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Saying "thank you" after the gig

By Karen on 07 May 2008 2:27PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seattle voice talent Jeffrey Kafer recently wrote a terrific blog entry about ways to go above and beyond in your service as a voice talent. While I do several of the things on his list, the most important one is expressing gratitude for the voice-over gigs that come my way.

Whenever I first work with a client, I always send that person a hand-written note and include a small gift card. I have been surprised how many people respond by thanking ME for the gesture! They truly seem touched by the thoughtfulness. Apparently, many people emulate Don LaFontaine’s view of thank-you notes and gifts:

Don't suck up! Please! Don't spend a lot of your time and money finding little gifts for your clients or sending thank-you notes after each session. I know this advice flies in the face of other opinions, but it's what has always worked for me. Think about it. You don't receive much more than a Christmas card from the people who work for you, like your mail carrier, your paper delivery boy, or your dry cleaner. There is no reason to be overtly grateful for the work. You're doing them as much of a favor by performing consistently as they are in giving you the job in the first place. It's a very symmetrical synergy.

-- Don LaFontaine, Secrets of Voice-Over Success, p. 20

While I don’t pretend to have the stratospheric demand or accompanying financial blessings of Mr. LaFontaine, I disagree with his statements about thank-you gifts on several points. First, voice talent cannot compare themselves to postal workers. American postal workers are salaried employees of the US federal government who automatically earn a paycheck and benefits. As I worked for much of my life as a federal employee, I can also state that federal employees are prohibited by law from accepting gifts exceeding a very modest value, and all gifts received in a calendar year count toward that value.

Aside from these monetary issues, the bigger difference between voice-over artists and postal carriers is that the postal service has a monopoly. If you want to receive mail and have it delivered to your house each day, you know you must contact the postal service.

Someone choosing voice talent doesn’t have such a clear-cut decision. The decision-maker could search for the ideal voice-over specialist through millions of individual web sites of voice actors or on various on-line casting sites. The person looking for voice talent may decide to contact a talent agent to narrow the field, or they may be influenced by the marketing efforts of a particular voice talent. Perhaps the person asks someone in their industry for a recommendation.

Regardless of the manner through which they decide to hire me, I am well aware that my clients had a choice. When they have another opportunity to contract voice talent, I want to do everything in my power to ensure they choose me again. My thank-you note may signal the end of the first job, but often, it is the bridge to a long-term relationship.

In the big picture, gratitude is a critical attribute for attracting prosperity and abundance. How can you expect to receive more of anything -- including voice-over jobs, wealth and prestige -- if you don’t convey constant gratitude for everything that you already have?

Showing gratitude today will not only set you apart from other voice talent, as noted by Jeffrey Kafer, but more importantly, you will put the right kind of energy out in the world. As I continue to read and learn from works based on the Law of Attraction, I understand more and more that what you put out in the world will come back to you and probably in ways that you didn’t expect.

Because of the energy that I am sending forth into the universe, I expect someday to achieve the level of success in voice-over currently enjoyed by Don LaFontaine. Even then, I would still send a personal thank-you note to each new client.

10 questions to ask coaches and demo producers

By Karen on 10 March 2008 8:45PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

As I wrote in a previous entry, I generally don't provide personal advice about one's voice-over career. If I can answer a question quickly, such as referring someone to a teacher or a previous blog entry that answers the question, I am more than happy to do so. However, I usually don't have the time to provide in-depth advice in my responses to people.

The comment below was left on my blog. On the surface, Carol's question might look like it requires only a quick "yes" or "no" answer. As I read each word, I realized a quick answer would be a dis-service to Carol. Furthermore, my views may be helpful to other people. Therefore, with Carol's permission, I didn't publish her remarks as a comment on another entry and am instead featuring it in this entry.

Hi Karen, Love your practical and ethical information. I am a newbie to the VO area, having just taken an Intro to VoiceOvers at local community college given by Mike Elmore. During the class he recorded each of us reading a script (just a few lines) and I got an email from him saying he was very impressed. Then I got a call from Levi Morgan of Voices For All, saying the report he got from Mike was glowing and encouraging me to take their in-person 3-day workshop.
Since I have nothing to compare it with, I hope you could comment on whether this would be a good way to break in. Bear in mind that I am a retired RN, looking for some fun and creative as well as possibly lucrative work.
Their course includes private coaching (they only accept 15 students four times a year), full narration & full commercial demos, mixing & mastering a demo for me with music, editing & sound effects, a marketing plan, home studio manual, workbook, classes on every aspect of the business, my own website with the demo (lifetime hosting), support for ProTools, lifetime coaching support, plus my airfare & lodging while in Albany. Inclusive is $3199.
I can afford this, and love the idea of being able to work out of our RV during summers which he said I could (no soundproof studio....) I'd love your honest feedback before making a decision, which I need to do quickly if I am to enroll in the May class. Thanks so much! Carol

Carol, thanks so much for your nice comments about my web site. I'm glad if anything I have written is helpful to you. You asked for my opinion, so this is it: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I would look elsewhere for my voice-over training.

I could have just left it at that, but I wanted to explain my reasons for disliking this package deal.
DISCLAIMER: Everything that follows is MY OPINION since I didn't delete the names of the people involved. I know nothing about them or their company and therefore reiterate that I am only offering an OPINION.

Continue reading 10 questions to ask coaches and demo producers.

Do voice-over talents want more competition?

By Karen on 07 March 2008 11:15AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

People often send e-mails to me with questions and comments, and I endeavor to respond to everyone. The topics raised in the message below were so interesting that I wanted to answer them here rather than in e-mail. With Ken's permission, I have quoted his message.

Hi Karen. My name is Ken. I discovered your website one day when I was looking on Amazon for books on Voice Acting and I saw your recommended reading list...I must say that I found your site tremendously useful. I'm really impressed by your generosity of spirit and the fantastic information and resources you provide...Now to my questions. These have bugged me for years and I wonder if you can lend some insight.

Number one is:

If Voice Over is so competitive (and I have no doubt that it is) why are so many successful voice talents sharing their "secrets". Doesn't this just add to the competition they are facing? Do they really want MORE people in the business?

First, thanks so much for your very nice note and kind words. I am grateful for the feedback.

Coca-Cola has a closely-guarded secret formula. The US military implements secret plans that endanger lives. In my view, voice-over does not have any true secrets.

A voice-over career is like the notes in music. Only 12 possible tones can be made in music, yet you can hear them in numerous pitches. More importantly, those 12 tones can be held and combined in an infinite number of sequences to produce an endless series of rhythms, tempos and key signatures that form new music.

Our voice is our music; no two voices are exactly the same. Our interpretation of the words on the page and style in performing them is not the same. Like musical genres, some voices will appeal to one market segment and not to others. The reason the competition factor is emphasized in voice-over and all performing arts jobs is because people have a misguided viewpoint that they only need a nice-sounding voice. They think the work is easy and doesn't require any special skills.

The truth is, that like any other profession, lifelong study in voice-over is necessary to achieve and maintain your market share. How does any newcomer learn if not under the guidance of a more experienced teacher? Do top sports figures stop practicing and working with their coaches on daily basis?

"When you are hired for a
voice-over job, you don't take
anything away from me, my
accomplishments and my job
prospects."

Do musicians stop practicing and studying with a teacher once they learn a piece of music up to tempo? Do people in the IT industry stop taking classes geared at maintaining technology? Voice-over is like other business ventures in that some people will find work more easily, often and lucrative than others.

I don't view other people as my competition. (I also don't view any person who lives on this same earth as my "enemy", either, but that's another discussion for another time.) We live in an abundant world, with more than enough work for everyone. More voice-over opportunities are appearing everyday with the advent of new media and associated outlets. When you are hired for a voice-over job, you don't take anything away from me, my accomplishments and my job prospects. You would be hired because you successfully marketed yourself to someone who wanted to work with you because they liked your voice, your delivery style, your fee, etc.

If I tell you something that has brought me great success, you may or may not implement the tactic. Even implementing my tactic does not guarantee you will match my success. You will never do things exactly in the same way that I do because we are different.

In a simplified example, a coach or director can give you a line read. You interpret what you heard and reproduce the sounds and emphasis as best you can. Even when you nail the emphasis, your different vocal characteristics will guarantee that you won't sound exactly like the other person.

Continue reading Do voice-over talents want more competition?.

12 tips for more natural narrations

By Karen on 23 February 2008 2:01PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

When people find out that I'm a voice talent, they often ask me to "do a voice". They seem disappointed when I respond "you're pretty much hearing it now." Many people expect all voice-over professionals to record zany voices for cartoons and movies. They often don't realize that voice actors are also the people who record the radio and TV commercials, audiobooks, documentaries, training programs, games and phone systems.

While practice is necessary for proficiency, much of any kind of voice-over work depends on your mental state when performing. The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the voice is the door to one's emotions. Whatever you are thinking and feeling is instantly heard in your voice. For instance, I'm sure people have said to you things like "you sound tired" or "is something wrong?". Your voice mirrors your thoughts and emotions.

Much of my voice-over work is in corporate narrations and training programs. Recently, one of my contacts, an educational specialist who is producing and narrating some internal training programs for his company, asked me how not to sound like he was reading a eulogy at a funeral. I gave him the list of 12 tips show below, listed in no particular order. I thought others may find them helpful in making your narrations more natural and conversational.

1) Don't rush the words. We tend to rush if we think we are running out of time or when we start thinking that people aren't interested in our topic. This inner stress will be heard in the voice. Narrations usually are not rigidly time-sensitive like a commercial, so you really DO have plenty of time!

2) Articulation and diction are essential to properly convey the message. A voice-over narration should be transparent to the listener. You want the audience to be concentrating on your message and not distracted by the manner in which you are presenting it. Over-enunciation can be as distracting as sloppy enunciation.

3) Speak at your normal pitch. If you change your pitch because you don't like the sound of your voice or think that people want to hear something else, you are not being authentic to yourself. The recording suffers because you are concentrating on the sound of your own voice rather than the message that you intend to convey.

4) If you need more energy, stand up while recording. I sit when recording long narrations. When doing so, the key to maintaining energy is to sit up straight and not let your chin dip down toward your chest.

5) A smile adds warmth to any word, but a smile throughout the piece could sound forced and inauthentic. The sound of a constant smile erodes our trust in the spokesperson. Think of the used car salesman that we all try avoid -- "friends, have I got a DEAL for you!" :)

6) Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water before, during and after the voice-over session. As you speak, you are expelling saliva. A dry mouth is frustrating when performing a voice-over but actually could be the starting point for a number of more serious health problems.

7) In your mind, picture one person to whom you are presenting this information. This shouldn't be a random person but instead should be someone who would actually be interested in obtaining the information you are providing. As you perform the script, speak as if you are having a quiet conversation with that person. If your volume is too loud, it shows that you aren't aware of your context. The images should have the starring role, with the narration blending as a supporting player.

8) Practice the text out loud prior to recording. Mark the script with words to emphasize and places to pause.

9) Read using chunks of phrases. You usually can mentally read several lines ahead of the point where you are speaking. By paying attention to your phrasing, you won't sound like you read to the end of a line and paused at an inopportune moment to send your eyes down to the next line. I'm reminded of old typewriters when I hear this type of narration, and I instantly stop listening to the message because the veil of transparency was dropped.

10) Breathe from your diaphragm and not your chest. Chest-breathing is more shallow, so you cannot get enough air to sustain you through longer passages. Better breathing also makes your voice sound fuller and richer.

11) Don't let your pitch drop at the ends of sentences. It can sound rushed or that you are not interested. In either case, your listeners will detect the change and again would not be thinking about the message.

12) Relax! If you are holding tension anywhere in your body, it will be heard in your voice. Totally lose yourself in the words in the script, and let them be your only point of thought while producing your recording.

While I mostly record narrations, I love to perform character voices. I look forward to the day when someone wants to hear one of my voices, and I demonstrate something as famous as Nancy Cartwright voicing Bart Simpson! :)

Obtaining the audio rights of books

By Karen on 10 January 2008 4:02PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I received an inquiry today from someone interested in producing her own audio books. I thought other voice talent might find this an interesting topic and be able to add their knowledge to the discussion.

To obtain the audio rights on a book, you first have to learn who has the rights: the author, the literary agent or the print publisher. I have found that answering inquiries from individuals is not high on the agenda for some large print publishers. You may wish to start by querying the author about the rights. Like all other facets of your voice-over business and marketing, your research into audio rights may require persistence.

The author may need to research his/her contract. One author told me that she wanted to perform her book, so that's another possibility that may occur. A literary agent told me that I may be able to offer the author something like $1000 for the audio rights If the author still controls them. However, I'm sure the exact amount depends on the author, the book's popularity and each person's skills as a negotiator.

Once you have the audio rights and are ready produce the recording, you also have to consider how you want to distribute the book. Will it be on-line, on CD or both? Books on CD require additional planning and money for the packaging. Will you pitch the book to an existing audiobook publisher who already has a distribution channel or forge your own path?

Recording and editing an audiobook to commercial standards requires a significant commitment of time. A commercial audiobook also requires time and expense for marketing. You may wish to perform books in the public domain for Librivox to gain experience and see how much you enjoy the process before deciding to pursue the acquisition of audio rights for a book. Also, many people gain experience and satisfaction out of volunteering for agencies that produce audio recordings for the blind and print-handicapped. You can search the Internet for locations in your area.

For additional questions about audiobook narration, I encourage you to read the article about getting started in audiobook narration on my web site. If you have more to add on the subjects of obtaining audiobook rights, audiobook distribution and audiobook marketing, I would love to hear from you! I encourage literary agents, authors, audio publishers and voice talent to leave comments so that we all can learn from each other.

How to achieve success in voice-over

By Karen on 20 November 2007 9:54AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The dictionary is the only place where Success comes before Work.

A couple of recent situations made me think of this phrase. I believe that you can achieve any goal you set for yourself ASSUMING that you are willing to do the work necessary to achieve it. I also know that no one can do your work for you, and no shortcuts exist on your journey.

I have previously commented and voice-over coach and actor Peter Rofe noted in an article this week:

There are a lot of people who want to get into voice-over work

because they have the misconception

that it's a get-rich-quick scheme, that they can stay at home,

record their voice in their pajamas, unshaven in a T-shirt ...

and make lots and lots of money.

Now in some cases, that's true, but usually for well-established voice artists.

I frequently receive calls and e-mails from people who want to get started in voice-over, study with me, request demo critiques, ask my opinion on teachers and classes, etc. A few weeks ago, I saw a message on a forum where I’m a regular contributor. Like so many other people who contact me personally, this person wanted to get into voice-overs because she has always been told that she had a nice voice. A forum member directed her to search for my posts, read what I had written and perhaps send a private message to me if she still had questions.

At 12:24pm, she responded that she would take those actions.

At 12.30pm, I received a private message from this same person. She wrote that she posted the question in the forum, and someone suggested that she contact me.

Continue reading How to achieve success in voice-over.

Plugs for a day job and the environment

By Karen on 15 October 2007 6:16PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Al Gore typifies my motto of “things happen for a reason.”

I like Al Gore, and I voted for him in the hotly-contested 2000 Presidential election. While millions of Americans were immensely disappointed and even angered that he didn’t win the election, we can see that it was better for him personally that he didn’t become the 43rd President of the United States.

If Gore had become President, he would not have had the time or energy to lead the crusade for the environment. In 2007, Gore has achieved rock star status. First, he won an Academy Award for his documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and now, Gore is the co-recipient of the coveted Nobel Peace Prize. You don’t have to agree with his assessments about the environment or his politics to be impressed by his monumental achievements.

So what do Al Gore and his push to save the environment have to do with you as a voice-over talent?

Continue reading Plugs for a day job and the environment.

Talk like a pirate

By Karen on 19 September 2007 8:26PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Avast ye maties! I'm sure ye'd be knowin' that this be a special day! Aaarrggh, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day, like it be every time the September sun rises on the nineteenth day.

Another lass and I were discussing this auspicious occasion yesterday, and we wondered why you never see any female pirates in the movies. She advised me that peg legs throw of your balance when you're wearing stiletto heels. I added that stilettos wouldn't be very safe when walking on wooden planks. Also, women tend to pursue more hygienic habits and environments than men. Of course, there's that whole "women considered property through the ages" thing...but I digress.

I have a theory that one reason that the Pirates of the Caribbean movies were so incredibly successful -- besides the action-filled storylines, brilliant acting, magnificent scenery, compelling musical score and dentistry appropriate to the time period -- is because of the perfect casting. Geoffrey Rush not only looked the part of the pirate, but you have to agree that his pirate talk made ye shiver in yer timbers! Johnny Depp, meanwhile, belied the pirate stereotype and spoke in a completely unexpected manner.

I think a lot of men enjoy creating pirate voices that sound like Geoffrey Rush. If the man is a voice-over actor, he might be tempted to put that pirate voice on his commercial demo. It's the same for women imitating Margaret Hamilton as the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. We all want to show our range, and some part of us likes to play the villain.

It may be fun to talk like a pirate or a witch, but don't put those voices on your commercial demo if you want to get booked.

Continue reading Talk like a pirate.

The 60-second elevator speech contest

By Karen on 05 July 2007 8:29AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I frequently state in my blog that voice-over is a business, yet people write things to me that indicate that they either are ignoring or don't know about the business aspects of being a voice-over talent. Just last week, someone sent me an e-mail stating that

I believe I have a talent and I would love the freedom and independence that your job provides.

You could do lots of things if you wanted to be free and independent. However, most of those things require some actual work to make them happen. Becoming a voice-over talent is no different. It requires you to continuously work at improving your abilities and gaining publicity for your business.

Speaking of independence, yesterday (4 July) was our Independence Day here in the United States. Since the day is one of the major US holidays, many people decided to declare their independence from work all week. As a business owner, though, I always feel the need to do something each day to further my goals, even when those days fall on weekends, holidays and vacation.

I'm not saying I spend hours working on those off-days, but I usually do something, however small and insignificant it might be. Sometimes I may read a chapter in a marketing book. I might write down people to contact on the next business day. I often will do a quick audition or send an e-mail response to someone. I write entries for my blog. I may write or record a podcast script. (I'm perfecting ideas for 2 different types of shows and am deciding how to present them.)

Yesterday was no different. While it was a holiday, I took an action that wasn't even on my mind at the beginning of the day. I wrote a 60-second pitch.

What is a 60-second pitch? Why did I write mine yesterday? The answer to both questions is at the Voices.com web site. As usual, Stephanie Ciccarelli has done a brilliant job of explaining the concept of the 60-second pitch -- also known as your "elevator speech" -- and why it's needed by every voice talent.

Furthermore, starting tomorrow, Voices.com is sponsoring a contest for the best 60-second pitch among voice talent! The contest is open to all voice talent. After reading about the prizes, I am eager to win! I wrote my pitch yesterday and will record it today or tomorrow after refining it.

By the way, to further emphasize the point about voice-over being a business, I also encourage you to read Stephanie's excellent and detailed blog entries relating to the business, especially about a business plan and business cards.

So you see, even in a slow week you can do something that will pay big dividends in your voice-over career later on. Even if you don't win the contest, you will have a succinct speech ready to describe your voice-over business when you are next in a networking situation.

How well do you follow instructions?

By Karen on 15 June 2007 11:16PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I have been traveling recently and have been unable to update my blog for several weeks. One of my trips was to New York to attend the Audio Publishers Association conference and BookExpo. Since audiobooks and narrations are the main focus of my voice-over work, going to New York was mission-critical! I really enjoyed seeing many colleagues again, as well as meeting new audio and print publishers with whom I might develop a working relationship. I already am planning to attend the same events next year in Los Angeles.

It’s a law of nature that things happen in threes. That law was proven again on

Wednesday 30 May as I prepared to leave for New York.

Continue reading How well do you follow instructions?.

« Books | Main Index | Archives | Marketing »

Recently in Business Category

Saying "thank you" after the gig

10 questions to ask coaches and demo producers

Do voice-over talents want more competition?

12 tips for more natural narrations

Obtaining the audio rights of books

How to achieve success in voice-over

Plugs for a day job and the environment

Talk like a pirate

The 60-second elevator speech contest

How well do you follow instructions?

Karen Commins
Voice Actor

May 2008

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May 2008

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Karen Commins
Voice Actor