Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘FaceBook’

When do you become an “expert”?

That word makes me uncomfortable.

That’s why, when I started my teleseminar Saturday morning  (Leveraging Social Media for Your VoiceOver Business) on behalf of the VoiceOverDirectory, I began by saying I’m a fan of Social Media, I enjoy Social Networking, I’m familiar and comfortable with New Media…I’m drawn to its potential…but “expert”?  Nah!

Social Media is too new, and so ever-changing for anyone to be able truly be an “expert”…at least by my definition, which I’m conveniently not stating here.

My talk was more about trends, indicators…mapping out a few directives that seem to be working FOR NOW…and why voice actors really shouldn’t ignore the opportunities afforded by New Media for furthering their brand, their personality…the relationships that may lead to enriching their personal lives, and advancing their business.

Amazingly, I talked almost non-stop about that for almost a half-hour, and still felt there was much left unsaid.

I’m a geek at heart, which means I’m a genetically hard-wired metal detector, perking up when a wayward  fragment of social media metal shows up on my radar.  But I know (that’s right, keep telling yourself, Dave) that Social Media is only one of the tools in my job-searching toolbox.  It just happens to be the one that captures my fancy (hey!…I found a gold doubloon!).

Maybe I’m on to something.  Maybe not.  Maybe it’ll bring me more VO jobs…or not.  Or maybe — just maybe — all this flailing around may lead me into an unexpected career vector that has little to do with voice-acting.  All I know is along the way I’m learning a ton, and meeting some of the savviest people on the planet.

Below is about a 2:30 excerpt of my teleseminar.  I recorded the whole thing on a trusty Logitech webcam…and the audio you hear is from the onboard Logitech mic (not the greatest).  On this segment I blatantly break a number of my own rules, stated so smugly on my new website: OnCamTips.com. But, there may be some value in watching this anyway: a segment on the rationale for voice actors to consider authoring a blog of their own.

I have no idea how many listened in, but quite a few responded afterward to say they’d like the resource material I promised to make available if they’d just send their e-mail address to me.  I think they were just being polite…;-}

BTW, write me at CourVO@CourVO.com, and I’ll put you on the mailing list for that resource material, too.

My thanks to Mark Davidson and Austin Alexander of VoiceOverDirectory for asking me to speak, and arranging this teleseminar so professionally. 

Also my gratitude to a couple of voice-actors who are social media VO giants in my eyes:  Trish Basanyi (@Trishsvoice) and Terry Daniel (@TDaniel39).

CourVO

Maybe you’ve already made up your mind about SaVoa, the Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists.

Some people seem to take exception to the rigmarole of having to pay $75, submit to a sound/voice evaluation by their peers, and if they pass muster….what?  They get a shield logo with their own personal membership #, and their name listed on the website???!!  Big deal!

I’ll agree, it does seem a little elitist.  Plenty of top-notch voice actors though, think it IS worth their while, so I’ll not linger on the debate of whether to join SaVoa in this article.  I’ve written about it before, and from what I can tell, some voice actors feel they have legitimate reasons for eschewing a SaVoa membership, and others will remain outsiders on sheer principle.

Instead, let me explain what’s happening.  SaVoa always seemed to “get it”.  Now it has GiddyUp.  I wasn’t a part of the formation of SaVoa, but the overarching vision, here, is to raise the level of respect, competency, and professionalism in the VoiceOver business.  So far, there have been cautious steps….organizational moves…slow growth…and a gathering of momentum.

But things are perking up.  A new Advisory Board is formed.  I’m on it, as well as 5 other stand-out people. (see list below).  We’ve already had a couple of conference calls, and a flurry of e-mail exchanges.

Thom Wilkins, a Director on the original Executive Board is spearheading the development of this Advisory Board, and we’re moving quickly.

Our first forays are into the hotbed of Social Media.  We are determined to raise more awareness among voice actors of our presence, and of the potential for great things in this organization.

What things?  Well, everyone’s bottom line is the chance at more auditions and jobs.  SaVoa aims to facilitate that by arranging unique liaisons with reputable voiceover partners for special treatment, the opening of “back doors” and first consideration for open jobs. SaVoa members can now post a demo next to their name on the SaVoa.org website.

Also, a major distributor of Audiobooks has agreed to commit two of their staff people to be points of contact for any SaVoa members.  More…much more is in the works.  SaVoa will have teeth, reputation, and respect because we’ll earn it the hard way.  In the process we hope to raise the level of this profession for everyone.

BTW, for those who want to consider joining, membership applications received by Sept 23rd that are accreditedc get a 4 year membership (The SaVoa Stimulus program).  After September 23rd, new applicants accredited will reveive the standard two year accredited period.

OK, enough rah-rah.  Here’s the meat – please click on the links below and join-up where you see fit.  You don’t have to be a SoVoa member to join these on-line groups, but we hope you’ll see the wisdom of such a move eventually.

SaVoa on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SaVoa
SaVoa on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117287448827
SaVoa on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=162044
(note, the SaVoa LinkedIn group used to be available only to SaVoa members, now it’s open to anyone).

Also, if you visit the SaVoa.org site, and scroll around on the Member page, you’ll see who’s on the new Advisory Board, but feel free to contact any of us with ideas, gripes, recipes, and job offers

Robert J. Sciglimpaglia, Jr.  07035 www.robertpaglia.com
Dustin R. Ebaugh 08017 www.tvandradiovoices.com/dustin.htm
Daniel R. Lenard 07047 http:/dansvoice.com
Dave Courvosiier 07041  http://www.CourVO.com
Scott Diskin 08004 http://www.scottdiskin.com
Rafe Sampson 08023 http://sampsonmedia.com

Thom Wilkins 07004 http://www.thomwilkins.com (Founding Member/ SAB Chair/ Member SaVoa Executive Board)

The SaVoa Blog will also take on new energy.  I’m helping to make notices more current and frequent, so please check in from time to time to see what’s developing.

That’s all for now.  We hope you will share our enthusiasm for this organization.  We think it has legs, and can benefit our entire industry.

CourVO