is common... they have a coach. You need one also... but when? Once you have your basic gear, your room treated well and are getting some business YOU NEED COACHING! So do WE!!!

The guys talk basic "how to see if this is for you" to "now that you're in this for the long run" covering mics, interfaces and more as they reveal their picks and hits & misses with starting up in VO. Will has a fairly deep background and Troy... well he has a farm so go figure.

You've got that BIG JOB and it calls for a DIRECTED SESSION and you are TERRIFIED and NERVOUS! Stop... breathe and remember you already got the job! What it's all about doing a directed session and why it ROCKS! The guys talk about the different types of platforms and using typical meet ups for a session and their "firsts" in doing these.

Links referenced in this episode:Voice Overview: https://www.voiceoverview.comLearning Ally: https://www.learningally.orgVO Weekly Workout: https://www.voweeklyworkout.com

We won't give you what we've paid for... that's just NOT FAIR but we can point you in the right direction to help get you started... THEN you can decide how deep down you want to go. Everyone teaches marketing... and the "basics" are the same so here Will shares some great info on kicking off your direct marketing efforts.

You are "in"... you have a few jobs and you feel like this is for you... so now what? Where do you focus? Are you working another job? Will and Troy share THEIR experiences in hopes that it helps your climb!

Mike talks about how he started in VO (he is from Tennessee but he has shed his accent... there's hope for Tater!) and his different offerings on Demos, Coaching, etc. Will and Troy are both "students" of Mike's and he also reveals that he has 4 coaches himself! A very interesting episode and worth the wait!

If you are a fairly new VO I have to imagine you might have been approached to do the $5 You Tube reads... and even promised a "raise" once the channel caught on. Take heart, there is a reason you SHOULD do some of these and in this episode we scratch that itch. Join Troy and Will as they share their experiences, good and bad, related to You Tube reads... and why you should try them.

The boys kick the tires on Fiverr... and do they have the secret? What gets you on the front page of searches? What is the "must do's" for Fiverr success? We don't know all the answers but we've dug up a few....

Troy and Will share a little more info on building your demos. Where to get GOOD material, breaking it down for the best read, and moving it to video. Both the old boys were coughing and they are a thousand miles apart so we aren't sure how they both have the crud... but the PODCAST must go on! Keep climbing the ladder!

We are jumping in the deep water talking about DEMOS and this is PART ONE of a multi part series of at least 3 episodes about DEMOS. When, what kind, how much... no wait, do I need to BUY a demo? Who should I hire? How often do I change it... REMEMBER... THIS is the Voice Over Rookie phase so buckle up sweep pants... we got a few answers or opinions for you!

Will and Troy are kicking the tires on the need for a website... when, what needs to be on it, who do I use? Tater and Will cover lots of "do's and don'ts" related to a Voice Over website as you get started.

Truth? Myth? Thankfully many are giving out the same information (if they really want to share) and as a new VO Actor/Artist I have earned as well. Equipment? Platforms? Room Treatment? Can anyone be a VO Artist? I talk about lots of this and more in what became a VERY LONG "get ot off my chest" podcast! Next time Will Vincent joins me and we do some TECH TALK. Will is co-admin of the Voice Over Ladder page on Facebook and like me, he's a rookie but has a lot of tech experience and is a HUGE help to many. We do a live session every Wednesday night from our page so join soon and log in.

This week it's just about an intro to the Ladder and starting. Nothing happens if you never start and I promised myself and a few others I would do this. Let's hold each other accountable in 2021!