I know there are always workshops and conferences and meet-ups going on EVERY month, but for some reason September seems to be a veritable cornucopia of opportunities.

First and foremost, there’s FAFFCON.  Ho, boy!  Have you signed up for this yet?  Do. Be part of the first-ever VO UNconference.  Portland.  2nd weekend in September.  Click on the logo for all the info.

Then, there’s THAT’S VOICEOVER, Septemer 22nd.  Hosted in NYC by David Letterman’s Alan Kalter and created by Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker.  This is an event that just keeps getting better.

And then, there’s Marice Tobias — that elusive, but coveted coach holding an “Established Men in VoiceOver” event in my own hometown of Vegas on the last weekend of September.

Will I  make all three?  Nope…but 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

Sleep?

It’s so unnecessary…don’t you think?

CourvO

A pitch that runs the full length of the carpet down your hallway.

Roll this video to watch as I scroll down the page:

.
.

.

Normally, I’d say (and HAVE  said) run as fast as you can the other way! when you see promotional ads taller than your back yard Elm.

Only this time, the guys putting on the VoiceOverClass are top notch.

You don’t find any better coaches and genuinely experienced guys in the this business than Harlan Hogan and Dan O’Day.

Click HERE to see the whole pitch….just….couldn’t it have been said in one page, guys?

You dont’ need the hype…your reputations precede you!

CourVO

Some coaches are so way off-the-charts in demand that you have trouble getting on their roster (Wolfson, Tobias, Horvath).  OK, I shouldn’t name names, but there’s no shortage of VO coaches, and no shortage of debate about the efficacy of some operations, and whether they are a conveyor belt, flooding the market.  Ya know, I’m not here to get into all that in this article.

I just wanted to throw out the following link for those who may be considering an alternative.  VOCareer.com.

All I know is Gabrielle Nistico is on the staff, and one of the founders, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about her.  They’ve been around for quite a while, which is a good sign.  Call ‘em up and ask questions.  It’s the only way you’ll get answers.

Right now VOCareer is sending out the ACCELERATE flyer, and you may find something of interest there for you.

CourVO

Voice over artist, casting director, voice coach, and producer MJ Lallo will be the focus of this session.  She’s the best.  I keep running into her at VOICE conventions, and her material is always right on the money…a great person to get to know, as she can open doors for you.

VoiceOverDirectory.com set me up with a teleseminar back in November, and their product is everything it’s advertised to be…speaking of which, their ad for THIS event can be seen by clicking HERE.

This teleseminar is Saturday, so now’s the time to move on this.

CourVO

Why?…

I mean, is teaching VO more lucrative than DOING VO?

If you can do both, then, of course, more power to ya!…but all I EVER wanted to do was VO…not teach VO.

Do you reach a point in your VO career where you want to teach more than voice?  Don’t you just want to put all your waking energy into getting better VO jobs?…wouldn’t that pay better than putting all your energy into teaching VO?

Do you reach a point where teaching VO is more FUN than doing VO?

I’ve been anchoring local TV news for 30 years, and I’ve never reached a point where I want to coach TV newscasters for money.  I LOVE mentoring others trying to get a leg-up in the business… but coaching people to be better broadcasters?  ‘Doesn’t appeal to me in the least.  I’d rather just anchor.

So I ask…why teach?

The only variable I keep coming back to is money.  It must be more lucrative to teach than to voice.  Maybe ego.  That would motivate some, I guess.

Of course, you can’t just set up shop and teach VO without having DONE it to the point of respect.  THEN you can legitimately hang out a shingle, and expect to get students.  Right?

Maybe the pros who are teaching are just more naturally drawn to teaching or suited for teaching rather than voicing….

This is just stream-of-consciousness thinking-out-loud, here…

I’m trying to understand this.

I’m doing a session at VOICE2010 on social networking, but it’s not because I really want to.  I was asked.  I’m not getting paid.  People say they’re interested in what I might have to say.  Maybe I can help.  I could see where ego comes into it.  It’s nice to be wanted…but I’d much rather spend that time voicing a sweet national network spot at union rates.

Could it be that picking the low-hanging fruit is too irresistible?  I mean, there’re all those eager newbies who say “…I’ve always been told I have a good voice…could I do commercials?…” Do they make it more lucrative to teach than to voice?

Anyone?

CourVO

.

At 3:54am PST, I ponder this issue.

How much more of my personal time can I afford to give over to Social Media?

That simple question begets a rash of other questions that belie the complexity of the issue.

• First of all is the question: “Can I afford NOT to give that time, if I want a successful freelance Voiceover business under today’s new internet paradigm?”
• Secondly: “Is it really a burden if I’m having fun?”
• Thirdly: “Is it really a waste of time if it’s bringing me clients?”
• Finally: “If I DO draw a line…WHERE do I draw the line?”

(There are even more caveats, but again, you have to draw the line somewhere.)

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

I’ve been especially pondering this issue on behalf of the upcoming attendees of June’s VOICE2010 conference in LA.  Along with voice-actor Terry Daniel, I’ll be expounding on the ROI of Social Media for VO’s in a morning general session, and I hope to have some darn good answers for people who paid good money to learn something.

‘Trouble is, Social Media is such a moving target these days.  There’s a lot of flailing around in a pushing-the-envelope environment that sees trial-and-error success and failure in weeks, days, sometimes even hours.

Yet, in this new frontier, there are gold mines to be found.  Luckily there are also volumes being written daily…mostly in the blogosphere…to help.

RESOURCES

HERE is an extremely helpful, informative article entitled 10+ TIPS FOR USING TWITTER TO GROW YOUR FREELANCE BUSINESS.

And for those of you brave enough to take on Google’s latest Twitter challenge called BUZZ,  HERE is a primer for getting around, called HOW TO DO EVRYTHING IN GOOGLE BUZZ (INCLUDING TURN IT OFF).

Will you be there in June?  It really will be fun and worthwhile. I hope you try to make it.  See the registration site HERE.

CourVO

Luckily, I recorded MY end of the seminar on video, and Mark incorporates THAT audio instead of using my telephone-line recording.

Also, Mark puts together the links and information for downloading that’s very easy to follow.

Begin by clicking HERE. 

CourVO

“Below the Fold” is their latest newsletter…I’ve copied and pasted the whole thing with all their notices, promotions, ads, and contact information (with their permission)…’cause you should look through it.  And if you don’t already get this newsletter…sign up for it!   The link is at the bottom.

Seriously good stuff!

CourVO

Edge Studio – Voice Over Today               November 12, 2009

Voice Over URLs: 8 Mistakes, and 6 Ways To Choose One

A voice-actor called and said, "Go to www.MarksVoiceToYou.com."
So I went to:
www.MarcsVoiceToYou.com
but nothing came up.
So I tried:
www.MarksVoice2U.com
but nothing came up.
So I gave up.

The level of your voice over success can be partly attributed to your
website address (URL).  Sound strange? Think about it: If a prospective
client cannot get to your website, you’ll likely lose that client.
Following are 8 common mistakes that, when fixed, will SEND MORE CASTING
PROFESSIONALS TO YOUR SITE!  Following that are 6 STEPS TO CHOOSE A URL.

8 MISTAKES WITH YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS

(1) Ambiguous character mistakes:
Your business card says your website is "www.lOvoice.com".
The problem is that the first two characters appear to spell "ten", when
in actuality they are a lowercase "L" and capital "oh".

(2) Alternate Spelling mistakes:
Tell someone your website is "www.VoiceOverForYou.com", and they may
visit "www.VoiceOver4U.com"
Or if your website is "www.JayDoesVoice.com"
people will probably visit "www.JDoesVoice.com"

(3) Memory mistakes:
You want casting agents to remember your URL.
So you get "www.VoiceOverForYou.com",
but they may remember "www.VoiceOversForYou.com"
(with an "s" in "Overs").

(4) Display mistakes:
Which is easier to read: "www.christieinthebooth.com"
or "www.ChristieInTheBooth.com"?

(5) Extension mistakes:
If your website ends with ".org",
studies indicate that people still go to ".com"
So buy numerous extensions.

(6) Comfort mistakes:
Want a prospective client to know you’re a professional?
Then spend the extra $10 for "www.FranksVoice.com"
rather than "www.CableCompany.FreeWebsite.com/FranksVoice".
Likewise, process your email through your website, so it is
"Frank@FranksVoice.com" rather than FranksVoice@gmail.

(7) Hidden mistakes:
Is there another way to read your website?
For example, "www.GenItaliaVoices.com" or "www.voicesexpert.com".

(8) Similar-sounding character mistakes:
You’ve heard people clarify letters by saying, "That’s F as in Frank".
Well if your website has unclear letters in it, like "www.FMSB.com" be
prepared to do the same.  For example, say, "That’s FMSB as in Frank’s
Microphones Sound Beautiful", otherwise they’ll visit "www.SNFP.com".

6 WAYS TO CHOOSE YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS

STEP 1) Find 10 URLs which are appropriate (as mentioned above) and
available (visit a domain seller, such as www.GoDaddy.com, and use their
on-line tester).

STEP 2) Show these 10 URLs to 10 people (who will be candid with you).
Ask them to quickly read each URL out loud.  Cross out any URLs that
2 or more people mis-read.

STEP 3) Speak the remaining URLs to another 10 people.  Ask them to
write out each URL on a piece of paper after you say it.  Cross out any
URLs that 2 or more people misspell.

STEP 4) Speak all remaining URLs to another 10 people.  Ask them which
one(s) they remember.  THE URLs THAT MOST PEOPLE REMEMBER SHOULD BE YOUR
URL.

STEP 5) Tell 10 people your new URL and ask them to tell you every way
it could be misspelled, changed, misheard, or remembered incorrectly.
THEN PURCHASE ANY OR ALL OF THOSE VARIATIONS.

STEP 6) Lastly, purchase the most common extensions (".com", . "org",
and so on) for, at minimum, your real URL and preferably for the
variations as well.  Remember: website addresses only cost around $10,
so if one more client can find you, the extra expense is well
worthwhile.

WANT HELP?  Call our Ask-A-Coach, buy a private consultation, take our
marketing seminar, and so on…
Do what you can to ensure a marketable, professional URL.
==================================
Announcing FREE Live Tele-Seminar "LEVERAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR
VOICE-OVER BUSINESS" with Dave Courvoisier!
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Eastern)
All you need is a telephone to participate but this tele-seminar is
limited to 45 participants only!
Enroll now at www.voiceoverdirectory.com/teleseminar.html
==================================
Our friends at Voice Talent Productions have announced that The Second
Annual New York Voiceover Mixer will be held on Saturday, December 5th
at the White Rabbit in Manhattan from 6:00-10:00pm.
Billed as "The East Coast’s Premier Networking Event", last years mixer
drew hundreds of voice actors, coaches, students and agents and this
year promises to be even better. Admission is free but you must RSVP
soon to be added to the guest list.
Go to http://voicetalentproductions.com/Events.aspx for all of the
details and the guest list plus a list of incredible raffle prizes.
Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the evening.
Be sure to bring your business cards!
==================================
FREE CAREER CENTER, sponsored by Edge Studio!
ASK-A-COACH
  o WHAT’S YOUR QUESTION?
       o CALL 641-594-7078
       o Mondays 10pm-10:30pm ET
       o Wednesday 3pm-3:30pm ET
       o Fridays 10am-10:30am ET
PRACTICAL HELP ON GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
  o Archive & FAQs: www.edgestudio.com/answerseries.htm
WHERE DO YOU MARKET? WHO CAN HELP?
  o Marketing Links: www.edgestudio.com/marketing_resources.htm
CONSISTENTLY SOUND MORE POLISHED!
  o Vocal Care Chart: www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Vocal-Care.htm
UNIQUE & VALUABLE NEWS, ARTICLES, & OFFERS
  o "Voice Over Today" eMagazine:
www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Today.htm
ARE YOUR CD DEMOS MARKETABLE?
  o The "CD Helper":
www.edgestudio.com/voice-over-CD-demo-design-graphics-artwork.htm
STOP UNDERGHARGING YOURSELF!
  o The Industry Rate Card: www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Rate-Card.htm
A FUN WAY TO DEVELOP YOUR CAREER, FROM HOME
  o "The Industry Guidebook": www.edgestudio.com/guidebook.htm
DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF YOUR SCRIPT
  o The "Words-To-Hours" Converter:
www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Words-to-Hours-Converter.htm
NOW THERE’S NEVER AN EXCUSE NOT TO PRACTICE
  o 3,500 free scripts for practice and demo recording:
www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm
LEARN BEFORE YOU MAKE MISTAKES!
  o The "Voice Over Mistake Chart":
www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Mistake-Chart.htm
CANDID ANSWERS, FROM INDUSTRY EXPERT PANELS!
  o "Talk With A Pro": www.edgestudio.com/workshop-talk-with-a-pro.htm
       o Tuesdays 9pm-10pm ET
       o Dial 641-594-7078
==================================
ONLY 1 IN 10 (voice over) COVER LETTERS GETS IT RIGHT.
An actual mailbox survey shows that 90% of voice-over talent make at
least one major gaff in their cover email, snail mail, CD label or
website. And the one prospect you miss, the one gatekeeper you turn off,
might be the one to make your career.
But you can’t avoid mistakes if you don’t know what they are.
As a freelance copywriter familiar with the voice-over business, I can
help. I’ve written dozens of small-business websites, countless sales
letters, thousands of radio commercials and much more. (Learn more about
me at www.rensch.com/vo-mktg .)
I’ll look over your marketing materials or plans AT NO CHARGE, and if
you could use some help, I’m available at a special affordable rate
offered only to artists.
Remember, what you say about yourself says a lot about you. Let’s be
sure your words communicate quickly, clearly and meaningfully to the
people you need to reach.
Please call Randy Rensch at 718-577-0005 or email me at
vo-mktg@rensch.com for a free consultation while time permits.
==================================
WEBSITES FOR VOICE OVER TALENT
Need a way to share your voice with the world? A website is an excellent
tool for promoting your unique talents and skill to casting directors,
agents, clients, and other industry professionals.
ArtistUpgrade is a graphic design boutique that specializes in the
development of professional, effective, personalized websites and
graphic design for creative professionals
WE OFFER:
  o Innovative designs that express your personal style
  o Unlimited media files for download
  o Free domain name registration and hosting
  o Quality design at affordable prices
  o Design backed by Industry Research and Experience
  o Brand Development & Marketing Advice
PRICING: Call us for a free quote or visit our website at
www.ArtistUpgrade.com to learn more
WE LOVE EDGE: Mention "Edge Studio" to receive an exclusive discount on
any print or website design
READY TO GET STARTED?
Email us at info@artistupgrade.com or call 347-738-6020
ArtistUpgrade:: "The Power of Design."
==================================
FOLLOW DAILY VOICE-OVER NEWS & FEATURES!
Unless you’re visiting the VoiceOverXtra web site every day, you may
miss important insights and words of wisdom that can make all the
difference in your voice-over career.
VoiceOverXtra is the industry’s 24/7 news, education and resource
center. Visit today!
http://bit.ly/VoiceOverXtra-News
==================================
FREE ACTING AUDITION NOTICES
You may know that www.AuditionsOnly.com provides Free audition notices
and exclusive discounts to actor-related services
What you may not know is that we are the #1 e-mail advertising resource
for performing arts professionals and services. WHY?
  o We have an active list of over 13,000 e-mails (actors, singers,
    directors, agents, casting directors, producers etc )
  o We have over a decade of experience assisting actors and
    performing arts services with internet marketing.
  o We help you create successful ads by understanding your passion
    and bringing that passion into your marketing materials.
  o We review who opened your emails, who clicked on your website,
    and we advise you on what to do for future success.
  o WE ARE AFFORDABLE!
Lastly, we stand behind our work 100%. If you do not receive the results
you are looking for, we will work with you at no charge until we find a
way that WILL bring you results
Please call David Marcus @ 718-812-8148 or email david@AuditionsOnly.com
for further information.
==================================
CASTING CALL FOR AUDIOBOOKS:
Talent listings in AudioFile’s Audiobook Reference Guide
NEW OR EXPERIENCED, put your voice in front of directors and producers
who cast audiobooks.
AudioFile, is the source of all things audiobook, and the Guide’s Talent
listings have the features audiobook producers asked for!
  o Multiple voice demos
  o Audiobook credits linked to reviews
  o Agent & Contact information
  o Accent & language skills
  o And more.
List in AUDIOFILE’S AUDIOBOOK REFERENCE GUIDE. Just $160 includes
AudioFile magazine professional subscription. Find out more:
www.audiofilemagazine.com/guide_talent.html Or
Guide@audiofilemagazine.com or 800-506-1212 or www.audiofilemagazine.com
==================================
FOR THOSE WITH A DEMO
. . . IT’S TIME TO GET CUSTOMERS!
WELCOME EDGE STUDIO’s ‘BUILD YOUR BUSINESS’ PROGRAM
  o offer clients more genres
  o win more auditions
  o charge more from your home studio
  o gain more results from less marketing
A monthly, on-going program with 6 different classes each month,
designed to help you continually reassess your approach, gain customers,
and charge more.
We’ve seen a direct correlation between voice talent who take this
program, and the amount of work they get.
THE ‘BUILD YOUR BUSINESS PROGRAM’ COSTS:
  o $57 per month
  o or $297 for six-months (averages $49 per month)
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES 6 Different Classes Each Month:
2 TECHNIQUE SPOTLIGHT WORKSHOPS
Learn More Styles, Get More Work!
  o HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
  o The Acting of voice acting
  o Breaking Down Copy
  o Learn Audiobook
  o Creating Imagery
  o High Energy Commercial
  o Multi-Person Dialogue
  o Learn eLearning
2 AUDITION RINGER WORKSHOPS
Candid & Blunt Audition Preparation!
  o COVERED ARE THREE TYPES OF AUDITION TRAINING:
  o tele-auditions
  o home-studio auditions
  o pro-studio auditions
1 HOME-STUDIO 201 TUTORIAL
Become A Faster, Better Engineer & Charge More
  o HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING TUTORIALS:
  o Removing Breaths & Mouth Clicks
  o Microphone Placement
  o Audio Delivery and FTP
  o Storage & Backup Options
  o File Types, Saving, & Conversion
  o compression, Gates, & Limiters
1 MARKETING 201 FORUM
Track Your Progress, Network, & Market More Efficiently
  o HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING FORUMS:
  o What Text Goes On Your Website?
  o CDs versus MP3
  o Should You Market Abroad?
  o Internet Audition Sites
  o Agents, Agents, And Agents
  o When And What To Say
To get started or ask questions: 212-868-edge.
Choose in-studio or tele-training.
Available via tele-class, webinar, and in-studio. See schedule:
http://www.edgestudio.com/schedule.htm#phase-3
Remember – we’re here to help. Call with any questions (212-868-edge)
and tell us your success stories!
==================================
Voice Over Today is gladly published by Edge Studio NOT YOUR TYPICAL
VOICE OVER SCHOOL
Have a question? Want free advice? Call, we’ll help!
  o www.edgestudio.com
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————————————————————————
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Zurek is the visionary who launched VoiceOver Universe, and is quite an accomplished Voice Actor in his own right.

As James & Penny note:  “we secretly think he never sleeps”.

There’d be much to learn in this session, I’m sure.

Click HERE to learn where and when.

CourVO

VO Career.com

‘Some knowledgeable articles, links, and references to people in the business who have made a good name for themselves (i.e. Deb Munro).

I’m honestly not all that familiar with this resource, so this is a neutral referral…but I can see some quality work that’s gone into this newsletter, and would welcome any feedback you have about VOCareer.com.

CourVO