I prefer to say I’m a student.  I’m certainly a student of life and people and  relationships.  I have been for 59 years now.

But when people call me a Social Media “expert” or “guru”… I just cringe.  There are thousands of people whose knowledge of Social Networks FAR surpasses my meager skills, and I’m not even sure THEY’RE comfortable being called experts.  People like Brian Solis and Robert Scoble and Chris Brogan.

I don’t think my experience with New Media makes me even uniquely positioned to coach voice actors on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn and so forth.  The things you do to get clients as a freelance photographer, writer, plumber, or car salesman on social networks will work for you as a voice-actor too.

That is the lousiest build-up to a promotional announcement for an upcoming webinar I’ve ever seen.  But at least you can say I’m honest.

Here’s what I will tell you if you sign-up for my Edge Studio Social Media Webinar this Saturday:

• The over-arching mind-set you must have to create relationships, trust, and clients on Social Media.
• What and how and when to Tweet.
• Understanding FaceBook’s ever-changing interface.
• Using LinkedIn’s powerful search functions.
• Why you need to join groups on social media platforms.
• Video. Video. Video.
• Google Plus, and why you should care.
• What is Pinterest?
• Blogging successfully.

Just because I’m not an expert doesn’t mean I won’t talk A LOT about what I DO know.  The above list of topics are but a framework for working through the broad, deep, and tall topic of Social Media.  I’ll fill in lots of blanks, and work from a PowerPoint presentation that will outline all my thoughts.

We’ll leave plenty of time for questions and (hopefully) answers at the end.  The whole thing is scheduled for Saturday, 5-19-12 9am PST / 10am Mountain / 11am Central / Noon Eastern.  Again, you can see all the details and sign-up here:  http://www.edgestudio.com/social-media-marketing-for-voice-over.

C Ya There!

CourVO

One of the pluses about THIS un-conference is that the seating is limited.  That’s so YOUR seat has the same great view as everyone else’s!

Unlike other events with open enrollment, FaffCon4 didn’t need a lot of promotion.  Word-of-mouth alone led to the sold-out sign going on the door in short order.

Everyone in VO-land benefits from the lucky 100 attending FaffCon, ’cause like SXSW or TED, the ripples of inspiration and innovation spread out to the larger VO community.  I find it so inspiring that this event grew out of a collective spirit on the VO-BB in the first place, and then has thrived under the careful and tireless watch of Amy Snively (and a dedicated corps of her associates — Chief among them:  Pam Tierney, Connie Terwilliger and Peter O’Connell).

Yes, there are those associates, and then there are the supporters (and considerable cross-over).  I suppose you could count ALL the attendees as supporters, but then there are those who extend themselves even  further and become official supporters.

VoiceBank.net is the 800 lb Gorilla in that respect.  VoiceBank.net and their fraternal twin –  Voiceregistery.com — are the “Presenting” sponsors.  Everybody’s friend Bob Souer is the “sustaining” sponsor, and “key supporting sponsors” are Mara Junot, AudioTechnica, and David Goldberg’s Edge Studio.

The next echelon of help comes with the title, “Supporting Sponsors”, and that’s where I fall…’been there for 3 FaffCons, now.  And I’ve got great company, including BSW, Moe Eagan, Liz de Nesnera, JS Gilbert, Rich Owen, Bobbin Beam, and GA Voiceovers.

At the next level of support comes the “Contributing sponsors”.  They include a who’s who of Voice Over people and organizations:  The Dallas Voice Acting Meet-up group (brainchild of Cliff Zellman), Sound  Advice (Dan Friedman), Harlan Hogan’s VoiceOver essentials, Source-Elements.com, Lynda.com, The VO-BB, d3 VoiceWorks (Diane Maggipinto), Word2Wave.com (Hervé Chain), Melissa Exelberth, VoiceOverXtra (John Florian), and VoxMan (Corey Snow).

So there you have it.  The point here being:  if you love FaffCon and all it stands for and all it gives you, then you might consider patronizing the above list of sponsors with whatever sort of support you feel they deserve (Peanut Butter cups are fine for me, thankyou!).

On that 3-day weekend — Mar 23, 24, & 25th, watch for a surge of social media info comin’ across the transom on Twitter, and FaceBook especially, and I’ll be blogging, of course, from Ventura beach.

If you’re going…I can’t wait to greet you…if you’re bypassing FaffCon this time ’round, I can’t wait to fill you in on all the great stuff we’ll discuss.

Thanks to Peter O’Connell for the reminder to thank our sponsors.

CourVO

Well, not everyone.

I know established talent who have set minimums for all sorts of contingencies.  $350 minimum session fee for turning on the microphone, regardless of the length of the copy.  25-cents/finished minute.  $50 per page, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Arial 12-point typeface. $250 for the first hour, then $125 after that.  Quarter hours go for $50 each.

‘Course you could get around it all by joining the union.  Their rates are set in stone for reasons lost in the mists of time (kidding!)  Union rates may be more relevant VERY SOON if the AFTRA/SAG merger goes through.

I’ve tackled the subject of rates several times recently.  Paul Strikwerda and others, too.

See:  CourVO’s Blog:  Setting Rates, October, 2011

See: CourVO’s Blog: 20+ VoicOver Rate Sheets and Resources July, 2011

See: CourVO’s Blog:  VO Rates Rants, Feb. 2011

See: CourVO’s Blog: Setting VO Rates, June 2010

See Paul’s Blog:  Why You’re Leaving Money on the Table

See Paul’s Blog:  AudioBook Fees, What to Bid?

From time to time VOICES.com’s VoxDaily touches on this:  http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily/2010/04/a_discussion_about_rates.html is an example.  And Edge Studio publishes a highly-regarded rate card.

Doing a search for “rates” on VoiceOverXtra also returns quite a few good resources.

I also administer two LinkedIn groups on this subject, one is private, one is public.

SETTING VOICE OVER RATES

VOICE-OVER RATES (private)

This issue is inevitably tied to honest appraisals of self-worth, time and equipment invested, and market variables.  No matter what others tell you…unyielding, fixed, hard-and-fast one-size-fits-all rates are a rarity.

Ask friends in the biz.  Research the topic.

The last thing you want to do is underprice your value, nor do you want to over-bid yourself out of a job.

One immutable law comes clear, though.  The more you think of yourself and your product, the higher esteem you will gain in the eyes of your client.  ‘Works like a charm.

One more thing:  be willing and able to say “no”.  “YES” can seem desperate sometimes when you know better.

A couple of recent articles on setting freelance (not necessarily VO rates):

Setting Freelance Rates:  Hourly or Per-Project?

Setting Rates: A Field Guide

CourVO

The VoaToday.com site has been very busy, and this week offers perhaps the best prize package yet!  Remember, by merely stopping by and offering a comment in answer to the question, you are eligible for the prizes.

The week-3 question is: BRIEFLY, WHAT OVERRIDING CONCEPT RULES THE SETTING OF YOUR RATES?  (be as specific or general as you wish).

When you add your comment, you are contributing to a pool of wisdom that might just click-on a light bulb in someone else’s mind.  Hence, the impetus behind this whole month’s promotion:  Voice Over Awareness Today.  I hope you can find the time to visit.  VOAToday.com.

The week-3 prize package (each week, two winners) includes your choice of a life-time subscription to Voice123.com  See the details here.

Last week’s VOATing brought some meaty responses to the question: WHAT IS YOUR MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SECURING NEW CLIENTS?  <—- clicking that link will take you to all the responses from the week…there are lots of ‘em!  Winners from week-2 will be announced in a few days…and include smokin’ hot choice of options from Edge Studio.

Week-1′s winners have been announced.

Week-1′s answers on everyone’s favorite Go-To Microphone are also available.

Thanks, everyone for participating, sharing your knowledge, and helping to create a dynamic VO community!

CourVO

That’s why I’m particularly pleased to see Edge Studio move aggressively and charitably into New Media with a big upcoming announcement.

Gladly, they’re making it a move that includes a beneficial relationship with the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Organization…fitting to match readers with those who are challenged in that area.

I’ve been lending some nominal help to the management and staff at Edge in suggesting ideas to help in this launch.  It didn’t take much.  Edge already has an incredible online presence in the form of their website.  It’s a veritable treasure trove for voice actors, and keeps getting better all the time.

In the last month or two, though, I’ve met a number of times with owner David Goldberg, and their astute  Social Media Director Vanessa Richardson, to consider possible courses to a higher online presence, especially in FaceBook and Twitter.  The result of all our brainstorming is the announcement you’ll see below.

I hope you’ll contribute to this great idea, while at the same time helping this NYC-based voice over fixture become a little more present in a growing medium.

Please take the time to read the announcement below, and consider contributing.  The link to Edge Studio’s new FaceBook page.

CourVO

Contact: Vanessa Richardson

Tel. 888-321-EDGE (3343)                                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Email: Vanessa@EdgeStudio.com

Edge Studio Benefits Blind/Dyslexic Through Social Media The voice-over production and training group

raises money and awareness for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

When it comes to cooperation, what better match than between an organization full of professional readers, and those with reading disabilities who listen to professional readers.

That explains why, on December 20^th, Edge Studio will launch a charitable venture to benefit Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D), an organization that works with leading publishers and technology innovators for individuals with visual and learning disabilities.

David Goldberg, Owner and Director of Edge Studio, a voice-over audio production and training company, said, “RFB&D refers readers to us for training because their listeners prefer natural-style deliveries. So this is our opportunity to give back.”

Edge Studio will donate $1 to RFB&D each time a unique visitor clicks the “Like” link on Edge Studio’s Facebook fan page between December 20 and January 4^th. Edge Studio’s Twitter and LinkedIn pages, as well as various Internet user groups, including Google, and Yahoo user groups, will include links to the Edge Studio fan page.

(See URLS below)

The goal is to simultaneously raise money and awareness for RFB&D, while launching Edge Studio into the realm of social media.

In addition to helping a good cause, being actively involved in social media will make Edge Studio even more helpful to budding and veteran voice talent, and to anyone else in the entertainment/Radio/TV industries involved with voice recording. Daily posts and Tweets will give suggestions, share information, and refer visitors to EdgeStudio.com website for its generous supply of other tools and free information.

“Not only will our launch into Social Media broaden our reach to help more voice actors, but it will also help a cause we strongly believe in.” Mr. Goldberg said.  ”They want to hear readers, and we like to read! So supporting RFB&D is to everyone’s benefit!”

URLS:

Edge Studio

(http://www.edgestudio.com/)

(http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Edge-Studio-Voice-Over-Industry-Center/170306269655118 )

(http://twitter.com/EdgeStudio)

(http://www.linkedin.com/in/edgestudio)

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

http://www.rfbd.org

About Edge Studio

A leading authority in the voice-over industry since 1988, Edge Studio specializes in the production of voice recordings, and the training of new and established voice actors, narrators and other spoken-word performers. Edge Studio facilities have produced or recorded more than 13,000 voiceover projects, spanning all genres.

Production services include genre-specific expertise in production, casting, translation, project guidance and management, recording, editing, music, sound design, and answering any voice-related question.

Training services includes candid aptitude assessment, career guidance, voice-over coaching, demo recording and business/marketing skills. Advanced students and established professionals also receive individual training from coaches who are also respected performers recognized within the voice-over industry.

Edge Studio has facilities in New York City, Connecticut, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, and regularly produces and trains remotely via telephone, ISDN, the Internet, Skype, and other technologies.

###

For more information, or to schedule an interview with David Goldberg, please call
Vanessa Richardson at 888-321-EDGE (3343), or email vanessa@edgestudio.com

If only there were a yellow pages for voice-overs!

Heh…wish I’d thought of it first, but Edge Studio beat me to it.

THE VOICE OVER YELLOW PAGES, Resources for Voice Actors, is obviously the result of a lot of work…I’m not sure I could say it’s exhaustive, but if it catches on, and grows, it could be one of the top industry resources.

Now, others have certainly done a nice job, too, of compiling compendiums like this.  I like to think my blog has a lot of stuff on it…but I’m impressed with the Edge Studio’s initiative.  It’s certainly consistent with the wealth of other information on their site.

Take a look around the site, and listen for a big upcoming announcement from the NY-based voice-over audio production and training company.  They seem to be on the move these days.

CourVO

For a while during my hour-long teleseminar on Social Media sponsored by Edge Studio June 22, 2010…I waxed eloquent on the suggested do’s and don’t's of social media…that is, if you want to get and keep friends and followers.  Otherwise, it doesn’t matter what you do.

The whole teleseminar, of course, was based on the supposition that you DO want to get and keep followers and “friends”.  Furthermore, extending your brand onto those social media platforms may even garner you some new clients.

These concepts are not new, but apparently — with a teleseminar attended by the maximum allowable 100 listeners — a good many voice actors have a hunger for learning more about social media tools.

I set up my trusty FLIP video cam to record some of my end of the call, and the clip is below.  Mind you, I took NONE of my own advice for how to set up a good shot, as stated in my helpful website: OnCamTips…so forgive the terrible angle, and the news map of Las Vegas in the background.

To hear the full hour’s teleseminar session click HERE, and scroll down to the subheading ‘Marketing’.

Also, visit SocialMediaVO to see a more complete resource on leveraging New Media for your voiceover business.

CourVO

But apparently there IS something to show for the countless hours I’ve spent online.

The callers could be loosely herded into 3 categories from what I could tell by the questions (IMHO):

1)  Those who are neophytes and have yet to understand the value to their VO business of using Social Media site.
2)  Those who have launched their profiles and accounts with social media sites, and wonder:  ”Now what?”
3)  Those who have launched their profiles and accounts with social media sites, and say: “So what?”

For category one, I say:  Social Media is a FREE marketing tool that will help raise awareness of your brand online.

For categories two and three, I say:  ”Be yourself”…nothing more…nothing less.  It’s easy, ’cause — after all — you’re you.  And most of you are decent, hard-working people who aspire to excellence in your craft, and honorable relations with your clients.  Relate to people on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., as your genuine self — remarking on other’s posts, paying forward helpful tips, and building your strengths — and you will find success on Social Media sites over time.

I could go on and on with do’s and don’ts, trends, methods, and “best practices”, but it boils down to being interactive and social.  Those of you who are not particularly social, well…these sites allow you to fake it better than if you were in person at the water cooler engaging in awkward shoe-shuffling conversations.

A complete audio copy of the session can be found — probably sometime late Thursday or early Friday — on the Edge Studio website HERE.

For those of you who were on the call…thanks for being good listeners and supportive.

Let me know if I can be of further help in any way.  Don’t hesitate to visit the site http://www.SocialMediaVO.com for further information.

CourVO

The hour-long call-in session is free, and is reserved to the first 100 callers.

Our topic will be Social Media, and how it can work towards building your VO business.  Yes, you will see some of the same points Terry Daniel and I shared in our VOICE2010 presentation, but this mostly Q & A session will be more tailored to the concerns YOU have…as we dig a little deeper into the concepts and tools for taking

advantage of Social Networking for VO.

To see more about Edge Studio’s Talk With A Pro series, and find out how to participate in the call, click HERE.

Also, look for more changes to the SocialMediaVO web resource site in advance of this webinar, and in the days and weeks to come.

CourVO

…or would you rather spend it on about the best VO advice you’re gonna find anytime this year from a panel of industry experts?

Click HERE to see the line-up of VoiceOver sages Edge Studio is putting together for a teleseminar next Tuesday, the 12th in the evening.  I don’t know ALL the names, but even the few that I DO know would would be worth the price of admission.

And even if you can’t get free to listen-in at that hour on that day, the price gets you an archived copy of the two-hour session.

Worth $49?

CourVO