Hey, if every voice actor wrote just one article this simple every once in a while, how much more work would we ALL get?

Check it out HERE.

CourVO

Check it out.  Taj has proven himself over time to be an enterprising, savvy, and over-all stand-up guy in our business, who strives for what’s right.

Thanks for letting us know about the changes, Taj!

Click HERE or on his new logo above to go to the revamped page.

CourVO

Voice-actor, computer expert, and website wizard Chris Wagner linked to my article, then proceeded to further launch into a fresh vector, extending  the discussion in a way I never would’ve anticipated.

Click HERE to read Chris’ Blog: ”Computers as Narrators, really? naww…”

Thanks for contributing, Chris!

CourVO

It’s like swimming upstream most of the time, but every once in a while, you get a nod, and it feels good.

John Pozadzides is a self-made-millionaire in his 30’s who has the luxury of handing out those nods. 

He’s one of the founders of Woopra and many other Web2.0 achievements, but maybe is best known today as the author of ONE MAN’S BLOG.  (BTW, John is in Las Vegas as we speak for a PhotoShop convention).

For some unknown reason, I’ve managed to land on John’s good side, and he invited me to come onto his internet radio show: WealthNation.fm.  While I don’t think of myself as wealthy, I was honored to be part of a conversation with John and his cohorts on their show a couple of weeks ago. 

We talked about branding, and voice-acting, and entrepreneurship, and being on TV, and so forth.  You may actually enjoy listening to it….or not. 

Regardless, HERE is the link.  For all the interview is NOT…it IS another opportunity to further my brand in the matrix.

CourVO.

…and THIS is the link to his VO website: “The Voice of your Business”.  If you like what you hear when you visit, give him a couple of “attaboys”.

Visit either, and I think you’ll find a very clean look and guy who’s got his ducks pretty well in a row for a “newbie”!

CourVO

Click HERE.

CourVO

I've mentioned him before here, so just go there and read his stuff…it's really thought-provoking.  But I'm repurposing a recent blog of his below.  It's just timely for all of us to read, 'cause we all do e-mail out the wazoo without thinking these days.

Email checklist:

Before you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:

1. Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
2. Since it’s going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
3. Are they blind copied?
4. Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
5. So that means that if I didn’t send it to them, they’d complain about not getting it?
6. See #5. If they wouldn’t complain, take them off!
7. That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
8. Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated,
   personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to
   get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a
   sender. Probably none of my business, but I’m just letting you know how
   I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
9. Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
10. Have I corresponded with this person before?
11. Really? They’ve written back? (if no, reconsider email).
12. If it is a cold-call email, and I’m sure it’s welcome, and I’m sure
    it’s not spam, then don’t apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes,
    it’s spam, and I’ll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
13. Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
14. Could I do this note better with a phone call?
15. Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
16. Is there anything in this email I don’t want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
17. Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
18. Is it in black type at a normal size?
19. Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
20. Have I included the line, “Please save the planet. Don’t print this
    email”? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest
    ranger or flight attendant).
21. Could this email be shorter?
22. Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?
23. Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like ‘send big files’ and consider your options.)
24. Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
25. Are there any or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
26. Am I forwarding someone else’s mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
27. Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else’s)? (If so, delete).
28. Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it’s ‘actually true).
29. Did I hit ‘reply all’? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
30. Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, “yes,” is not helpful).
31. If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it’s? Just wondering.
32. If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is
    going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the
    asymmetrical nature of email–free to send, expensive investment of
    time to read or delete?
33. Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
34. Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
35. Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what’s to come and likely it will get filed properly?
36. If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?

Amazing what's out there… pieces of peoples' minds and lives and interests….

Some bloggers even write about voice-acting!  Now that's niche! 

'Ran across a blog last night that mentioned Don LaFontaine, and had to re-purpose it here for you.  Interesting part is:  the blogger is an MS employee in Belgium, but HE'S heard of DLF.  Impressive!

Here's the link to his blog, which when you come down to it, is really a link to a You Tube thing that Don voiced.

CourVO